Morrigan's lessons weren't just instructive - they were very,<em>very</em>fun indeed. As Queen Ileosa lay panting, basking in the warm, warm afterglow - Her ears ringing from Morrigan's shrieks of pleasured - only one thought came to mind...<br/><br/>-They'd be doing this again...And soon.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>The growth of a kingdom is a strange thing. There are long periods of lulls, and then there are times when things happen<em>very</em>rapidly indeed. So it was with Korsova's expansion; In the accelerated blink of an eye, the lovely Queen could see the tournament grounds taking shape - From the first skeletal frameworks, then the rising walls of white marble and wooden seating, then the great sunburst-and-sword banners draped across the walls...<br/><br/>The symbolism was obvious. The crowned Sun, overseeing the grand tournament - But that was still some time in the future.<br/><br/>From her throne, Queen Ileosa could watch it all - Her robes fluttering in the faint breeze, the raised dias of her throne casting a shimmering prism of radiance across the ground. Her proficiency in magic was growing; It was an investment, she knew, that would soon pay dividends. After all - She had an advantage none of the others were aware of...She knew *exactly* where she'd put her points!<br/><br/><strong>C.) Push the religion into elven lands and bring some males and elven females into enlightenment.</strong><br/><br/>The Elves were going to be a problem, she could tell. They were an ancient race, with the influence to match - At this juncture, she honestly wasn't sure that she could<em>win</em>an all-out war, even with aid from the orcs. But the raven-haired Queen was aware that victory wouldn't come cheap...<br/><br/>-Besides, she might have need of them later. After all, they knew magics that few else did; If they could be turned to her side...Well, the possibilities were<em>endless</em>.<br/><br/>"Let them see the Light, my General," Queen Ileosa said, her voice clarion-clear! "Their ignorance does them no favors, but they might yet be illuminated. Have our missionaries and priests spread word of Our divinity to them, in the towns where they meet and mingle with our citizens - I leave this task in your capable hands."<br/><br/>A patriarchal society, hmmmm? Well, now - Something told her the women might not be entirely happy about that. And, starved for novelty as the Elves were...This might be more successful than she might expect. It all remained to be seen how this would go...But a glance at her bracelet told her that she'd put her trust in her strengths.<br/><br/>She dismissed him with a smile, beckoning Al'sad forward with a wave of a hand - While her robes and diadem were appropriate to her station, Ileosa didn't bedeck herself with rings and other jewels. She let the quality of her regalia speak for themselves.<br/><br/>Slim fingers cupped her chin, her expression oh-so-thoughtful.<br/><br/><strong>C.) Invest in education of women (and to a lesser extent males outside of the military sector).</strong><br/><br/>New gold mines? Good. Something told her they'd be in need of coin before long...<br/><br/>"Honored Minister, We task you with the education of Our populace-"<br/><br/>It need not be said that women were favored, of course.<br/><br/>"Hone the finest minds of Korsova's citizens, the way our soldiers hone their blades - We foresee much potential in them to be brought forth."<br/><br/>After all, they weren't the only ones who had good ideas. Who knew when - and from where - the next breakthrough would come?<br/><br/>But it was Rika's report that she was looking forward to - Especially with the tournament grounds growing by the day. As the options flickered across her mind, Queen Ileosa paused - A weighty moment - before she came to her decision...<br/><br/><strong>D.) A gauntlet of all these things.<br/>C.) Everyone</strong><br/><br/>"Lady Rika - Have the armorers commission the finest suit of armor for our Champion-to-Be. The trials that lie ahead will test the strength, wisdom, and skill of any woman...Let alone any man. We would grant them an aegis not just for protection, but to make them<em>more</em>than they ever could be, alone. In time, a blade of the same surpassing quality shall follow - But begin with the armor."<br/><br/>The lovely monarch paused, shaping her thoughts carefully-<br/><br/>"In addition to a lifetime appointment at Our right hand, as well as the finest training that can be bestowed upon our Champion...Such a paragon deserves nothing less than access to a harem of their own. Their bloodline deserves to proliferate, with only the finest of partners to match the finest of women - or men."<br/><br/>A slight smile, as she contemplated what would lie ahead.<br/><br/>"Such is Our Will - Go forth, and make it so."