OOC: set after this, approx. 1 or 2 days after

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The trip to the Oasis took some time after her guest was settled in and cared for. She knew she had to salvage the situation quickly or things would be set in motion without her control. Thankfully, no one had seen her take Ghyslaine captive, since it happened on the borders of her own territory.

The hot sands of the desert were not nearly as pleasant as the warm sands on the Lagoon shores. There was always a cool sea breeze to lessen the heat of the day. Here it seemed only intensified by any wind, hot air trying to steal her breath away. After what seemed like an eternity she was finally able to spot the Oasis on the horizon.

She searched for the border and found it strong. Clearly the new king was doing his job. She stopped without entering and chuffed for @Ronin. She wanted to speak with him and him alone today. She would let him know that she had Ghyslaine, that she was holding her against her will for her own safety. And she would find out where Nero lived, in the hopes that she could draw him to the Lagoon as well. Not to take him prisoner, of course, but to bargain.

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5years, no bonus.


Paws were raw, packed with aloe and something else that helped keep sand from getting into he cuts. It made his feet feel funny, but he had begun walking normal again for the moment. There were too many things at stake for him to really care about the cuts on his paws. Politics were never his strong suit, but he was learning, though he would happily admit things would be so much easier if only he could just do it the warrior way.

When a chuff would ring out, calling for his presence Ronin would rise and move to meet whoever it was that called. As he drew near, his spine would stiffen slightly, the warrior masking it by straightening and shaking his head, as if trying to create a breeze within his mane to help cool him off. Today, it would be the only show of his intolerance of the heat. Already the sun heated his back, beginning to make it burn, but he ignored it, taking in calming breaths as his anger spiked. The familiar figure of @Tiamat was clear, her salty scent noted and he would resist the urge to wrinkle his nose. He knew what she had done and he wanted nothing more than to rip into her for it- but he would be patient…for now. There was more at stake here.

Ronin would put on a smooth expression of diplomacy. Normally, Ronin would beckon strangers into the shade to talk, but today, he did no such thing. He stood tall and strong as he came to a stop on his side of the border, brow raising slightly in a show of curiosity and question. You’re the last person I expected at my borders…. He would greet her, tone smooth, hiding the anger that bubbled in his veins. Why are you here? He would ask, head tilting to the side with a show of curiosity. He knew why, but he would play dumb…for now. Words were chosen carefully, because he didn’t want to help her, he only wanted his friend home safe and sound. Tiamat could rot as far as he was concerned.

It took some time for the king to answer her call, but that was only to be expected when someone arrived unannounced at the border. Eventually she saw his heavy form appear and head towards her call. The poor king looked not at all suited for life in the desert. His fur was dark, and his mane must have made things uncomfortable. She was made for the heat, though she was more used to the seaside warmth than the desert hell. At least she could have survived here. She had her doubts about @Ronin.

"Not very welcoming, are you Ronin?" she said with a smirk. They might as well be enemies after all. "But I have news for you and your friend. Nero was it? I have his wife in my custody." She was straightforward and blunt about the situation, putting the truth out there. Custody implied a very specific situation.

"She was disoriented when she showed up looking for Alizabeth," Tiamat continued. "But beyond that, Alizabeth and I are enemies. The woman has threatened my life and sent someone to break my leg." That was true, at least. The rest of this? A mix of truth and lies that Ronin would not be able to decipher. "Between Ghyslaine's apparent health issues and a potential enemy on my doorstep, I knocked her out and took her captive."

Whatever the case, she had made sure to see to Ghyslaine's comfort. And they'd spoken some. Ghyslaine was nothing like her mother-in-law. "I am...not fond of Nero, either. He was among those who tried to take me captive after I challenged for the Lagoon before." She shifted, turning her anger from that memory into something that looked more like discomfort. "And even then, I don't know where to find him; but I'd like to return his wife to him, if he would come fetch her? She shouldn't wander on her own right now."

With the situation as it was, she didn't think she could use this against Alizabeth as she initially hoped. Especially not knowing where the woman was or how to find her. But she could achieve something else. She wanted Nero to stay out of her issues with his mother. If she could achieve that, this might be a victory yet.

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5years, no bonus.


