and some by virtue fall; Gallows

[Gallows]

I shake my head, the tendrils of my dark hair tangling around my ears as I sighdramatically. "Not at all, darling. I suppose I ought to extend myself a bit more but I'm being of the 'wait and see' variety for the moment." The truth is a little more complex. (Isn't it always though?) I want to be of use to the Valley, but I'd rather not work terribly hard until I know that Demian and his new regime are worth the effort. It's not that toiling is beyond or below me. I just like to be, oh what's the word Kushiel so cunningly employed? Ah yes, strategic. I like to be strategic about my involvement. How's that for convincingly apathetic? "I'm contemplating meeting with our current ruler and discussing our… lack of initiative, shall we say? I have a feeling the Chamber won't be silent forever, will it, Kush?" I cast him a sharp look that transforms into an easy grin. "So it might be in our best interest to gird up for the inevitable.” And what is the inevitable, you ask? Oh mischief and mayhem in many varieties. No matter what the fairy of Beqanna has said, the Chamber and the Valley won't easily let go of their roots. There is a satisfying freedom in being able to indulge your every desire, chase each whim, and prove your power over others. Something that kingdoms like the Gates and the Deserts have never understood. Although frankly, I have a tad more respect for them than the lands formerly nuetral. Nuetral. As if one could be such a thing. Ridiculous. “Actually, dear, I have half a mind to meet with your Straia and see what's there. I suppose even those who don't live in the Valley have their uses.” I hadn't really thought much about venturing to the Chamber before Kushiel chose to make it his home, but I suppose I ought to. Shouldn't a mother know what her son gets up to when she isn't around? “After all, it would be so unfair of the Chamber to have all the fun, you know. Why, you could even show me around, little man. What do you think?” He really doesn't have a choice, but it will be terribly amusing to see him try. G A L L O W S We must all hang together or, assuredly, we shall all hang separately.