[center][h1]Eastern Skael, Alenmiers[/h1][/center]

[b]"It's as I've said, ser knight."[/b] Garland's tone was patient, as if he'd expected this sort of verbal resistance. [b]"Events in Solitude have grown far out of hand of what was intended, by a now-rogue element of our forces. More than one, at least. You've run across Miss Sigursdottir by now, as I'm made aware. Suffice to say, I intend to set you against an inconvenience of mine and a threat to both of our interests. Surely, you didn't expect a member of the enemy nation to come to parlay without benefit to himsef? Let's leave any further explanation to a gathering of the rest of your party and those in Skael with the power to do something regarding the matter. I've no intention of repeating myself more than necessary. You understand, of course, that an approach on my lonesome would hardly have been trusted or received."[/b]

[color=#736AFF][b]"...A fair point."[/b][/color] Izayoi admitted begrudgingly, looking to Galahad and Miina. [color=#736AFF][b]"I confess, I'm interested to see Valheimr forces set against each other. Any collaboration on our parts will involve you and yours taking the van."[/b][/color] She said flatly, the glint in her eyes hardly hiding her desire to see blackhelms killing each other. 

[b]"Hah. I expected nothing less. And to answer your question, girl."[/b] He looked to Miina. [b]"The latter. Undead roam the streets now. We came to conquer and hold land, not rend it uninhabitable."[/b]

[color=#736AFF][b]"Get on the damned airship."[/b][/color] Izayoi narrowed her eyes, her ire raised by mention of Valheim's imperialistic ambitions.

___

[center][h1]Southern Skael, North of Solitude[/h1][/center]

At his name, the man’s expression transformed only momentarily into one of surprise, a practised smile stealing over despite the extreme circumstances. [b]“But not well enough if I can be recognised so quickly. For a singular patrol to recognise me… should I be honoured, or concerned? But, see, I’m unharmed and unarmed—”[/b]

He raised his empty hands as indication, only for the smile to freeze entirely at the mention of his sister, eyes opening to stare hard at Éliane, [b]“So, it’s little Miina that has you looking? I’d hoped she would stay home… aaaah, but no matter. It was how to make ice. You never really see that in a jungle, and she was [i]fascinated[/i] by it.”[/b]

[b]“But, Solitude… I can’t tell you where or how it started. Only that it got out of hand quickly. It only takes one of the dead to get up and start clawing away at the living, and then if there’s enough left they just get up again. By the time I was trying to get out, anyone that didn’t have the sense to hole up somewhere defensible… well, you can imagine what it would be like.”[/b]

His hands dropped, indication of being unarmed entirely pointless with Miina as a source of knowledge, and the redhead hummed thoughtfully. [b]“Route in was as just another traveller, I only needed to beat Valheim there. [i]Out[/i] was by keeping out of the way of everything until I got to the walls. They always have some sort of hidden passage, and this one was pretty new and well-used. No sign of who needs to sneak in and out so much, but it got me through the main cordon, and after that it’s just a matter of giving Valheim’s men the slip. It wasn’t too hard until they got all the dogs in. So look, please. Just...get this to someone that can [i]do something[/i] about all of this, alright?”[/b]

The raid captain, having listened to Zeke alongside the Kirins, chose now to pipe up, her brow furrowed.

[b]"Even if what you say is true..."[/b] She shook her head, as if trying to deny that possible reality. [b]"We still have our orders to deal with the Valheimr here."[/b] The woman looked to the party. [b]"I can send you lot back with the ship. My men can handle themselves out in familiar territory like this. Even still, the Seven would take forever to hem and haw over something like this, especially without the Overseer to break the squabbling up. I'll leave it up to you, but I say we press on. He can stay with the ship. Hardly think he'd know how to fly it, anyway."[/b]