No, he was not made for this heat, but he would endure. After all, Seneca had endured just fine for years from what Scorpius had told him. Ronin only had to adapt and anyone knew that adaption took time.. He was a young King, he was still adapting to the climate. The warmonger would quirk a brow at the woman as she spoke, at the end she would regard him with a smirk. As welcoming as Im allowed, given your stance at the peak. He would comment back, his brow raising once more. Did she expect him to welcome her with open arms? He had not greeted her with hostility or caution, only curiosity. Warm welcomes are reserved for allies and friends..not neutrality and potential enemies- as you declared yourself.

She had news for him, it was exhausting putting on a sham, but he would listen with interest, until she finally explained what it was that she had. Ghyslaine. Eyes would widen with surprise as she mentioned ‘Nero’s wife’ was in her custody. Custody you say? He would ask, muscles tensing ever so slightly, vocals tense, sounding somewhat urgent. @Tiamat would go on, explaining herself and the situation he already knew about. She’d come looking for Alizabeth- a bit of information Léonie had left out- but beyond that, she would confirm that the white King and herself were enemies. Ronin would flick an ear, dismissive of her reasoning for being enemies with Nero’s mother, he didn’t care.

He would listen, with growing anger as Tiamat spun the situation to her advantage, feigning innocence. A low rumble would sound in his chest, just enough to show his displeasure at the word ‘captive’. Ronin listened as she went on to explain that she was not fond of Nero- and why. He did not care, it was no excuse to not travel to the Summit with this information. She had to know he was in the Summit, after all, Nero had sat with Morrigan and he smelled of the Summit.

Discomfort showed on her facade and he would wonder why, when she was spinning lies. What did she try to hide from him? She would continue, saying she didn’t know where to find Nero, but wanted him to come fetch his wife, who was unable to travel. Ronin’s brow would rise in surprise, Tinúviel hasn’t been able to help her recoup? He would ask, showing clear concern for his friend. He was well aware of the skills the co-queen possessed, he was also aware that she couldn’t harm a fly- she wouldn’t agree to holding anyone captive. I’d be happy to escort her home, if that is what you are suggesting. He would offer, eagerly, not so oblivious to the fact she could be trapping him. I can let Nephthys know the situation and we can be off. He would speak with confidence in his wife, she could handle the Oasis until he returned, but Ronin already had a feeling this offer would be declined- if it wasn’t then he would assume that Tiamat planned on leading him into a trap. Either way, he had more tricks up his sleeve than the Lagoon Queen realized.

Tiamat simply shrugged at his accusations of neutrality and hostility. "I merely said I would stand with the Mire. Though upsetting my sovereign did not very little to convince me to reconsider," she answered. She wasn't sure if Tinuviel had gotten over that slight, just yet. Considering the other things that had happened since the meeting at the peak, it probably wasn't at the forefront of her mind.

She rolled her eyes at the king as a small growl rumbled in his chest. "So touchy," she scolded him lightly. "But you should calm down. Ghyslaine and I have come to an understanding and I'd like to see her reunited with her children." The rest of Amaryllis might not know it, but harming children was not at the top of her to-do list. She'd rather not break anymore families in her lifetime.

"I'd talk to Nero directly but I don't know where he lives," she admitted to him. She could assume he lived in the Summit, since he sat with them, but she hadn't been close enough to smell him at all. "He sat with the Summit, but the Mire and the Summit just had war. It seemed unwise to wander there and be wrong when i am a Mire ally." Hence her appearance here at his doorstep only a day after having taken Ghyslaine in.

"She's recouping fine," Tiamat said with an annoyed flick of her tail. "She has sore ribs from an old wound and when she came to the Lagoon she seemed disoriented. She can walk, but an escort would be best." He clearly misunderstood the implications of her words. Ghyslaine would be fine with some rest, which she was getting now, but Tiamat wanted her to make it home safely. Her irritation, too, came from the slight to Tinuviel's capabilities. A flash of anger at the insult showed across her face, before dropping into a much more somber and sad expression. "I am sure Tinuviel's skills are as good as ever," she told him sternly. "But losing ones entire litter does tend to require some alone time to grieve." Her voice was half anger, half laced in pain from the sorrow that she knew her sovereign was enduring.

And then the offer she knew was coming. She didn't care who took Ghyslaine so long as their terms were agreed to. "You can come get her if you like," shebsaid with a shrug as she calmed down. "Though Ghyslaine and I have terms we would like Nero to agree to." Let him do with that information as he liked.

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5years, no bonus.


