The Last Sorcerer King (World of Zid)

[Harbertia]

Foward
This is at the moment a private RP set in the World of Zid; an RP setting that was introduced to the NS community on June 4, 2015. For three years the World of Zid attracted a dedicated player base as the events of each RP carried into the next- the adventures of past years carried on through ripples upon the world as the players could see that they caused that. The future of the World of Zid was always in the players hands; while I created the setting it was mainly a springboard for their own stories to be told. The latest of those adventures began in June of 2017. It seemed it would be the last but now in this year, near the end of 2018 the setting is being revisited. This time to answer questions regarding the past of the world and how the world came to be as it was when those players of 2015 signed on for the first of many tales to come. We travel backwards rather then forward to tell a story about a prominent character, one of the first I had made- Elenor- and Kalcipher (portrayed by Jariri) who had ruled long ago....


The City of Zid, Present Day
It had been 12 years since the Dragoness Elenor, Queen of Zid, had left the City of Zid in the governance of the Wizards of Zid; to preserve in her absence as she traveled North to learn of her own kind. Randall Boheme as Grandmaster of the Wizards of Zid, had been left to oversee the existing administration structure adapt to it's new status of Magocratic Regency. Prior to her departure the walls of the city had been rebuilt, and the neighboring land of Elone had gained autonomy from the Alterran Empire- and a newer force had entered into Zid's list of neighbors- the Kobold Confederacy. There was quite frankly not enough Wizards of Zid to maintain order in the city and for the first time since the peace between Zid and what had become the Alterran Empire- Zid raised a militia under the command of a Wizard serving as captain to maintain order. Over those twelve years of her absence the Duke of Elone would request the return of a Shield that once belonged to his land- but such was Elenor's treasture- not the regents to give.

Domesticly the people had always dealt with the Wizards as envoys and agents of Elenor's law and will- but now the Wizards acted in their own fashion and blame that might have gone to Elenor had turned to them and being in small number tension was high. Elenor's return has done much to quite that and even now the Grandmaster speaks with Elenor in private in her chambers atop the mountain overlooking the city. There are whispers....

[Islamic Republic e Jariri]

''We are most splendid to have you grace us with your return, your majesty'' Grandmaster Othello bowed his head reverently while concealing the gulping in this throat brought about from the anxiety of their uneasy height combined with the subtle perhaps not entirely intentional intimidating presence of his liege. It didn't help that after magically growing a new left eye and right leg after being maimed from the siege he suffered from frequent bouts of migraines and nausea. Reluctantly he may have had to retire soon enough and nominate the young but proven Master Wizard Randall Bohème, his former apprentice to succeed him.

Elenor, the last living dragoness of the vast central continent, likely in the world excluding her ancestral kin who had departed for the uncharted north well over several millennia ago at the end of the now mythical Dragon Age. It was said the North was the birthplace of the dragons who came to rule the world after the decline and departure of the once dominant Elves, whose own era was now considered even older than myth.

At least that was the story passed down - in truth no one knew what lay North and those foolish enough to venture there should they survive the deathly frost would never be heard nor seen of ever again. Nothing historically transcribed had been preserved to definitively prove anything actually emerged from there. If true then such an event must have occurred during primitive or even pre-human times.

Yet here she was - the City State of Zid’s greatest pride who left her subjects to rule themselves for 12 years while she flew off to that distant region purportedly her homeland and by some miracle returned to them at last.

Never before in recorded history had someone actually gone into the North and return, let alone spend over a decade between.

The Grandmaster was livid with excitement for her to reveal what she saw and did during her time there yet also feared disappointment, for a decade was probably anywhere between a day to a month for a creature as inconceivably long lived as a dragon. Was the answer to the North’s mystery truly so underwhelming? And what of the eleven other dragons who supposedly reside there?

In any case as head of the magocratic government his scholarly desire to compose a compendium and account of her brave new findings would have to make way for more practical concerns in light of her resuming her role as head of state.

