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

[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."

[wizardseason]

Sorry Luka, the Protector needs this information so he's directing the conversation towards it. He watches as Luka considers it, giving him the moment to consider it.

"I would like to meet them myself." He answers, calmly. "You can bring them here if you wish it so, tomorrow night."

[eutychia]

"I'll try, if that's what you want," Luka says, folding his arms. "How do I do it?"

[wizardseason]

"Wish it." He answers, before pausing because okay, yeah, sure, it's a vague thing to say to just wish it.

"Think of them before you rest tomorrow and think of this place, imagine them here, and they will come."

[eutychia]

"Oh, that's easy. So they don't get any say in it at all?" He asks with a faint sigh of relief.

[wizardseason]

"They do not." He confirms, before adding: "Though you cannot bring the other ten here in the same manner, only those two."

[eutychia]

"... I see." Luka seems a bit disappointed.

"So I'll bring them along tomorrow night. Are you excited to meet them?"

[wizardseason]

"I am. I have questions I need to ask them." He pauses, observing Luka's disappointment.

"Including some that I did not need to ask you."

[eutychia]

Luka raises an eyebrow.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

[wizardseason]

"I must know if they are willing to lay their lives on the line to protect you." He answers without emotion, stating it as if it were the simplest thing to ask in the world.

[eutychia]

"Oh... right, of course," Luka feels his face flush, and he instinctively turns away from the Protector. "Um, I don't know about Olivia. I think Rory would though, should it come to that. But... you can ask them, of course."

[wizardseason]

"I hope they are both willing." He answers, before nodding. "I will ask them each, individually."

A moment passes, then.

"Worry not, regardless of the answer they give things will still proceed."

[eutychia]

"I know." He says, voice slightly more quiet than his usual tone. "I don't expect something like that to stop the show. Or much of anything to, short of killing the Wizard."

[wizardseason]

"That is correct." He nods, confirming. He doesn't want to say that the good allured knights need to be unwavering in their resolve.

But he's absolutely going to say that.

"You must remain alive no matter how dire the circumstances. Your life will be the most at risk."

[eutychia]

"Well I can promise you I've got no plans to die and I've never let anyone change my plans before."

[wizardseason]

That one earns a little chuckle out of the Protector. Good answer, Luka.

"I will hold you to that promise." He says, sounding amused.

[eutychia]

"I won't disappoint you." He says with a smile. "I'll make sure to bring Rory and Olivia with me next time we meet."

[wizardseason]

The Protector shifts away from Luka, turning to watch the sky. It was about that time, wasn't it?

"It sounds as if you're about to--"

And then Luka wakes up.