Well, well - This could be very, very interesting indeed. Her choice would - without a doubt - draw the ire of the Elven Empire...But matters seemed to be coming to a head. Queen Ileosa intended to take her own advice: To strike while the iron was hot. If all went well, Lady Farthia and her followers would be the<em>first</em>of the Elves to flock to her banner...<br/><br/>-After all, there was very little people (and Elves) would<em>not</em>do in pursuit of both personal power...And novelty.<br/><br/>"Then be welcome, Lady Farthia - Korsova will<em>always</em>be open to you."<br/><br/>Her slim fingers curled around the proffered stone, her slim fingers tracing the script...Her lips curving in a slight smile.<br/><br/>"Indeed," the lovely brunette murmured...A gleam to her violet eyes! "Such an agreement is to our best interests; Please, enjoy our hospitality, honored guests."<br/><br/>The monarch intended to make sure they were very, very comfortable indeed - After all, they might be the key to all of this.<br/><br/><em>As for you,</em>she thought, turning her attention to the stone,<em>-I wonder what Morrigan would make of you?</em><br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Time's flow would accelerate once more. It seemed that Korsova's growth had reached a natural breakpoint - If they wished to spread beyond their natural limits, something drastic had to happen. And with both the Elves<em>and</em>the other human kingdoms showing their unease at her nation's rapid growth...<br/><br/>Just like the Queen had thought. Sooner, rather than later.<br/><br/><strong>C.) Rally a coalition against them.</strong><br/><br/><em>So the Elves are making their move...</em><br/><br/>With a regal grace, Queen Ileosa rose from her throne - Acknowledging Marcus's words with a nod.<br/><br/>"We would desire nothing more than to live in harmony with the Elven Empire...But this aggression will not stand. Their raids into our territory, the response to our peaceful overtures with violence and contempt - They answer the open hand of peace with the closed fist of oppression."<br/><br/>Her diadem glittered, as she made an imperious gesture; "We shall bend all our efforts to rallying the Orcs and our neighboring kingdoms - It is the nature of civilizations to grow, not to languish beneath the cruel yoke of greater Empires. We call upon all who would stand with us, to resist this encroachment in the strongest possible terms."<br/><br/>And there it was. War had not yet been declared...But at this rate, it was inevitable. Now the question was whether this could be brought to a swift conclusion - Because things were happening very, very fast indeed.<br/><br/><strong>A.) Military spending by way of raising armies and equipping them.</strong><br/><br/>"Wise Minister Al-Sad, there is a saying - 'If you would have peace, prepare for War'. We would want nothing more than to see a peaceful conclusion...But now, we must turn our plowshares to swords."<br/><br/>A deep breath, her gem-bedecked bosom rising and falling.<br/><br/>"It is time. Open the forges, and call the levies - Korsova girds for war."<br/><br/>The army came first. This was a fight that would have to be taken<em>to</em>the Empire...Defenses would be desirable, but - In this case - attack would be the best form of defense. "Let all who would join the coalition know this: If you cannot send your soldiers, we would gladly accept the coin of those who would be our allies. All of it shall go towards the Army of Liberation, so that Man might have freedom from his oppressors."<br/><br/>She turned to Lady Rika, as the lovely noblewoman approached the throne - Her brow furrowing, ever-so-slightly, at her words. *This* would be a difficult choice...But then, she'd made promises, and she intended to keep them...<br/><br/>-After a fashion, of course.<br/><br/><strong>B.) Full female citizenship. Males are slaves in the empire if they have been captured but are not treated to the rights of traditionally Korsovan males (no military service, barred from education). Females are given the same above rights.</strong><br/><br/>"We welcome those who would join our nation - Our trust is, first and foremost, in the wisdom of women...As it has always been."<br/><br/>The lovely Queen drew herself to her full, glittering height.<br/><br/>"Let it be known - Henceforth, full female citizenship shall be granted to those who prove themselves worthy." And those who could pay, of course. "Those taken as chattel will be marked as such...But in time, as Our attention turns to such matters, this policy may be revised. Lady Rika, make it so."<br/><br/>She'd see how this unfolded, in time - This might have very, very interesting consequences indeed. It was a balancing act, juggling the interests of her citizens with those that came later...Perhaps it might yet bear fruit.<br/><br/>And then her lips curved in a genuine smile, as Thorain - Sheathed in his gleaming armor, his weapons at his side - strode forth.<em>Strode</em>was the operative word; the months had honed the young man into the Champion she knew he could be...Though he had yet to be truly tested!<br/><br/><strong>D.) Should I plumb the depths of a long forgotten dwarven outpost?</strong><br/><br/>Truth be told, the Queen was loathe to have him away from her side. But she knew - Perhaps better than *anyone*! - how such a quest would likely be the making of him. After all...She knew, all too well, how RPGs worked.<br/><br/>She'd considered, carefully, what task to send him on.<br/><br/><em>"A dragon?"</em>she'd remembered asking Morrigan.<em>"Are you certain he can take on a dragon, if it comes to it?"</em><br/><br/>Well, she'd received assurances, but Ileosa privately had her doubts! While she'd love to send him into Elven lands, something told her that a task like that might exceed his grasp...For now. That could come in the future, if the opportunity arose.<br/><br/>With that same regal air, she gestured to a courtier - passing a document marked with the Crown's seal to her Champion! She had made her choice - She just hoped he'd return safely. She graced Thorain with a fond smile, gesturing with one glittering hand:<br/><br/>"Go forth, my Champion," Queen Ileosa said, her voice warm but firm; "Know that my thoughts, and the hopes of all of Korsova, ride with you!"