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Devon is waiting inside his cottage in the Summer Hollow. Talk of possible war calls for some more private accommodations. When they make their way inside, they find the Summer King sitting at a chair, a several others sitting empty around it. It's more... kitchen table than war-table, but it works. Mahogany branches and emerald leaves sits on his head, braided into a crown resting on his close-cropped, light brown hair. The wood coils downwards to meld into a magnificently carved breastplate that shimmers as though the wood is regularly oiled. He sits, quiet and still, patiently waiting.
Lif is dressed in a heavy leather duster dyed in a blue ombre, a tooled wave pattern along the surface, a black cowboy hat on her head, and she literally carries a pot with some sort of sapling into the cottage with herself, setting it beside the chair she's claiming. "Your Majesty." A polite nod before she takes her seat, the harsh smell of chlorine in the air, like a hotel swimming pool.
Jack ducks through the door a few seconds later, in a black leather jacket and pants despite the heat of the afternoon. The scent of a oncoming spring rainstorm mixed with a more metallic, coppery smell rolls in with him, and he nods politely at the Monarch.
"Thanks for meeting with us." Jack says to the monarch before offering Lif a smile and taking a chair next to her.
Alain enters just after, and inclines her head respectfully towards Devon, and then Lif and Jack, respectively. "Thank you for the honor," she says in a characteristically stoic voice towards the Crown, and it seems like the air might sizzle as her cool mantle coils up against the blistery heat of still more in the room.
The Crown gives the trio an affable smile, but his own blue eye is piercing, taking in each in turn. He doesn't offer any pleasantries in return, just nods to the chairs. "Have a seat. Give me an update where things are."
"Patriarch Tree is the source of the hedge blight, geographically, but it is not being caused by members of the Freehold. The Tree at the Crossroads is a landmark in their Hedge that was created through the sacrifice of their first Queen, Meriday Cypress. She offered herself to the Wyrd to allow her people to escape to freedom, and where she stood there grew a tree. The tree is no longer her, so to speak, but she is trapped within it still. It is the source of the Hedge Blight."
She gestures to her sapling. "This tree was grown from the root samples I collected, in the process of growing it, I was visited in my dreams by Meriday Cypress, who no longer wishes to be called Queen. She told me that there are sleepers trapped inside the tree--oneiromancers who tried to solve the problem, from Patriarch Tree. She told me she is within the tree--in a grove. And that when we seek to solve this matter, the tree will attack everything that is not the Patriarch Tree Freehold. A complicating factor is that the Patriarch Tree Freehold is sworn to the protection of their tree. This is something I plan to meet with Jacob Fireheart to discuss, and bring my sapling as an offering. Meriday suggested planting it at the crossroads, as it is pure, not blighted."
Jack nods. "Meanwhile, History's Cradle has become convinced that Patriarch Tree is willfully causing all this damage, and is preparing for war, as I reported. I would like to return there, to discuss matters with the current monarch and hopefully convince them to stand down. At Lif's suggestion, I've begun putting together a group of oneiromancers who are willing to attempt to fix things. I don't know how the group will change, knowing that their are both sleepers and that the tree will attack."
Alain is relatively still while Lif and Jack speak; she could pass for a statue and her mien only augments that. She inclines her head at Jack once he has spoken, and adds, "Nick in Old Iron had no appetite for war. But with him gone, Enyo, his second's zeal for conflict is augmented by the deep pain of loss. They will go to war without mitigation."
Devon is silent and still as a statue as he listens to each of their reports. He looks from one to the other, focusing on each in turn, giving them his undivided attention. There's very little that makes his stock smile change. The only times it twitches--and only just slightly--is at the mention of Enyo taking the Crown.
He laces his fingers together, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the edge of the table. He nods slowly as they finish.
"So. What I'm hearing is... We need to help save the people from the Tree, heal the tree, set up a force to protect Shackamaxon during the missions, and convince History's Cradle and Old Iron to stand down. While also warning them to prepare for an attack from the Tree, when we make our move. That the gist of it?"
"Yes. Also, ideally, without revealing information about the exact status and nature of the tree to them, as Annie, Aurelio and I were Sealed not to share information with the enemies of Patriarch Tree. That was the only way they'd let us interact with the tree--to try and assess the situation." Lif nods, the crack on their throat losing water more quickly now. "I made the decision that the risk was worth it, if it would let us understand."
