07-22-2010, 06:20 AM
OOC: Warning, lots of story between Freya and King Puck in order to set up the next part of this chapter. :P
Freya nodded and told them, "The barracks are to your right as you leave the tower. I'll be with you all shortly." Once they had all left, she turned towards the king and told him, "Thank you for your generosity, your highness."
Puck sighed and told her, "We're alone now, you can drop the act." He set his crown down beside him on the throne, thankful that his head didn't have to support the elaborate hat anymore. "Monsters, airships, and odd people visiting my kingdom. What's going on, Freya, huh?"
The dragoon shook her head and told him, "I have no idea, but I believe we can trust those three. They just seem to be from a far away land. In any case, they aren't in league with the monsters. I saw them fight a band of Bombs myself."
"Well, except for that shrimpy goblin, but I'll take your word for it. Personally, I'm more worried about that character trying to sell those airships. You and your friends told everyone about what the Mist really was, about how it spawned all those monsters even though it powered our airships. Seems like a real load of crap, but we all ended up seeing that Lifa Tree tear through the world." Puck shook his head and motioned for a nearby maid to fetch him a drink. "So much for that thing dying though. Any ideas about what's going on?"
"I believe we're correct in assuming there's a connection between the new airships and the monsters, but in order to be sure, I'd have to track the airships to the source. I had assumed they were being made in Lindblum, but Alexandria isn't out of the question now that you've brought up that salesman." Freya closed her eyes and tried to think hard about the situation.
"I don't like this. If the monsters keep growing in numbers, then they'll overrun us before we have a chance to rebuild. If I had the manpower, I'd send a team out to investigate." Puck then took the glass of wine from the maid and sighed in relief once his thirst was quenched.
"Well, those three already offered their help. With me to guide them and my connections to the leaders of both cities, perhaps we can find some answers." Freya had hoped he would accept this idea. She knew they needed soldiers to defend against the monsters, but it wouldn't do much good if they didn't stop the source.
Puck seemed reluctant before telling her, "I don't really like it. I'm sure we can defend the city here for a while, but I'm more worried about those three. What do we really know about them?"
"Admittedly, yes, they're outsiders, but they may work out. It will be easier to blend in and find things out if I go with a group that looks like just a bunch of tourists."
"......You've helped me a lot these last three years, Freya. I know I still have a lot to learn about ruling this kingdom, but I'll trust your judgment. Don't be gone for too long though, we do need you here as well."
Freya nodded and told him, "I vow to find the root of this problem quickly, my lord." She saluted the king before she left the room, and started to head towards the barracks. Poor child, I know he hates all the formalities, but at least he cares.
(The Barracks)
Crimson opened the door to the building and found it almost deserted, with most of the soldiers out doing field exercises or patrolling the city limits. "Hmmm, I wonder what room we can have?"
"The one at the end should do for you all." Freya appeared behind them and uttered, "I apologize for taking so long, but we should have enough room for you all back there. Shall we have a look?"
Freya nodded and told them, "The barracks are to your right as you leave the tower. I'll be with you all shortly." Once they had all left, she turned towards the king and told him, "Thank you for your generosity, your highness."
Puck sighed and told her, "We're alone now, you can drop the act." He set his crown down beside him on the throne, thankful that his head didn't have to support the elaborate hat anymore. "Monsters, airships, and odd people visiting my kingdom. What's going on, Freya, huh?"
The dragoon shook her head and told him, "I have no idea, but I believe we can trust those three. They just seem to be from a far away land. In any case, they aren't in league with the monsters. I saw them fight a band of Bombs myself."
"Well, except for that shrimpy goblin, but I'll take your word for it. Personally, I'm more worried about that character trying to sell those airships. You and your friends told everyone about what the Mist really was, about how it spawned all those monsters even though it powered our airships. Seems like a real load of crap, but we all ended up seeing that Lifa Tree tear through the world." Puck shook his head and motioned for a nearby maid to fetch him a drink. "So much for that thing dying though. Any ideas about what's going on?"
"I believe we're correct in assuming there's a connection between the new airships and the monsters, but in order to be sure, I'd have to track the airships to the source. I had assumed they were being made in Lindblum, but Alexandria isn't out of the question now that you've brought up that salesman." Freya closed her eyes and tried to think hard about the situation.
"I don't like this. If the monsters keep growing in numbers, then they'll overrun us before we have a chance to rebuild. If I had the manpower, I'd send a team out to investigate." Puck then took the glass of wine from the maid and sighed in relief once his thirst was quenched.
"Well, those three already offered their help. With me to guide them and my connections to the leaders of both cities, perhaps we can find some answers." Freya had hoped he would accept this idea. She knew they needed soldiers to defend against the monsters, but it wouldn't do much good if they didn't stop the source.
Puck seemed reluctant before telling her, "I don't really like it. I'm sure we can defend the city here for a while, but I'm more worried about those three. What do we really know about them?"
"Admittedly, yes, they're outsiders, but they may work out. It will be easier to blend in and find things out if I go with a group that looks like just a bunch of tourists."
"......You've helped me a lot these last three years, Freya. I know I still have a lot to learn about ruling this kingdom, but I'll trust your judgment. Don't be gone for too long though, we do need you here as well."
Freya nodded and told him, "I vow to find the root of this problem quickly, my lord." She saluted the king before she left the room, and started to head towards the barracks. Poor child, I know he hates all the formalities, but at least he cares.
(The Barracks)
Crimson opened the door to the building and found it almost deserted, with most of the soldiers out doing field exercises or patrolling the city limits. "Hmmm, I wonder what room we can have?"
"The one at the end should do for you all." Freya appeared behind them and uttered, "I apologize for taking so long, but we should have enough room for you all back there. Shall we have a look?"
