Greko sighs loudly staring out over the sea wwatching the sea birds fly and dive for food. He mutters quietly to himself

Lady Kaede just stands there, blushing in anger checked, at the insolence of those around her.  After all that she's gone through....after all that everyone here has gone through, all they care about is themselves and salivating over that cursed blade.  Zero respect, no honor, and vast untrust of allies.  What is this world coming to?  What can she do to help build their trust, so they can fight together, towards their common enemy, instead of backstabbing those who seek to help?

Lady Kaede meekly states "It is a wretched thing that survivors today are so contriving and so proud of their material possessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect."

Louder now, to everyone gathered:

"I understand tempers are high, and tensions are running strong. But let us not lose sight of what truly matters...If we remain divided, Gannon will exploit our weakness and crush us all! Only together can we hope to defeat that evil. Remember, we stand here not just for ourselves, but for a common cause. Is this a cause we are willing to betray through infighting? We have faced perilous situations before, and emerged stronger due to our unity. That strength lies within us still, if we choose to tap into it. Let us channel our anger not into each other, but into a united front. Together, we can overcome this obstacle and defeat our common enemy: Gannon.  We MUST join together, before the darkness destroys us all."

“You listen but do not hear. You are prideful and defensive and keen to goad, the pair of you. Always deflecting, never taking accountability. I too am done”, Rum replies and turns his back on the pair.

”My apologies Lady Kaede, I know your heart is in the right place, but joining together would be like poisoning the well. At least the Ardent Remnants will persist. Perhaps Thea would like to join us now the Answer is no more”, he says quietly.

With that he makes his way over to sit with Greko.

"I had, with you, no quarrel, Malenia," Stasolya says. "Even if you acted hastily, you did nothing that could not be forgiven. I banished Judal from the Answer for a reason. But, the Princess arranged for me to have another task, and I bestowed AURYN on you. You showed your wisdom and humility, and fitness for its authority. That you allowed Judal's return I would not have questioned, but seeing his behavior and choices unchanged, and the darkness shrouding his heart, I will not stand with him. If you choose to stand with him, then we must again separate." The centaur's voice is full of regret.

"I am afraid that the news of Vader has caused you great distress," she says to the Jedi, more quietly. "And perhaps your hostility now has much to do with the grief of that news."

Stasolya looks at Malenia. "The Princess and Thea are what is important now. I cannot trust Judal. Who you stand with is your choice. Many unfortunate words have been exchanged. But it is, as it has always been, our willingness to build bridges that gives us the only path over the chasm of darkness that the Nothing flays into our hearts. The choice is yours, as it always has been, and I will not begrudge you it either way. Thank you for bearing the AURYN in my stead, and so well, Malenia. For Zelda and Thea are here and safe. Hyboria owes you a great debt of gratitude."

The centaur bows, a little awkwardly as centaurs always do, and she turns to walk across the deck and join Rum and Greko.

Watching Stasoyla turn their back on her again, walking away from the Force user for a second time. "How incredibly Fickle...." She closes the strap on the bag, Moving away from Judal. Directly towards the Kocra known as Kazu, grabbing onto the birds Reins and moving away from all of them, isolating herself from everyone, clenching her brass hand tight enough the creak of metal droans out over the water. 

"Vader may be right." 

Too many people had abandoned her, Far too many. She should have never left the Haligtree. If bonds were this easy to shred, Bridges this easy to burn. Over something, That in the grand scheme was inconsequential. What was the point in saving anything, Hyboria would be no better off in the Light.

Climbing atop Kazu, stroking the bright plummage of her feathered companion. 

Same big violet eyes. Still overwhelmed. Some big emotions. And more. Thea felt herself gravitating backwards.
Shifting views. Shared unknowns. So small she felt. And more. A part of Thea wanted to shrink and just fade away.
Stolen tears. Sad heart. Soft feet. And so much more. Thea reaches for the Light. Her hand finds Princess Zelda’s.

