Homefront

[Corwin]

Not immediate, but I want to talk to Elle, Sanzha or both.

[Anastasia]

Perfect, that's my next to do for you anyway.

After a chat with Gond about making public works on a grand scale, you return home. You meet with Lady Sanzha and Elle on Lady Sanzha's request and...

Go ahead with your end of it and I'll then segue into my ends of it.

[Corwin]

"Let's take a few moments to catch up," Seira says once they've all been seated on a patio, and drinks provided via the ever-thoughtful Vayley. "I'm about to start on a fresh diplomatic offensive, and it would be nice to see what burning issues we have right now, as well as how our ventures off-plane had gone thus far. Elle, how about you tell us whether there were any issues with the rescuees beyond the two plants Amaryl informed me of?"

[Anastasia]

Lady Sanzha sips her drink long and slow, eyes closed as Elle speaks.

"One more we found - for a total of three, this one was stealthier." Elle admits, "We could have others we haven't caught. Our policy is to assume we'll catch most attempts, but also work under the assumption that we'll miss a few. Since it's possible to even fool discern lies or similar magic if you have a strong will, stealthy enough magic or tight enough composure."

[Corwin]

"In the end, however, it may not matter much," Seira muses. "Yes, we may not be able to see past any protections against divinations without extreme measures, but since we are repatriating most of them, I don't believe much harm will come to us as a result of any subterfuge. Have any asked to stay in the Cauldron to make this an issue, Elle?"

[Anastasia]

"Not yet, but we also haven't given them much of a chance to ask. They ate and are recovering now," Elle says. She smiles faintly, "Donald has opinions about this sort of thing - he'll go on about spying and double agents, deception and turning agents. I think he's been dealing with spies too long, Seira."

"It is a hazard of the position," Lady Sanzha says quietly.

[Corwin]

"If you find the risk unacceptable at any point, let me know then and I will take over in person," Seira tells Elle to make things clear. "Those who wish to stay at the Cauldron will need to undergo a rigorous though painless vetting process, and so long as we have their informed consent we'll figure this out. I can't see anyone with their experiences who could argue with that, given what we do and the risks to that from spies. Let's be as direct as we are kind to them and see where that leads."

She smiles herself, adding, "I sent Donald on a much more straightforward assignment, so it should clear his head anyway." Seira certainly knows the mindset needed for spying and counter-intelligence, and she'll do her best to arrange more breaks like that while finding Donald more trustworthy support. No one comes to mind immediately, however, and she asks Elle, "What of the efforts to upgrade the portal network on our old Prime? Have you made much inroads with Laurenal? I want that project over and done with, so that she could grow into her role properly using that sort of tiered infrastructure."

[Anastasia]

"We're wrapping up - it's not really that hard with our resources," Elle admits, "Plus the Crimson Guard's helping out and they're hardly feeble. If anything, they're more vigorous now that the Commander's back to his old form. In a related note, our agents there are preparing for the push on the gnome ruins - they're finally almost ready."

[Corwin]

Seira doesn't even try to conceal her grin. "Excellent!" she cheers, toasting Oberuth, Marianne and Lyris.

"Excellent," she repeats to herself with more reserve, having downed the wine in her glass. "That's a project I am prevented by the highest authority from personally advancing but wish to see resolved more than anything. The potential for personal power pales in comparison to getting a reprieve from Shar and kicking all that extra interest off our Prime."

It might even become her Prime, in time, Seira muses, wondering how her ideal world might look.

"Elle, please tell me the minute you are done via Sending or prayer. I have another thing lined up for you, and the sooner we do it together the better."

With that, Seira turns towards Sanzha expectantly to hear her news.

[Anastasia]

Elle finishes her own wine, "I will."

Meanwhile Lady Sanzha smiles faintly, "As you can see, I have dug into arts I have deigned not to before. I wish to go further yet."

[Corwin]

"How can I help you cross all the way over?"

[Anastasia]

A sip of wine, a faint smile. "I was accepted before, I lack the barrier that so many chafe over. I have no need to follow Antenora's path." Another sip, a moment of closed eyes, as if savoring. Then her eyes open, fixed on you. "Though that tome has been remarkably instructive nonetheless. I believe I still have the spark, the tiny essence of divinity deep within. Inactive and forgotten. It is time to water that and cause it to grow again. To do that, I must do something worthy of it, something known across the planes."

[Corwin]

Seira nods in agreement, as many of those words are ones she'd told Sanzha before. She rather disagrees on the One approach. While it is not a strict necessity, true, there seem to be benefits to using it. Still, Sanzha is correct in that she only needs the rest of the powers that be to acknowledge her before it might be enough to put her over the top.

"Something unique to the Cauldron, to cement your place here on the planar scale," she muses out loud. "Perhaps the prismatic dragons project? Once we show results, you will achieve something no one had done since Io himself. Your fame will grow, even as the rest of the Astral Reds will formally join the Cauldron and follow me due to our agreement, so the Cauldron's prestige and outreach will grow as well. A win win situation for all, including our draconic friends who get their fondest wish fulfilled."

[Anastasia]

A considering noise, "Maybe so, but also something more..." A trail off here, before she smiles, "Hands on, as it were. Something violent - all the best stories involve it sooner or later."

[Corwin]

"Convert all the dragons, lead them to throw down with Tiamat?"

It would be nice, Seira muses. In the interests of something more immediate, she voices, "How about taking out Akil bin Faheem? I really want to get him, you could distinguish yourself in that battle...?"