oathshackledbird | Eachdraidh Locket Mail/Physical Mailbox

I believe so. Which makes the notion even more disgusting, that he would sacrifice those of his own Court as well.

Lord Saralegui's compassion for those that wish safety is being defiled and I with my hands tied. [She made a frustrated sound.] My duty and position does not permit me to challenge him to an honorable duel. Or I would--

Tch. Forgive me, Diarmuid. I should not speak of such things to you.

There is no honor in killing innocents or loyalty in sacrificing your own. Do not worry, I share your frustration.

[He falls quiet for a moment to think, before he continues.]

To be honest, if he is so eager for Unseelie shards, he might actually accept a duel from an Unseelie so well-known and well-respected as you. However, if he would play fair is another point all together.

[Already, Diarmuid can't help but feel that Tarz is acting in a manner not befitting a member of the Seelie court. Who knows how far he will really go to accomplish a 'goal' he thinks is noble?]

Even if he would fight honorably, I am the Unseelie General. I cannot focus on one individual Seelie shardbearer - no matter how dishonorable - when there is an army marching upon Caer Scima.

And why would he face me, knowing that I can end him, when he could walk into a sanctuary where there are Unseelie shardbearers with either no wish or no capacity to fight and take them with far less effort and risk to himself?

Do you know that he believes you could end him, though? If he is being so bold in his threats, he may be one of those who does not believe any could defeat him.

[Ego and vanity often go hand-in-hand with those who feel their cause is the only correct one and the only true path.]

Though, when it comes down to it, he might not accept a duel from anyone at this point. Just as you are the Unseelie General and should be focusing your attention in other places, he is a very high ranking officer as well and is likely doing the same.

[Or...would Lancelot be taking care of all of that? Does Lancelot even know about all of this and if so, why isn't he doing something about it? Surely, he would not approve of this any more than Diarmuid does...]

My prowess has become well-known across this land. [Five Star Influence, booya.]

I wonder if he is making such threats independently or under orders. Perhaps I was wrong and honor is not as important to the Seelie Court as they profess if this is an acceptable method.

[Way to make him feel like a slacker sitting at only 3.1 stars...]

It has, not that I need to hear the hushed and awed voices of those who speak of you to know of your skill, but ego is a strange thing. It makes people very blind and deaf sometimes...

[Remember that guy who calls himself the King of Heroes?]

It is hard to say if this is his choice or if it is an order, however with one so devoted and...dare I say, fanatical...as he is, the two options might be one and the same.

I am sure you have talked to Lord Saralegui about this. Did either of you come up with any ideas on how to protect the city and those within it?

You would be the only one of the two of us that has the power to learn the answer to that.

[But Saber moved on to the subject of Redgate's defense.]

The Lord contacted me regarding it, as I - like you - am a Champion of Redgate, though he understands my position. Though he is willing to let any of his Champions view the private message from Tarz should they wish to hear it themselves.

There is a Seelie Shardbearer of considerable renown indebted to Redgate that is seeing to the safety of the Western Road, but that only protects the trade routes.

I could bring my concerns to Sir Lancelot. Since he is our Marshal, Tarz would be beneath him. It may be that he will know what orders Tarz has been given.

[Of course, if this is something secret between Tarz and the Monarchs, there is a chance that no one but them knows period.]

I am glad you were able to get someone to watch the roads, but in the end, I think we both know that is not enough. Tarz will find a way to get through to the city and if worse comes to worse, by the sound if it, he would go through the shardbearer you speak of with no second thoughts. If we want Redgate to truly be safe, we must do something about him.

[Diarmuid says nothing about needing to see the private messages between Tarz and Lord Saralegui. He knows that Saber would not lie about something like this.]

Agreed, but unless he presents himself on the battlefield before me...

[She sighed.] My other options are dishonorable and I will not employ them.

[Saber has assassins. She doesn't want to use assassins. Can't we just dump Tarz into the middle of the sea?]

[Well, the rings Alyosha gave them do allow them to teleport anywhere. One distracts Tarz while the other grabs him and teleports to the nearest large body of water?]

He is a member of my court, so attacking him or challenging him to a duel myself would put me in a very bad position. The last thing I want is the Monarchs noticing me and then questioning me about my actions during the last few months.

[While he doesn't know exactly where those three sigils are, he knows who does and their rough location. Diarmuid might be tough and strong, but he has no doubt the Monarchs have ways of forcing people to talk.]

I don't know that just talking to him would help either. Fanatics rarely listen to reason.

[Those rings don't let them bring others with them, which was a shame. Maybe they should drop a rumor to the Cult of the Fox that Tarz was in possession of a sigil. Saber knows what happened to Lancelot. Let Severine kill Tarz for them.]

Your luck would probably have Tarz insulting your honor if you spoke with him anyways. [Which would give him a just cause to challenge him...]

Perhaps conversing with Lancelot is the best option right now.

[True. Someone should talk to Alyosha about upgrades, stat. Of course, starting a rumor might work too...]

I don't think there is much probably about it. He likely would or might even try to drag me to the Monarchs for questioning him.

[A frustrated look crosses his face. The emotion is clear in his voice too.]

I am a day or two out of the Hidden Falls at the moment, so I can do nothing right away, as I don't trust a discussion like this over the lockets. It will take me no time to return to Caer Glaem and start looking into things. It...just doesn't seem like enough.

[To be honest, if nothing else was in play, he would waste no time challenging Tarz, but things are not so simple.]

Nothing ever seems like enough. Such is war.

That is a sad and unchanging truth.

Let Lord Saralegui know I am going to do all I can to help with this, and if an emergency arises with Tarz, to contact me.

[He pauses a moment to look off into the distance at a dying campfire in the center of the clearing where he and the group of refugees are camping.]

As much as I would hate to lose my shard, if that sacrifice would save so many others, I would do it. There are many others here whose shards can keep home alive...

I shall. And I know how you feel. I think much on the sacrifice I may one day make for the good of everyone else.

[She still thinks about sacrificing her own world, but right now she can't. But she almost did when deciding on her boon.]

I knew I could count on you to understand. I know my wife would not.

[In fact, Grainne might not ever forgive him for doing such a thing, but how can a true knight put his own life ahead of the lives of so many others?]

We are knights. Sacrifice is part of who we are.

...I should let you go.

[Diarmuid shakes his head and then sighs.]

I think, at times, she would rather I was just a man and that I can never be.

And you are right. We both have much to do. Good luck out there, Saber. I pray that this battle will not see the whole world reduced to ash...

My lady does not make things any easier on my than yours does you, though albeit in a different manner.

Take care, Diarmuid.

[And Saber shuts the compass]

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