there will be scars; shaytan, diplomats, any

[Erebor]

We are at war. There will be scars.

He's heard of Eight, and the Valley's king instantly lives up to his reputation.

He is not surprised by any of it, because he prepared himself for anything and everything possible. He is taut like a bowstring, aware and on edge, and therefore able to slide away from the snapping electric-wolves gracefully, like the trained soldier he's so quickly becoming. He recognizes it for what it is – Eight is toying with them, more playing with then than showing them his dominance. If he wanted to do that, he'd have many more effective tools at his disposal.

They cross the border, and starts to speak of diplomatic ties. The tie between Valley and Chamber is one that seems unbreakable at this point, and all three of them know this. But he also feels in his bones that the Valley almost certainly has tricks up its sleeves, to use the phrase that Eight had used. But much as he doesn't doubt it, he also doesn't mind it – he expects nothing less. He expects the Valley to keep life interesting. He expects Eight to try his darndest to play god, to manipulate Beqanna to his liking. He'd do the same, if he had magic.

Well, that's not true. He'd probably just use it to benefit the Chamber, until it disappeared as all such gifts do in a land that doesn't welcome them.

The cross into the border and are greeted by a winged chestnut mare. Erebor doesn't know her, but he greets her with a respectful nod nonetheless. Shaytan is speaking, and she doesn't waste a moment before launching into what he assumes was meant to be diplomacy. He almost wants to laugh at the absurdity of it. It might be unexpected, it might be conventional, and yet he doesn't doubt that with this crowd, it's effective.

"Which is to say," he says, just after she finishes, "we're content and happy with the alliance. From your warm welcome, I assume the Valley is content with it as well?" He speaks without irony, although some would define the welcome as less than warm. He trusts that they're still on good terms, still on good footing. If not, well, wouldn't it have simply been more effective for Eight to strike them down where they stand?

Erebor

Native Prince of the Chamber

warship x straia