Captain Saewulf watches this exchange and whistles through his teeth.  He shifts, like he's about to move and do something, but instead shakes his head and turns away, heading back for the helm.  

"And this is our only hope?  Sheesh."  

Princess Zelda stands there in similar disbelief.  Her mouth hangs open in silence as she watches this exchange, completely gobsmacked.  

"What is wrong with all of you?"  The Princess says, her hand clasping around Thea's.  "I don't understand.  Don't you see what is happening?  The sword is literally cursed.  It is literally cutting the bonds between us.  You..."  

She gestures around with her hands up, indicating the AURYN Chosen gathered on the deck of the Scorpion...

"...isn't there a chance that you're all that is left to save Hyboria?  And everything you love?  How much loss is enough?  And all you can worry about are selfish ideals of your own honor and pride?  And who trusts who?  How ridiculous is this?  Has not Judal..."  

She gestures to the Sladd Born...

"...hasn't he risked his life for me?  And to save the people of King's Landing?  And Stasolya..."  

She points with her free hand to the Centaur...

"...she came by herself to Vaes Dothrak and found me.  And wasn't that one of your assignments?  And now that you're all together, and have me safe...you're willing to let some petty squabble divide you?  I just...I don't understand.  I thought you were all heroes."  

The Princess's hand turns white as she grips Thea's hand, and she looks hurt and confused, not angry.  She continues.  She watches, sad, as Malenia leads Kazu away.  

"Malenia, you're one of the bravest people I know.  You laid down your life at King's Landing to make sure that more people, Lady Kaede's people, could be safely evacuated on the boats.  And now we're fighting with people whose goals are aligned with ours?"  

She points at Lady Kaede.  There's something...strange...happening to the Princess as she points.  There is something more childlike about her, and yet, somehow, more intune with knowledge she should not possess.  In that moment she drops Thea's grip and holds both her hands up

"Like me, Lady Kaede the Ronin has lost everything.  Her whole family.  Her home.  She has nothing left.  She is still here, still fighting.  Greko the White has learned first hand how dangerous our foe is, and has been blessed by the Three Goddesses to return from beyond the veil of the end to continue to resist Ganon.  Violet hasn't even been asked to be here, and yet she is still here, standing with us to defend a home that is new to her.  Everything Thea thought she knew about herself has been upended.  She lost her mother and her father...and then the enormous weight of their significance landed on her shoulders, her sole burden to carry...and she had no idea who she was prior to that.  Rum has seen his team shattered by curses and misplaced desire and good intentions and deception, and still he fights on.

There is more that we have in common with one another than our perceived differences.  Some of you were summoned because you were recognized as the best heroes in your home towns, in the lands that mattered to you.  Some of you are here because you were drawn into a battle you didn't begin, but that became your destiny.  Some of you are the hapless victims of circumstance who simply haven't lain down your arms or your will to fight.  But whyever you are here, you need each other, if you want to accept it or not.  The world needs you.  I need you. 

Please.  I can't do this without you.  Some of you took up the call to find me, to help me.  Some to save Hyboria.  Would you really turn your backs on one another now, turn your backs on me, when you are needed most?"  

When she is done, her sheepish unsure tone returns.  She steps back, her hand fumbling for Thea's again.  And then Princess Zelda, the last leader of Hyrule, a girl, barely fourteen summers in age, if that, and probably the last of her bloodline...begins to cry. 

Quietly.  

Stasolya watches Malenia turn away and climb onto her bird. Long has she watched the Jedi struggle with her longing for power like Vader's, sometimes winning the struggle, sometimes losing. She says quietly--and quietly enough that perhaps no one overhears-- "No, Malenia, you know that Vader isn't right. But the time has come..." as the centaur turns to listen to Princess Zelda.. "for each to make their stand and declare their allegience."

When the Princess finishes her appeal and begins to cry, Stasolya leaves Rum and Greko, and walks to Princess Zelda and Thea. She places herself at the Princess' side, swinging her hindquarters around so that she faces the rest of the group, and clasps her hands before her at her breast, where the AURYN used to hang. Lifting her head, she begins to sing, a gentle but emphatic tune, a song that she has sung before, but with the addition of a few new verses at the end...

