Act 3: The Ball - Preparations of War

"Well, when Nadzieja told me we were to travel with you, I wasn't expecting to go on a picnic. Lay it on me."

The more Mihai speaks, the higher Kaja's eyebrows go, and by the time he's finished talking, her mouth is hanging wide open. She's at a loss for words for nearly a minute, until finally, she asks a question. "I don't understand. Why would the Elementals do that?"

Kaja narrows her eyes and frowns. "...I see. And they're so dangerous, you're willing to team up with the people who've kidnapped your friends?"

Segel listens with a grave expression, and stays silent.

Konrad looks Kaja in the eyes and speaks up again. "Yes we are."

"And what would these orbs look like?"

"They're amazing." Konrad lights up a little at the topic. "They are each an amalgam of energy representing the eight elements bound together by a means no one has been able to figure out."

He describes the appearance of a love globule with his hands and talk of the manifestations of the orbs swirling, ebbing, and flowing around each other in a heterogenous mixture, with no physical components. The strength of the magic contained with in, never dissipating.

"The fairies call them 'love globules', because they are able to literally add their feelings for an intended recipient into the orb. And the recipient gets to feel them for himself, when they first use them, or when there's a change in the way the fairy views him. If I had time and mana to spare, I would show you. Unfortunately, we have somewhere else to be, shortly."

"I understand. As long as I know what to watch out for, I think we'll be okay."

The warrior woman ponders this revelation, somewhat disturbed by it. Segel also seems to be in deep reflection, but of a different kind. After all, he already knew most of what he's heard today, except for the part about the Coins.

"Hmm. Good to know. Anything else?"

Kaja now seems pretty calm about this.

Konrad nods. "Yes. We should be close to wrapping up soon. As to where we'll be going tonight: the leader of the Vigilate is supposed to be commanding the duchess' allied troops. We'll be kidnapping him tonight, and seeing if we can commit a little sabotage on the side. No doubt you have heard about the curfew and the lockdown. That is part of the coup as well. We're in disguise because Evander wants to see us, since we managed to resolve the conflict with the flying snake from the forest."

He gives Kaja the names of the folks in charge of the defense: the ones whom they met with "Julia" at their secret meeting. Then, the Myrzen mage outlines the plan that they agreed upon, and the total number of combatants on both sides, slipping in a straight-faced albeit flattering comment about how the elites should help them even the odds. But, just in case, the party hopes to ask another third party to get involved, which he does not name.

"IF we secure their help, we'll let you know when we see you again tomorrow. Lastly, there is just one detail we haven't quite agreed upon, on our end. Once you're smuggled into the Grand Ward, which way do you feel is best to reach the island? Some of us thought we would send you by boat. There's also the possibility of a frontal assault from the gates, or swimming. Both to which I am not partial..."

"Wait a minute," Kaja says, raising a hand to stop Mihai from talking further. "You also spoke to the serpent? And it's friendly?"

"We're hoping it will still be feeling grateful for our help."

Kaja whistles. "You're moving up in the world. No wonder Nadzieja sent us with you."

"Won't she mind that you'll be meddling with another country's affairs?" Segel asks.

"I guarantee you that, had she known about this, she would have sent even more warriors with us." With a confident smirk, the Myrzen woman crosses her arms and says, "So, how about you show us those maps and tell us more about our part in it?"

"Your part of the plan isn't particularly complicated but it depends on if we are able to secure Elt's help or not. If we are able to secure the feathered serpent's help, you should be able to walk through the front gate, invisible to all others. If not, you'll be crossing the river and proceeding to the cliffs here."

Steve points to the appropriate point on the map. "Using climbing gear, you and your unit will scale the cliff and enter the palace grounds. This is where the two plans converge. We'll need you to keep out of sight until the fighting starts, where you'll hopefully be able to make a difference. We don't really know what will happen at the party, but we do have a communicator for you that will let us communicate once the action starts, so don't be surprised if we need some backup.

"The river crossing is one of the trickier parts, as all boat traffic has been banned. Perhaps you could swim it? Um, that's as far as we've gotten, any ideas on your part are more than welcome."

"The water is too cold at this time of year to swim. Maybe if we had the right gear, but... no, we don't have time for that." Kaja examines the maps for a moment. "Boats. That's the only way to get across. We'll go under the cover of darkness, and if that rain continues until tomorrow, then I think we'll have a good chance to get in undetected. And if you can get that serpent of yours to help us, then all the better. When's that second-in-command supposed to come?"

"Marius will be here in the morning to get you into the Grand Ward without being seen, as they prepared."

"Can he arrange for the boats too?"

The black mage shrugs. "No idea, you'll need to ask him yourself."

"And the communicator?"