Nilus growls in irritation that the Babau is still up
Ronan tells Jinxx to go help Dejik. Jinxx rushes over and attack the Babau
+
+ +
Seeing her initial opponent go down, Ayesha spun to the right to help Sarkast.
Ronan drops the morningstar as he sees the wand being tossed to him, and catches it. Then steps away from the Babau
Uses the wand to heal himself
Sarkast slams both spears into the babau in front of him, who shrieks but continues fighting despite only barely clinging onto life. Nilus is more fortunate as a glorious sweep of radiance downs a babau decisively before he spins, slamming his glaive into the babau fighting Ayesha. Ayesha fights on valiantly, but is just unable to score a hit.
Racing across the room, Ronan's bizarre creation comes to Dejik's rescue and pounces on the babau, biting its neck viciously. Finally Ronan catches Dejik's wand, his morning star slamming to the ground before he sends a pulse of healing energy through his body.
The three remaining babaus look around in a state of utter panic as the heroes effortlessly destroy powerful demons, the power of the gods on their side. There is a loud roar as they call to their abyssal masters, and all three wink out of existence.
END OF COMBAT
The glowing energy infusing the six of you slowly begins to fade out as energy is sapped from your bodies. You feel tired, more tired than you have felt in your life. Around you are the bodies of Irabeth and the mongrels, still alive despite the incredible power of Areelu Vorlesh's spell.
As the energy fades out you feel something change. Something awaken.
It begins! Mother, we are here together in the sight of the Gods. My destiny will be fulfilled. I will born into this world and we shall battle the Worldwound together!
Thanks to the channel energy spell Irabeth, and the mongrels all begin coming to. Irabeth lets out a groan and props herself up on her elbows. She smiles.
"We did it. You did it. I... you fought seven babaus. One of them alone could have killed us all. How..." She sinks back to the ground.
"I'm afraid we won't understand quite what happened. But the Inheritor was with us on this day, friends." She staggers to her feet and helps Lam, Samra, Doron, and Danis to their feet. The four mongrels are silent considering the magnitude of their near-death experience.
The five of htem look in the room and at you. Jeslyn's body lies smouldering on the ground, and brightly glowing shards of the wardstone are embedded in the walls, and her.
The Blessed Rose and all the Gods of Light watched over us this day. The Wardstone is gone, what does that mean?
Nilus is equally contemplative and his experience has made him value life even more.He goes to each fallen Humans and Tieflings and will see if their lives can be saved, and if so he gives them the choice to repent or face judgement. Nilus asks that the Mongrelmen help him with this task, guarding the captives if there are any.
Nilus inspects the bodies looking to see who can be saved. Although he is merciful, the powers of the wardstone were not and the energy which empowered the company destroyed all those who sided with the demons. Lam rushes off and returns after a minute.
"It's... unbelievable. Everything is dead. There were some giant flies with human faces downstairs, but the wardstone's explosion killed them too! It looks like it went uh, a long ways."
As Nilus inspects the bodies he finds the following on Jeslyn:
- Three scrolls
- A scythe
- A small pouch of gems
- 32 gold
- An amulet of exceptional quality
- A cloak of exceptional quality
Ronan will have all look at what was found and use Detect Magic
Dejik fusses over Irabeth and the monrgrelmen, making sure they are all right. When she's finally satisfied, she turns to Irabeth.
Irabeth, should we reclaim the garrison? We can pick up some supplies to clean and re-consecrate it. We should probably check the rest of the place to determine what all we need. And figure out the best way to dispose of the bodies.
Sarkast agrees with Dejik. "Let us do a sweep of the building. If Defender's Heart has the manpower, reclaiming this position could be very useful."
scroll
scroll
scroll
scythe
amulet
cloak
Ayesha, still redolent with the heady powers that had recently infused her, cast a small spell to see magical auras. Then, she looked over the items Nilus pulled out and began trying to identify their properties and utility.
She followed up Dejik's statements with, "I agree with Dejik. I think we need to get a cleanup crew in here. Something ...amazing...just happened. Some power or powers are interested in us, and I think staying on their good side is a smart idea. Of course, let's make sure the immediate danger is clear first."
The detect magic spell shows that the wardstone shards themselves still radiate bright magic. Ayesha identifies everything:
- three scrolls of dispel magic
- +1 scythe
- amulet of natural armour +1
- cloak of resistance +2
The wardstone shards radiate strong abjuration magic, but she and Ronan are both unable to identify them. Six of them remain.
