Afterwards

[Anastasia]

"I know someone who owes me a favor, who can get me in with others," Delaize says, "I'll see to it."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "I may ask you to take up a new position when I announce myself Queen. This fight with Shar is going to require my attention. You're my first pick to be my Prime Minister. I want you to think on it and know that I'll expect you to work with Dolmaya on structure and planning. She's got more experience at it than all of us combined.

I'll help you with the framework, but my intent is to set up a system that that has a strong check and balance structure built in. But every such system is prone to corruption. Before we put anything into action, I want to find people who are... Extremely efficient at bypassing governments and laws to pick it apart for us. People whose greed we can count on."

[Anastasia]

"The theory that a rogue is the best to design a secure vault, because they know all the tricks?" Delaize asks back quietly, fingers drumming on the armrest of his seat. "It will cost us, but I see the wisdom of the approach, if we can find people reliable enough not to use that information against us."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "Perhaps conducting the evaluations of the documents in a room enchanted with a Zone of Truth spell?"

[Anastasia]

"I'll consider that," Delaize says, "Is there anything else?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Thank you. What's your opinion on being Prime Minister?"

[Anastasia]

"Acceptable once supporting aides are in place," Delaize says after a few moments. Then quietly, "They will have to be there."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I'm not asking if it's acceptable. I'm asking if you want it."

[Anastasia]

Delaize is quiet before he shakes his head, "No," he says at last. "Not with so much else going on."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Would you prefer to hand thing off in favor of the new position or stay where you are?"

[Anastasia]

"Stay where I am," Delaize says, no hesitation there, "Let someone else have that role, Alyssa."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods. "You've been a help and mentor, Delaize. You've earned whatever you want. Including retirement when you're ready. Though I'll have to come up with a title for you either way."

[Anastasia]

A ghost of a smile for a moment, a small nod of understanding.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Then be off with you old man! Enjoy beating some apprentice in to shape. I apparently need to go swing an axe around."

With that, she stands from her desk and pulls Life-Drinker into her hand, being nearly over matched by the huge axe.

[Anastasia]

Going to go meet up with the rest of them then?