A blessed homefront

[Ebiris]

"Which could in turn be used to bait a trap of our own," Alicia considers. "Although specific plans are best left for closer to the event, with Mystra's own input. As far as adding to our balance of power, do you think Tempus could be convinced to take part?"

[Anastasia]

"Tempus is a part of every war," The Red Knight explains, "Yet he seldom favors a side by his nature. War is a fickle mistress."

[Ebiris]

"I'd hoped this one might be an exception, but I can't demand he betray his nature," Alicia says, accepting that Red Knight knows him best on such matters. "I'll let Mystra know you're on board, and impart your warning. We'll have to all get together closer to the date of the attack to plan it out in detail, but that's enough for now. Thank you."

[Anastasia]

"No more than you can betray your nature and not crusade against Shar," The Red Kngiht agrees. She stands and pulls up her hood, "You walk a narrow road with great chasms on both sides, Alicia. Take care you do not fall in, because those within will rend away your life and soul."

[Ebiris]

Alicia stands up as well to see Red Knight off. "I'd say something about how it's always been that way, but the road's a lot steeper of late."

[Anastasia]

A simple nod and the Red Knight is off.

[Ebiris]

And Alicia will go back to Mystra with further news of Red Knight's assistance and her warning of disaster.

[Anastasia]

Easily enough done.

"Disaster?" Mystra reflects on it in silence, all the noise of Dweomerheart silent around the two of you. "You plan for the hero, not his squire." Mystra's gaze turns to you, "No offense meant, but if Shar wishes to concentrate her efforts to neutralize me, then I must rely on you and others all the more."

[Ebiris]

"None taken, I know where I stand here," Alicia says easily. "Although Red Knight does seem to think being One is something that could prove decisive against Shar. There may be something yet undiscovered there. Still, my thinking is if you confine yourself to Aurora, you can at least support our efforts on the field and render our base unassailable while avoiding whatever danger waits for you in Shadow itself."

[Anastasia]

"A steady bedrock is a strong foundation," Mystra agrees, "One..." Mystra considers, "Do you have a theory on why the Red Knight might think this so, Alicia?"

[Ebiris]

"Nothing concrete - I didn't seem to enjoy any kind of advantage against Shar's avatar when I faced her recently, so I've nothing to build a theory on," Alicia shakes her head. "Does knowing one's self so thoroughly provide protection against attempts to unsettle you? Clearly not, just look at Eblis. Is it some sort of idea of having defined yourself as an existence outside of Creation that protects from Shar's domain of entropy within it? Even if so that doesn't help offensively, and... you said before that Shar is an active part of the community of gods, that she likes to take part in shared projects. Have you ever seen her do battle with something from Beyond that invaded Creation?" she asks that last part curiously, since it might prove illuminating.

[Anastasia]

"Once," Mystra states as she pauses to remember, "Some great fool managed to unleash the Far Realm and her faithful were targeted. She took the field in person and each time her blades struck, the creature seemed less, until at last it faded entirely."

[Ebiris]

"So her performance against things of Beyond isn't any less than what she could do to anyone here," Alicia concludes. "It leaves me at a loss, I'm afraid. But I'm willing to trust Red Knight knows what she's talking about."

[Anastasia]

"We have little choice but to do that," Mystra agrees, "She is not one to lie to another deity without ample cause."

[Ebiris]

"Is there anything else you need from me before we begin preparing in earnest?" Alicia asks. "I'm planning on seeing if I can find or lure out some of Shar's servant deities, deal with them now so they can't interfere or at least won't be a surprise later."