Moving on

[Anastasia]

With that, they're gone.

"That was useful," Jarem finally says, "You get anything good out of it, Alyssa?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"More concerns. They might be scrambling to pull a counter force together, which means despite the prophecy having existed for as long as it has, they're on the back foot. Their eagerness to help me advance likely means the fight is closer than we expected. It concerns me that they weren't very interested in bringing The Red Knight and Shaundakul in, too. Unused force, unused tools. But, they were extremely welcoming and accommodating, so perhaps I'm reading too much into it. Either way, another resource pool we can tap if needed. A welcome one."

[Anastasia]

Jarem's frowning at all of that, slowly drumming his fingers on the table.

"I don't get it. The Red Knight speaks well of Alicia, and I believed it was mutual. Why wouldn't she want her involved, then?"

"Help is help," Emily says, "And I can vouch for Sylica being helpful and good hearted."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Maybe the identities of the chosen aren't known? Trying to keep it secret? I'm not sure, but any fight should welcome her. Gods are cagey, though. There may be something in the background happening that we aren't privy to. We are, after all, just mortals."

[Anastasia]

"Pah, we're still be treating with great privilege," Ianvasah declares, standing up.

"So..." Emily murmurs, "I'm going to get back and start on the Sharrans now."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods to Emily. "Yes, begin on that. Jarem wanted to go meet with the Red Knight. I think following this meeting, that would be an excellent choice of timing."

[Anastasia]

Okay, next move then?

[Iron Dragoon]

Just wanna make sure the halfling went off to Lord Melweather before I head to the Red Knight.

[Anastasia]

That's taken care of. Any prep for the Red Knight?

[Iron Dragoon]

Nah, not unless Jarem has anything he wants first.

[Anastasia]

Nothing huge. Who's going?

[Iron Dragoon]

Jarem and me. Anyone else who wants to, I suppose. Emily seemed pretty gung ho about finding Sharrans, so I doubt she does. Does Ianvasah have any interest. Also, can she wear that iron ring? I thought druids can't use metal stuff, or is that just armor and weapons?

[Anastasia]

That only applies to armor and shields, not weapons or other things.

It's an odd little restriction.

She's not terribly interested in going, but will go if you ask her to.

[Iron Dragoon]

It's fine if she doesn't. Jarem and Alyssa are fine.

[Anastasia]

This time, you appear amid a chess board. A life sized one, in place of the white queen and king, respectively. Jarem strides forward, patting a human sized pawn as he goes. You're inside a building, a castle room with stone and torches.

"These are golems," he says as you pass, "In case you ever want to play chess as one of the pieces."