The moments in between

[Corwin]

"I'm glad to hear that, Laurenal," Seira tells her. "I would like to go over a few specifics with you, now. First of all, is the new transportation network Elle had laid down sufficient? Since we redesigned it to work with local, national and international tiers, it should grant even more people access but that also means the rate of travel rises accordingly. I've been concerned whether our projections were able to keep up with actual demand."

[Anastasia]

"It has," Is the answer, "It is being used more than before, as more and more times of peace and prosperity come. Lands are bountiful and kingdoms are rich, the people live better lives and that is but one way. Traders go from kingdom to kingdom in a single day, and fresh goods reach farther than before. Diets are more varied and spread out, and advancements and magic spreads along the network."

[Corwin]

Seira clasps her hands happilly. "Wonderful! What of the libraries? Abagail gathered a great deal of information about the world for me, with a particular focus on mapmaking. How has distributing it been going? Do you have all the needed resources for those efforts?"

[Anastasia]

"Our resources are more than generous, and temple donations contribute as well," Is your answer. "Our funds are no problem at all now."

[Corwin]

"I know a great deal of projects are running concurrently, but this aspect is particularly dear to my heart. I'm a goddess of knowledge, after all, and anything that aides in exploration of those regions still unmapped would greatly please me."

She will need to revisit that matter another day, after giving Laurenal some time to make better progress on it. For now, she moves on.

"What of our newest, most important project of feeding everyone through our temples?" Seira inquires. "I don't expect to have the logistics to fully manage it just yet, but have we secured the support of every local ruler and lord? Has there been pushback from our remaining enemies?"

[Anastasia]

"We have general agreement in the Baronies of course, and others vary, but we work on it every day," Laurenal confirms. "Food need is down as it is, as more temples to the righteous mean more who are willing to aid the poor, and increased prosperity means less poverty. Fields are more productive and harvests far better. With the portals, even a region that suffers a crippling failed harvest must merely open their purse strings wider from those from afar, rather than suffer starvation."

[Corwin]

"Those are the natural consequences of our efforts," Seira agrees. "On the diplomatic front, the Kesse region and the adjoining lands should be easy to work with, as would the Lost Eastlands. The Sultan would also likely play along, given our past dealings, and Pallanth is as firm an ally as the Baronies for us. Malmuth's situation is shakier, but given their troubles they may find it a more palatable notion than normally, at this time. Don't hesitate to use us for diplomatic clout to get your foot in the door, alright?"

Seira pauses, thinking about it, before producing a copy of her erstwhile endless food barrels. "How about these? Have they and the water fountains taken off? Their widespread use would allow us to use our funds for other projects, although they need to be used carefully to prevent hunger. Used in a measured way, so we don't put farmers and traders out of business, and if such a clash is unavoidable, introduced gradually enough that those farmers have a chance to grow different foods with a focus on luxury, and the traders understand the coming changes and adapt."

[Anastasia]

"That's what we're doing, Dragon Princess," Is the answer, "All proceeds there as well. In cases of marginal farmers impacted too far by these, we have spent excess funds in either purchasing their land and providing them a trade or literacy - our need for scribes is higher than ever - or at times simply giving them money if it's a temporary disruption. Not all choose to accept it, but many do."

[Corwin]

"Consider offering them exotic seeds as well," Seira voices. "You have access to several different Primes through the restricted interplanar transportation network where the faith maintains a proper foothold, and divinations should aid in deciding whether a new species introduced into the local ecosystem would do more good than harm. Brightwater is a possibility as well, but I'd prefer it if we contained ourselves to the Prime Material for the time being to avoid giving our enemies a foothold."

[Anastasia]

"I will see it done," She says, "Finally, we patrol it well. We know too well our enemies wish to destroy it, and if we venture farther and to other Primes, enemies will strike it from positions of strength. We will both guard it and learn how to rebuild it if needs must, for our enemies will doubtless try to achieve whatever victory they can."

[Corwin]

"Excellent!" Seira cheers her own. "And if you need a hand, Amaryl and Kascha are expanding their faith in Pallanth and the Lost Eastlands, respectively. I'll make sure their representatives will come in contact, so you could all work together towards making it a better world for its inhabitants."

[Anastasia]

"It will be done, as you will it," Is the reply.

[Corwin]

Seira smiles at Laurenal once more, before reaching to unclasp her golden earrings. Once she's freed them up, she offers them to her servant. "It's probably the silliest artifact that world has ever seen, but I hope you take them as a token of my appreciation. And those who still remember me will recognize them and make sure to treat you with the respect of your position, which should help smooth things over."

Earrings of Disguise [4,800gp] : Hat of Disguise, slotless.

Given how long it's been in use by me, it should be an artifact by now.

[Anastasia]

"I will honor and protect them, Lady Seira!" An immediate vow, the earrings taken.

[Corwin]

My next move would be to check up on Lifasa's progress via Dugarth Winsam!