War, Queen Ileosa had heard, was mostly a waiting game. The Sun Queen could see the General's stoic figure, looking on...Listening to her proclamation, without the slightest change of expression. Then again, he'd been at war for centuries - She doubted that he'd take the bait. Her words, instead, were aimed at those<em>behind</em>him...After all, it's not just the military that wages a war.<br/><br/>All war is - in the end - an extension of politics.<br/><br/>The serried ranks of her army had drawn up, in glittering profusion - Even as the rather more ragged swell of the coalition's forces gathered itself for the first assault. As they began their advance, everything remained in good order, for the first few moments...<br/><br/>And then all hell broke loose.<br/><br/>It was the griffins, more than anything, that she'd been waiting for. Their mere appearance was terrifying, even more than their devastating aerial charges - Even from here, Ileosa could hear the shrieks, the panic flooding through the Coalition's mismatched forces. As flights of Elven arrows descended in a white-fletched rain, the lovely monarch's slim fingers tightened on the armrests of her throne-<br/><br/>This was going to be a close thing.<br/><br/>But then the harpies took flight. There was a terrible squalling, blood and feathers raining down onto the struggling armies - Even as Korsovan light cavalry swept in from the flanks, laying siege to the Elven light infantry and the blocks of archers behind.<br/><br/>At some point, even the most tactically-astute leader loses control of a battle: At some point, it comes down to a whirlwind of steel and blood and screams. As the Coalition's soldiers surged forward to join the carnage, the rising dust of thousands of men and horses churned in the air, a frenzy of violence and maiming-<br/><br/>The battle didn't<em>end</em>so much as trail off. The Elves - even caught off-guard, forced onto the back-foot - were canny, dangerous fighters; But it was the press of numbers that told. There were simply<em>more</em>humans, orcs and those of the 'lesser races', and even the greatest swordsman can only do so much when three times his number are hacking at him simultaneously.<br/><br/>In the span of a few hours, it was over. The valley had been baptized in blood, and the Elven General had knelt to Queen Ileosa, stiff and regal even in defeat. Then - And only then - did she allow herself to breathe again, to release the tension that'd coiled within her the entire time.<br/><br/>It'd been a close thing, she knew...But then, weren't all battles like that? So much could've gone wrong - But somehow, somehow, they'd managed.<br/><br/>"Rise," she said to the female Harpy - Gesturing for her to stand. "Your forces were instrumental in our victory - Know that you have the Sun Queen's gratitude, and that you will be well-rewarded for your wisdom and valor."<br/><br/>As was symbolic, she'd accept three of their loveliest women and three of their most handsome men into her harem...<br/><br/>-For a start!<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Victory demands no justification.<br/><br/>After the pomp and ceremony of victory - The Triumph, and the march back to the capital, confetti and flower petals fluttering from far above - what came next was the measure of it.<br/><br/>It was the best kind of war, all things considered...A short, victorious one. No terrible years of blood, no cities laid to siege - But for the members of the Coalition, the result was rather different. They'd taken heavy casualties - But then, they'd been the least prepared for a war that wasn't their own.<br/><br/>Lissome legs crossed with a smooth scrape, as Ileosa cupped her chin - Her violet eyes oh-so-thoughtful, a soft chuckle teased from her lips.<br/><br/>"Well done, my Champion...I had great expectations of you - Expectations that you have more than surpassed."<br/><br/>Her expression was thoughtful, now...A slim finger caressing her chin, her eyes narrowing.<br/><br/><strong>3.) The Bloodstone Prison. Reliquary of the Blood Stone Crown, a place said to be buried deep in the underworld, and is said to be able to access the magic of another realm.</strong><br/><br/>"That, I believe, is the place to begin," she said. Magic, she knew, didn't come cheaply - If there was a way to gain immortality, it lay not just in lore, but in the artifacts of the deep past. The gorgeous monarch knew, better than anyone, that it would likely come at a cost...<br/><br/>But she didn't intend to be the one paying it.<br/><br/>"General," Ileosa said, gesturing for him to approach. "You wished to speak with me?"<br/><br/><strong>3. Weapons research</strong><br/><br/>"Our military stands strong, through your tireless efforts," the raven-haired beauty said. "It is time to sow the seeds of the future...In time, we will reap the harvest."<br/><br/>She knew, better than anyone, what could come from combining magic with martial skill - It was an investment that would pay off in the long run.<br/><br/><strong>3.) A cultural surge, Korsova should excel in the magical sciences, arts, and culture. The sun is right, the sun is good, and we will show the world just how modern and forward thinking our ways are.</strong><br/><br/>"The time is ripe, is it not? While news of Our victory continues to spread, word of our triumph should be brought to the known lands. After all - The Elves surrendered to Korsova, not merely to the Coalition."<br/><br/>She smiled, a flicker of anticipation to her violet eyes. "Now, more than ever...Let them see what we can offer, and they will join us willingly."<br/><br/>A slim eyebrow arched, as she turned to Lady Rika - Peace suited Rika, Ileosa could tell; Or perhaps the new members of<em>her</em>harem were rather helping with that!<br/><br/><strong>3.) Or we could use our multitude of races to form an academy dedicated to spycraft.</strong><br/><br/>"This war has thought us much - Knowledge, it seems, remains our sharpest blade. If not for Lady Faritha, we would be in the dark as to the capabilities of the Old Empire...I would remedy that."<br/><br/>A deep breath. "Lady Rika, I this great responsibility into your hands: I would know the hearts and minds of our neighbors, for it is a window to their very souls."<br/><br/>The luscious Queen would sit up a little straighter, her hands folded on her lap - "There is one final order of business," she said. "With the end of the War, the time for rebuilding has come; I would see Our lands, to remember the past and contemplate what lies ahead."<br/><br/>She turned her gaze to Thorain - "My Champion, I wish to see the Bloodstone Prison with my own eyes - After my retinue has been gathered, we will set out for this legendary place together. Morrigan shall travel with me; The Council will rule in my place, until my return."<br/><br/>Her lips curved in a smile; "Know that - even as I travel abroad - with magic, I shall always be close to you. I would not leave you bereft of my guidance."<br/><br/>The lovely brunette rose, her silks caressing her form - "You have your tasks. Shall we begin?"