video | @khaleesi

[freeing]

Name: Daenerys Targaryen
Date: Iuneril 1st
Format: video

[ It was an... honest attempt to be professional. To be queenly. In the farmlands away from Aefenglom, in a dimly lit bedroom that looked as if it had seen better days, Daenerys is visible independently from a "selfie" style of video. She's propped her device up and sits in a small lounge chair next to the window to catch the light outside – what's left of it as a large stormcloud begins to overtake the farmlands. ]

Forgive me, it has been some time since I have come to such network to seek aid. [ The last time didn't work out too well! ] Recently, many of us on the Mirrorbound Council had begun to propose an initiative to improve the quality of life in the Outer City, where the residents are most vulnerable. It seemed, unfortunately, such actions were not... supported by the Parliament. Many of us have made efforts to improve the lives of those there, but we are still but strangers here – still under a wheel not our own.

[ There's an underlining bitterness there. ]

I am asking for help to take this mission on without the need of Parliament growing involved, then. We would like to begin cleaning the area up and treat those who have early stages of the Cwyld infection. The farmlands I have partial ownership of has diverted crop shipments from the city guard to the poorest and hungriest citizens, but that simply will not be enough.

[ Or, wise. ]

Fishermen, hunters, medics, builders – if we are able to begin putting clinics in more accessible areas for early-stage treatments... we could improve the quality of life for those suffering and stop the risk of spreading further. It is dangerous and time-consuming, I know... but –

[ Daenerys flinches, a washing view of disappointment on her face. Guilt clear. ]

We can not rely on Parliament to assist us there. Their efforts are strained between so many aspects of their city and I wish to take this responsibility on if possible. If anyone has skills to better help with this, please... I will be in your debt for your assistance.

Comments

un: aegis | voice

[finesseblade]

Your mistake was putting any faith in them to help in the first place. They're politicians. Their trade is talk, not action.

[ He's not... too impressed with Parliament. Hasn't been since he got here. ]

I've been hunting for the Wilders for some months now, but it's difficult to protect this portion of the city when it has no defenses to speak of. Does anything in your grand plan address shoring up the perimeter?

[freeing]

I thought they were to be rulers who speak for their people and fight for them – not just politicians.

[ Daenerys hopes she is the aforementioned one – or viewed as wanting to make a difference. ]

It was to be my next suggestions, but I would need advising from those far more suitable in protection and battle. The bump in the plan is how proud those in the Outer City can be, but they are too tired and sickly to see anything but inevitability of the Cwyld at this rate.

[ So, she asks: ]

The farmlands I reside on have runes in the ground to ward off Shades, but they do a poor job. Is there any other way we could feasibly begin to provide a safehaven once we address the infection? I am open for suggestions, if you have the expertise.

[finesseblade]

[ An idealist, then. But one who has at least half of a plan, however ambitious it might be, so... he'll bite. ]

I'm no builder—just a soldier. One who knows you're not getting a proper wall out there anytime soon.

[ That kind of construction would take years, and that's not accounting for the potential magic involved. Which is a damn shame—a fortress is what these people need, and they're not going to get it.

Unfortunately, that means thinking like a man fighting from the losing end of a war with no resources—and Felix has experience aplenty with that. ]

There aren't enough mercenaries in the world to patrol the entire outer edge of the slums successfully. You'd need barriers at key points of entry—a wooden palisade is crude, but it's a start.

Better yet, designate a few fortified safe areas these people can retreat to if the worst should happen and something gets in, and find the fighters you need to defend them.

There's no pretty solution to it. With no wall, your only option is to put more lives on the line to protect these people.

[freeing]

[ A plan without people is nothing, a false promise. Daenerys does what she thinks she does best – try and lead. Even with her Queen title stripped from her, she can't sit idle. ]

The people seem to find comfort living outside of the walls, I'm not sure if they would be receptive with us coming in and demanding they put one around them. [ It was unfortunate, she can feel the tension in her words. It wasn't push-back, but it was logic. She wouldn't want to be caged either. ] And what you suggest... it sounds difficult to achieve in both ideal and implementation.

[ More than patrols, more than putting people at risk – the infection does not discriminate between soldier and sickly, either. Daenerys huffs, as if trying to piece together different puzzle pieces refusing to fit. ]

Would you ignore their wish for freedoms and pursue a wall, regardless? I mean not to butt heads, just... to listen.

[finesseblade]

[ Felix growls, an inhuman noise, low and frustrated. He's not unaware of the stubbornness of those who live outside the wall, nor is he unfamiliar with being too proud to submit to common sense. As always, handling matters involving people has to be complicated. ]

I don't know if I'd call that a commitment to freedom. More like a resignation to death.

[ And he wouldn't consider himself the kind of honey-tongued diplomat who could persuade them into changing their minds, either. That was his father. Felix didn't inherit his wiles, or maybe he just refused to learn them. ]

Could we not establish traps? Watchtowers? A better method of detecting and signaling approaching danger, at least. Surely we can do better than leaving the residents and their defenders alike out in the open like ripe fruit for the flies?

[freeing]

[ The growling certainly isn't ignored. One brow perks, eyes narrowed a bit more out of concern. ]

They believe there is no further options for them. There is reasons why they risk living in such an area than inside of the city's walls.