''Forgive me but there are a weed of whispers sprouting in the light of your return, false reasonings of resentment and ingratitude. We had suffered considerably in your absence from a siege of unidentified southern raiders and rebuilding has taken its toll not just on the treasury but general morale. No doubt there are many who welcome your much needed benevolence, however…''

How was he supposed to word it without sounding spiteful? To tell her that most people including even himself to some measure were resentful of her flying off on some ego trip and not being around during the siege when she was needed most, when Zid lost 270 of its 350 registered wizards, something her mere presence could have deterred. At the very least their sacrifice has greatly minimised civilian causalities although the city’s infrastructure was far less fortunate.

Some would say she had been negligent and the Regency was not adequately prepared for an invasion after settling into peace for so long. They had been under her official protection for more than 900 years since the fall of their last Sorcerer King who sought to make Zid the centre world. When word spread that Elenor was leaving it seemed inevitable in retrospect that they would be attacked. Yet none anticipated the vicious assault that had left the once prosperous Zid at its lowest point in centuries.

''The raiders have been repelled and dispersed but we could not spare the resources to deploy a hunting party to learn more about them. The people are restless and shaken, they fear this was a prelude for a larger invasion. Of course we can now restore hope against such folly but the wizarding community itself that bled most is less than enthused at the prospect of the regency coming to an end and the diminishing of their governing powers.''

Far below at a surviving tavern…

''A troll’s bum is where this city is at! The dragon looks after us for like a thousand sodding years then sods off to the North and we get trashed.''

''Could have been worse, I for one am glad she’s back now that we need her more than ever.''

''We needed her during the siege! We can rebuild without her but she was supposed to protect us. She failed and now she thinks we want her back. I say she should leave again, for good. We tell her she’s not wanted here no more.''

''Don’t be stupid. She is our rightful sovereign and was always going to return. After more than 900 years of watching over us I think she was deserving of a 12 year break. The timing just happened to be inconvenient but it wasn’t the end of us, Zid is still standing.''

''Inconvenient?! It was a sodding catastrophe! Zid’s supposed to be THE city of wizards but we lost most of em’ to some dumb luck siege no one saw coming? We’re a laughing stock is what we are…''

''Queen Elenor’s return means we can rebuild in peace, things can only get better now.''

''Better for a puny little city state no doubt. Makes me recall the old legend of the time we used to be so much more.''

[Harbertia]

In Time Long Ago
A morning sun shown upon a city of white marble that sprawled out from a mountain side. Two roads of cobbled stone- one heading south- the other to the east- where being traversed by wagons going into and out of the city. The lush oaks had a slight orange in the morning sun. The forests spread in all directions from the city, the bridge across the river that ran under the eastern road into the south showed it's age- while it still stood strong it was covered in growth- but growth that blossomed.

Present Day
The dragoness was immense, her head a little over two men in length alone. Enough that, where a being of her size so inclined a being of Othello's size could be gone very quickly. This great form rested upon a dais upon which none had laid upon for twelve years. She had grinned, her soft closed mouth grin as he asked for her forgiveness, assuming it had something to do with his words years ago to a group of students she had requested to meet- one of which had been a Randall Bohème. She heard all in her mountain home, and she recalled his advice to Randall; Do not rush towards her, do not address her first, do not sit down unless told to, and above all else keep a respectful distance. Of course she had not told Othello what she had planned for the students, but the advice for strangers such as them was well spoken. Though Elenor and Othello had known each for many years of his life, he was himself quite a legend. Surely by now, as the only one permitted to approach her unbiddened he would understand that after such an absence a welcome such as his was much appreciated. When Othello began to speak of the troubles, she understood his request and listened to the ill news her smile fading with each detail.

