Afina and the brain trust (Afina)

[Ebiris]

"I'll see about passing orders down to all of our casters that can change their spells by the day. Dimensional anchor is simple enough we can have a few hundred people all casting it to supplement the higher tier magic. Unless there's anything else we can bring this to a close," Afina says.

So aside from the likes of Vul'lath, Tepen, Balyss, Kascha, Stille, and Hanna who can all swing high level magic, we have the following among our ranks who can at least manage dimensional anchor:

77 firre warrior/clerics. They range from 8 to 12 hd, having levels in cleric, paladin of freedom, barbarian and champion of Gwynharwyf. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 88/100 (Fanatic)
80 healers of medium size. They range from 4 to 10 hd, having levels in healer and cleric. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale 80/100 (Good)
20 elite healers of medium size. They range from 11 to 12 hd, having levels in healer and cleric. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 80/100 (Good)
100 triune movanic devas. They range from 6 to 9 hd, having levels in cleric, fighter and bard. Alignment: Chaotic Good. Morale: 87/100 (Fanatic)
200 hound archons. They range from 6 to 8 hd, having levels in paladin, fighter, ranger, cleric and favored soul. Alignment: Lawful Good. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
200 justice archons. They range from 6 to 8 hd, having levels in paladin, cleric and fist of raziel. Alignment: Lawful Good. Morale: 60/100 (Fair)
12 githyanki acolytes of medium size. They range from 2 to 10 hd, having levels in sorcerer, wizard and savant. Alignment: Neutral, Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Evil. Morale: 67/100 (Good)

So I'll enlist Elena and various officers to put word out to all of them capable of doing so that they should prepare as many castings of dimensional anchor as possible for tomorrow.

[Anastasia]

So noted. Anything else you wanted to do in prep for that or while you have the brain trust together?

[Ebiris]

Nope, we'll wait and see what the facts on the ground are once we get there.

[Anastasia]

As Afina flutters to the forges to get some work in after sorting tactics out, "Hi," Elena appears as Afina walks amid the forge workers, several nodding or waving to her, "Queen Ilsenine wants to see you."

[Ebiris]

"I'll attend to her now," Afina answers without hesitation. "Where is her Majesty?"

[Anastasia]

"In her suite," Elena says, "Crystal's en route too, she wants to talk to both of you."

[Ebiris]

"Alright. Thank you Elena," Afina thanks Aurora's spirit before taking a portal to the royal suite in question.

[Anastasia]

Afina hurries there. Here she finds Crystal before Ilsenine's throne, just coming up from a quick kneel.

"Afina," Queen Ilsenine meets, "Thank you for coming. We require your council as well as Crystal's."

[Ebiris]

Giving the obligatory kneel before the throne, Afina rises once bidden and says, "If my wisdom will serve then you will have it."

[Anastasia]

"Yes. We require your advice on a certain matter." Queen Ilsenine pauses - and slowly begins to blush. "Ahem!" Coughing into her fist before going on, "I would like your opinion of Moore's service and competence."

Crystal blinks and then smiles ever so slightly, "Ah. Ah! Of course, Your Majesty. He is a skilled bard and motivator. I feel as if I come alive anew when he rallies us in battle."

[Ebiris]

No... no this isn't happening, surely? This better not mean she's going to be asked to 'dispose' of the poor fellow a week from now. Admittedly she's never seen Ilsenine blush about her previous paramours, but they all suffered the same fate regardless.

"Smrgol had no complaints as to his contribution in the recent battle on Earth," she offers neutrally. "And he hasn't shied from contributing to our overall strategy." Honesty compels her to add, "Though how much is his own wisdom and how much is provided by his patron I could only speculate. He spends a great deal of time communing with Celestia for guidance."

[Anastasia]

Queen Ilsenine nods, the only reply to the two pixie's words. A silence follows, one of quiet introspection before she breaks it. "Thank you. We ask that you inform us if you find him doing anything unworthy," she then commands, "But we find him...ah..." The Queen actually pauses here, blush returning anew. "Pleasing."

"Ah." Crystal gently coughs, "It is rather evident to us, Your Majesty."

[Ebiris]

"Her Majesty is usually more enigmatic," Afina says diplomatically. "I will pass on anything relevant I discover." Though she's not going to be exerting herself at all to look. Best she steers well clear of this affair if she can.

[Anastasia]

"...yes." Queen Ilsenine says, "Go," she dismisses the two of you, Crystal standing. Once outside of the Queen's presence, "You know," Crystal says quietly, "My aim was to set you and Moore up."

[Ebiris]

"So I gathered," Afina says. "It wouldn't have worked regardless, he's not the sort to capture my interest. Still, I hope her Majesty's new leaf extends to her love life, his skills are useful to the Crusade." It's a somewhat cold calculus but she doesn't know him well enough for affection to sway things.

Not that it ever has when Ilsenine commands.