Opportunities

---- Dalen Capital, Gularzob's Shop, mid-afternoon 0 DSTR ----

Winifred scanned his features, which were oddly handsome for a beast, for faltering. Instead of following his line of vision, she cocked her neck to maintain her gaze on his features. Shrugging in response to Gular’s shrug, she attempted to feel emotionally for him, but failed. Her movements seemed to duplicate his, but with the intent to coax more out of him. It was as if she were asking for an explanation she deserved to have- which she didn’t. Straightening her posture, preparing herself for the story, she narrowed her eyes on his mouth as it moved.

"She launched a xenophobic campaign against my stronghold. I made it back to defend, but it lasted nearly five years, during which time many of my kin were slain by her soldiers. Since then she has granted us permission to live within her borders, but I will never forget the tragedy. I will never forgive her transgressions, and I will do all I can to support those who oppose her."

“You’ve been ‘granted permission’ to live in peace? What an interesting way to gain control. I can’t say I am entirely surprised; I have heard nothing but disgusting things about her. It is amazing she is still alive, truly. Even my people would be appalled at how the slaves in this Kingdom are treated,” Winifred finished off her small banter with a sigh.

It was at this time she mirrored his positioning, facing the fire as if it had a tale to tell. Winifred was entirely focused on the conversation at hand, ignoring the small chatter on the other side of the shop. Parting her lips as if to say something, she was stopped by the continuance of the Orc’s words, "I know you came from Verden through a portal. My stronghold sent me a message when I inquired about two travelers and a horse that no such description had come down the road. They checked the portal sight and could sense that it had been used. In not sure why you are here, in Dalen that is, but if you came from Verden to oppose her, I wish to aid you."

Letting out a stifled whistle, Winifred leaned forward on the counter and studied the flames. “If you provide weapons for, or have contracts with, Queen Marpesia, I am asking that you do not mention your encounter with a Fae, here in Dalen. The portals are so rarely used by any others, and if word gets out that there are individuals using them as carelessly as we were, Queen Marpesia will suspect me specifically. I am one of the only Fae that live on these lands as a civilian, and not as a noble,” she said with care.

Winifred had yet to think of what her role could be in overthrowing the Queen of Dalen. It would be a tedious task, but one with plenty of adrenaline to last her a lifetime. What was Artem doing to her? Only a couple of days before would she have laughed, and walked away. Yet, for some reason, this opportunity intrigued her. The task would have to begin after she found Sabina, as for it would be rude to not ensure her safety at this point. “I haven’t come here to oppose her,” Winifred said while staring down at her thumbs. Fiddling them, she looked over at him with a smirk, and a slight shrug, before continuing, “at least not on this specific journey. But who’s to say I don’t make another visit in a week’s time?”

"My stronghold will expand and take this land as ours once again."

Winifred nodded in agreement to his statement, returning her focus to the blade within the glass. Recognizing the shift in Gular’s tone, she slid her hands over the top of the glass gently, looking down at the contents with a smile. “Oh yes. You see, I gave one of my daggers up for payment. Which I do regret- it was coated with unicorn blood, as I am sure you know can be hard to come by. It may not have an impact on the wound itself, but it does a beautiful task at disturbing the body’s ability to grow and divide healthy cells, causing cancers of a wide variety,” Winifred spoke in a pout, her hands finding the back of her neck to provide a gentle massage.