The road winds north beneath distant Sanbreque banners. Veyra rides ahead with the organized testimony, while Sanbreque dragoons remain behind to guard Neris and Maelor at the pass.
Caspian walks beside Betram through the brief quiet, his dark clothing dusty from battle. The capital waits beyond the hills, along with every question their alliance will invite.
Caspian
Veyra’s testimony may expose Jorren, but our escort will report more than the facts. They will report that we stood together.
Betram Steelstream
The capital is still several hours away.
Caspian
Sanbreque may call it loyalty. Veldemarke may call it treason. Either way, our fathers will see a bond neither court can easily command.
Caspian’s hand brushes near Betram’s, close enough to offer warmth but careful not to presume it. Ahead, Veyra raises a sealed bundle toward the morning light.
Caspian
Before Oriflamme judges us, tell me what duty means to you now. The kingdoms will demand an answer, and I would rather hear yours first.
“Betram is quiet for several moments. But he eventually stops and takes Caspian's hand. "I have a sworn duty to protect the people of Sanbreque. But that duty does not extend to being used as a weapon. And I have a duty to my heart too. You are right, our fathers will not be happy. But I also hope that our feelings can be the shield that prevents conflict between our nations. If Bahamut and Odin refuse to fight each other, then both Kingdoms are denied their superweapons, and their excuses. I'm not naive enough to think they will just let us be together. But, at least I am not in line for the throne. So, I have a little more freedom in where I can move."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Betram walks in silence for several moments. Then he stops, turns to Caspian, and takes the prince’s offered hand, their fingers closing together beneath the distant banners.
Betram Steelstream
I have a sworn duty to protect the people of Sanbreque, but that duty does not extend to being used as a weapon. And I have a duty to my heart too.
Betram Steelstream
You are right. Our fathers will not be happy. But I hope our feelings can be the shield that prevents conflict between our nations.
Betram Steelstream
If Bahamut and Odin refuse to fight each other, both kingdoms are denied their superweapons and their excuses. I am not naive enough to think they will simply let us be together.
Betram Steelstream
But I am not in line for the throne. So I have a little more freedom in where I can move.
Caspian’s hand tightens around Betram’s. The prince looks toward the road to Oriflamme, then back at him, receiving the words not as a promise of ease, but as a possible path to peace.
Caspian
Then we will make them answer the question they fear most: whether their kingdoms exist to protect their people, or to command the hearts of those who serve them.
“Bertram nods. "Our Emperor and your King do not owe their people war and death. It is their ambitions that have driven us to the brink. They must answer for those ambitions, knowing that we, and the people we are sworn to protect, stand in their way. And perhaps this can be the beginning of an alliance between our people instead."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Betram nods, still holding Caspian’s hand beneath the distant banners. The prince watches him closely, hearing not rebellion, but a deliberate offer of peace between their peoples.
Betram Steelstream
Our Emperor and your King do not owe their people war and death. Their ambitions drove us here, and they must answer for them, knowing we and the people we protect stand in their way. Perhaps this can begin an alliance between our peoples instead.
Caspian
Then I accept that alliance, Betram. I will carry these words before my father and name our purpose plainly: Veldemarke seeks peace with Sanbreque, not its submission.
Caspian lifts their joined hands where the passing escort can see. The gesture grants the proposal weight, but it also strips both princes of any safe denial before their courts.
Caspian
This will cost us discretion. Veyra and the escort will report that I publicly joined my claim to yours, and our fathers may treat that alliance as a challenge before we reach Oriflamme.
Ahead, Veyra slows her mount and turns back toward them, having clearly witnessed the raised hands. Caspian does not release Betram, accepting the political danger alongside the alliance.
