| "I and my father would have done the same thing that the king of Allaria
did when the 'Dragon of the Southern Cavern' threatened his people," Alicia
states calmly. "I would have sent somebody known to be skilled, brave,
and loyal…..but I wouldn't have sent myself. My father wouldn't have sent
himself or me, for we were killed or…..'compromised' as Probe likes to
call it…..we could endanger….even destroy what we were trying to protect…..by
the same reasons you and I have already discussed. Bards may sing of warrior
kings and queens who go out an smight the heathens with his or her sword.
The grim reality is that those brave leaders were fools or desperate……for
reasons already discussed AND the fact that without the vision and planning
of the Leader, the leader's army is little more than a mob waiting to be
killed.
"Now, my father was desperate during the few times he actually, personally,
lead the troops into battle," Alicia continues. "As a Christian nation
in a wilderness of enemy who'd rather you'd be Muslim….and who've you've
rubbed the wrong way a few times…..desperate times beget desperate measures.
"The inspiration was needed a few times during some of the more desperate,
darker times before I was born," Alicia says to a staring Astra 1.
"He did it to rally the troops," the Amazon slowly nodded. "For the
invaders were pressing your Ethiopia hard, and moral was waning? I….think
I see now. He did it now for glory. He put himself in danger so his troops
could draw courage….and inspiration!" Alicia's nodding says as much.
"Now, Astra 2…..was you up to a point," Alicia says, ears twitching.
"Yet I sense she learned something that you are only now beginning to see.
She didn't join up with the crew going to Walants JUST for adventure, though
that was one of the reasons I saw in her eyes. It is for the same reason
why Astra is returning to Aqualaria and becoming Queen….though it means
pretty much hanging up her sword and giving up the life you crave. She
and her sister do it for love of country….for desire to help their country."
And even if you'd offered to aid them, Astra 1, Astra would have
turned you down, Alicia thinks sadly. You already had commitments….with
the Pack.
"And Queen Astra would be most grateful….if you accept this position,"
Alicia says quietly. "It helps the Pack as well as Aqualaria…to know who's
friendly and who isn't....for that's what part of what your job entails......"
Astra 1 then smiles,and accepts the job.
"Well then….the first assignment is to the Island of Normady….." Alicia
begins. The briefing goes on for quiet some time.
-
 Later, a somewhat satisfied
and happy Astra 1 goes into her room and the Residentia….and finds that
some things are missing…..like her hairbrush among other things…….
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