Beyond the Sky - Session 37.5

Following his research and scrying, Adrian journeys over to the hospital room in which Azzanadra and Runa are recovering to speak to them on important matters, Kylisae also being there to spend time with the two.
Adrian lets himself into the room, finding a seat.
Kylisae looks up at Adrian momentarily, before returning her gaze to an introspective one.
Azzanadra: "Ah, Adrian, welcome back!"
"How have you been faring?"
Adrian: "Well enough, and you? I hope my visit isn't a disturbance."
"...hello to you too, Kylisae."
Kylisae: "Hi, Adrian. Sorry, should I leave you two alone?"
Runa seems to be asleep for now, resting peacefully.
Adrian: "...I think I can trust to your discretion. No more bugbear jokes this time, though."
Azzanadra: "I would appreciate your company still."
Kylisae: "I won't, I promise."
Adrian: "If you'll pardon an idle curiosity on my part, I wanted to ask you about the Shadowscales. ...Well, more accurately, about Invesse."
Azzanadra: "Ah? Go on."
Adrian: "Are such abductions a common occurrence?"
Azzanadra: "Of Invesse? I'm afraid that was before my brother's rise to power."
"When debts went unpaid, often the collectors would seize many things of value, including children."
Azzanadra: "It was not uncommon for many children to be the property of a rich lord, essentially, as slaves, in the old regime."
Adrian: "And now?"
Azzanadra: "Slavery is not completely gone, but now debtors cannot seize a family's children."
Adrian: "On the surface, that would seem to be an improvement. From the sound of the Reaper Project, though, I have to confess that I wonder if it's only that they no longer need the law's backing."
Azzanadra: "I admit, that is one of the few areas I may have missed."
Azzanadra: "But the government are not debt collectors."
"From what I gather, shadowscales were being put to the task of abductions."
Adrian: "Were records kept?"
Azzanadra: "On the shadowscale abductions? None I could find. Debt-ridden families would have financial records of their... hmm... payments in the financial offices."
Adrian: "As I suspected. Thank you."
"Who might it take to gain access to such records? If it's not too forward a question."
Azzanadra: "Any sort of official with an excuse to look through them."
"Why, do you have a plan or some sort?"
Adrian: "A plan? No, not yet. Just a goal."
Azzanadra: "I would like to say; Invesse was not forced to join us."
"Agents are specially chosen out of the military who show resolve, talent, potential, and ambition. Exceptional subjects are invited to become a Shadowscale."
Kylisae: "...she asked to be one?"
Azzanadra: "Not that she asked to be one, more she was asked to be one. I imagine... not knowing much of any other life, she saw it as a way to advance herself."
Adrian: "As voluntary as a decision can be in those circumstances; I know quite well that shades of gray do exist in such matters."
Azzanadra: "I did not make those descisions, I simply trained those who were given to me."
Adrian: "I do not hold you responsible for it, Greymage. It's clear that you have acted with honor."
Adrian flips through his journal, jotting down a short note.
Adrian: "Invesse may have resigned herself to never finding her family - and I can very well see why she might, it would be natural, practical, not to cling to hope in such a situation - but I would still like to help her with it, if I can."
Azzanadra: "That's very thoughtful of you. You must care for her a great deal."
Adrian: "Yes... I've grown very fond of her."
Kylisae: "(He was... I guess that's why the bugbear joke upset him...)"
Azzanadra: "Oh my... well then. I hope you take good care of her. I'd rather not have my student's heart or body broken."
Adrian: "I don't intend to do anything to disappoint either of you."
"I'm glad if I've earned even a hesitant approval from you, in any case. Although I suppose I had best be going for now. Again, thank you, Greymage."
Adrian gets up from his seat, tucking his notebook back into a satchel, before making his way out of the hospital ward.
As evening falls after Adrian's work around the palace, he eventually finds himself in front of Rozeal's room, upon heading back to his own guild building.
Adrian knocks at the door, pausing.
Adrian: "It's Adrian. May I speak with you?"
Nothing is heard from behind the door.
Adrian frowns, retrieving a key to open the door himself.
As Adrian enters the quarters, a familiar voice can be heard from another room.