"If you go back to Patriarch Tree, offering a solid plan in place for how to possibly fix this problem, maybe they'll let you out of the Sealing?" Jack doesn't look particularly hopeful about the prospect. "I'd've done the same thing, though."
Alain adds, with a very-close-to-visible twitch of her lips that is akin to apologetic, "And Red Rose. They have risen to Patriarch Tree's cause. With the lone exception of Stone Pony, this is an all-fronts conflict, your majesty. But earnest attempts at diplomatic intervention can buy precious time, and possibly head off a full-scale siege."
She flickers her ice-chip gaze in between Jack and Lif, and then back to the Crown. "You may also be in a position to be forced to prioritize, your majesty," she states the relatively obvious.
Devon eyes Lif for a moment, then nods. "Quite a big risk you've taken. Risks can't be avoided when war is on our doorstep, though." He looks to Alain. "Has Red Rose been contacted at all?"
Solstice (they/them)Today at 7:51 PM
"It was important to know. As I said, I will be speaking to Jacob Fireheart again, in person. We will see if it was worth it."
Alain shakes her head to Devon. "It has not been the case, to my knowledge. Their open hostility in our direction was minded when the most recent round of diplomatic envoys were sent."
"It might be time to reach out..." Jack grimaces. "I don't know that History's Cradle knows Patriarch Tree and Red Rose have joined up, Eddie didn't mention it."
He laces his fingers together tighter, his smile dimming as he looks thoughtful, his one eye lingering on the sapling beside Lif. "We will prioritize eliminating the tree as a threat and stopping this war. If we have a few volunteers step up to go in and save the people trapped inside the Tree, I will not stop them--but the majority of Shackamaxon's resources and fighters will be kept here, to assure the Freehold is not destroyed."
"I'd guess that if History's Cradle didn't know about Red Rose's involvement then, they do by now. Considering Red Rose's history with History's Cradle, I doubt they joined the war merely to defend themselves. It's a personal vendetta for them, I expect." He looks to Alain and Jack. "Can you deal with them while also handling History's Cradle and Enyo? Or do I need to find another diplomat?"
They nod at the Crown's words, one hand moving to rest on the trunk of her sapling.
Somehow, the Loracks really, really has ended up speaking for the trees.
"...I'd be down for that." Jack's voice is quiet, but he nods, and looks at Alain, watching for her answer.
Alain taps the row of her fingertips on the tabletop exactly once while she considers what Devon has said. "I believe I could, but in between diplomacy and oneiromancy, if there are more who can be of aid, this is not the time to covet responsibility for pride. But of what I know of Red Rose - admittedly, not much - I think my particular affectations," diplomatic all the way through, "Will be palatable to their sensibilities."
The implication is clear: 'they're high-brow and so am I', but it doesn't need to be said so coarsely. Alain would never.
"They're all a bunch of stuck up bastards, if you ask me. But you seem like the sort that knows how to pander to that sort. But take others with you if it helps you not spread yourself too thin." He rolls a shoulder, but otherwise is statue-still. His mild, affable smile returns, stuck in place.
"My advice for Enyo... They see themselves as a martyr. Always think they gotta be the one who does the Hard Thing for the Right Cause. It's stupid, but they do it because they care. But if they make all of Old Iron into martyrs, there's no one else left for them to protect. Reminding them of that might help."
"As for History's Cradle..." He pauses a moment. "They want to be seen as the greatest. This war is probably less about defending themselves, and more about pride for them. Not letting them be seen as weak." He looks to Jack. "It's going to be a hard sell, not gonna lie, but maybe ask them what they really want history to remember them as."
"Sounds like we have our marching orders. I may get someone to come with me to Dover when I go back. Better not to act alone, yes."
He looks to Lif, and nods. "If your sprout can't convince them to let us defend ourselves against the Tree, notify us all immediately. Our plans change drastically if we also have to defend ourselves from Patriarch Tree."
"I'll do my best - this was gonna be a hard sell, regardless. I can only hope I don't make shit worse..." Jack sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "What do I tell History's Cradle about their assumption that we'll be allied with them? Since...that's obviously not the case. I didn't make any promises there, but. They're gonna want something."
Alain makes a sideways tick of her head that probably sums up to 'well, yes' at Devon's flat assessment of Red Rose. She glances over at Jack, pausing a moment to flicker her gaze back to Devon. "You could offer them information," she posits cautiously. "You could offer it to them." She says again, with more emphasis.
