Towertop

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles.

"Yes, quite the band of rogues I've gathered. I myself follow Shaundakul. I specialize in exploration and research. More of a field mage than a battle mage or pure researching Arch Mage. We'll have to trade stories. I'm interested in hearing the true story of how you came to rule your world. I fear when I return to mine, I'll have need of the lessons in it. But for now, please, food, drink and relaxation once everyone else arrives."

[Anastasia]

A nod - and Father, Mother and your Sister enter. Sister is the one who carries the gift that...

Go ahead and describe it.

[Iron Dragoon]

I really didn't have any ideas... Hmm...

"This is my family. My mother, Alilynn is a masterful seamstress, once employed as the personal seamstress of a local noble. My sister and I have learned a great deal from her, and are both well on our way to being master seamstresses as well. My father, Walt, was the lord's personal blacksmith. I didn't have much interest in the craft as a child, but after I left home, it was a way to keep him close and I mastered the craft. My sister Alihana is beginning to carve out her own brand as a seamstress and is much more active in it than I. I've also begun her magical training."

Alyssa motions towards the gift, a glimmering rope of silver and white gold, worked with settings for two large gems, and the rope worked with clasps to make the length and connection points adjustable.

"My father and I worked this. It can be worn in many ways. Looped as a necklace, a clasp to hold a cloak closed, a belt, just about any way you want. The settings can hold nearly any stone you desire. If you visit again, I have a plan for them."

Alyssa taps the gem on her forehead. "This is a custom work of my own. It can store a thousand pages of spells. I intended to have them ready for you, but... to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure how our meeting would turn out and I wanted to keep the design closer for the time. I'm sure with a sample, you'll be able to duplicate it yourself in no time."

[Anastasia]

The three are given a respectful look as the rope is taken. "I find it more than pleasing."

And thus a meal starts and...

Go ahead, initiative for the conversation is in your court, start and direct it how you please.

[Iron Dragoon]

"So, tell me. What have you been doing since stepping away from your world? I assume you stepped away?"

[Anastasia]

It's a fine meal, a roasted pig with various fixings and side dishes. As you all eat and savor them, "I had no wish to be a queen forever and ever. It's not the way of the mortal world, something I came to understand in time. Sons and daughters grow, ready to take the stage. What purpose do they have when their parents never step aside?" Dolmaya says, a soft frown. "Children are sometimes better, sometimes worse, but they are new and deserve their chance to live."

"It is the natural way," Ianvasah concurs, "To live forever is not the way of the Prime."

"So I ensured that my child would reign well and ensured my empire would endure through powerful institutions," Here she pauses to eat a bit of potato and onion, a pause after. "Ironic that I have little use for tradition, yet my empire became the greatest symbol of it."

[Iron Dragoon]

"What empire was it? Perhaps I could tour it."

[Anastasia]

With a soft laugh, "The Augur's Empire. Unfortunately, it collapsed...." A long trail off, "The last time I cared to count, over a hundred thousand years ago, and that was a long time ago."

"That long?" Emily murmurs, "Is your Prime even still there?"

"It rests in Elysium," Dolmaya says, voice far away. "I never wished to fade into eternity, merely pursue my own paths. It's amazing how time gets away from you like that."

"I've heard that plenty in Warrior's Rest," Jarem speaks up, "I'll be saying that myself one day in the future, I'm s ure."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I like the idea of Jarem being a salt and pepper commander. It gives me hope I'll get to stop deflecting his trysts one day, instead of worrying about him being around my sister."

[Anastasia]

Dolmaya smiles at that, "Really? A powerful ally and commander? You should have set them up to be married already," she says, "Or at least encouraged it. It's a natural match and politically sensible."

"Alyssa's not really a Queen, at least in title," Jarem banters back, "She's a sage and scholar at heart."

Said sister is flushing hotly at this, while Walt sips his drink and adds, "We're a common family that's made good. Please, we don't think like a noble or a royal, ma'am."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Yes, my sister will marry for love, not a lark. And I have no subjects, just friends and students. Almost, though. I had to leave to keep the prime from being torn apart by war. Though I suppose I should look in discreetly. In any case, what have you been keeping yourself busy with, then?"

[Anastasia]

"Study," Dolmaya says, "I learned so much in my mortal life - a mortal sometimes learns so fast, yet there's so much to learn, to grow from it. To grow further and deeper in magic, to find lost secrets."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa gets a gleam in her eyes.

"Yes, exactly! That's part of why I follow Shaundakul. There's always something in the next room, over the next horizon to learn. I'd love to see some of what you've found."

[Anastasia]

"I can share some secrets and lore," Dolmaya agrees, "But tell me of yourselves - why are you here, Alyssa, and what has brought all of you together?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Shar. She sent assassin's after me and was striking at the other Regents to draw me out. Setting up defenses altered the balance of power on the Prime and a country ruled by oppressive mages didn't like it. It would have continued to escalate and Shar isn't the kind you want to fight with more than one front under threat. I searched for options and allies-"

A pause to raise a glass to the others, "and Shaundakul offered me a new home."