"Grandmaster Othello," she began her voice soft her look however was not the grin she had but a serious expression, "before I departed this city to travel North seeking information on my heritage and people I ordered the rebuilding of fortifications left in ruin for nearly nine centuries. We spoke of the regency- it's council- and your self. The regency has failed me. It was I who entrusted it with the security of this state in my absence. Upon my return I find that not only has their been a siege, but the assailants remain unknown despite scrying and the cunning of our magi." The slight hint of annoyance was more audible now, "I am certain as the city still stands they fought well, and have bled for this city. But to feel that expected sacrifice entitles them to continue their powers is a sign of trouble; only the corrupt operate incompetently and expect to hold power. These events have shown that my return is needed. If the council cannot come down from their high seats and acknowledge that they have not succeeded despite the best of preparations to steward the state in my leave." She exhaled through her nostrils, settling down, "Let them know that they may speak for their continued power to me directly as a whole- presenting their case in these very chambers."

[Islamic Republic e Jariri]

Notes on the birth of Kalcipher Zid

It was said the heavenly bodies aligned perfectly to the face of Helios at the hour of the child's birth, a rare occurrence known to have occurred only once before at in golden era of the Dragon Age. Powerful cosmic energy converged with the living magic leylines of our planet Gaia, both forces merged singularly at a specific point to create a truly divine aura beyond human capability.

Was it providence or pure coincidence that upon this special point rested a mother on the cusp of childbirth? The continent's fate had been sealed in that moment for when the divine aura that had briefly inhabited the mother passed itself through into her scion whose passage into life sapped the same from the one who brought him to this world.

A son - whom in her dying moments with her beloved husband King Stephen by her side she proclaimed to him her final gift, a name to mark him above others: Kalcipher.

Understand some context, more than a century before this birth after the fall of the Dragon Age the heroic general Æthaniel and first Sorcerer King of Zid is believed to have somehow utilised a technique allowing for him, a mere human to hatch something as divine as a dragon egg, perhaps through some unspeakable sacrifice or more likely through clever manipulations of Zid's extraordinarily potent leylines which made it the magical centre of the world, quite literally.

The hatchling Elenor is speculated to have been the daughter of his fallen dragon liege, Aenor who herself was fathered by an ancient dragon deity of the first generation, known in human tongue as Kalcipher who among his original kin founded the Dragon Era.

The child and newborn prince was given a name fitting for the task bestowed upon him - to bring humanity into its own era to dominate the central continent and beyond and ensure their enduring strength to withstand the age of strife caused by the departure of the last dragons who once reigned supreme.

A saviour for the human race had indeed been prophesied around the fall - one who was 'thrice blessed' and would 'command the heavens'. Prince Kalcipher was indeed considered blessed with his uniquely threefold combined magical inheritance - celestial, earthly and maternal.

The last was certainly not the least, in her dying moments the Queen Consort of Zid had bolstered her child's base human potential with her own innate life energy.

This suicidal selflessness was likely deliberate - she must have sensed the exceptional circumstances of the moment and familiar with the prophecy realized her opportunity to bring it into motion. Whether it was fate or deliberately engineered she had effectively created the most powerful human sorcerer there would perhaps ever be.

Prince Kalcipher 'Thrice Blessed' was his initial title - his existence satisfied the first half of the prophecy and it became apparent that Zid's royal dragon Elenor would be instrumental in fulfilling the second half.

Randall Bohème

''The Council has appointed you the rank Lord Commander of the Defence and as such you are expected to investigate the identity of our assailants and why our protective countermeasures nearly completely failed. You Master Randall Bohème, no, Lord Bohème are our surviving best magi from this horrendous tragedy and are entrusted to carry out your role with faith and duty to the Regency.''

''I don't understand,'' replied Randall. ''We all saw the dragoness, Her Majesty return. Is the Regency not yet dissolved? Should I not be reporting to her?''

''The Council established by the Regency governing our beloved city for twelve years has not officially ceased. We are committed towards continuous governance for the greater good and while we welcome Her Majesty's return her role has changed into a figurehead and deterrent against further outside aggression. We cannot allow a resurgence of those cults to stray our people from the sacred Traditions.''

The attack had divided the populace into two broad factions: those who feared for their lives and welcomed the return of their Queen and those who resented her for leaving in the first place and lost faith in her as a ruler. The Council had an interest in cultivating the latter, their aim likely not to outright expel Elenor but to maintain their autonomy and use her a weapon that served allegiance to them.

