The Princess' Dream Citadel

[wizardseason]

The Princess' Dream Citadel is a tower surrounded by waterfalls on all sides, surrounded by a spiral staircase that reaches every floor. At the top is a reflective platform below a starry moonlit sky. Within its many floors are any number of amenities that the Princess or the good-allured knights good need.

Each night, the Protector can be found on the roof, stargazing and listening to the sounds of the waterfalls around the tower.

Comments

[eutychia]

"Good idea," he smiles. "I'll come up with something really good. Hopefully soon, I know she's not going to give us much time before she sends another monster our way, and I want to be of good help next time."

[wizardseason]

The Protector nods, confirming. There isn't long at all, there's never long at all. This process happens so very quickly and then it's all over.

"She'll give you a few hours at best. You can call on me to get what you desire." And he's realizing he'll have to make it pretty or he won't hear the end of it from Luka.

[eutychia]

Hours? He was hoping to get the opinion of some of Knights on what might work, since battle wasn't exactly his forte. In that case, he'd have to work faster than would be ideal. Luka could feel his stress levels rising.

"So, you're going to be there to help, yeah?"

[wizardseason]

No rest in the face of danger, unfortunately. The Protector isn't one to offer much in the way of reassurances, but he can offer the truth.

"I will be with you wherever you go." And that meant potentially offering help, as best he could.

[eutychia]

"Well, that's something." He didn't want to admit the impending second battle and the implications of his responsibilities were making him a bit stressed.

"You know, those two other Knights that I had a vision of? Olivia and Rory. Is there any message I should deliver to them or...?"

[wizardseason]

There was nothing to be stressed over. All Luka had to do was plan to win and not lose. It was that simple. Win. Not lose.

"I would like to meet them." The Protector's answer comes immediately just before he takes another long inhale from his pipe. The smoke smell is hanging heavy around him, and he exhales before he speaks more.

"Let them know I believe in them. I believe in you."

[eutychia]

"I'll make sure to tell them so." The comment might have been obvious, but Luka felt himself swell with confidence upon hearing it. Hopefully it would have the same effect for Olivia and Rory.

"And if I think of a weapon, how can I call on you to, you know, get it?"

[wizardseason]

If it was one thing the Protector was pretty good at, it was save the world speeches and motivational reassurances. The world had to keep spinning.

"Think your request. And so long as you think of me when you do, it will come to you."

[eutychia]

"I will," he says. "I'm trying to get the hang of having someone speaking to me in my head still."

[wizardseason]

The Protector decides he's going to do exactly that, since Luka was bringing it up. A moment after Luka says he's getting used to someone speaking in his head, the Protector's voice is now in his head:

"It is necessary."

[eutychia]

He blinks at the sudden change.

"How so? It's not like the animal companions need to hang out in the Knights head all the time. What makes our situation different?"

[wizardseason]

"She cannot overhear me if I do not show myself." He answers matter-of-factly. His words are, after all, far more important than those of the animal companions.

[eutychia]

"That makes sense. I'm kind of surprised she doesn't have some way to breaking into here on her own though. It seems like she can do almost anything."

[wizardseason]

"She can do many things. I have steeled myself against many of them." He pauses, glancing to the waterfalls beyond.

"She will try to turn your knights against you."

[eutychia]

"Well, they're idiots if they do," he says, crossing his arms. "She wants to end the world. What would they get out of that?"

[wizardseason]

"Even if she doesn't succeed, she can promise them what they need. She can provide it." He answers, taking one last puff from his pipe before tilting it out into the air. The ashes fall out of it and get wisped away in a sudden breeze that rushes past both Luka and the Protector.

"No knight is immune to temptation."

[eutychia]

"None? What about the ones you showed me?" Luka pauses.

"That was you who showed me them, right?"

[wizardseason]

"I showed you them." He nods, confirming as he puts his pipe away, turning to the sky to stare at the stars.

"They are not immune. Any knight can be tempted. Even you can be tempted." He pauses, turning back to look at Luka.

"Do not be tempted."

[eutychia]

Luka scoffs.

"I'd really like to see her try."

[wizardseason]

The Protector smiles when Luka so confidently denies the chance. Thank goodness this year's Princess was so determined.

"She will. Know that she tells only lies."

[eutychia]

"Oh, I've had my fair share of experience with lying scumbags, trust me. Nothing new, except the part where she's you know, the Wizard. But I'm hardly worried about that."

[wizardseason]

"Don't underestimate her." His response comes quickly after Luka says he isn't worried. That's a mistake. Always be worried about her.

"She will separate you from the others. And she will separate the knights. She always does."

[eutychia]

"I think there are some Knights in the bunch she could manipulate easily. I'd like to think I'm not like them." Luka says, pacing in his place.

"And we know she's going to try to tempt us. I'm sure she can be convincing, but I'm trying to believe it won't be enough to turn any of us to her side."

[wizardseason]

The Protector's eyes are back on Luka, watching him as he thoughtfully paces. It was good that he was believing him.

"I am not optimistic about that." He comments, pausing for a moment. "I am more familiar with her than the new knights, and she is a great danger."

After a moment, he changes the topics. "Are you pleased with the knights allied with you?"

[eutychia]

"Hm?" The Protector's question seems to have interrupted Luka's thoughts. "Olivia and Rory? Ah..."

He takes a moment to regather himself before answering.

"I respect them. Olivia's really streetwise and Rory, well. She's driven. I like that. But I've hardly gotten to speak to them these past few days, and first impressions don't say much."