Floating through the air was still disconcerting -- especially when the person holding him up seemed much too fragile to possess such strength -- but Raln held on stiffly, focusing on the majestic flap of her wings rather than on the ground below. Still, he was very much relieved when his feet were again on the damp street. He stepped back, and his voice was grave.

"You might have heard that the neighboring kingdom has been destroyed in war with the Mechanist Empire. Its people have been shackled and made to build weapons for a new war. My name is Raln -- I'm the survivor of the Ysai royal bloodline, maybe the only one that made it out alive. I came here for refuge, and to ask the help of the king of this city to fight against the Mechanists -- but I've just learned that he's already pledged his loyalty to the Empire. He's sold everyone in this city to the Mechanists in exchange for wealth and power."

Thunder rolled, and the rain fell. He glared at the sky, then at her. "I'll rally the city as much as I can before the war machines get here, but it won't do much good. I've seen them. If you can't fight, it's better to run."