Ayesha relays what she learned of the magic items to the others. Then, she said, "These wardstone shards are still charged with abjuration magic, similar to the dragon scales that each of us carries. I imagine that we should each take one of these and carry them until we learn their use."
"I agree about the shards. Perhaps Aravashnial might be able to help us understand them."
Dejik tries to help Ayesha identify the shards.
With the wardstone shattered, the company gives the Garrison a good once-over before getting ready to depart. The only unexplored room is an aerie that once held pigeons, and now the corpses of gigantic demonic flies.
The journey back to Defender's Heart is eerily silent. The eerie sense of the city has lifted, rather than invaded and occupied it is now simply destroyed. You see the occasional person blinking in the light. One person calls out.
"They're all dead! I saw it! A bright light and all the demons are dead!"
The journey back to Defender's Heart is unmolested. As the weary group approaches a cry of "They're alive! They're back!" comes up from the guards and the doors burst open. People flood out of Defender's Heart and you are overwhelmed by a cheering crowd. Anevia can be seen clinging to Irabeth, weeping with joy. Everybody is talking at once, but the sense of it seems to be that the destruction of the wardstone sent out a blast of energy that killed what must be thousands of demons.
Defender's Heart changes to the scene of a great celebration as kegs are open, animals are slaughtered for feast, and people pile out into the streets, finally safe if for a little while.
You find yourselves seated at a table as musicians play around, trying to compose songs in your name even if finding a rhyme for 'Dejik' is less than ideal.
Leaning heavily on Quednys, Aravashnial makes his way through the crowd before collapsing down beside you all. He drains half a goblet of wine.
"So! How does it feel to have saved a part of the world? I for one am just glad to have done my part. We've got some good news and bad news though."
He grins over his goblet.
"The good news is that the invasion has been repelled from this part of Mendev. Any demons that didn't die are in full flight and badly injured. That bad news is that beyond the fact nobody in this damn camp has a regeneration spell, is that when the shard was destroyed, it took the barrier with it. Our greatest protection against the Worldwound is gone."
Sarkast listens to Aravashnial with concern. "Is there anyone who has the magic needed to rebuild the wardstone and fix the defenses? Perhaps I could travel to find them and bring them back."
Ayesha stared fuzzily at the now empty tankard in her hand. This drink they called mead had more kick to it than she was used to. It was a little sweeter than tea, and had more of a tang, but she quite liked it. She laughed again at how the minstrels looked uncomfortable at her suggestions for their rhymes for her companions. Perhaps "dik" meant something else here in the north?
She looked at Aravashniel as the blind elf spoke. "so what does that mean for us? I mean, if there is still danger from the world wound, then we should do what we can. "
Nilus revels in the pure joy that the victory brings to the surviving people of Kenebres. He dances an Ode to Beauty in celebration and leads a small contingent of faithful Shelynites in prayer and joyful revel.
A crowd of appreciative onlookers form a circle to allow Nilus to dance and do worship to his Goddess. Irabeth nods appreciatively over to Nilus and then leans in. The half-orc woman is out of her plate mail for the first time in your reckoning. She has a stout, brawny build and a multitude of pale scares show up against her green skin. Her throat is still somewhat purple from the strangulation spell, but she's poured enough whiskey down it to soothe the pain.
"The barrier is gone?!" she cries as Aravashnial speaks. "Sarkast, you... you don't understand. The Hand of the Inheritor descended form the heavens to bless the Kenabres wardstone and create the barrier. The power required is not something we can just..." she wiggles her thick fingers clumsily. "Magic up."
She slams her goblet down. "Gods that man can dance! Where was I? Honestly... we'll figure it out tomorrow. Something happened to you lot and there's a lot of interest. The power of the barrier, the power of The Light of the Sword, Iomedae, has blessed you. We have lost our greatest shield BUT." She waves her drink around, splashing a bit. "We may have a great sword instead. Ha!"
"You're welcome!" says a gruff voice behind Ayesha before Horgus Gwerm fills your vision. He taps a reveler on the shoulder, points across the room, and takes the seat.
"How else do you think they got wine and mead here? You think anyone grows grapes this far north? Ha! Courtesy of Gwerm Manor. Just wanted to say you all have exceeded any expectations I had of you, even if you broke the barrier and doomed us all in the process."
Dejik snorts in derision. Mead from grapes? The horrors of war, I suppose.