“Betram chuckles. "They will be hard pressed to do much about it. We're not the first Dominants to fall in love. It is my understanding that Phoenix and Shiva were together once. As was Garuda and Ramuh. I even heard that once Shiva and Garuda once had a tryst. History is funny like that. Our love is only a problem because our nations are in opposition. If we can make the alliance take, I'm hopeful that will change."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Betram Steelstream
They will be hard pressed to do much about it. We are not the first Dominants to fall in love. Phoenix and Shiva were together once, as were Garuda and Ramuh. I even heard Shiva and Garuda once shared a tryst. History is funny like that. Our love is only a problem because our nations stand opposed. If this alliance takes root, I believe that can change.
Betram’s chuckle softens the weight of the road ahead. Caspian studies their joined hands, then looks toward Veyra and the escort, as though measuring how openly hope can be carried.
Caspian
Then I will not call our love a weakness or a secret. I will present the alliance as its proper consequence: proof that our peoples can choose peace where their rulers expected war.
Caspian turns toward the banners ahead without releasing Betram’s hand. His expression remains solemn, but the fear of impossible choices has left his voice.
Caspian
Let them remember other Dominants who loved beyond their borders. Let them see us not as weapons refusing command, but as heirs offering our nations another future.
Ahead, Veyra raises the sealed testimony for the escort to see. The road continues toward Oriflamme, and Caspian’s public resolve gives their alliance a shape no court can dismiss as youthful sentiment.
“"I do have two concerns though. Amd we will still need to get to the bottom of them. We never found Ser Jorren after the battle. And we have no clue why Leviathan's dominant was there and working in league with him. Last I heard, Leviathan was up in the Northern Territories. Up past Rosaria. It makes no sense for him to just appear in the battlefield like that." He says as they continues walking.”
SUCCESS (Good Reasoning, rolled +2)
Betram Steelstream
I do have two concerns. We still need to find Ser Jorren, and we have no clue why Leviathan’s Dominant joined him. Last I heard, Leviathan was beyond Rosaria, in the Northern Territories. It makes no sense for him to appear here.
Betram continues beside Caspian beneath the Sanbreque banners. His questions settle between them, turning the victory’s proof toward the two absences no testimony has yet explained.
Caspian
You are right. Jorren vanished before the pass was secured, and Neris arrived with knowledge of our movements that Maelor’s force should not have possessed.
Caspian
If Neris came from the north, he could not have reached this battlefield by chance. Someone carried word of our route, or arranged a meeting point before the attack began.
Caspian’s gaze follows the road ahead, toward Oriflamme and the sealed testimony traveling with Veyra. The pattern is clearer now: Jorren’s escape and Neris’s arrival belong to the same hidden design.
Caspian
We will question Neris when he wakes, and compare his account with Maelor’s orders and Veyra’s testimony. If Jorren fled to him, or sent him, the truth should lead us north.
“Betram nods. "We have good relations with Rosaria. And I have met their king, Phoenix's dominant, in the past. If we do travel to the Northern Territories to investigate, we would likely be given safe travel through Rosaria to get there."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Betram Steelstream
We have good relations with Rosaria, and I have met the Dominant of Phoenix before. If we investigate the Northern Territories, Rosaria should grant us safe passage.
Caspian considers the proposal beneath the Sanbreque banners, then turns toward Veyra and the sealed testimony. The route north is no longer a desperate hope, but a diplomatic road they can claim.
Caspian
Then Rosaria will be our first petition. Your relationship with its king gives us standing, and I will add Veldemarke’s seal to the request. They will grant us safe passage north.
The promise settles the immediate question, but Caspian’s expression grows sober. A joint request from two Dominants will make Rosaria a witness to their alliance before either court can hide it.
Caspian
The cost is that Rosaria will expect us to name our purpose openly. Once they grant passage, their court may demand a voice in whatever truth we uncover about Jorren and Neris.
Caspian keeps his hand near Betram’s as the road bends toward Oriflamme. Safe passage is secured in principle, but Rosaria’s favor now carries a clear price: public involvement in the investigation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Obtain Rosaria's safe passage to the Northern Territories