“Indeed. Defining themselves in terms of what they are not. I remain unconvinced by their protestations of Courtlessness.” The owl flaps slowly across to one of the chairs and perches on the back of it.
“The storms,” says Donralaiz firmly. “They’re approaching from two different directions and the thunder sounds unnatural to me. I’m worried about the damage they’ll cause. Most of the inhabitants will be able to take shelter, but if there are any travellers, they’re likely to be in great danger.”
“Yes! Of course! Two storms!” says the pixie. “One for each of the two Courts they don’t have. You were there for the start of a really really big argument. An argument with lightning, and you didn’t even notice.”
“Hmmmm… Perhaps stopping the storms will require us to bring the argument to a halt. But how?”
“I doubt these Envoys will listen to rational debate. What if… what if we can persuade them that one side has already won?”
“And how exactly do we do that while those storms are still raging out there?”
The pixie jumps down from the bed and walks unsteadily in circles over the floorboards. She holds her fingertips pressed against her forehead and she frowns deeply. “Let me think, let me think. There’s a plan here somewhere, I can sense it. Let’s see… If I’m guessing correctly, those storms are a competition. A display of strength from the two sides. Ysvellei has taught you rituals for changing the weather in the Wood, hasn’t she?”
“Yes, but that’s a subtle power. For influencing existing weather, not creating storms out of a clear sky.”
“And we certainly have some existing weather at the moment. I have it! You need to find that Envoy again, the one you liked. Tell her you know a ritual that can calm the storms down a bit. If she tries to persuade you to use it to increase the strength of one of the storm lines instead… then that confirms my theory! Probably.”
“I didn’t… nevermind.” He pauses, and listens to the storms again. “Actually… I think your plan may be worth trying.” He resists the urge to add some sort of discouraging disclaimer. Tririesk’s ideas could sometimes be tiring, but… “If it even gives us the slightest chance to stop these storms.”
“You’ll need to do the talking. Woohoo’oosh and I will follow but we’ll stay out of sight unless you can’t convince the Envoy of your helpless devotion to her and we need a new plan in a hurry. Let’s go!”