She maneuvers herself next to Irabeth, hoping to get a better "view" of what had the crowd so exited. I don't know what happened to us--that wave of light almost had color in it to me. She shakes her head. I'm just thankful that you and the First People are OK--I was afraid we'd lost you.
Ronan has moved off, trying to find an out of the way spot for him and Jinxx. Quietly drinking a tankard of mead and thinking on what has happened over the last several days.
Horgus starts to protest about how he imported his mead from the Lands of the Linnorn Kings, honey made by the most dangerous bees in the world before Irabeth cuts him off.
"I'll attest that being choked half to death by Areelu Vorlesh, who..." she trails off, her voice lost in the dine of the crowd. "WHO might I add, is one of the most powerful creatures to walk Avistan. All of that energy that kept the Worldwound back for a century just went shwoop into all of you. But no, I can't say I enjoyed being strangled."
The group revels throughout the night and finally make their way to their respective bedrooms in Defender's Heart. With the demonic army driven off, and the Kenabres army driven off, they can at least guarantee a couple of nights of uninterrupted sleep.
As you sleep, you dream. In your dream, you stand to the side, quietly watching two parents with a small child. You know this child is you, but the faces of your parents are indistinct and cannot be seen. You turn to see a beautiful woman dressed in plate armour. She steps towards you. Jinxx is beside her. She strokes his fur.
"Your life is shrouded in mystery, and there will be answers, and perhaps more questions in the future. With powers such as yours, you have chosen to fight on the side of virtue and goodness, and have shown great dedication and determination in the face of an impossible foe. For this, I thank you, and I apologize for I will not be able to help you in the future. Please accept my blessing."
She kisses you on the brow, and scenes from the great battle in the Grey Garrison play through your head. The time spent to clean up a humble shrine, the cleansing done to the scrying bowl, and the great act of mercy on a tiefling with a chance for good. These, and other small acts of good play through your mind as your dream fades out.
As you sleep, you dream. In your dream, you are in a great pavilion, back in Qadir. A small, sleeping infant is in your arms, the baby you were so cruelly denied before you made your great journey north to Mendev. You look up to see a beautiful woman dressed in plate armour. She steps towards you.
"Take care of Darb N'Ssar. For you she is you, and of you. Our lives do not always go as expected but despite that you have been virtuous, powerful, and shown love and beauty to the world. For this, and your acts of good, please accept my blessing. I thank you, and I am sorry for I will not be able to help you in the future."
She kisses you on the brow, and scenes from the great battle in the Grey Garrison play through your head. The time spent to clean up a humble shrine, the cleansing done to the scrying bowl, and the great act of mercy on a tiefling with a chance for good. These, and other small acts of good play through your mind as your dream fades out.
As you sleep, you dream. In your dream, your eyes have returned and you stride through a beautiful golden field of wheat. The sky is a vivid blue and you can see for miles and miles and miles. You then turn around to see a beautiful woman dressed in plate armour. She steps towards you.
"Your sacrifice, faith, and kindness are magnificent, and I thank you dearly. I apologize to you, Dejik, for I cannot help you in the future. But I will give you my blessing; a token of my gratitude."
She kisses you on the brow, and scenes from the great battle in the Grey Garrison play through your head. The time spent to clean up a humble shrine, the cleansing done to the scrying bowl, and the great act of mercy on a tiefling with a chance for good. These, and other small acts of good play through your mind as your deam fades out.
As you sleep, you dream. In your dream, you sit by a moonlit pond of aching beauty. Chrysanthemums are in full bloom, filling the air with their scent. You turn to see a beautiful woman dressed in plate armour. She steps towards you.
"Beloved of Shelyn, you have shown faith, virtue, and mercy. In this there is greatness. I am sorry for I cannot help you in the future, but I will give you my blessing."
She kisses you on the brow, and scenes from the great battle in the Grey Garrison play through your head. The time spent to clean up a humble shrine, the cleansing done to the scrying bowl, and your great act of mercy on a tiefling with a chance for good. These, and other acts of good play through your mind as your dream fades out.
As you sleep, you dream. In your dream, the wind blows through your hair as you sit atop a mountain, surveying a spectacular landscape before you. You feel alive. As you lean on your spear to stand, you turn to see a beautiful woman dressed in plate armour. She steps towards you.
"Runner, climber, explorer. You have shown goodness and care while battling great evils. I am grateful and thank you, and apologize for I will not be able to aid you in the future. Please accept my blessing."
