"But my queen, what can these nations possibly provide us that we cannot easily manufacture here?  They are the most ludicrous examples of what happens when the goddesses are not obeyed..."  War-Mistress Gymnasthena began.<br/><br/>"AND a few have even been cursed by their own!"  High Priestess Narina hastily added, crossing her arms.<br/><br/>"That is why we are tasked to open up relations with them."  Cooly intoned the Tyrant Queen as she gazed at the two most powerful people in the nation, below her of course.  The closest thing she had to friends, though it was a wary relationship.<br/><br/>"But they are filled with the highest degree of hubris, they honestly think they can defeat us in battle, some display the most obnoxious arrogance that it was all I could do not to slay them where they stood!"  The War-Mistress spat the words out with obvious disgust.<br/><br/>"Yes, and some have said the same about us, I am sure.  And besides not all of them are so foolish.  The defeats we easily handed them during their last aborted invasions was not a lesson lost on the wise."  the Queen replied, lifting a silvery cup on a nearby table and studying the intricate engravings.  "Besides, it is good if their military underestimates our capabilities.  It works in our favor for them to continue doing so at their extreme peril."<br/><br/>"Ah, so you have plans to invade?  This 'diplomatic nonsense' is just a ruse then?"  Gymnasthena smirked.<br/><br/>"No, I plan to consolidate the holdings we have and this will take time.  This 'diplomatic nonsense' is very real and not a deception.  I will need capable people I can trust to embark on these important information-gathering missions to other lands."  The Queen answered, setting down the cup.<br/><br/>"What about the males?"  Narina asked, arching an eyebrow.  "For ages the priestesses of the 12 Divines have kept the sperm pools pure, surely you do not plan to infect them now with foreign males polluting it with their taint."<br/><br/>"Rest easy, Narina, I am not advocating the abandonment of Amalorian law, merely sending envoys out to see where things now stand.  As you know, we are not the most well-liked nation amongst our neighbors.  They make multitudes of excuses, hide behind veiled lies, and write history books with glaring omissions, but the fact remains they don't like us because we've bloodied their noses in the past and they know we could have done much more than that if we'd wanted to.  However, it's poor strategy to take more land than one reasonably needs or can competently defend.  Better, and more cost-effective, to set them up as trading partners and get their resources that way.  We also avoid the contamination of their cultures and maintain our own integrity."  The Queen replied, walking over to a tapestry, idly feeling the fabric.<br/><br/>"Feh, I doubt any sane Amalorian would likely be overjoyed to adopt the ways of several of those lands I've been informed of, anyway."  The High Priestess said, curling her upper lip.<br/><br/>"Correct.  So what are you worried about?"  Queen Elissandra nodded at Narina.<br/><br/>"The goddesses protect us with their mighty powers here, but when we go abroad we are rolling the dice.  It is not safe and a great risk."  Narina answered, looking wary.<br/><br/>Nothing worthwhile is anything less."  Shot back the Queen.  "Trust in me, Narina.  You are not the only one who hears the requests of the Goddesses."<br/><br/>"If this is all to come to pass, then, what is your intent?"  Gymnasthena queried.<br/><br/>The Queen's cold blue eyes regarded her general.  "Simple.  My plan is to investigate a handful of nations and see if they can prove useful to us.  I have set my eye on Belka, Velar, Vassaloth, Mystoria, Unterhia and Mu-urth Doriel."<br/><br/>"I thought Mu'urth Doriel was just a myth."  Gymnasthena replied.<br/><br/>"No, several tritons have confirmed it is quite real, but well hidden and far deeper below the waves than many would have suspected."  The Queen answered, revealing a mystery not known to most Amalorians.<br/><br/>"Well, that only leaves one of the aquatic Amalorians to perform the task of envoy there."  Gymnasthena added, nonplussed by the revelation.<br/><br/>"Not so.  The priestesses have enchanted a ring that allows the wearer to breathe underwater and survive the enormous pressure of even the deepest submarine abyss.  It was costly to create, so only a few exist at present.  I had been meaning to use it to tour some of the aquatic temples in the shallow sea and take part in several rituals there, but..."<br/><br/>"Well, then you can put the ring to better use by going to Mu'urth Doriel."  Queen Elissandra replied, sharply, cutting off Narina in mid sentence.<br/><br/>"Yes, your majesty."  Narina responded, knowing better than to countermand what was effectively a direct order from the Tyrant Queen.<br/><br/>"And of me?"  War-Mistress Gymnasthena asked, dropping to one knee.<br/><br/>"I have already sent messengers to the other nations, and await a reply.  Whichever nation is the first to reply that they will accept you as envoy of Amalor is the one you will be sent to."<br/><br/>"Very well, your highness."  Gymnasthena said, with a bow.<br/><br/>"There will be a third envoy, to come later, but you two will handle the initial task.  Instructions will be given to you both before you embark and you are expected to return here regularly to my court until your diplomatic replacements are chosen.  While in your host countries you are expected to learn as much as you can and be respectful of your hosts.  