Jorm was about to open his mouth and explain what was going on but at the word fluffball he stops. He was about to provide his name because he can't remember if he has but is cut off by Raiden's not so happy demeanor. Jorm takes a step back behind Raiden. 

The queen draws herself up to her full height, which is not exceptionally tall, but the gesture is still imposing.  "I'll take one of those," she says pointedly.  "I'd like to give it to my daughter, who is currently bleeding out, before you throw the rest of them."

"Yikes calm down, foxy boy!" Pearlin exclaims as she raises her hands in front of her and pouts. "Sigh, so much for trying to show some affection... If I hated your guts I wouldn't have given you such a cute nickname. It's just my way of saying that you're on my side that's all! But... if you insist then, I'll stop calling you that. Same for you bunny boy if you just want to be called Jorm. And..." She takes a crystal out of the kitsune's clawed right hand. "My name is Pearlin May, of the Siren Bay Sands, before you ask."

"I'd rather you just call me by my name." Raiden scowls as he hands her one of the gems. "My full name is Raiden Kurosaki. Remember that well, princess loudmouth." He then smirks and turns to the queen. "Have Trey-chan and Aya-san wear this, your highness. It's supposed to counter the poison for the time being."

Jorm winces unsure if the words between his new companions are playful banter or something a little less playful

The queen takes them, handing one to Trey and going to put the other on Aya.  Aya pushes her away and pins the brooch on herself, then lets out a gasp of relief as her wound knits itself back together.

"Excellent news, we have a tool to keep us safe long enough to put a stop to their vile sorcery!" Trey exclaims as he puts on the magical ward. As he watches vitality restored to the princess his shoulders relax, the threat of the incurable wounds no longer weighing on him. "So what do we do now?" He asks no one in particular.

"What have you two been discussing with the queen, Trey-sama?" Raiden asks, curious of what they did.

"Oh! Right. Excuse my excitement in wanting to deliver retribution." Trey stops grinning with anticipation when he is called out by Raiden, and adopts a more somber tone. "We've been discussing the treachery of the Nakagore Clan, that they have attempted to cobble all of the clans, by destroying their leadership, and preventing their armies from mobilizing. In short, this was an attempted coup. And we must put an end to these assassins, and their devious ways, and restore order to the land.." He pauses very briefly then adds, as the grin returns to his face. ".. with violence of our own."

Raiden turns to the queen. "Was that really what you discussed you highness?"

"The Nakagore Clan left the city early this morning, before the killings.  Now, their army is mustering to march on the capital, and it seems that the poison is magically linked to their fortress.  Clearly, they are behind this.  Now, I need to keep my soldiers here in order to defend the city - especially if they have some sort of poison magic - but someone needs to go to their stronghold, destroy the source of poison magic, and bring justice to the clan's leaders.  You seem like a worthy group of adventurers, and I would be willing to supply you and give you unlimited ability to pass through my kingdom unaccosted, if you would be willing to agree to try and help to the best of your respective abilities."

Jorm thinks for a moment "I will help although I don't understand the politics of what is happening, I certainly don't want to bleed the rest of my life. I do have a question though....What happened to the rest of the nobility? Have you sent messengers to rally your cause? How does that work? Are they all dead?" Jorm takes a breath after his flurry of questions 

"Through messengers and scrying magic, we have learned that all the other nobles are dead.  Without them, their armies cannot march against the Nakagore.  It is up to us to bring the Nakagore to justice for... this.  All of this." She draws herself up in anger, and you can feel fury radiating from the crystals that hover around her - the fury of a queen whose subjects have been wronged and, even more fierce, the anger of a mother protecting her child.

"Excuse me?! Princess what?! You...!" Pearlin screams at Raiden as she turns red in embarrassment and tastes her own medicine. She then stands up and turns to the rest of the group.

"Ok sure but, I was hoping to negotiate this peacefully with the other clan leaders, ironically for myself since I prefer violence too. Problem is unless if it's anything to do with the Malachite Tearsweat, Tears of... I don't know what that place is but still, I mean unless if anyone else has a suggestion on how the region can reunite... Actually, who is the actual enemy we need to eliminate? If all of the regions are turning against yours it wouldn't be possible to deal with the threat with just this region alone! We need to build allies first, potentially with other regions or even individuals who are moving alongside our forces! Unless if anyone else can suggest anything..."

"The other regions are not against us, just immobile.  But you're not listening to what I'm saying.  We are more than capable of defending the city, while a small group - you - infiltrates the castle.  Attempting to rally a large force to besiege it is madness.  The armies would meet each other in the forest and be forced to conduct guerrilla warfare.  Guerrilla warfare they would likely win because of their venom magic.  Only by sending a small strike team immediately can we hope to destroy the magic that gives their poison blades power, which would leave them vulnerable.  We don't need outside help other than you five."

Jorm sighs and nods "I will help....no offense but I do not want to sleep with this trinket, as nice as it is, for the rest of my time."

"I doubt the five of us alone have the capabilities to pull this off, considering how uncoordinated we all are at the moment," Raiden replies hesitantly. "But if you think we're the only force that is able to do so, then I guess I will consider it" He straightens his bloodied tail behind his back. "If that's the case we need an overview on what we need to infiltrate and how we're going to do it. No point proceeding without having the background information required. And besides, each of us have different talents that need to be taken in consideration." 

(OOC:  This makes perfect sense to ask for, it just didn't cross my mind that you would. Give me a few days to prepare it.)

"Raiden makes a good point....I barely know any of you or your talents nor do I know much of where we are to go." Jorm shrugs as he takes out some nuts from his pouch and munches

"I'm with foxy- I mean... Raiden... right now. Besides I feel pretty tired right now. Is there somewhere we can all relax for a bit before we set off again?"