Forever lies ahead

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmmm... No. The new locals will decide that. It'll happen naturally and I won't interfere with it... Unless it's something horrible like Alyssaburg. That won't be happening, even if I have to write it in the sky. What about you? Have you decided if you want to take over management of something? I think watching over the new settlements in the mountains might be a good fit for you."

[Anastasia]

A long chuckle at that, "Yeah, got some plans. After all, I managed one of those hunts for the seeds." Bastian remarks. "Now I have to do all the work that comes with it."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, we're getting the light end of it. There's four of us in a single place, after all. Easy enough to split duties up. Though that also makes us a prime target, so we'll need to be vigilant. What are your ideas?"

[Anastasia]

"Well..."

Bastian begins and then you feel it. A pulse of light, a connection to Bastian, strong and true.

Node update.

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, well, someone had their sights set on something."

[Anastasia]

"About time," Bastian cracks his knuckles, "Now I feel even better." He pauses to glance back, "Here she comes, I'll leave this to you." With a nod to you Bastian steps forward and leaps off the balcony, landing far below without even a slowdown. He's not hurt in the slightest, moving onward.

The Red Knight approaches. She is free of a helmet but otherwise in her armor, a mug of ale in hand. She has a long drink before, "Loyalty is expensive, be it in coin or sweat."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I assume this in regards to something specific? You caused quite the issue with Jarem the last few days."

[Anastasia]

"I tried to recruit him," The Red Knight says without rancor, looking out over your realm. "He's remarkably dedicated to your cause to turn me down, or more ambitious than I ever knew."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Hmm... I think it's more a combination of dedication to his oath, the scale of the cause, and a desire to strike out on his own and flex his wings, so to speak. He's frivolous in some regards, but that's simply a means to relieve the pressure of stress in a way that's more controlled than it seems. He made an oath for this conflict, and he means to see it through. He's new to his power, and like any man, he wants to see what he can do with it and how far it'll take him.

Besides, there's eternity for all of us now. He'll grow into being comfortable with what he is now and at that point, who knows? But I'd certainly let him get it out of his system or he'll dig in for sure."

[Anastasia]

"I have no intention to push the question. He made his choice," The Red Knight says in way of answer.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods and shoots her a sly grin, "I also suspect there more to that offer than just recruiting. But! I won't pry and on to other things. Our alliance. It's no longer supporting a mortal and I have my own divine realm. I've opened it, and any temples that might eventually come to be, to Shaundakul's faithful and Selune's. I want to make the same offer to you. Any of your people that need a bed for a night, supplies, reinforcement, anything of that nature, my houses will be open, if we can come to an accord.

I'd like similar in return for my people. Many of mine are wanderers, settlers, or explorers. Such people don't often travel in force and, except for the settlers, tend not to stay in one place long. I'm expecting my temples to be smaller and a bit more... mobile than most, outside of centers of learning. I imagine they'll be on the outskirts of things, and your scouts and forward units will find good use of them. In return, I'd like my people to be welcome in your forts and established camps. With the nature of their wandering, I can't imagine it'll be in large numbers or for more than a day or two before they move on. Though my settlers might like to build near your more forward fortresses. Close enough to have military support if need be. Thoughts?"

[Anastasia]

With a hearty laugh, "I can't speak for Tempus or Garagos, but for my own temples, you have an agreement." The Red Knight finishes her drink off, "I'd say our investment in each other has paid handsomely."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Well, you made the initial investment by assigning him here. And if I didn't support him as much as he does me, I wouldn't hold his loyalty, would I? Speaking of Tempus and Garagos... Well... I can't see Garagos taking a shine to me much at all. Tempus... I'm unsure about. He's honorable and intelligent, so I don't think he would be directly opposed to me, but... I'm not sure he'd see much value in any sort of alliance."

[Anastasia]

"Tempus focuses on war of all kinds," Is the answer you get, "But he is somewhat aloof because war is always a busy business."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Well, outside of the lessons learned, I don't have much personal interest in it. Though it's always amazing how war spurs development of technology and techniques while simultaneously destroying things. In any case! What else was there for us to discuss?"