Mother

[Corwin]

"It doesn't seem to be Celestia's doing, and clearly isn't originating from Baator," Seira voices. "So who, then? Shar? I can't imagine many deities daring to meddle on an elemental plane."

[Anastasia]

"I doubt it," Zaaman Rul says, "This feels like something from a native. Someone who understands the efreet and Fire. Meddlers in Fire almost always betray their hand." He's quiet after, "Perhaps Kossuth under a servant? I don't know. But...whomever it is, the few who seem to know anything speak with unshakable zeal and confidence."

[Corwin]

"Kossuth's judgement is the other reason I didn't want to intervene," Seira admits. "I want to overcome the recent bad blood there rather than add to it. That said, I do have a few agents I could activate to get better intelligence on Brass. Before that, however, I don't believe you've said what you yourself would like to do here, Zaaman Rul."

[Anastasia]

Without hesitation, "I want to get to the truth of this. If someone's going to overthrow Akil, who that person is becomes paramount to know." Zaaman Rul says, "There are many directions they could go from this, and..."

A pause, "If they can easily overthrow a devil supported Grand Sultan, and it comes to war again, this time they may not lose." He looks down at his fist, "Fire will be purified. I will not let them sully it further."

[Corwin]

"If it's an internal conflict, you realize the likeliest answer is the first Grand Sultan?"

[Anastasia]

"The Crimson Firebrand?" A sharp look at Seira, but silence follows. As if a flame crackling as it devours fuel before, "He would fit. If his legends are true, I have no doubt he could revitalize the Efreet Empire."

[Corwin]

Seira nods. "I'm pretty sure he's still around, and given the Baatorian encroaching, he might have made a move. And if my guess is right, then I can well see why Celestia isn't quite sure how to handle this."

She leans on the battlements, peering out into the distance. "I do disagree with one thing you said, my friend. This time we might not be able to stop their army? Without needing to walk a fine line to avoid an all-out war between Celestia and Baator, we can bring our full strength to bear. Without needing to safeguard all the hostages of Brass, we won't need to hold back while striking against it. Should the efreet decide to return to their old ways, we won't accept that as the new status quo."

[Anastasia]

Zaaman Rul smiles, "Yes, we won't. We won't accept it. Not this time." he vows, "This time if they resist, we will be triumphant. Let Imix come if he dares."

[Corwin]

"I suppose the next question to ask is what our timeframe to act is," she muses, thinking it over.

Would my domain sense answer that? I got a sense of speed, but is it quantifiable?

Also, I'd like to use Palum as my agent to find things out. We never really went into it IC, but it was an intent OOC. How would you like me to handle it, set it up from the start or proceed on the assumption he's on retainer?

[Anastasia]

Palum's fine, easily enough done offscreen.

Within a week you think.

"Not long," Zaaman Rul decides as he ponders, "Events move with haste, more than I would anticipate for this sort of rebellion."

[Corwin]

"A matter of days, as I figure," Seira agrees. "How about we pursue the legends of the Crimson Firebrand? We can explore them privately and see whether divine insight allows us a fresh outlook in these times, or do so overtly to draw attention and let him come to us, if I'm right about him."

[Anastasia]

"If he's listening," Zaaman Rul agrees, "You'd have to be remarkably overt, and that may get the efreet's attention in whole."

[Corwin]

This is Seira Aryn, wishing for an audience with the Crimson Firebrand, Seira decides to reach out to said legendary figure.

[Anastasia]

As you might expect, there's no reply at all.

[Corwin]

"I don't care if the efreet catch wind of this," Seira tells Zaaman Rul. "Could you take us on a tour of the sites of his greatest battles?"