At the Royal Estate - a memory gem viewing

Karnivor

Isolde, following a search of Prince Kasimir's chambers by herself and Reyhenna, invites all the Geese, alongside Adrian Fisher, Isaac Thaddeus and Martha Fisher to review the revealed intelligence, stored within three memory gems found on a hidden shelf in the prince's otherwise spartan room.

"Thank you all for coming. I felt it important you each see this for yourself, to understand what lay behind prince Kasimir's actions. These gems were but a few of far more once stored in his room, perhaps habitually recorded. I think you, as I did, will find them shedding light on many things. But do judge for yourselves. The first one must've been recorded not long after our leaving the city."

With that, she activates the first crystal and a ghostlike scene emerges, displaying the royal council's convening:

Kasimir Fisher: Gentlemen. I've come to you...

Wesley Hardin: Lad. Where is the King?

Kasimir Fisher: My brother is currently occupied. At the moment.

Enenan Snydders: "Currently" and "at the moment" mean the same thing, my Prince. What, pray tell, occupies his time?

Kasimir Fisher: Clears throat. The King has appointed me his representative. I am here on his behalf.

Cobin Daedalus: You can't quite sign on his behalf though, can you.

Kasimir Fisher: No, -- no, no that's right, but... I will be taking the documentation for his signature, following this meeting.

Edwin Ashald: And what did the King say, precisely? I mean precisely. Because our understanding, at least my understanding, was that he was to leave matters to the Counsel.

Kasimir Fisher: Yes, ... yes, that's right, to the Counsel. That being said, the King's representative is part of the Counsel.

Wesley Hardin: I don't understand. Are you the King's new Herald? What Master are you?

Kasimir Fisher: I am the Prince. I - I am the Prince, and I am the King's representative. I represent the royal family, here.

Enenan Snydders: Doesn't really have the force of personality that the Princess, or his father, ... or the old Herald has does he... Murmured quietly to Wesley, but the Prince overhears, so the recording catches it

Kasimir Fisher: Eyes Enenan, and straightens in his chair, lifting his chin. Counsellors. I've come to set the agenda, for today's meeting. You'll find all is in order. For our due consideration, here, today...

Edwin Ashald: Interrupts You know, Elizabeth was in the army, and earned her respect, through her strength. King George rallied the people, through the force of his wisdom. What is it you've done exactly, Prince Kasimir? I am curious.

Kasimir Fisher: I am a practiced mage-

Cobin Daedalus: Interrupts, despite his words Go easy on the boy. Shyte, he's the King's delegate after all. I don't see why he can't attend the meetings. Even if the King left matters to us.

General Gom: Drumming fingers on the table Can we get on with it? What's the damn agenda, already? Aren't we supposed to have a Herald for this kind of thing? Come on, what are we supposed to talk about? Boy wonder over here obviously doesn't have much of a clue.

Kasimir Fisher: Eyes flit between the multiple speakers, his mouth contorting into a grimace, until he raises his voice and cuts off Gom Silence. You will be silent, when I speak. You may for all intents and purposes here and now consider me my brother's voice --

Enenan Snydders: Interrupts, again My Prince, with all due respect -- the King's decree, last meeting, was clear. He is leaving the affairs to the Counsel. The Crown is, really, not all that involved in the day to day - not for some time.

Kasimir Fisher: Cheeks flushing red as he's interrupted again - tries to keep talking all the same, despite Enenan's interruption . . . brother's voice, and so, you will give all due respect to my presence here. I am the Crown Prince. This is a grave disrespect, to the monarchy, to your King, --

Wesley Hardin: The Prince's voice is low. Talks over the Prince, not quite hearing him, apparently* -- . . . we have the matter of a new Herald to appoint, don't we?

Edwin Ashald: Yes, that's right. We have a few candidates. Ever since the old one departed, the seat's been vacant, so people have been ...

[The conversation continues, and the Prince trails off.]

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Watches them speak to themselves despite his presence. His expression grows harder and his mouth contorts.

[End of vision.]

Isolde lets the scene fade and potential comments follow, before playing the second recording. Here is a more intimate scene, with only Thalaman and Kasimir in private conversation:

King Thalaman Fisher: Eyes distant, vacant, and worried, hand on his head, slumped over the table.

Kasimir Fisher: Hands steepled, his own eyes focused and frowning, as he actively thinks.

King Thalaman Fisher: She lied to me. Lied to all of us? How? How could she have done it? It's just not possible, not really. The Savarassan Priest - that Baron - Maybe he was mistaken? Maybe Rhodes tampered with the artefact?

Kasimir Fisher: Rotating his jaw, replying, as he clenches his steepled fingers together to knit them properly, holding his fists tightly. He contemplates She almost certainly tampered with them. It is very obviously a strategy to de-stabilize the monarchy and the city. What we need is an outside source to confirm the tampering. Prove to everyone that it's wrong.

King Thalaman Fisher: ... yes. Yes, someone outside the clergy of Savras. Do we know anyone powerful enough to see through the lie?

Kasimir Fisher: Father was a head of the Siamorphan clergy. Scoffs a bit. I could check his books. See if there was anyone he trusted. Someone powerful, hopefully.

King Thalaman Fisher: What if... what if it's shown otherwise? What if there was no tampering?

Kasimir Fisher: It was tampered with. Almost certainly. Everyone recalls our cousin's presence - including at her young age. Besides, even if there's certain doubts, the Siamorphans should be wise enough to steer the course forward for our family. Considering the position we are in.