"The sun that shines does not withhold
Its rays of warmth and light.
From anyone who crawleth forth
From shadow, dark, and night.

So the Empress, Childlike, fair,
White as star and snow.
Does not cease to reach her hand
To all who wish her to.

Who once among you has not failed
And hurt a heart dear loved?
Who once has lived without regret
For evil deeds thought of?

The lowest creep and vilest crimed
Can turn its heart around
Repent of sin and death and wrong
To run heroic bound.

So come you now and make your choice
Who will you come to serve?
Your anger, vengeance, pride all dark
Or humbly pledge your word.

Her strength is greater far than yours
She'll lift you to the Light
Fear not your weakness, hurt, or loss
She can make it right.

This can't be forced, for each fair heart
Must choose its own course true
For Light or Dark, the battle reigns
While Hyboria waits for you.

The Princess makes her last appeal
To every heart now here.
Come stand by her and speak your vow
To be Hyboria's shield."

As the last notes of her melody waft out over the lapping waves of the sea, Stasolya turns again, and lowers her equine forequarters to rest on one knee, bending her human torso to the Princess.

"Princess Zelda, I can speak for no one but myself, but I am at your service in the Light of the Childlike Empress."

Rum turns and listens to the Princess as she speaks, the weight of her words disproportionate to her age and size. And then Stasolya's song and pledging of allegiance also strike a cord in him.

His shoulders slump slightly, relaxing muscles he had not even realised were tensed.

"The journey of a so called hero is not what you might expect", he says loud enough for everyone to hear, but his tone more humble and meek than just before. "When the call came to Dragonclaw for a champion, the Abbot announced a trial to determine who would be sent. Of course I took part, I knew deep in my soul I was destined for great things, to represent the Great Dragon on this mortal plane", he says not pridefully but if anything a little scornfully.

"I made it to the last test, where I stood before the giant dragon skull and was meant to commune with the Great Dragon itself. But I heard no voice, felt no presence. Only an urge to do what is forbidden, an unstoppable urge to touch the skull. And so I did. Visions swam in my mind and my body felt like it turned to fire, then ice before I passed out. I was unconscious for days they say. In the meantime the champion of Dragonclaw was chosen and already on their way to the Ivory Tower", he continues, looking around to the rest of Remnants one by one as he speaks.

"The elders told me arrogance and hubris had been the cause of what happened, and was why I was not ready to be their champion. But I didn't listen", he looks across to Malenia as he carries on. "I took one of the sacred relics, the dragonhide belt that I gifted you Malenia, and left for the Ivory Tower anyway". He shakes his head at the thought, but at least pronounces her name right after hearing Stasolya say it correctly twice a few moments before.

He looks across then to Judal, trying to meet his gaze if he is looking, "I was probably more surprised than anyone that day, when Atreyu spoke my name, with no sign of the real champion of Dragonclaw. To this day, I don't know what happened to them, but I saw it as a sign that I was right. Possibly more arrogance, more hubris. I do not know".

He then turns to Princes Zelda, "Whatever I thought, I was not prepared for the journey I would take. I faced each threat from without with bravery and honour, never backing down. I thought that was what it was to be a hero. And then we were undone from within, and I lost friends and allies. Even the loss of Lelith who I clashed with time and again, tore at my soul and hardened my heart. To see Greko cut apart before my eyes, only to then have to take up the mantle of the Auryn as his successor to a broken band". Tears start to well in his eyes at this.

"And you are right Princess Zelda, I fought on. Even after Slade betrayed us and Ro Aleron returned as Ro the Red only to leave again. Even after Greko came back as Greko the White, a fact I find hard to trust, I clung to those baser parts of myself that were really all that were left", he wipes away the few tears that fell as he regains a little composure.