She kisses you on the brow, and scenes from the great battle in the Grey Garrison play through your head. The time spent to clean up a humble shrine, the cleansing done to the scrying bowl, and the great act of mercy on a tiefling with a chance for good. These, and other acts of good play through your mind as your dream fades out.
Kenabres took a devastating blow when the Storm King destroyed the wardstone. The attack that swiftly followed involved the opening of several rifts in the ground that swallowed up entire city blocks as armies of demons, from minor fiends like dretches and babaus on up to the hulking destroyers known as ulkreths, rose up to destroy the city. Many of the citizens died during the assault, but many more survived and fled into the country while the demons destroyed what they could before moving on.
It was not until a band of heroes destroyed the last great shard of the wardstone, before the witch Areelu Vorlesh could corrupt it, that the city was spared. The flash of energy destroyed thousands of demons. Kenabres remains a ruin, but one with hope.
After the fall it is a very different city. Before the attack its population was in excess of 12,000. Now, with the refugees returned, its population is only 6,500.
The past week has been spent refortifying, recovering, and praying as the city re-establishes itself. It is after these two weeks that word comes to you of great news.
Ayesha woke from the dream with a start, tears pouring down her cheeks. She reached out and grasped her scimitar and clutched it to her, like the infant in her dreams.
Did you see? Was that you? I came here on a vision quest, searching for a way to have the children I so desperately craved, and were you the result? Oh, Darb N'ssiar, did I awaken you instead of the child I sought?
She cried quietly to herself for a few minutes, trying desperately not to waken Dejik, lying in the room's other bed. Eventually Ayesha got herself under some measure of control and closed her eyes once more. She thought of the good things that the woman in her dreams - Iomedae? - had shown her, and resolved to strive to live up to that in the future.
Walking far better than she once did, Anevia limps to the five of you as you sit for breakfast. The young woman can barely contain her excitement.
"The Queen! Queen Gallfrey is coming here, and if the news I received is correct, it is to speak directly with you! The message has asked that she meet with you in a place where you are comfortable so uh, get ready. She's going to be here tomorrow!"
I did not see, but I felt the presence of the Inheritor. From whence I came.. I do not know. But I do know you are mother.
Sniffling, Ayesha clutched the scimitar tighter.
I don't know if I am prepared for this, but between us, you and I will persevere and thrive.
*****************************
The weeks passed after the battle, and Ayesha began to get used to the fact that she felt as if her blood was filled with light at all moments. As she was sitting down to a small stack of griddle cakes one morning, Anevia limped in with a smile on her face, and news on her lips.
"Tomorrow! That little notice? But, what does this Queen Gallfrey want with us? Who is she, anyways? I gather from your composure that she is someone of import here?"
Nilus awakens with a smile on his face. Such beauty...
Queen Galfrey, First of Her Name, is the Ruler of Mendev. The place you now sit. Nilus says
To Anevia Nilus responds We await her Majesty's pleasure.
Nilus will instruct his allies in courtly manners if they wish.
The following morning, Dejik seems dazed, almost as though she were still asleep. For the next few days, she remains distracted and lost in thought.
As the city gradually unwinds itself from a siege mentality, Dejik helps the sick and wounded get well enough to travel home and assists with the cleansing and purification of the Gray Garrison if she can. She will also help Ayesha (and anyone else) study the remaining shards to see what they are.
Sarkast spends his time helping the citizens the city rebuild their defenses. On hearing that the Queen is coming to visit, he gets a bit nervous. "I am not accustomed to speaking to people of high station. Are you sure she really wants to meet me?"
He does his best to clean his leathers and make himself presentable.
Ronan wakes with a start, looking about in a little bit of confusion. Jinxx cocks his head at him. Ronan strokes Jinxx fir, much like the woman in his dream did. "Yes Yes I'm fine just had an interesting dream is all. Shall we go find the others?"
"Meet the Queen, really? Well what do you think of that Jinxx we are to have meeting with the Queen, I guess we have done alright."
Anevia shrugs nonchalantly and take a swig of a small beer. "No idea unfortunately. We're not quite set up to receive her Majesty but since Mendev is at a state of perpetual war she'll have seen worse, and dealt with worse."
Nilus explains the basic etiquette for dealing with royalty in Mendev.
