aquaveiled | Abraxas IC Inbox

[ It's almost too much to process, all at once. The shift from a nice time spent at a luxurious ball to the potential threat had been one thing, and Thancred had made his choice, opting to help Hythlodaeus (and by proxy, Himeka) rather than see to the message from Thorne.

Then, he returned to the castle only to be ushered into the Throne Room and hear a speech from Queen Ellya that is the polar of what she'd uttered at the Summit. Thancred watches her anger, how she spits it out with each word, how her eyes flash with it — so irrational that the danger is clear even before the threat is literally shown to them. Grigory is dead, and Thancred knows that he was even closer to the Queen than most would believe, but he still isn't ready for her to show them a vision of her rage given form, as meteors relentlessly rain down on a desert city.

Which could very well be Cadens.

It feels like the Final Days all over again. He can practically feel the heat of Vanaspati, can almost smell the smoke of burning flesh despite the comforts of the castle.

More than that, Yennefer is hurt and that is at least partially his fault. He sends out a string of mental messages to her first, with no reply, and it's at that point that he pushes through the crowd of Summoned and castle residents alike until he can find a quiet spot in an unattended hallway to catch his breath.

Everyone he knows in the Free Cities (and more) may be ash, but before he faces that, he needs to find out if his choice had been worth it.

He focuses on sending a missive to Himeka. He prays that she responds. His writing as it appears is hastily scribbled. ]

Himeka.
Are you all right?
Thorne's delegate was injured. Please check in as soon as you are able.

[ Truth be told, she's escaped the most unscathed, and as a healer it almost doesn't seem fair. ~~The only HP that matters is the last, after all.~~

The mood in the Commune is...interesting. That she should benefit from the support of others is something that she won't soon forget, but as much as she cares for and feels a part of the community, she doesn't fully trust it's leadership. Ominous energies exist in the world around them and as intertwined with the natural world as the Commune is, she can't believe they exist outside one another.

Still, she's on the mend quickly. And she's never the sort to sit idly, even if she's still recovering. ]

I'm fine.

[ Which is probably the exact answer Thancred anticipated. ]

I know the others were attacked. Yennefer?

[ Both Yennefer and Jaskier were in the carriage with her--she knows who else was sent to ply for their faction. ]

[ The relief of seeing her handwriting appear on the opposite wall has Thancred falling into a seat at one of the benches inlaid into the castle corridor. Himeka's fine, and while that doesn't give him a sense for her injuries, she is at least conscious. The same cannot be said for Yennefer.

There's still many questions left answered, but this was the most important one. He takes a moment, dragging his hands down his face and then up again, through his hair. ]

She isn't awake yet, but she should recover.
I have no idea about Jaskier. The queen just attacked the Free Cities with fire and brimstone.

[ There's no easy way to break that news. Thancred knows that Jaskier and Himeka were friends, and he can only hope and pray that he survived. ]

[ She doesn't know Yennefer all that well, but she does know that she's been something of a friend or at least adventuring companion to Thancred. That in and of itself makes it all the more important.

He's lost plenty. He doesn't need to lose another one. ]

You probably have the best healing magicks there in Thorne. I can reach out to Jaskier...

[ Trying to be helpful? Hopeful?

But that second part...that bodes ill.]

...Literal fire and brimstone?

Yes. She made us watch through some manner of portal, much like the way that G'raha used to watch us through the Crystal Tower. I witnessed massive fireballs raining down on one of the cities there.

[ It's hard not to assume it's Cadens, though he doesn't know for certain. ]

Hopefully we hear word from the Summoned there soon. I would rather not assume the worst, but...

[ He's also trying to be realistic. ]

[ Goodness. Though she supposes it was only a matter of time given the nature of the relationship between the Free Cities and Thorne from what she's gathered, it does bring it all to home, doesn't it? This war that's been ongoing with the frontlines being more metaphorical than literal. Someone would eventually make the first move. ]

The Free Cities have the best military on the star, don't they? Surely they would be prepared...

One would certainly hope. Based on what I was able to see, however, it didn't look promising. There were no shields or reinforcements to keep the attack at bay.

[ Of course he doesn't want to deliver Himeka such awful news. But this is the reality of the situation, and there's no point in trying to downplay it. It's unfortunately nothing they haven't seen before. ]

And we've heard nothing...?

[ Okay, yes. She's definitely worried. And it isn't as if gossip in Solvunn is regular about the outside world. ]

Surely someone has heard something. I'll go out.

[ Bed rest? Nah. ]

Given that it's the middle of the night and any survivors are likely trying to deal with the aftermath of the attack, I can't say I'm surprised there's been no word.

If you learn anything on your end, be sure to let me know.

[ It's not like him insisting she should take it easy will be effective. Himeka's going to do what she wants to do, and so he doesn't waste a thought on it. ]

Of course. I'll get back to you soon. Be safe and sneaky, okay?

I always am.

Abraxas IC Inbox

aug 27; post-nocwich

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