Juniper nodded in response to Maeve's words. "I understand. A leader's first concern should always be for their people."
And then Aurelia spoke. Juniper's eyebrows rose, then drew together, as Aurelia described the Greatwood as "struggling to exist." Perhaps Torchline's new queen didn't realize what an insult she'd offered to the Fae's ancient civilization. Most likely, she didn't care. But Juniper forced herself not to snap back, but to make a measured, ostensibly mild response. "The Greatwood did not suddenly come into being when outsiders 'uncovered' it. We stood strong for centuries untold before the Ascended appeared to attack us. Do you imagine yourselves the only region in Caido receiving the gods' favor? The only place with warriors and resources?" These questions came in an indifferent, curious tone, not as accusations.
"If Safrin guides you, then we are nominally on the same side of the coming conflict. I didn't come here to ask for handouts. I came to discuss how we can present a united front to our mutual enemies."
Juniper left unsaid the rest of her thought: that if Aurelia was so disinterested in an alliance, she could always walk away.
And then Aurelia spoke. Juniper's eyebrows rose, then drew together, as Aurelia described the Greatwood as "struggling to exist." Perhaps Torchline's new queen didn't realize what an insult she'd offered to the Fae's ancient civilization. Most likely, she didn't care. But Juniper forced herself not to snap back, but to make a measured, ostensibly mild response. "The Greatwood did not suddenly come into being when outsiders 'uncovered' it. We stood strong for centuries untold before the Ascended appeared to attack us. Do you imagine yourselves the only region in Caido receiving the gods' favor? The only place with warriors and resources?" These questions came in an indifferent, curious tone, not as accusations.
"If Safrin guides you, then we are nominally on the same side of the coming conflict. I didn't come here to ask for handouts. I came to discuss how we can present a united front to our mutual enemies."
Juniper left unsaid the rest of her thought: that if Aurelia was so disinterested in an alliance, she could always walk away.
Juniper
"art nouveau winged fairy" by e³°°° is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit here