A foolish notion, Randall remembered the time Grandmaster Othello presented him to meet her. Majestic yet imposing, proud yet benevolent, she was a creature that experienced a greater scope of living and even reality itself that could not be fully comprehended by comparatively short lived mortals as humans. Surely she could see through deception and was wise enough to know exactly of the conspiracy that was unfolding. It was absolutely futile. Yet his mind raced against that inevitability and came to the realisation that there was actually chance to successfully depose her, at least in theory.

The Anti-Elenor faction if made into the majority may cause the dragoness to retaliate to assert her power - such a display would paint her as wrathful overlord that would incense the small radical cults that worshipped her and cause anxiety from the larger Traditionalist populace both within the city and beyond into the Alterran Empire. It would make the central continent remember the old history of King Kalcipher's bloody conquest and crusades carried out in his name. And it was known that Queen Elenor fought for him and was seen by many as an extension of his will.

If she became seen as oppressive not only would she be compared to the Dragon of Colm in the Shadowy East but Alterra may fear an intent to break the nine century long truce that had lasted since Kalcipher's death. Hypothetically it did sow the seeds for another continental wide war, a catastrophe of terrible proportions that the demilitarised Zid was least ready for. The Council would sign their own death warrant with such stupidity but perhaps that was the point.

Did the Council count on Elenor actually seeing through their machinations in a gambit where she realised the best solution to maintain peace and avert potential war was to comply with their governance, all for the greater good? In the end he could not presume what course of action she would take but for the moment saw no harm in carrying out his assigned role. Randall was born and raised into the Traditionalist faith like most of the central continent's inhabitants and if he ever took worship seriously it would be directed towards the omnipresent Great Spirit, to which even dragons were supposedly lesser to. As such he did not approve of the Northern cult Pyrames that would fanatically devote their lives to Elenor, even die for her but more so from the historical implications.

Dragons once held an empire where they were worshipped, after their fall came a human who seemed above the old gods. Kalcipher, the Last Sorcerer King of Zid who was worshipped as a deity, to some the sun incarnate to others a dragon in human form, his personal sigil a dragon encased within the shining circle of Helios. Millions perished in his name and even after his death his symbol inspired zealotry and as such was banned from public display as mandated by the truce. Yet it endured underground and was now associated in some variant or another among many such cults. Except now Elenor as the primary deity hoped to restore some dubious new era reminiscent of the Dragon Age. A dangerous line of thinking her existence her had caused yet she nonetheless kept the peace for nine centuries hence couldn't be swayed over to them.

Would that change in a war?

''I have conducted some preliminary investigations and think its bears some significance that the enemies came from the south,'' he said.

''You don't mean the Knights of Elone? They are extinct.''

''Tales still fly by but its more likely some splinter group that descended from the original. The Knights opposed the truce but were powerless to undo it when it was supported by Alterra. They went southwards, perhaps even leaving the continent. But when word spread of Queen Elenor's absence and the regency taking her place its possible their successors returned to enact vengeance against the city and its magi.''


Grandmaster Othello

''As your loyal subject, I will of course relay your message at once,'' a puff of green smoke emitted as he intended to teleport away but mere seconds later came to realise he was still standing inside the mountain chambers. He shook his head in embarrassment and confusion before chanting out loud and successfully recasting. Was the partial regeneration still taking its toll on his body or was something else interfering with Zid's innate magic?

He was in a forest hidden of the dragon's view.

An owl was perched near a tree top, an animal familiar linked to a council member, it spoke in a female voice.

''I take it she expects us to submit?''

''She demands we all come to her in person,'' replied Othello. ''If we make a collective plea she may listen.''

''She cannot rule without our cooperation. We will continue governing as we were and she will either comply with her new position as figurehead or actively sabotage us which should not be in her interest as it would hurt Zid.''

''I concur,'' came a male voice from a hare. ''She will do nothing rash and we still have our power functionally intact. In time she will understand we are the real rulers of Zid and that such is for the best.''