Basic rules are to not speak until spoken to, stand up when she enters the room, bow or curtsey when approached, do not turn your back to her, don't touch her, and use highest form of address when first meeting her. In this case that's 'Your Majesty', although you can refer to her as "Ma'am" after the fact. That said, although Galfrey takes her office seriously, she's likely to forgive most breaches of etiquette considering the circumstances.
Defender's Heart has an atmosphere of palpable tension as its residents do their best to clean up the place and prepare the arms and armour for a show befitting a Queen. Word arrives of Galfrey's arrival the next day, and you find yourselves lined up outside the entrance of the inn in a somewhat chilly wind. The rhythmic sounds of heavy boots marching is the first sound you hear before a column of paladins, marching in perfect unison turn the corner. Banners of Mendev and Ioemdae flutter in the breeze and dozens upon dozens of paladins march upon Defender's Heart.
A cheer rises up from the ragtag crowd of surviving crusaders as the Queen and her retinue turn the corner and come into sight. They are all on horseback, with three bodyguards encircling the Queen; a variety of advisors, hangers-on, and other personages of importance to Herself ride behind her.
The paladins spread out to form a path to the front door of Defender's Heart, and Queen Galfrey approaches. Irabeth stands forth and, somewhat awkwardly, calls out a greeting after bowing.
"Your Majesty, Kenabres is yours. Be welcome to Defender's Heart!"
Galfrey rides up on a brown palfrey. She is dressed in ceremonial armour, adorned with runes in yellow lettering and a feathery blue crest. Her face is young, far younger than would be expected for the longtime ruler of Kenabres, although with the hard, wise eyes of a monarch in a land of perpetual war. Her voice is surprisingly deep, deeper than Irabeth's, but resonant and clear.
"Crusaders of the Eagle Watch, people of Kenabres," she looks to the party, assembled to Irabeth's left. "And our heroes. I bid you welcome. I bring with me my armies to secure and restore Kenabres. It is a new day in Mendev and we shall take greatest advantages of our opportunities. The blessings of The Inheritor be with all of you. She watches us, and she is proud of your work today."
She dismounts her horse, handing the reins to a nervous stable master, and removes her helmet before gesturing at the party.
"Your descriptions do not do you," her eyes move to Jinxx. "Or him justice. It would please me that you introduce yourselves."
Ayesha stood and approached the Queen reverently. With a quick courtesy learned in the halls of her beloved Khamil, she said "Your Majesty does us too much honor to attend us in this way. I am Ayesha Jalal, recently of Qadir, and I am Your Majesty's most humble servant."
Out of the corner of her eye, she looked at Nilus, hoping that she had done the thing correctly.
Sarkast looks up, nervous but proud. "I am Sarkast, son of Kelkast, of the Elk people. Though we are not your subjects, we are pleased to call you and your people allies and friends. It is my honor to have been chosen to come to the aid of Kenabres during this trouble."
Dejik steps forward carefully until the queen appears at the edge of her vision, then she snaps to attention and salutes. Your majesty, I am Dejik of Iomedae. It was my honor to be counted among the ranks of the Sword of Iomedae, and I remain at your command despite-- she fumbles a bit but recovers quickly--I am ready to serve however I can, your majesty.
Nilus steps forward with a flourishy bow Nilus Romani, late of Varisia, Servant of the Blessed Rose and Crusader. I am Your Majesty's humble servant.
Galfrey smiles warmly as the party stands forth to introduce themselves.
"I will retire to my room and we shall meet shortly. Commander, ensure there is a comfortable place for us to meet," she says, looking to Irabeth. She then turns to look over her retinue. "Aron, Nurah, Sosiel - be available at my call." Behind her a plucky-looking halfling woman, a somewhat hollow-eyed young man, and a serene man in armour bearing the songbird of Shelyn all bow their heads in turn.
"AND MARCH!"
A call goes up from the grand procession of paladins that have framed the Queen's grand entrance. At least two hundred of the religious warriors turn on heel, and march away towards what is presumably their camp. The Queen's retinue of at least twenty remain, half of which have now rushed into Defender's Heart to begin preparations.
Galfrey sweeps by you into the fortress-like inn, and you are soon lead to the now-familiar meeting room where your original attack on the Grey Garrison was planned.
After around ten minutes, Galfrey arrives in plain tunic and breeches, though with no less a commanding presence. She enters the room with the five of you, and the door is shut behind her.
"Be seated. We have much to discuss."
Nilus takes his seat, only after the Queen does as etiquette demands.
He waits patiently for her words.