Queen Rozeal: "Who is that? I warn you that I'm heavily armed!"
Adrian: "It's just me, Adrian!"
Queen Rozeal pokes her head out from out of the door.
Queen Rozeal: "...oh! It is just you."
"...I must've not heard you."
"My apologies. I am not actually heavily armed."
Adrian: "I didn't think so. I'm sorry for not announcing my presence more thoroughly."
Queen Rozeal: "It's okay. Please take a seat while I, um... get ready."
Adrian: "Of course. No rush."
Adrian sits down, idly looking around the room for anything out of place.
Queen Rozeal shuts her door again, and after a few minutes, emerges in a more casual red dress, clutching her walking stick.
Queen Rozeal: "I'm sorry about all the alarm... I wasn't really expecting anyone at this time. But don't take that as I don't want you here, I was just resting."
Adrian: "No, I understand. It is a bit late."
Queen Rozeal takes a seat next to Adrian, wincing a little.
Queen Rozeal: "I've not had too much company today, so I'd appreciate you staying a while, anyway~"
Adrian: "Gladly. Although I'm afraid I'm not here solely for pleasant conversation."
Queen Rozeal: "Ah! Then let's get the serious topics out of the way to start with."
Queen Rozeal brushes down her dress and puts on a more serious demeanour.
Adrian: "Arglas Jho. I think I mentioned him when I returned from the mountains."
Queen Rozeal: "I believe so... In passing, because I don't remember much from that."
Adrian: "An exiled lord, left some time ago to found a settlement of outlaws. I asked for his help against Eribe, he's bringing his men but wants the exile properly lifted. He's an honorable man; I think it's a fair exchange but it's your decision."
Queen Rozeal: "Right... so we offer him a pardon, for.... military power?"
Adrian: "...That was the idea, yes."
Queen Rozeal: "...do you trust him?"
Adrian: "Yes, I do."
Queen Rozeal: "...I guess I will trust you, then."
"I'll have the paperwork ready to give him a pardon for his crimes, if you truly think he's honourable."
Adrian: "Thank you. I'm sorry to ask so much, but I assure you he's a valuable ally. He's a better man than many of good standing, judging by how he treated his people."
Queen Rozeal: "Right, right. Was there any other news to give?"
Adrian: "Hmm. I can confirm that Eribe is responsible for the missing wyverians Lady Pol mentioned. Which indicates at least some of their fleet has already gotten that far."
Queen Rozeal: "Oh dear..."
"Did you scry on them? What state were they in?"
Adrian: "I only saw one of them. I... do not wish to go into details. Suffice it to say that I doubt she will make it out alive, and her end will likely be the most merciful thing done to her."
Queen Rozeal: "Oh..."
Queen Rozeal looks down.
Adrian: "They have armaments enchanted for use against us, specifically, as well. The commander that Azzanadra and I suspect is leading them here is a mage of no small power. I'll be passing this information along to the generals, as well."
Queen Rozeal: "How powerful?"
"Are we... going to be able to survive?"
Adrian: "Certainly at least not so much as Azzanadra himself, from what I can tell. As for survival... we have to try. I'm doing everything I can to increase our chances."
Queen Rozeal: "Hopefully we have enough time to prepare..."
Adrian: "We'll make it through, Rozeal. I promised to Sorean that I'd watch over his family and his kingdom, and I intend to keep that promise. Whatever it takes."
Queen Rozeal: "Right... well... I suppose after that weight on our shoulders, why don't I try to lighten it a bit~?"
Queen Rozeal tries putting on a smile, attempting to be positive.
Adrian: "Yes, that's all of my bad news out of the way."
Adrian smiles faintly, sighing.
Queen Rozeal: "Weeeell, I met with your darling earlier this week~"
"I must say, you've found a very wonderful woman."
"Though she was quite shy..."
Adrian: "She is, isn't she? I consider myself quite lucky to have met her. And... yes, I suppose so."
Queen Rozeal: "She's been through a lot, hasn't she?"
Adrian: "Quite a lot. And a war against her own people isn't the respite from it that she deserves."
