Crime or Coincidence?

JP with Winteroak and White_Caribou

"That indeed is the question, Shalia Nix. Why are those from the Gate City coming here at this particular time?" He said looking at the two priests. "We should not forget our teachings that their coming heralds the end." He pushed his point. His tone was obvious, as he hinted at a connection between the rumours and the coming of the foreigners to their city.

Tamazzalt drank deeply from his goblet looking at Amastan and Agizul. "Maybe their coming is connected to these rumours. Maybe the Twins are angry that we are allowing their kind into our shores..." He challenged.

"All this only makes preparations to raise the Horde, the more necessary." He said looking at Shalia. "The Odonine stand ready. Why aren't we?" He challenged again.

Amastan and Agizul knew the question was rhetoric, of course, and exchanged knowing looks. Agizul turned to Shalia
"The clans come from a mighty final victory against the Odsier." He stared slowly. "While allied to the Helians. What assures this is not a plot to destroy the Ozainae too?" He asked without any hint of accusation.

"And how soon could Koshnem raise the clans again?" Amastan added.

Shalia had wanted to oppose some of what Tamazzalt said, but was curious as to what the priests would say after they shared a look she could not read. And after the fact, she took a moment to process everything. Her heartbeat had quickened and her hands tensed as she folded them in her lap. So many concerns, such tension, new information revealed…it was almost too much. Diplomacy really took the piss, huh? She found herself struggling to grasp needed words; everyone’s attention and questions were fixed on her, waiting with bated breath.

“Koshnem and I…under our leadership many changes have come to the Odonine, and their spirit for war has never been greater. But…they will want time to bask in spoils, and after that they will crave Helian spoils, too. Odonine are always ready for a fight. Koshnem won’t let them get too gluttonous nor will he lose sight of the future. As for the Odsier…I don’t expect everyone to understand why we targeted them at the side of our enemy. It gave us the benefit of building trust with the Helians so that we could ensure a longer period for a surprise attack on the Stone City, but likewise learn more about them, too. When the city falls, their pastures will be of great use to both our people. It is not about the Odonine wiping out groups of people just to do it--everything about that was strategic. Even without the Horde, you are all a force to be reckoned with. If we were a threat to you, I am positive your Prophetess would have seen that before arranging a treaty.”

Whenever the witch said ‘we’, no one could ever be sure what side she really meant.
Odonine was always the safest bet but…Agizul and Tamazzalt had shown that they clearly did not see her as solely one or the other, but further confirmed what she always told herself; eternally suspended in the space between Helian and Odonine. The Twins probably saw her the same if what the Ozainae claimed was true, though anyone could misconstrue the will of the gods over time. They thought her an outsider in far too many ways. A demon’s pawn and invader.

Her tone hardened the longer she spoke and she dug her long thumbnail into her palm beneath the table. “But hurting your people is absolutely something Helias would not shy away from given the chance,” slowly she turned her head to Tamazzalt as if she were finishing her thoughts in the moment. “But what gave them said chance? I do not buy them knowing enough about The Wandering to hunt these girls down one by one, never mind send out soldiers to do so undetected. How did they hear of the Seer’s death? How did they navigate the desert without assistance from the natives themselves? Does not sound much like preventing a prophecy if you show them right to your city. Coincidence alone cannot support this...”