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[calmness]

// zewu.jun

TEXT • AUDIO • VIDEO

XIMILIA

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[bindsthedead]

Or what the consequences will be. My only comfort is that the orbs don't ask for things that are not the bargainer's to give.

[Except the definition of that can be very broad, when it comes to rulers.]

I know. Death is inevitable, and this was set in motion before our arrival.

Or if not avoided, then defanged. [There's open anger in her voice at that. Entr'i has clearly done more to aid Sedorum than V'rizz and his master ever have, and yet they see her as a mere means to an end.]

[calmness]

As far as we are aware. [a soft sigh follows, tired.

it is a comfort still. xichen does not think they fully understand the orbs yet, that there is plenty more that viveca and degar have not shared and will not share.]

Do you believe it can be defanged?

[bindsthedead]

They do not have an orb of their own, and Entr'i commands far more loyalty from the army than they do. And Entr'i is both aware of their scheming, and did not trust them enough to be too shaken by the betrayal.

[Sabriel's voice is calm, measured, laying out the situation the same way she might detail a schoolwork problem to herself, in order to work through it and find the solution.]

I think that as long as someone accompanies her to the battle in Giva, and keeps an eye on V'rizz, things should work out. We should try to cooperate with her in this respect- she knows V'rizz better than we do.

[calmness]

But do we know her as well? [that is his worry, above all else.]

[bindsthedead]

I think we do.

[Sabriel is not unaware that they have not known Entr'i for very long- but then, they did not know Remi or So-Yeon for very long, and people made the choice to trust them too.]

Enough to trust her, at least to the extent we trusted So-Yeon and Remi.

[calmness]

She seems as if she is honest and virtuous, as they were. [there's that comfort, at least.] And not hungry for power.

[bindsthedead]

No. We've been fortunate so far, that save for Cheruvia, most orb holders have been relatively decent people.

[Well, except for the Highest One, presumably.]

[calmness]

It does not feel like that will change. [a little more certainly.] At least not in this case.

We should both rest and prepare for whatever comes next. I am not sure we are all ready for it.

[bindsthedead]

When have we ever been? Every mission's taken us by surprise more than once. All we can do is prepare as best we can.

[calmness]

Another truth I cannot argue with.

Perhaps one of these missions we will be able to prepare better. [and coordinate, too, but that is a task for someone more confident in their own leadership and judgement than he is right now.]

[bindsthedead]

The problem is that while we're given enough information to have a few leads, it's never enough to go after the orb immediately. Although coordinating our information gathering might be possible.

[calmness]

Next mission, I will figure out a way for us to be better informed of each other’s progress. [he does not trust himself but maybe this he can do.] Sometimes that is enough to help us connect what is missing and fill in the pieces that elude us.

[bindsthedead]

Yes- To understand not just what we know, but areas of interest that have gone uninvestigated. Some things can't be learned simply by having polite chats by the locals- we need to seek out and uncover things that have been deliberately hidden.

[calmness]

You are right in that. Next mission, we will find a way to better coordinate. [ he will make sure of it. ]

[bindsthedead]

Well, as long as we're not divided and unable to communicate at the start, it will be simpler.