Home again

[Anastasia]

It's just as amazing as before. As you savor that bite, Jessica tucking in?

"After a large assault on Celestia's beaches, both sides are settling in to bolster their defenses and focus on attacking off plane interests," Naeys continues, "As well as courting fringe and smaller groups into the war, while diplomacy goes to draw in bigger sides and forces. I've heard Zaaman Rul is fortifying his borders massively, expecting a strike from Imix."

[Ebiris]

"And we're almost certainly going to be one of those groups soon the way it's going," Alicia frowns a bit even with the deliciousness she's getting to enjoy. "If Tempus appears at this hunt he might have insights of his own as to the state of the war that would be worth finding out."

[Anastasia]

"Speaking of," Naeys says, "Officially, Warrior's Rest has no position in this war, as is true of most wars they participate in. Faithful will be participating on both sides, which is normal. I believe the Red Knight will honor treaties and send equivalent forces to both sides, but not seriously intervene, as she has ties to all aspects of law."

[Ebiris]

"We can ask her about that as well then," Alicia says. "Though if she's doing that I don't imagine we'll learn anything useful, and we should be careful what we tell her in turn."

She doesn't understand why Red Knight would have her own forces fight on opposing sides. While Alicia would have no concerns if a worshipper in one country had to fight a worshipper from another country if those two nations went to war, that's different from her sending her personal armies from Sylica and then having them battle each other.

[Anastasia]

"That's the thrust of everything, anyway," Naeys says, "Everything's curving towards the war, which shows every sign of spreading further. Though as you've heard I believe, Water is officially neutral. So there will at least be a few sides not involved."

[Ebiris]

"Unless they see an advantage I'm sure," she sighs. "Our hopes of acting as a deterrent were in vain it seems. Any news not related to the war?"

[Anastasia]

"I believe there's too many forces pulling others in," Naeys shakes his head, "Before that, you are aware of Seira's raids and efforts? I presume you're aware of that."

[Ebiris]

"She never went into specifics when I last saw her," Alicia shakes her head. "Though the Cauldron seemed well secured."

[Anastasia]

"Yes. General Valar saw to raids on efreet slaving interests. From all reports they went well, though doubtless they've corrected any weaknesses in their own defenses," Naeys says. "Reports vary somewhat, but most reliable and unbiased ones suggest it was some measure of a success."

[Ebiris]

"Good," Alicia helps herself to some more cake. "They'll need a lot more to win the war, but if they can build momentum off that it's a good start."

[Anastasia]

"As for news not related to the war..."

Okay, anything else on your immediate todos before this Red Knight trip?

[Ebiris]

Marie will monitor the Crimson Guard's attack on that Sharran dungeon as soon as they can get over there.

I also need to find out of Hell has joined the war. Or anyone else for that matter. Can my War domain help with that before I just go around asking people?

[Anastasia]

Yes. Go ahead and set up trying to focus on it and we'll roll from there.

[Ebiris]

After finishing the cake and seeing to Naeys and Jessica's departure, Alicia takes some quiet to lose herself not in prayer but in the currents of war which she embodies as part of her divinity, looking at all the participants in the Abolition War. Liberation War? Someone better come up with a snappy name for it soon. Anything that involves a large number of people she should be able to focus on in some level of detail, and this is no small conflict.

[Anastasia]

It's like losing yourself in a current of thoughts not your own.

War.

Battle.

Blood.

You feel the ache of war in your bones, demanding to be fed. Efreet, the Cauldron, dao, Celestia. More and more tip in, towards the proving grounds of war. You can feel Hell, you can feel its intent, ready and willing to strike, uncoiling and more and more are drawn into the conflict.

It's not a question of if, it's a matter of when. And odds are, when isn't long. Not long at all. Visions of great armies of fiends preparing, surging forward to Fire, surging forward to renew an ancient battle and new rivalry both.

You can feel the bloodshed, the courage of the defenders to protect what is right. The fury of the efreet, being treated as subservient to the whims of others, echos in your blood. The righteous fury of the archons, the crusading hope of the Cauldron, the sheer, stubborn hate of the dao. The looming shadows of the Pit, threatening to snake all of you in.

A war is coming. No small war, no little war. A grand war. A war that will rock many a plane by the time it is done.