Queen Galfrey (known only by the one name) is at the same time a visible, but enigmatic ruler. She has ruled Mendev throughout living memory and far before that, yet she does not appear to have aged a day, leading to a variety of spectacular rumours about her and her refusal to age. She's apparently met Iomedae or is guided by visions from Iomedae, or has her own strange religious manner. A few more sinister rumours claim she is in secret league with the Worldwound to drag out the conflict, although are considered at best to be cynical speculation, and at worst a deliberate attempt to undermine her rule by rivals.
Galfrey seats herself and the party follows. She peaks her her hands and looks evenly at each person in turn.
"I will be direct, for I have much to say. Your act of destroying the wardstone, though it was the brain child of Quednys, has been attached to your names by the populace. Rumours fly quickly, and although you are now hailed as heroes, there are narrow-minded souls among the crusade who blame you for the destruction of the wardstone border. They are scared, and foolish. I do not begrudge you for what you did. Far from it. From the sound of it, you saved entire legions of crusaders from a most vile fate by preventing Vorlesh from transforming them, and the blast of energy gave us the time we needed to regroup and
prepare for what will certainly come next."
Galfrey irritably brushes some long hair from her face, having come loose from the braiding in the back. She grabs her cup of water and drinks half of it.
"But you understand the implications of what you've done, I'm sure. The wardstones are gone, but Iomedae has seen fit that you will be their replacement."
She pauses to let her words sink in.
"I can think of no other reason that would explain why their power would have settled in your bodies and souls and didn't merely fade into the ether. In time, the demons will regroup and reorganize-we can trust their inherent chaos to make this period of regrouping longer than it otherwise would take, but we shouldn't underestimate them. They'll be back soon enough. Already I've had reports from along the front lines that small groups of demons are attacking fortifications and settlements along the southern border."
Galfrey raises a finger, speaking carefully as she looks into the eyes of each party member in turn.
"But what intrigues me most is news from several reliable sources that as our fiendish enemies are starting to mass in the southern reaches along the Riftshadow within the Worldwound, they have left several of their northern lairs relatively unprotected. In particular, the fiend Aponavicius has taken the bulk of her army from Drezen, leaving it only moderately protected as she joins with the Storm King in lz to, no doubt, plot greater attacks on larger targets targets like Nerosyan, Karcau, and beyond."
Her hand slaps down on the table as she raises her deep, rich voice.
"The time is right to strike into their territory! Drezen was the first of our cities to fall after the First Crusade, and we lost more than our kin and our pride that day. We lost the Sword of Valor, a magical banner carried by the Inheritor herself during the Shining Crusade. If Drezen could be retaken, if the Sword of Valor could once again be held by the crusade ... well, I trust I don't need to explain how well that would affect morale. But with the imminent attacks along the border, I cannot spare many to lead an assault on Drezen. And even if I could, a large army attacking the city would only draw Aponavicius back to defend the place."
She then stands, pacing and still carefully sizing up each one of you.
"Remain seated. The obvious tactic is to send in a group of capable heroes with a modest but well-trained army to strike now, while the proverbial iron is hot! And this is why I've sought you out. If you can retake Drezen and reclaim the Sword of Valor, not only will you silence the fools who would brand you traitors for destroying the wardstone, but more importantly, you would bolster the entire war effort with your heroism. And I fear we need all the bolstering we can get!"
Galfrey then returns to her seat, and pours herself some more water.
"This is my plan. To restate, the two hundred paladins who were my honour guard to Kenabres will be yours to command. Your orders will be to take lead this army, strike at Drezen, and reclaim the Sword of Valor."
Despite her intense, and humorless demeanor she allows herself a smile.
"Questions?"
"I will be as forthright with you as you have been with us, Your Majesty. I am many things - a dancer, a mage, a bladedancer, a lover, and yes, a mother...of a fashion. What I am not is a leader of men. I know nothing of leading an army, and have little reason to expect that anyone would follow my judgement should I attempt it. Your idea of a small strike team sounds as if it has merit, and that I would be all too happy to be a part of - especially with these worthies about me for companionship. We have demonstrated that ability well enough, I would say. But for leading an army? Well, I have no doubt that Nilus here has training in that aspect, but Irabeth would be a much better choice than I."
Sarkast nods at Ayesha. "I am a scout, your majesty. I have been tasked with aiding in this time of need by my own goddess as well as yours, but my skill is on the side, not in the front. Attach me to your army, and I will do all I can. "