[center][h2][b]Kareet of Arcaeda[/b][/h2][/center]

[hr]

At first, Kareet was unsure of the approach that Castigator Nellara was taking. She moved up to the breach in the wall and took cover on one side, peering out only slightly to avoid exposing herself. She wondered if the Castigator was not overstepping her authority, as the Ascendancy would most [i]certainly[/i] be interested in claiming this fortress. They would be interested in learning whatever they could about it, and as a bonus could provide ample protection for the Humans within. She was not sure that Nellara’s superiors would agree with her guaranteeing them such unrestricted independence. 

However, Kareet also was not blind to the complex, and frankly irritating, politics surrounding this situation. As much as she hated to admit it, they were [i]right[/i] on the border to Mythadia. As far as she knew, there were no precisely defined borders in this region. They could talk about who had the “right” to the land all they wanted, but ultimately, that right would lie with whoever could enforce their claim. This was a prize that was worth fighting for, but the Ascendancy had been involved for years with a territorial dispute  with the S’tor over the Sovereignty to the north. Mythadia and Acanata, for all their flaws, were still a powerful force to be reckoned with. The Ascendancy would have to commit substantial forces to have a hope of challenging them, and if that happened, they would not be able to stop the S’tor from claiming everything they wanted. Of course, the Glen were also in a similar situation. There were other S’tor nations farther west on Mythadia’s northern border that would not hesitate to jump on the opportunity if the majority of Mythadia’s forces were tied up in a war in the east. In the end, only the S’tor would benefit from this escalating too far. No, war simply would not do. With the Humans caught in the middle, it could end up with neither nation being able to learn anything at all from the crash. There was no greater tragedy Kareet could imagine than that.

Perhaps the Castigator was right? The Humans themselves could be the difference-maker here. This Jotunheim was theirs, and they clearly had capabilities beyond their understanding. If they could not bring armies in so close to Mythadia, perhaps diplomacy would yield better results? They could be helpful and polite to the Humans, make a show of respecting their independence, and gain their favor. It might make it more difficult to gain some secrets that they would rather hold close, but something was better than nothing, and “nothing” would be exactly what they would get for as long as they remained in a standoff with Mythadia.

Cautiously, Kareet stepped up alongside Nellara. “We have a choke point here, Castigator.” She said softly, gesturing to the hole in the wall. “And several mages as force multipliers. But we shouldn’t fight them if we can help it, and certainly shouldn’t make the first attack. Too risky. Your approach may be the right one. We need to find a way to get the support of the Humans here. I suggest we send for a Thought mage as soon as we can. Perhaps invite this Silbermine to parley? At least something to buy time until we can communicate properly with the Humans.”