<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e2/8B39CC2A-1000-4A6D-8442-80198BA60F8F.jpeg)</div>The “King of the Hill” explanation brought Alisandra some confirmation but little surprise.  “<A throne never stays empty for long,>” she said with a sing-song voice in Elvish that sounded like part of a longer poem.  Her demeanor, however, made the message far more clear: politics didn’t change no matter where you went.  “At least brute force and strength of arms demonstrates an ability to help defend the area, rather than the usual methods of poison and duplicity.”  Alisandra had little interest in playing the kinds of games it took to become a ruler, and it showed.<br/><br/>“I should ask if there was anything legitimate and ‘duly-appointed’ about the mayor, and if either side is more markedly noble or tyrannical in rulership that one is worthy of being supported, but beyond that, I have nothing binding me to these politics.  I didn’t study as hard with historical examples as many others of my upbringing - I always found the mystical far more fascinating - but my experience is that, 90% of the time, the rulers change but the rules do not, and the desire of the current king of the hill to prove themselves keeps them from too much abuse of power.”  As she ate another piece of cheese, it was clear she was inquiring of Kitty whether it was the same here.  “It’s only when one side has a distinctive advantage that the real problems start.”<br/><br/>Her attention turned back to Sondanwe.  “You were asking about being a warlock.  For many, it means conjuring up devils and trading off one’s soul, or fusing with creatures from the Far Plane, or other horrifying things.  I entered into a conversation with a Solar, a powerful Celestial with more sheer magical ability than actual opportunity to perform good works.  As such, that’s the trade.  I continue using the power I’ve been given for good and making the world a better place however I can.  There’s plenty of ways to make a difference, and few are without risks of at least some kind, but I don’t regret the choice.  I have no magical ability of my own and couldn’t even manage memorizing cantrips without the assistance.  Some suggested I should have followed the path of the bards, but…”  Her body language shifted to show that she felt that beneath one of her station.