''A dragon's pride is not easily turned over for pragmatism,'' said Othello. ''If we turn our backs with a cold indifference we may unnecessarily provoke her.''

''Which is exactly what we need her to do if she is unwilling to swear us fealty,'' said a fox. ''To avoid conflict and to protect Zid her only way is our way.''

''That assumes the people will rally behind us instead of her,'' said a toad. ''There's no cohesive whole on that. We need to ensure their faith and support. Whispers are key.''

''Whispers that she is tiring of her duties, that we must pick up where she lags. She dares place us on trial, we will reverse to have her being the one who is judged,'' said the owl.

''I do not think we should appear ungrateful, for what if she leaves again?'' said Othello.

''She will not leave Zid the city of her birth that she has guarded for nearly a thousand years,'' claimed the hare.
''Her brief 12 year stint to the North and subsequent return means she cannot truly leave Zid behind. She will not dare to do anything that could harm her beloved city, especially in its time of need. Simply by continuing to stay here she will be forced to acknowledge she cannot rule without us.''

Long Ago in the Court of King Stephen

''My lord, if we simply stand by untold innocents would perish in this act of Orcite barbarism and blatant genocide. You have the best wizards and a dragon by your side, we could end these atrocities in a day! Is it not out moral duty to act?'' professed a courtier.

''Understand this, our walls are strong and well fortified with enchantments. Throughout my reign I have endeavoured to make Zid a kingdom of peace and learning and to lessen the sinister stigma of the title Sorcerer King caused by my late father. If I were to marshal our forces it would only serve to antagonise and feed the cycle of war and vengeance. What these orcs do stems from their tribal culture and to indulge their thirst for violence would taint the dignity of Zid.''

''Are you mad father? There is no honor in refusing to protect the weak from slaughter, let alone any precept of dignity!'' exclaimed Prince Cord.

''You are brash my son, I forgive your insolence. Know that as your King I must take into consideration more than just your flushes of passion. My duty is to Zid first and foremost and I refuse to preemptively encroach into foreign territory. I am not ignorant to the plight of our neighbours, we will offer to send out healers to those areas in need. As for the orcs I shall dispatch delegates to speak to their leader on my behalf and have them realise prosperity from peace.''

''You cannot negotiate with savages! Their entire race is bred for blood and warfare.''

''You presume much to favor your point of view. If you have nothing to contribute to my efforts then remain silent or leave.''

Prince Cord the Bold of course left without another word. He heaved out of the court, passed through the hallway and made his way into the armoury. He was the King's eldest son and rightful heir and would use that authority to gather some loyal men to form a skirmishing party. They would venture out and he would prove his valour. The people would love him for it and his weak father would be forced to acknowledge the superior strength of the sword against a puny pen.

''You defy your father, Cord,'' came a familiar young voice.

Cord gritted his teeth at the sight of the boy wonder, his twelve year old little brother and supposed 'chosen one' who would save humanity. Whatever that dribble meant. Colm couldn't wield magic, a rare defect from birth despite being the Sorcerer King's firstborn son. This had made him nervous for his birthright, not helped by the fact that his younger brother was 'thrice blessed' as far as his magical capabilities were concerned. Then there was the matter of the dragoness Elenor who had grown beside each successive king and heir for more than a hundred years. Once she was by his side and the two often played together, rescuing fair maidens, defending castles and other such pretend. She was approaching maturity to to become mounted as a ride, something the past kings could only dream of. Once he thought it would be his destiny to soar the heavens into glorious combat with her but then his father had her accompany his new special brother more often than him, leading to resentment and betrayal at the realisation that he would not be the first dragon rider since the Dragon Age nor the very first ever to actually command a powerful creature.

No - that privilege would only be afforded so this self-entitled so called 'saviour'.

''I am fully aware of the consequences of my actions. What do you want Kalcipher?''

''Everything. But I'd like to start off today looking at the orcs you'll be slaying.''

''I am venturing outside the walls to liberate humans from those orcs.''

''But you'll be gutting them all the same right? The orcs I mean.''

