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[ He gives a half nod at promising. What makes these conversations with Claude easy is how quickly they end up on the same page. The mention of diplomats makes sense in the context of the three nations. ]

No. Though soon, I figure. [ The captain's frustration and the fact that a lower level officer was aware of the planned meeting seems to imply that, at least. ] They generally don't appreciate me lingering around too long asking questions.

[ A shrug, though his expression remains tense. ] Have you been able to get any sense of the Free Cities military pushing for more recruitment? Or other odd shifts?

[ Claude had mentioned working with merchants, not the military. He doesn't know how their military operates, but there's a chance that at least supplies could be connected between the two, and he imagines Claude would be someone who could figure out how to exploit that kind of information if he were of a mind to. ]

[ Soon is certainly a nebulous amount of time, and one Claude assumes they feel the same about narrowing down further if they can. That it's frowned upon for Kyle to hang around looking to get his questions answered makes an unfortunate amount of sense since it's not like the Free Cities would trust their Summoned to... well, do much of anything besides exist. So far, anyway. His faith in that situation remaining the same is incredibly low.

Which makes it all the more pertinent that Kyle opts to ask about that next, though he takes another moment to sort through his mental stacks of information looking for anything which fits it. ]

No, I haven't. All of the Summoned I've met in Cadens would rather run the opposite direction from the military than join up with them for anything more than volunteering what's needed to help the Cities' citizens. [ The clarification seems important, given Claude's done the latter out of partial altruism. ] Save for one, but she's not trying to actively recruit us to join like she has from what I can tell though we've only spoken a couple times.

[ That's a bit of a dead end what with his intentional avoiding of anything related to the military. There's some other things he could suggest and they're certainly on the verge of being said, but something else takes precedence first. ]

It's unnerving to hear Thorne is questioning people. Officials in Cadens have been as well from what I know. Or I should say I know firsthand, since I was pulled in for it myself. Now I have to wonder if it's tied to what this is that's coming up.

[ He's definitely curious about who among the Summoned might have ties with the Free Cities army, but before he can ask anything about that, Claude reveals the next part - ]

What did they question you about? [ There's a hint of concern. But if Claude's right, then maybe it is related to the upcoming event, which is - well, random security checks are slightly less alarming than a few of the alternatives. He doesn't know any details of why the person from Thorne had been taken in or who they were, only the whispers of it occurring. ]

Mostly it was about what happened on our guarding of the transport to pick up supplies from Solvunn after the attack on Libertas. We ran into an unexpected roadblock along the way.

[ It's not much info, and for once? This isn't even due to Claude being cagey or hoping to barter other information in return. As such, he offers the other man an apologetic smile since it's likely not a satisfying answer (or not one Claude himself would find if he'd asked, that is). ]

There's more to it than that but some of what happened isn't mine to share. I had thought at the time the questioning was only tied to that, but now I'm wondering. Do you know anything about whoever was called in in Thorne? [ And then adds quickly, ] I understand if that's something you can't share either, both in what it was about or who it was.

[ It'd be easier for Claude to just lie, if he'd wanted to hide the information. As it stands, Kahlil doesn't press with more questions after the other man explains his reasons, as curious as he is about this mystery person. But he shakes his head to both of Claude's next questions. ]

I only heard about it second-or-thirdhand. But it must've been similar to what happened to you. If someone was tossed in the dungeons, that wouldn't take long to get around.

[ There's fewer Summoned in Thorne than the Free Cities, and they're clustered closer together. It makes noticing or hearing about certain things easier - but not everything. ]

I've heard about Thorne's love of their dungeons and either threatening or placing our fellow Summoned in them whenever they choose to. [ There's distinct disdain in his voice based on those various accounts from different times and people, and ones he assumes Kyle has heard from those there with him in Thorne. ] I suppose it's a relief they haven't jumped straight to that this time.

[ Yet is implied heavily in that thought and possibly in Kyle's explanation beforehand, since Claude believes that could change in an instant. Dwelling on that won't help them here, however, so he takes another second to think again about the future plans the other mentioned. ]

If there's mentions of that banquet in Thorne's other cities to the point where someone well known in its government - or close enough, given he's the queen's relative - will be attending, what do you think the chances are that officials from all over there?

[ Such as the other cities within the Free Cities, with his unsaid focus being on Libertas meeting with those that caused their destruction, and then Solvunn's... however Solvunn is organized, since that's a question mark in Claude's mind. ]

[ What Kahlil has found is that most of those early Summoned no longer reside in Thorne - and of the few who are, they're either tight-lipped, or they don't often make themselves available. Neither of which are surprising.

But - there's the rub. He plays devil's advocate for a second. ]

It's possible. But Borrel, from what I understand, is generally in lock-step with Castle Thorne compared to the other two cities. So, it's no guarantee everyone gets a seat at the table... wherever it ends up being held.

[ And he doesn't know much about how the other factions operate in that capacity, aside from what Claude has told him previously about the Free Cities. But, basically, Thorne and Borrel seem like a single entity to him from what he understands of Thornean politics. Does the captain simply dislike diplomatic parties, or does he have another reason to be in disagreement with his niece? He doesn't know enough about the man to think that he does, especially when it had been made clear that they usually are in agreement.

After a moment he shakes his head, glancing at the door. ]

I shouldn't stay much longer.

[ He needs to start finding a better way to cover these conversations. He's been toying with the idea of finding a safehouse in Nott, but that comes with its own set of complications. ]

Edited 2022-12-18 21:30 (UTC)

It makes sense the castle would speak for, if not override, whatever the others might have to say in any such meetings. I can't say I know enough about the Free Cities to say they won't do the same, especially since elections have been canceled for the foreseeable future which leaves the prime minister even more in charge.

[ Something he hasn't had enough time to think about himself, but feels worth sharing. Concentrated or absolute power is rarely a good thing in his experience and Abraxas has only solidified that belief. But at the mention of needing to leave, Claude nods. Kyle had mentioned that at the start and as prone as he is himself to chasing down an idea when it occurs to him, it's a good reminder. ]

In that case, don't let me keep you. I'll see what I can overhear in the shops for the next few days and if I hear anything then, I'll reach out to you with it. [ A hesitation follows, even if it's not an open one before Claude's expression switches to something more serious. ] Take care of yourself out there and don't raise too many suspicions. I'm not sure I'm ready to find out about how an across the borders rescue mission would work here.

[ The latter part is mostly a joke - even if it's a concept he's vaguely familiar with from Fodlan - but the former isn't. As much as he'd like to know more about Thorne, he doesn't want to know it at the cost of someone else and even more so not at the expense of someone he's come to consider a friend. ]

[ The detail about elections being cancelled gets his eyebrows lifting surprise. He supposes it makes sense for the prime minister to try to consolidate and hold onto power in the wake of the attack. But this is the first he's heard it mentioned.

At the mention of a rescue mission - ]

It'd be a great excuse to see the rest of the continent, though. [ Claude's expression is serious, but he can't help putting a little levity into his tone. Sometimes that's all you can do. But he shakes his head. He's careful, and he expects Claude is too. That's part of why this relationship has been working. ] I appreciate the thought either way. Hopefully next time soon I can actually see your domain. [ And not keep asking him to come here. ]

And thank you again for the tea. [ The scent reminds him of home, the better memories of it.

He'll walk with Claude to the door and vanish once they're past the threshold. ]

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