"I guess it is no wonder that the Empress is Childlike. Possessing an innocence of mind that has not succumbed to hubris and arrogance. It seems the Great Dragon is not done teaching me this lesson, and it is fitting that one so youthful be present to help teach me once more", he says and places a paw over his heart and bows his head to Princess Zelda.

"When I started my journey all those months ago, I didn't want to save the world. I wanted to show the world that I was the one that could save it", he says as if relieving himself of a great weight.

"Well no more. Friend Greko, do we still have that barrel of Dragonclaw ale? I for one need a drink of it, and am willing to toast to our mission with anyone here that will drink with me, whoever they are and whatever has just happened. And if ale is not your thing, then bring a water-skin, it matters not. It only matters that the world deserves the best versions of us, flawed as we might be, to do our best to save it". With that he goes to his pack to find as many mugs as he can whilst he waits for Greko.

Greko silently sits on his crate and muses at these younglings who are so sure of themselves and their self righteousness. He remembers the days of fighting Sauron with the young heroes of old and how they united against the evil. They too had their own self doubts but also doubts in each other.....Greko stands and begins weaving between all the younglings and older folks of the group "Many eons ago, it feels like, A great evil assembled in this world. This evil tricked the different species of this realm into using powerful rings to rule their kingdoms. This evil of course had the one ring to control them all. These cursed rings brought about war, mistrust, seclusion, broken alliances, the list goes on. This evil, Sauron, waited for the right moment to attack. The elven kingdoms were weakened, dwarven kingdoms almost non existent, goblin and orcs took sides with Sauron, the Sith, it was a vast evil army that began to swallow up kingdoms. These are my earliest memories...."Greko pauses thinking of his spry days swinging his staff, commanding forces of nature, and dishing out bonks in the name of good "You should have seen Greko....Greko digresses.....The heroes of the realm gathered from kingdoms far and wide, some no longer standing....They put their hubris aside, made peace, gathered allies far and wide, and defeated the evil. We are what is left.....We need allies and have none. Ganon has assembled evil into an army that exceeds Sauron's. If we are to do this, it will need to be done as a team. Whether it is to seek out allies as 2 groups, or finding triforce together as one, we need to be like the heroes of old. Greko is as much as fault as everyone, well maybe a little less at fault, but still at fault. Greko apologizes and I will keep the pebble but Judal be prepared for a splashing" And with that he pulls from his magical pocket, which keeps things small for a long long time, a barrel of ale, and places it down as it becomes normal sized. 

     Striding over to Malenia, Judal raises a hand to place upon the Kadzu's neck but then hesitate's, gauging the bird's reaction and acceptance.  (Animal Handling 18) Finally placing his hand gently upon the feathered neck of the bird Judal looks to Malenia as speeches are speechified and pontifications are pontificated. When all is said and done Judal looks at Malenia and shrugs.  "Wherever you go, I go..."

     "Buuuuuut....  As embarassing as it is for them, it seems the little girl has set them straight.  Now that they got their heads out of their asses perhaps we should stay?"

Greko scoffs

Thinking over what was said to her by the Princess, lost in that thought before she is torn from it by Judal's presence. Without a word, she taps her heels and moves Kazu over towards the Remnants. Reaching into the bag at her side and dumping the Dragonhide belt in question as well as the cursed weapon at their feet. Hopping down from the Kocra, taking the reins in hands she moves over to the Princess.

Completely ignoring Stasoyla's presence and her words. There was nothing left to say, The Centaur had made her choice just as Malenia will now make hers. Stasoyla had always been righteous, preachy and downright annoying, yet Malenia thought the bond they shared was deeper than that. Not so easily severed, but in the simple act of turning their back on her again, Stasoyla had burnt that bridge to cinders. 

All she wanted, Was to return to the Feywild and leave this dying world to its fate. 

Falling to one knee in front of the Princess, reaching with her thumb to clear the tears from the child face. She offers Zelda a soft smile before placing the reins of Kazu in her free hand. Her eyes locked with the Princess for a moment before she stood and moved to stand a small distance away from the Princess. For the first time since she left her home, Reaching once more into the satchel at her side, Pulling from it a very elegant and unique brass helmet. It pairs with her prosthetic arm, In both design and material. She dons the helm, her face becoming obscurred except for the odd glint of her emerald eyes throw the slits in the helm.  