Lif sits straighter, giving Alain a confused (and perhaps a little scared) look, but sitting on her tongue for that moment.
Devon looks to Alain and waits.
"Some offers are never delivered on, and that's just the unhappy circumstance of times of great strife and conflict, with many moving pieces. We don't really need to stop them; we need to delay them," Alain goes on in further clarification.
"We've already delayed them for this long. I'm hoping they don't try to kill the messenger if I suggest they'll get more if they wait for longer." Jack's smile is humorless. "I will go as far as I can with the information I can give them - we don't want History's Cradle breathing down our necks after all this is over 'cause they want a payday we promised...."
He nods to Jack. "They're not stupid. And not particularly patient, from what I know of 'em. I doubt they will be satisfied with an obvious delaying tactic like that, for a second time."
“The oath was not to share with enemies of Patriarch Tree. If this resolves and they cease to be enemies of that Freehold, the information could be given. But.”
"If this plan to heal the tree fails," Devon says with a heavy look towards Lif with his one eye. "War will be unavoidable. I will not see Shackamaxon rot. And I won't watch as others fight while we sit on our hands." He looks to Jack. "Tell them that if this attempt fails, Shackamaxon will go to war alongside them."
"But, only if they give us the time to take this chance."
Jack sighs and nods. "Hopefully that will deter them. For now. Lif - I absolutely will try to avoid talking about the things that would cause you to become an Oathbreaker." He's careful not to speak in certainties. "If they know we're in talks with Red Rose, that might help, too." A beat. "Or make things worse. Who knows. I'll do my best."
“I will have to be sure we do not fail in Dover, then.” She meets Devon’s cool gaze without flinching, but her leaks grow visibly stronger.
Alain looks Devon in his good eye, and gestures at Jack and the entirety of his uncertainty. "It is a mistake to pin the call of war on the success of one operation and the patience of those you have already characterized as impatient. You are creating an inflection point we could avoid, your majesty, and I will not spare you my honesty for your title. But I will execute your will to the best of my ability."
The Crown turns his one-eyed stare back upon Alain. "If you have a better idea, I'm all ears."
"That depends on you, your majesty. As I said, we have priorities, and those decisions are ultimately yours to make. If the defense of the Freehold is the north star that guides you, as I believe it is, then I encourage you to consider less straightforward diplomatic tactics." Big subtext read there.
"If that is not something you are willing to entertain, then we need to be realistic that there is a very high possibility that Jack will be put on the spot, and made to surrogate for you unfairly in whether or not we are allies in war. It is as you said. They are not patient, and they are hurting. This mission is riddled with unknowns. Why would they wait? If we have stretched the bounds of diplomacy already, up to this point, and there is so much truth cannot say to them," she gestures to Lif, "They thirst for war. The if/then nature of this proposition should make everyone uneasy."
“There is truth we can tell. The actions of Patriarch Tree’s members are not causing the blight. We know the source and will be making an attempt to deal with it. The roots will rebel when we do, and they need to save their energy for that.” Lif’s voice is soft, her throat burbling audibly as she speaks. “Defending themselves has to come before their pursuit of war.”
Jack's eyebrows go way up, and charcoal lines shudder and flicker around his form, speaking to his growing nervousness as Alain continues to speak. "I have not discussed the matter with their Summer Monarch. Eddie suggested that Sulochana would be willing to discuss terms with our Crowns," Jack gestures to Devon, "and I certainly plan to use what you've said as part of that negotiation. As Lif said, I think there may be enough we can tell them that will at least help them see that war isn't in their best interest. Their resources will be spread too thin, and they will be so close to the source, when this all happens...I suspect they would want to avoid that."
"The fact that war may be unavoidable isn't an if/then nature," Devon replies. "It seems to me, and correct me if I'm wrong, that this is our only chance for a peaceful resolution. If healing the tree fails, we will be forced to take more aggressive measures to protect ourselves."
"The only if variable in this is whether or not we join forces with History's Cradle during battle. Which... I will give you, is a decision that should be made with more knowledge of what they have already planned, and how they will choose to move forward."
He leans back into his chair a little, the affable smile having faded. He looks to Jack and nods. "Tell them what you can, and if they refuse to wait and continue to make demands, tell Queen Sulochana I will meet with her. We will discuss the prospects of war together. But make no promises."