''That goes without saying, yes. And I cannot afford to waste time constantly looking out for your safety.''

Kalcipher laughed. ''Someday I'll be standing among the heavens, mere orcs cannot change my destiny.''

[Harbertia]

Elenor, the Present
'It was not like Othello to stumble in his casting' was a thought that came upon Elenor's mind. He had left in a hurry, and thus in her mind saw as she did that the Regency's reluctance to step down was an issue of the highest importance. Though to have left before they could speak of the other matters brought forward by him. The subject of a possible invasion, how many wizards had been lost, what the current treasury was, and state of the rebuilding efforts. All matters the head of state should be made aware of. It did not, as she had made known to him, escape her that he too is the Regency. His departure before being dismissed was enough to demonstrate the severity of the issue, and imply it's greater depth. She would give him time to inform the council before summoning him to the chamber to continue their unfinished business.
Time passed, briefly for her, as she stepped off her dais, under the light above, through the main passage and opened the great doors. It was time to summon him, "OTHELLO, GRANDMASTER OF THE WIZARDS OF ZID, COME TO ME!" her voice vibrating through the air.

[Islamic Republic e Jariri]

''Sister, Elenor,'' addressed King Stephen.

''Do you disagree with my policy to avoid militant intervention? I know you and my firstborn Cord were close once but surely you can see the boy is brash and is looking for any excuse to bloody his sword in the name of Zid. More can be accomplished with diplomacy is how I see it, what is your counsel?''

Meanwhile Prince Cord had donned his battle armour and rallied about a dozen loyal followers. Anymore and they could be noticed before they even had the chance to leave the city walls. They would be targeting a village up north, officially a Chiefdom unaffiliated with any larger kingdom. An isolated easy target for those inhuman nomadic raiders.

Prince Kalcipher insisted on accompanying them and rather than send him away and inevitably be reported to the King, Cord reluctantly agreed to let him come along.

Elenor, the Present
'It was not like Othello to stumble in his casting' was a thought that came upon Elenor's mind. He had left in a hurry, and thus in her mind saw as she did that the Regency's reluctance to step down was an issue of the highest importance. Though to have left before they could speak of the other matters brought forward by him. The subject of a possible invasion, how many wizards had been lost, what the current treasury was, and state of the rebuilding efforts. All matters the head of state should be made aware of. It did not, as she had made known to him, escape her that he too is the Regency. His departure before being dismissed was enough to demonstrate the severity of the issue, and imply it's greater depth. She would give him time to inform the council before summoning him to the chamber to continue their unfinished business.
Time passed, briefly for her, as she stepped off her dais, under the light above, through the main passage and opened the great doors. It was time to summon him, "OTHELLO, GRANDMASTER OF THE WIZARDS OF ZID, COME TO ME!" her voice vibrating through the air.

This was pure folly. Of course he couldn't keep the conspiracy concealed from the mighty dragon for long. A nervous energy zipped through his spine but he braced himself with determination. Remembering the devastating toll on their wizard populace in Elenor's absence, how he owed his fallen students and comrades a better city for which they died for while their queen and protector wasn't around for them. He had hoped she would at the very least acknowledge her fault when he explained the Regency's reluctance but clearly all she cared for was her power, and shifting the blame to them. Perhaps this was just the nature of dragons, who were they to care about puny little humans like themselves?

''At once your majesty!'' he exclaimed and teleported to her location once more.

The moment of truth - she could already sense something afoot so there was little point in feigning ignorance. She would relay her suspicions and he resolved to confirm them head on: the Council was displeased and wanted to relegate her to a figurehead and defence.

[Harbertia]

''Sister, Elenor,'' addressed King Stephen.

''Do you disagree with my policy to avoid militant intervention? I know you and my firstborn Cord were close once but surely you can see the boy is brash and is looking for any excuse to bloody his sword in the name of Zid. More can be accomplished with diplomacy is how I see it, what is your counsel?''