She would shrug, stating the obvious, to which he began to give her a pointed stare. They all knew where the Mire stood with the Oasis. Dancing around the fact was simply foolish- and she was no fool. Still, she would lay down the one thing that would wound him. Tinuviel. It had never been my intention to upset her. He would say, honestly, he hadn’t and it showed in his expression. Wishing that it could have been different. Her eyes would roll at his reaction, scolding him lightly, to which he showed his displeasure with a twitch of his lip. He raised a brow as she continued, explaining her and Ghyslaine had come to an understanding, that she wanted her reunited with her family. ...You took her captive while she was disoriented you negotiated with her? He would ask, clarifying. His tone smooth, but he could not hide the small amount of anger as he spoke of her being a captive.

She wanted to speak to Nero directly, he would frown at this. Listening as she pointed out again that she was allied with the mire and that the Summit was enemies with the Mire. He would snort softly. Tiamat, Nero only wants his wife, do you really think they would harm you if you simply brought home the lioness they’ve been searching for? He asked, somewhat trying to understand her logic. By that excuse in itself gave the Summit reason to not allow Nero to go to the Lagoon. They were enemies by alliance.

He was annoying her, her tail would flick as she explained that Ghys was recouping fine. Tiamat going into detail, to which Ronin drank in the knowledge. He would nod ever so slightly to her assessment of his friend. Though before he could speak, a flash of anger would dance across her face and she would speak further, this time talking of Tinny’s skills. She had misunderstood his words and he was about to say as much, but then she would say that his friend had lost her entire litter and his expression would shift from frustration to pain, the knowledge hurting him. I am sorry to hear that. She would make a great mother. He would say, tone full of grief and sorrow. I did not mean to insult her skill, but the opposite. I know more than most how great her healing skills are. He would explain, last thing he needed was it getting back that he had insulted his friend again.

She would shrug as she spoke, saying he could take her, but that there were terms that needed to be agreed to by Nero first. What terms? He would ask, if he was going to escort her and Ghyslaine was disoriented, he would need to know anyway, right? Unless @Tiamat had suddenly changed her mind and wanted to join them?

She had been fairly relaxed, apart from the assumed slight towards Tinuviel, but now her gaze sharpened and zeroed in on the Oasis king. "You speak as if you think me some barbarian," she scoffed, holding her head high and gazing at him with the look of someone who had been born a queen (not simply scrabbled her way to power). "I had my healers tend to her, and when she was well enough we spoke." Apparently these were difficult concepts for him to grasp.

As for the slight against her co-queen, lying about his name, whether he meant it or not, had upset Tinuviel and so Tiamat would continue to judge him based on that. She was quite fond of the other woman, even if they had only known each other for a short time, and had grown protective of the woman.

"You are suggesting that I walk into the den of the enemy not knowing for sure if the lion I wish to speak with actually resides there?" she questioned him with a raised brow. Her demeanor continued to be that of a queen speaking down to someone who had annoyed her - and @Ronin certainly had. "Nero attempted to help hold me against my will because I dared to challenge for his mother's crown. I have no reason to trust him or anyone who is enemies with the Mire." Her pointed look made it clear that the second group included him.

Her gaze softened somewhat when he explained that she had misunderstood his statement, willing to accept that she had made a mistake. "My apologies," she said with a dip, accepting that he did not mean to insult her queen's skills in healing. It was easy to assume the worst of someone when they were actively making accusations themselves. "Tinuviel is an excellent healer, as is Calypso," she explained. "Calypso saw to her wounds and her health before we spoke at length." Her gaze softened further with sadness when it was clear he shared in her sorrow for Tinuviel's litter. Perhaps his friendship with her was true, even if he had not been honest with his name. With a sigh, she added, "It's clear you care for her. I will...mention that to her, when she is feeling better." It was an olive branch of sorts - to try to help smooth over his issues with Tinuviel.

And then the terms of the agreement that she and Ghyslaine had made. "Ghyslaine and I both want Nero to remain out of my feud with Alizabeth," she explained. "Ghyslaine for the sake of her family, and I because I never wanted Alizabeth's family involved in our petty squabble, even if she seems to want to involve them all." She eyed him carefully, wondering what he would make of the demand. Surely it was reasonable? Ghyslaine thought so, and Tiamat was glad she had detained the woman so that they could come to an understanding at all.

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