[ Stubborn, may be one of it, however – she had fled Aefenglom after the Rathmore's kidnapping as well. She'd be a hypocrite to judge them for it. ]

We need those who have skill in such things – guards to fill watchtowers and mages skilled in powering runes. [ She does not oppose the idea... ] Perhaps if we can find a balance between traps and guards, the tactics will be divisive. Lower risk. When runes fail, guards will be there. When guards may tire or grow diverted, runes act as a failsafe.

[finesseblade]

[ At least he's not growling at her. Just general, moody growling, in the same way that a dragon flares its wings when annoyed. But the more she goes on, the more he finds she's got the right idea, so he settles down after a few moments. ]

Hm. Now you're talking. You're correct⁠—we can't keep the beasts out entirely, but we can harry them enough to reduce the harm done.

[ And maybe, eventually, make the slums a difficult enough target to discourage them from trying, as beast avoids difficult prey. But he's not getting his hopes up. ]

There are a number of capable fighters among the Mirrorbound, and many of them already spend time out here hunting Shades. Maybe we can get the people themselves involved⁠—let them man the watchtowers, at least, and take their protection into their own hands. Make it a matter of pride, and perhaps they'll come around.

sorry for the delay!

[freeing]

[ It's okay, she's not baiting him, just observing. ]

I believe there was talks about wanting to arrange a hunting party. Whether it makes a dent into those afflicted with the scourge remains to be seen, but it could provide a fruitful attempt to lessen the numbers regardless. So long as whomever organizes it takes precaution on keeping themselves safe.

[ He mentions the people and part of her flinches. She isn't going to pity them like they were slaves in chains, hungry and unfamiliar with any choice they had. They were free, in a sense, but stubborn. ]

They must be strong enough for that, smart enough to not cause further issues for their people. If the Shades get by those who are capable, we find ourselves in the same dilemma...

[ Her words feel heavy, but she pushes on. ]

I... will take a responsibility in a few months to burn infected areas of the woods away – the ones that rest closest. My child is not strong enough yet, large enough but he will be. This should give us reprieve soon, I hope.

[finesseblade]

Then they must not get by, and if they do... we deal with that problem when it comes. It's not a foolproof plan, nor an easy one, but it's better than sitting around waiting to die.

I will be participating in the hunting parties, and spending more time outside the walls myself.

[ He's already sniffed out an abandoned shack in the outer city, and left himself a handful of supplies there to begin conducting more thorough hunts.

Compared to setting fire to the fringes of the woods, though, that's barely scratching the surface. So he's curious. ]

What kind of child is capable of burning whole swathes of Wilde away like that? Not a human one, surely.

[ But he's seen some weird shit, here. He won't dismiss anything out of hand. ]

[freeing]

It is.

[ Some of the Outer City citizens just accepted this as a way of life, a risk for freedom and it makes her stomach churn. It is no easy task, but Daenerys always did like a challenge, didn't she?

There's a nod of appreciation on her end, one that knows many that go to the wildes to hunt. To keep the populations of invaders down somewhat...

To his question, she laughs a little. ]

One who will soon grow large enough to blot out the sun if he dares. Drogon... he one day will be as he was in my world. One of the last dragons born from flame, because of me. He has taken down entire fleets of slaver ships, this would pose no challenge.

[finesseblade]

[ Dragon. Inevitably his mind conjures images of the Immaculate One—the great white beast he watched turn its wrath on the Imperial army five years ago now. The destruction was devastating; they were just lucky someone pointed the thing in the right direction.

Looking back on it, knowing the truth, he realizes now that was deliberate. ]

I have seen a beast like that only once.

[ Well, thrice now, he supposes. Twice in dreams that still leave him ill at ease, in quiet moments when he gets to thinking about it—the beast that burned down Fhirdiad, in at least one version of his world's history. ]

And he listens to you? I don't doubt he could burn half the forest down, and the Cwyld with it—I only worry about what happens if he decides to turn that fire on the city instead.

[freeing]

Only a few ever have seen dragons, I've come to realize. They are just as rare in my world as they are in others.

[ It makes her feel as if she was born to of their blood, truly – especially when fate changes her form to that more draconic when arriving here. ]

He better. [ Almost a huff of annoyance in the calm Queen's voice. She tries to hide the difficult topic that a dragon is a dragon... one that can not be controlled no matter the person. ] I am his mother. Drogon has been through much with me, given me strength and I – well, I give him a place in the world.

[ And now? Even when she needs his strength most... he is not ready. He is not the size she remembers him as, the kind that could accomplish her goals. All she needs is time. His worry does make her flinch, and fortunately Season 7 Daenerys isn't keen on burning down cities. ]

He would never. I wouldn't allow it.

[finesseblade]

[ Felix snorts, not quite ready to believe that a dragon is so easy to control. If this Drogon grows to be even half the size of The Immaculate One... ]

I'm not so certain it's up to you. If he set his will against yours, could you even stop him?

[ He's calm, but there's a blunt and untempered edge to his words, a tightness around his eyes. He doesn't trust that easily, especially not a woman so certain she can control great, scaly uncertainties. ]

But let us hope you're right, and your connection to this creature will be enough to quell his instincts and turn them to a better purpose. I wish you luck. Truly. For all our sakes.