Victorious advance

[Ebiris]

She'll know, but it's fine. "So long as at least one's good enough for her to come aboard and give a good impression I'm happy," she says. "We'll have a parade on land for her to see the whole assembly then our best company can embark on the best ship with her to give her a tour and show some of their combat and sailing drills," she goes over what's to be expected for the review.

[Anastasia]

"It will be done well," Strength of Light agrees, as...

Any more prep for this?

[Ebiris]

Nah I guess we're good.

[Anastasia]

In that case do your set up and I'll start the scene once you have everything just so for it.

[Ebiris]

Red Knight is told the time and place to teleport to, along with any retinue she cares to bring. Alicia will be there personally to meet her out of respect, along with Strength of Light as general of her armies. Syala, Antenora, and Jessica are free to attend or not as they prefer.

It's near the parade ground she's prepared, in one of Sylica's new towns. The brigade that fought with Alicia and Latha against the recent demonic incursion is also present as an honour guard and to give Red Knight a chance to inspect freshly blooded troops before they go to the parade ground after walking down the wide street flanked by the homes, shops, and other establishments that have sprung up in this recently developed town, everything built of solid stone covered in white stucco to lend a smoother look to the construction and reflect the bright sunshine that Latha so often gifts them with.

[Anastasia]

And thus everyone is ready, prepared for this moment. You wait and wait...and then...

It is a simple 'knock'. No words, just intent felt by Alicia.

[Ebiris]

This is of course expected and so Alicia sends forth, Welcome.

[Anastasia]

Why, may I enter?

You detect a note of amusement in the Red Knight's message.

[Ebiris]

My invitation wasn't lost I'm sure.

[Anastasia]

At your side stands Syala, as well as Antenora and Jessica. The four of you are ready as the Red Knight enters. She rides a red stallion, armored in plate barding. Following her are rows of perfectly marching warriors in red armor and carrying great halberds with swords at their side. A hundred even you believe, carrying the Red Knight's banners.

'The horse is remarkably intelligent,' Antenora observes in your mind as the Red Knight approaches. 'Smart as a well learned wizard.'

"Alicia, Syala, Jessica, Antenora," The Red Knight greets, coming close.

[Ebiris]

'Why settle for a common horse when you are a goddess?' Alicia returns to Antenora, giving their guest a nod in greeting. She didn't expect an entourage like this but they can make room for it. "Red Knight, we're honoured to welcome you to Sylica," she says as her own honour guard smartly salutes and divides itself to flank either side of the road for them to walk down the middle, three hundred and twenty divided between robed arcanists, heavily armoured warriors, and lightly armoured skirmishers, all looking their best to impress and freshly rested from the battle against the demon horde.

[Anastasia]

"I accept your greetings," The Red Knight replies, "I see the fortunes of war favor you."

[Ebiris]

"It was a good battle, our first test now that we no longer have the chokepoint of the Felic Gate to shelter behind," Alicia says, gesturing ahead and starting to lead the way to their parade route, some of her honour guard going ahead to lead the procession while others wait to bring up the rear. "All who rose to our defence acquitted themselves well."

[Anastasia]

Your soldiers all fall in line, moving with crisp precision. Antenora follows you with Syala and Jessica, the five of you falling in step.

"A blessing to a demiplane," The Red Knight says, "They make superb fortresses."

"Likely another reason why they're so valuable," Antenora speaks up here, "We would have been forced into a much more difficult position had Sylica been freely assailable in those early days."

"I had assumed that if all else failed and Hell or another realm sought to crush us in those days, we would have petitioned Mystra for aid as a last resort," Here Syala admits that freely, "Her avatar taking the field would end all but the most suicidal attack."

[Ebiris]

"The political situation favours us," Alicia agrees. "I'm glad we haven't had to rely on that and stood on our own, but even knowing it's an option has certainly deterred some." It's the same thinking behind her staying out of Seira's war; the threat could fall anywhere, but once they do intervene they become a known quantity that can be planned around.