Alain inclines her head respectfully towards Devon. "Enyo is probably about eighty-seven percent vitriol and fury right now, but if there's some chance that Old Iron can be compelled to suspend raising arms, it may further put History's Cradle off. Allies always embolden; the lack of them disheartens. Which is all the more reason, I think, not to delay in speaking to Red Rose."
Lif once more lapses into silence, their gaze on the tabletop instead of anyone else in the room.
He nods to Alain. "S'a good point, there. Might be good to clear things up with Old Iron before going to History's Cradle. Let them know they have less people on their side. Their practicality might outweigh their pride, in that case." A beat pause. "Might."
He looks around at the three. "Sounds as good of a plan as we can get with the circumstances. Any questions?"
Jack, in response, eyes Lif curiously. "This is a fuckton to have rest on our shoulders. All we can continue to do is our best." He's definitely speaking to them, now.
"If war is our future, then the most possible lives will be saved by making it quick, and decisive," Alain says in Lif's direction, perhaps meant as some kind of - admittedly chilly - consolation.
"No questions, your majesty. Thank you for your time, and your candor."
“I will do all I can.” They nod quietly.
"No more questions - thanks for all of this. Here's hoping we can head all this shit off in time." Jack holds his hand out to shake the Monarch's hand as he stands.
"Appreciate you three doing all you can. It's clear to me you all have worked hard. Alain, Jack, you're dismissed." He looks to Lif. "You, hang back for a moment."
He does clasp Jack's hand for a quick, firm shake, though!
And so Jack gets the fuck out of the cottage with a polite smile at Alain and a warmer one and a wave at Lif - though he doesn't leave the Hollow yet.
Alain inclines her head again in that same minute way, shakes Devon's hand likewise, and then accompanies Jack towards the exit of the cottage. "This is sordid work, Jack," she muses as she goes. "Let's stay in touch."
"Yessir." They don't move from their seat, shoulders tensing, expression showing worry. Clearly, they're expecting to be in trouble, somehow.
Devon waits for the Winter and Spring to be out of the cottage, his one eye focused on Lif all the while. Which probably isn't very comforting, despite the nearly ever-present little smile.
But once they're alone, Devon's smile grows a little. "You've sure got some balls, kid."
"Me? I...is that a good thing?"
"Can be. I like someone who takes risks. Especially when you're taking risks to serve the Freehold. Shows you got guts, and you're loyal." He leans forward a little. "What I don't like? Martyrs."
"So what I'm saying is... I see the initiative you're taking. And this?" He gestures to the sapling. "Clever. Resourceful. I want to see more of this. What I don't want to see is someone who carries the responsibility of others solely on their shoulders. Because that's how someone breaks, and then we all fall. Summer is a team, an army, not a band of The Chosen Ones. So." He points a finger. "Keep it up. But make sure you're asking' for help when you need it. You get me, kid?"
She blinks a couple times, then nods. "I probably need help. To become a better Summer. I was Spring for years, my skills lie there. I don't know how to be useful to you and to your court, but I am trying to be useful to the Freehold, in the meantime."
"How do you want to be useful? Or are you still figuring that out too?"
"I don't know. I am not a very good fighter yet. So I don't know how I can be useful to Summer." This has the sound of an apology in tone.
He squints his good eye slightly at her. "Do you think I want to go to war against other Lost, Lif?"
"No, sir. But I think that...fighters are what the court tends to want and need. I am...a scientist. Occasionally a saboteur. A former Joyeux. You tell me, how can I be helpful to you?"
"Part of being a good fighter is knowing what is a good fight and what isn't--and knowing how to avoid bad fights. If this little sprout here helps us avoid war, so we can focus on fighting the Others? The fuckin' Bridge Burners? Then I'd say you're doing your job as a Summer already."
"Knowing how to throw a punch or wield a weapon can be taught. Commitment and resourcefulness? Not so much. Seems to me, you got what it takes to eventually become a damn good Sun's Tongue. And as far as I know, we don't have anyone wanting to step up to help Margaret with that currently. Could maybe even become a Sentinel of Flame some day, once you've got more training under your belt."
"Or, if none of that appeals, carve your own path through Summer. Prove to me that the Court needs something new, something outside the box. But I'm not going to tell you what sort of person to become, Lif. Only you get to decide that."
They take a deep breath. "Yessir. Thank you. I understand, and will continue to come up with ideas no one else will think to try."
He nods to her. "See to it. That's it, for now."
She stands and offers a bit of a bow before picking up her pot and exiting.
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