"Do what you will Judal, They accept their faults and I accept mine. Do not mock them for having the strength to do so, Not when you do not have that strength." Casting Message towards the Knight. 

     “Alright then, the band is back together,” Judal declares.

     “For the first time,” he adds much more quietly.

     “Now what?”

Rum is busy opening the barrel when Malenia deposits the belt and the sword down.

He watches as she kneels before the Princess and then steps away, donning her helm.

”I mentioned gifting you the belt as a reminder that we were once on better terms, nothing more. Now as then, it is better put to good use. But it seems you no longer have need of it. My thanks for it’s safe return”, he says to Malenia, making no move for the sword but reaching out to collect the belt.

He turns to Judal, “Now we drink”. With that said he begins to pour ale for any who wish to partake.

Lady Kaede quietly pads up to Malenia, and unwraps her obi (a long fabric belt that is wrapped around her hakama probably a half dozen times...she's quite small and the belt is quite long) ceremoniously in front of the Jedi.  She hold the obi up in the air in front of her, and bows to both Malenia and the obi.  With military precision, she kneels down and gently wraps the cursed blade (recently the center of attention and the cause for so much strife and anger) in the obi, protecting the blade from others, as well as protecting others from the blade.  She then deposits the wrapped blade in a purpose-made Kimono brocade sword bag attached to her armor in the rear (almost like a backpack, but specially made to carry swords).

Mirroring Malenia, she then withdraws from her pack a kabuto helm decorated with a richly lacquered face mask in the form of a mythical beast, and dons the helm.  Like Malenia, her face completely disappears, only to be replaced with two glowing red orbs where he eyes would be located. With a slight nod to Princess Zelda, she (without a sound or comment), stands in the line of those expressing fealty to the Princess, and stands there wordlessly prepared for Zelda's order.

     Judal does not line up to take the knee nor otherwise pledge fealty to the Princess.  He owes allegiance to Galladoorn by birth and blood and to Guilder by word and oath.  Being a knight of two realms was taxing enough and taking a third vow would dedicate him to the cause of righteousness any further.

     Instead, he drinks!  Judal happily accepts some ale (and after using his Eldritch Sight to make sure there was no whammy on the drink) was happy to partake.

((Speaking of Eldritch Sight, Judal did have several instances to see this supposedly cursed sword... It's Detect Magic, not Identify, but he should at least see the schools of magic at play about the sword?  Same for these helmets the ladies are all suddenly finding in fashion.  They magical?  Weird schools of magic swirling about them?))

Judal:

Judal: 

 Malenia's index finger taps against the forearm of her Brass prosthetic, just waiting for whatever the Remnants were doing to come to a close. Looking to the Kocra that had once belonged to her, reaching once more into the satchel at her side. Pulling a bow for it, throwing it and a quiver of arrows over her back. Again, not saying a word when Kaede seemingly followed her lead, More like mimic'd her. 

Or the off comment of Judal about a band being back together, She was part of no band. She was Zelda's Blade, that is all. Not even sparing Rum a glance when he offered thanks for returning that that was lent to her. Instead she continued to speak with the Princess in the same manner she had been doing so for the last few moments, Telepathically. 

Rum looks across as Lady Kaede wraps up the sword and then also dons her helmet, and he frowns slightly.

"Lady Kaede, if I might point out that bright red eyes are an indicator of the sword's curse taking hold of a person. I worry that concealing your eyes in such a manner might not be the most prudent, as you carry the sword", he suggests as he hands Judal a mug of ale and looks about to see if there are other takers before pouring himself a mug.

"Perhaps we can discuss the sword's history and the details of the curse itself as we rest and decide where Captain Seawulf will take us. To the Southern Oracle for the Triforce of Wisdom or back to Subternia to retrieve the Shard of Division".