She had been in Demian’s place some number of years ago. She’d lost track, but she remembers her time as the Queen of Ash and Ruin so terribly well. Remembers how her father barely showed his face while Straia slaved to rebuild a kingdom that had been burnt to the ground - both in activity and quite literally. Remembers Eight taking the Valley throne and remembers seeing her chance to take the Chamber. The kingdom was hers, and had been for years really, she just needed to remove the King that stood in her way of making the Chamber great.
The kingdom flourished now, and she found herself constantly busy. Less trips to the field, and less kingdom visits (though she still did the important ones). Typically, everyone came to them now though, cowering on the border as if the Chamber was likely to kill them where they stood. But even the Chamber, for all the terrible things the rest of Beqanna thought about it, stuck to diplomatic protocol. They didn’t steal or hurt ambassadors that posed no threat.
Though she was beginning to think they should start hitting the stupid ones.
The other mares don’t waste time with too much small talk, and they find the King quickly. And Gallows, bless her soul (because Straia has always liked being straight to the point) brings up fun. And the King warms up rather quickly to that notion. Good. She had her doubts before. Still does, but less so.
“Our travels were fine. Luckily, we are close neighbors.” Mostly because with the two Valley mares she couldn’t fly like she usually does. But the walk was short and pleasant with her mostly silent companions. “To be accurate, I’m in search of an ally in that fun. The Chamber has no problem creating it, but really, two heads are always better than one.” She says, because it is true. The Chamber already had half of Beqanna running scared and the rest on edge. The Valley could share in that reputation, if they wanted.
“Haven’t you heard?” she asks, though not rudely. It’s a rude question, certainly, but there’s that hint of mischief in her voice that makes it clear she doesn’t mean it that way. “We’ve already burned half the Gates and taken their Queen. But they were small fish. Together, I think we could take on bigger fish.” The Amazons, particularly if they didn’t return Erebor. The Deserts, just because their magicians pissed her off. Or hell, they could burn the Tundra for all she cared, just because it would be terribly wonderful to be remembered for burning the land of ice. She still wanted to give Kushiel that joy. But truthfully, she didn’t care, so long as Beqanna what they were dealing with.
straia
the raven queen of the chamber
Use of mild power playing is allowed; no injuries without permission