Meanwhile Prince Cord had donned his battle armour and rallied about a dozen loyal followers. Anymore and they could be noticed before they even had the chance to leave the city walls. They would be targeting a village up north, officially a Chiefdom unaffiliated with any larger kingdom. An isolated easy target for those inhuman nomadic raiders.

Prince Kalcipher insisted on accompanying them and rather than send him away and inevitably be reported to the King, Cord reluctantly agreed to let him come along.

Elenor, the Present
'It was not like Othello to stumble in his casting' was a thought that came upon Elenor's mind. He had left in a hurry, and thus in her mind saw as she did that the Regency's reluctance to step down was an issue of the highest importance. Though to have left before they could speak of the other matters brought forward by him. The subject of a possible invasion, how many wizards had been lost, what the current treasury was, and state of the rebuilding efforts. All matters the head of state should be made aware of. It did not, as she had made known to him, escape her that he too is the Regency. His departure before being dismissed was enough to demonstrate the severity of the issue, and imply it's greater depth. She would give him time to inform the council before summoning him to the chamber to continue their unfinished business.
Time passed, briefly for her, as she stepped off her dais, under the light above, through the main passage and opened the great doors. It was time to summon him, "OTHELLO, GRANDMASTER OF THE WIZARDS OF ZID, COME TO ME!" her voice vibrating through the air.

This was pure folly. Of course he couldn't keep the conspiracy concealed from the mighty dragon for long. A nervous energy zipped through his spine but he braced himself with determination. Remembering the devastating toll on their wizard populace in Elenor's absence, how he owed his fallen students and comrades a better city for which they died for while their queen and protector wasn't around for them. He had hoped she would at the very least acknowledge her fault when he explained the Regency's reluctance but clearly all she cared for was her power, and shifting the blame to them. Perhaps this was just the nature of dragons, who were they to care about puny little humans like themselves?

''At once your majesty!'' he exclaimed and teleported to her location once more.

The moment of truth - she could already sense something afoot so there was little point in feigning ignorance. She would relay her suspicions and he resolved to confirm them head on: the Council was displeased and wanted to relegate her to a figurehead and defence.

Elenor, the Present
Elenor looked down, standing as she was now much taller- outside her chamber under the open sky- there at the entrance as summoned was Othello. Her expression was stern, her blue eyes narrow, a level of frustration upon her face; "You left Othello, before being dismissed. Our meeting had only just begun, with far more to discuss. How to prepare for this possible invasion, how many where lost, progress towards mending the city, and the state of the treasury among other matters of descending importance have yet to be discussed. I can only take this as indication that the reluctance of the regency to relinquish power to me is far graver a concern. Come," she said relaxing the frustration in her expression, "we must speak of this matter and what word you have from the regency." she said giving indication in her movements that he should enter first and she would go behind him.

Elenor, the Past
'Sister, Elenor,'' addressed King Stephen. ''Do you disagree with my policy to avoid militant intervention? I know you and my firstborn Cord were close once but surely you can see the boy is brash and is looking for any excuse to bloody his sword in the name of Zid. More can be accomplished with diplomacy is how I see it, what is your counsel?''

Elenor, her expression soft and concerned spoke; "I do not disagree with your policy brother, where it the lord of the land requesting our aid in the protection of his people I would be more open to action. Cord has an adventurous heart, his boldness worthy of note in martial contests. Since I have known him he has sought to do as he requests of you- to travel providing protection and defeating those who would harm the defenseless; all tasks in Zid's name. Only now has his desires grown to impatience. Should your offer of aid through healing be countered with a request for military aid, and your negotiations fail to materialize my counsel is to consider your son's request. He has shown himself capable in the martial arts and my confidence in him stands even while we have become distant. If those are the conditions that materialize efforts to end the Orcish cycle of destruction will be hurt but we may spare Zid from being next. Mind your majesty I speak only of acting under such conditions. Otherwise let us prepare our own security, until we receive word from the master of the land regarding the offer, let Cord organize a defense to be mobilized should Zid become the next. Consider telling him to gather a force in preparation for the worse outcome. Such should for the time give his mind peace."