King Thalaman Fisher: Clutches at his head, fingers threading and pressing as he leans on the table, panic on his voice How is it possible people found out? It was only the Savrassan and I in that room. There must've been a leak! Why did I not take measures to do it safely? Why even do it at all? I am a fool.

Kasimir Fisher: There was most certainly a spy, but quiet now. Enough. We'll fix it. The Siamorphans will come in, reveal the tampering and the lies - on Rhodes' side, and this little problem will be solved, quickly. Kasimir bites his lower lip, and then his thumbnail, nervously. Catches himself before his brother looks up

King Thalaman Fisher: Looks up You're confident? It's not a gamble?

Kasimir Fisher: ... it's... we'll talk to them before. Make sure they don't do anything brash. We'll be sure.

[End of recording]

This time Isolde leaves a longer pause, letting the scene sink in before noting, softly: "The last crystal has two recorded memories on it. Though it's painful to watch, knowing nothing can be altered that's already transpired, we'll view both in succession."

A female courtier with a fairly plain appearance but keen eyes walks briskly next to the prince down City Hall, talking while they move along: Prince Kasimir - following the revelation that the Princess defrauded her way into the royal family, confirmed, as it was, by the Siamorphans the Crown brought in - Do you have any statements? What is your position?

Kasimir Fisher: . . . leave me alone. I'm quite busy.

Courtier: You are aware that many nobles are calling for the King to address the matter formally. He can't ignore it. This is a severe and pressing issue. Do you still call her cousin? What is your expectation with regard to -

Kasimir Fisher: . . . leave me alone. Do you understand me? There was a problem, with the artefact, that the Siamorphans didn't catch.

Courtier: . . . Laughs, suddenly

Kasimir Fisher: Stares at her, stopping outright, as she laughs. . . . you dare, laugh at your Prince?

Courtier: Pardon. My Prince. But without any actual evidence. How can you possibly prove that there was a problem?

Kasimir Fisher: . . . there-

Courtier: Interrupts him - something easily done, it seems, for the young Prince . . . Do you expect people to believe that? To take you seriously, at all? You or your brother? Maybe this monarchy was doomed to fail since the beginning.

Kasimir Fisher: Sneers Watch your words. Woman. That is a treasonous line of thinking.

Courtier: I'm just saying, my Prince - . . . you may have to pretend, . . . until you have proof.

Kasimir Fisher: And how do you suppose I find "proof?"

Courtier: There are powerful magics, my Prince, - local ones, too, . . . capable of ripping apart even the most potent magic. To unravel it. Magic like that - why, you'd be able to restore your cousin's good name, even despite the Savrassan -and- the Siamorphan opinions. That's the sort of magic you'd need, after all, in the face of two entire clergies denouncing her. You 'are' a practiced mage, aren't you?

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Eyes slowly drifting downward as he contemplates, noting, more quietly . . . Somewhat. And who are you, then, to know of such magic?

Courtier: I'm your loyal advisor, my Prince. That is in addition to my role as lorekeeper, historian, and arcanist . . . Is it all that surprising that I know of such magic?

Kasimir Fisher: No. I suppose it isn't. Go on then. Tell me of this magic, that can exhonerate my cousin. So that I might be able to publicly recognize her again.

Courtier: Smiles, eyes on the Prince, as they walk along

[End of the first vision]

[Second and final vision]

Kasimir Fisher: Pouring over various tomes on the table, frowning. The prince seems tired, pale, his hair thin and clutching his temples. Dark bags are under his eyes. His movements and eyes' focus are strained, labored, and sluggish. Still, he reads on - as though captivated by the words on the pages, which seem to almost move on their own.

The door opens. The courtier walks in, carrying three books.

Courtier: I have more for you to read, my Prince. The answers you seek will surely be in these latest tomes. She holds one of them up - the title reading "Zhengyian Blood Magic."

Kasimir Fisher: Muttering under his breath, tiredly and automatic Leave them. I will consult them in due time.

Courtier: I believe you may be ready for this one ... it must contain the answers, my Prince. It is a tome on Blood Magic. What better a way to definitively demonstrate your blood connection?

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Bring it then. Over here.

The courtier lays it before the prince.

Kasimir Fisher: Slowly takes the book, frowning as he looks at the cover. Zhengyi. The witch King, of Vaasa?

Courtier: . . . he has many disciples, though he is long gone. My Prince. I am afraid drastic times may call for drastic measures. You do intend on proving your blood connection, don't you?

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Runs a hand over the cover, his tired and baggy eyes sinking. Slowly opens the cover

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Reads it - his eyes flickering. Almost automatically, then, he flips to a certain page in the book. And reads it. Again, his eyes now drifting left to right, reading the words at a constant pace. Until he flips again to a certain other page in the tome, and reads that, with the same constant pace. After that, he murmurs something unintelligible, and stares blankly forward.

Kasimir Fisher: . . .

Courtier: Clasps hands gently, leaning forward and looking on . . .

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Slowly blinks, and focuses his eyes. He looks at the book before him, and smiles gently.

Kasimir Fisher: . . . Maintains the smile - and straightens his back. He calmly shuts the book, and looks to the courtier.

Courtier: . . . Looking eagerly on, eyes hopeful, hands clasped

Kasimir Fisher: Hello again, Mathilde.

[End of vision.]