If they prove to be dishonorable and bring you to harm you can rest assured that you will be either rescued or avenged.  The 12 Divines do not look lightly on breaking the vow of hospitality between guest and host.  I shall also keep a tight leash on any envoys they send here.  Should they be foolish enough to send male envoys, knowing our strict policy against males, they will be met with an icy reception and soon sent back home."  The Queen intoned, evenly, thinking about possibly relaxing this rule if she found the males exotic enough.  The undersea nagai of Mu'urth Doriel had some erotic potential, as did perhaps one of the big demons from Velar...<br/><br/>"We shall begin preparations to embark at once, your majesty!"  Gymnasthena barked, standing now and donning her helmet.  "Come, Narina, there will are many things I would speak to you of before we go."<br/><br/>As the second and third most powerful Amalorians departed the throne room, the Tyrant Queen watched them go, and icily regarded a map on the wall, a candle near its edge.  How easy it would be for the flame to lick just a few inches higher and burn the corner and allow the flame to spread across the entire map until it was destroyed.  How small and inoffensive the candle was when compared to a torch or bonfire, yet given enough time, was capable of causing just as much destruction.<br/><br/>"Let the 12 Divines decide."  With a chilling smirk, the Tyrant Queen turned and walked away.<br/><br/><br/>***************************************************************************<br/><br/>On the next morning the Tyrant Queen was surprised to find a trio of Dark Elves petitioning for an audience.  Her curiosity aroused, the Queen allowed them to approach and discovered their news was quite interesting, indeed.<br/><br/>While exploring a new cavern complex on a Southern island they had come across a titanic stone statue, in ruins, but obviously depicting a reptile man.  Alerting the scholars and the priestesses, it was soon learned, via magical means, the statue was well over a million years old and definitely of the Second Age, the era when the reptile men ruled the world.  Exploring further, it was found the statue contained some sort of jewel inside its chest.  Despite repeated and determined efforts by the Diviners and the Sacred Seers in the priesthood, no information spells seemed to work on the jewel.  It gave off a powerful magical aura, so strong that its upper limits can only be guessed at, but it still contained a powerful magical essence that has not diminished one iota in all these years.<br/><br/>Not sure what else to do, the expedition decided to bring this find to the Tyrant Queen herself, and present the jewel and give a full report.<br/><br/>Queen Ellissandra calmly regarded the jewel...more of a crystal, really...which gave off a very faint bluish glow.<br/><br/>"Thank you for bringing this to my attention.  I shall endeavor to find other means to unlock its secrets and, if possible, put them to work for the good of all Amalor.  You shall all three be elevated in rank and given a reward."<br/><br/>"Praise be to you, your majesty!"   The trio then departed, quite pleased with their work, not noticing the worry on the face of their Queen.<br/><br/>"Send for Narina!  At once!"  Elissandra bellowed to one of the guards.<br/><br/>Shortly, Narina appeared through the archway, naked and covered from head to toe in sperm.  "What is it your Highness?  I was just blessing the sacred sperm font when I got your request and..."<br/><br/>"We have a problem.  Do you see this?"  The Tyrant Queen held aloft the jewel.<br/><br/>"Yes, it is gem of some..... No.... that couldn't be...."  Narina looked wide-eyed in recogniton.<br/><br/>"Yes.  It is another.  The sages confirmed it as Second Age.  I had thought we had gotten rid of them all ages ago.  How they work is still as much a mystery now as it was back when Queen Elina took power and united the country."<br/><br/>"Few are aware of them, and fewer yet know of the potential rewards and dangers associated with them."  Narina added, a bit nervously.<br/><br/>"Correct.  That is why I wish for you to take this item to Vassaloth and perhaps see if the Lizardfolk there can provide any further information.  It may take some...convincing....but I'm sure you are able to see it is for the greater good.  I suspect the Lizardfolk that dwell there are distantly related to the great Reptile Men of the Second Age and they may have information deep in their archives relating to these crystals.  It cannot be allowed for these devices to be uncovered by pure chance.  Sooner or later someone will unwittingly..."  The Queen's voice trailed off, thinking about the disappearance ten years ago of Battle-Mistress Klythemnastra, Gymnasthena's sister.<br/><br/>"I completely agree."  the High Priestess continued.  This cannot be left to a regular messenger or agent.  An important task such as this is one I must bear and I shall serve you in this, as in all ways, my Queen."  With a bow, Narina felt the tug of destiny and a measure of uncertainty as well.<br/><br/>"Arrangements will be made.  You shall depart at once."  Elissandra replied, without any hint of emotion.  The queen gave the crystal to her High Priestess and watched her leave, unsure if she would ever be seen again.  It was a gamble in many ways but one that could be well worth it.  In the past, when these crystals had been tampered with it always ended in disaster, but if they could be harnessed they could usher in a new golden age.  That alone was worth the life of a single High Priestess, even if it was one she was fond of.<br/><br/>