Queen Rozeal: "Hopefully, you can give her some relief from this all, hm~?"
Adrian chuckles, smiling more freely.
Adrian: "I'll certainly try."
Queen Rozeal: "Seems everyone's getting paired up around now."
"Did Valaire tell you the good news~?"
Adrian: "No. I could guess easily enough, but she did not tell me. Nor did she conceal it, I suppose."
Queen Rozeal: "My dear little Kallian's found love, with your retainer, no less!"
"They even have a child. Adopted, don't worry, I'm sure Kallian wouldn't be that unwise..."
Adrian: "They seem well-suited to each other. Both in terms of personality, and the skills they'll need to rule one day. If I may be rather presumptuously blunt, I'd worry otherwise about Kallian's social inexperience."
Queen Rozeal: "No, no, that's fine. Kallian's always been a bit of a recluse."
"Heart of gold, though. I like to think I raised him well."
"And their child is the sweetest little girl."
Queen Rozeal chuckles lightly.
Queen Rozeal: "Heh... I'm a grandmother, could you believe?"
Adrian: "She's a rather likable child. Although she's certainly been through a lot, herself."
"...it's nice to see her and Genevieve getting along well."
Queen Rozeal: "I've not been told everything, but... that seems great."
"It's good you're all finding someone..."
Rozeal looks a bit distant, frowning.
Adrian: "...I still miss him, myself. It's hard not to wonder what he would do now."
Queen Rozeal sighs.
Queen Rozeal: "Not only that, but... well..."
"Even though I miss Sorean... he wasn't the most... attentive to my needs."
Queen Rozeal rubs her eyes, looking weary and flushed.
Queen Rozeal: "May I be candid with you, Adrian?"
Adrian: "Always."
Queen Rozeal: "Well... being a widowed queen, it's been quite lonely. Do you know how long it's been since I felt properly satisfied?"
"Six years. And seeing all of you getting paired up, well... as much as it makes me happy, it brings to light that I don't have anyone to help me when I need them."
"It likely sounds quite abrupt, coming from your pure and righteous Queen, but ... I'm quite frustrated. And as I'm the Queen, I can't exactly pop out to fulfill my needs, and I can't go and ask the stewards to fetch me someone like that. I don't have an interest in remarrying either, so without that, well..."
Queen Rozeal sighs, resting her head on one hand.
Adrian: "Purity and righteousness do not necessarily require perfect chastity, if you were to ask me. ...I imagine you could take a lover discreetly, could you not?"
Queen Rozeal: "I don't want a lover, persay."
"Just... someone who I could ask on occasion to help me. And of course I'm not thinking of asking you or Invesse, though..."
Adrian: "Still. Something could be arranged. Valaire may well know people she could vouch for the discretion of."
Queen Rozeal: "Yes, Valaire may know someone. And I have no intention of sleeping with my daughter in law, either. Perhaps I might be able to ask her at some point..."
Adrian: "I wasn't suggesting Valaire herself. Simply that she knows people of that profession, and I do not."
Queen Rozeal: "Well, you do know at least one~"
Adrian: "I try not to know Jillia. I'm sure her heart is in the right place but her mind is most certainly in the wrong one."
Queen Rozeal: "I've met her and I... might agree a little. Still, you should at least try and be friendly to her."
"She's certainly... strange."
Adrian: "I do try to be friendly to her. At least for Genevieve's sake."
Queen Rozeal: "Good! And it seems like you're around your own daughter a bit more, now that she's here in the palace. I expect you to try harder with the next one~"
Adrian: "Once we manage to survive first."
Queen Rozeal: "Oh, we will. I trust in you and Freyja!"
Adrian: "I hope to prove your trust is well-placed. I'll keep you informed of anything else I learn."
Queen Rozeal: "Right! Then I suppose you'd best be off, then? It's quite late and you don't want to keep Invesse waiting, do you~?"
Adrian: "I don't. Especially not when I could very much use the break from work, myself. After I figure out another message or two."
Adrian smiles wryly, getting up to leave.
Queen Rozeal: "Have fun, remember to be safe!"
Adrian leaves the room, leaving Rozeal to herself, again, as the night goes on.