It takes something special to gather a crowd to a random field at the edge of Duskshire. Something truly out of the ordinary, not seen every day: an extremely big radish, for example, or a barn that warrants commentary. Neither of those things are why this crowd has assembled.

A hastily assembled bandstand has been set up, and behind it, a tent. Presumably, the attraction is within that tent. Word has spread around the Oathlands that today, Princess Katarina al'Muraq-Sabbat, heir to the throne of the Dune Kingdom of Suj'abbat, the City of Veils, is to speak to her people. Not just the Suj'abbati settlers in the region (of which the Oathlands have many), but the Eurusi settlers at large. Because of this, a sizable crowd has gathered. There are Eurusi men, women, and children. They dress in a variety of fashions and appear to come from a variety of social stations, from farmhands to courtiers. Some groups of Eurusi are clearly families. There are also Arvani mixed in: lookie-loos curious about what's going on, and in much rarer cases, Arvani who seem to have fit themselves in with the Eurusi.

What these people may not know, but what the nobles and well-connect of Arvum likely DO know, is that 'Katarina al'Muraq-Sabbat' is the birth name of Princess Katarina Valardin, and that she claims to be the heir to the throne of the City of Veils. But: as far as anyone can tell, she's supposed to be in Sanctum right now. Not here, in a field in Duskshire.

The noise of the crowd is the noise that crowds make. A middle-aged, slender, well-dressed Eurusi man slips out of the tent and stands at the bandstand. He raises his hands to settle the crowd as much as raising his hands will accomplish. When she speaks, he speaks in accented Arvani, and his words are followed by whispers in the crowd, of people translating into Eurusi for their neighbors. "Everyone, everyone, thank you, thank you, please settle -- the moment is nearly upon us. It is my honor and my privilege to introduce to you the woman who has survived storm-tossed seas, who has braved hunger and escaped death, the woman who will lead us in this place until it is time for her to lead us back to our home... Queen Katarina al'Muraq-Sabbat, Ruler of the City of Veils...!" The crowd goes quiet as the man steps back toward the tent, to open its flap so that someone can emerge...

Quenia is friends with the Valardin. Heck, she's even friends with Katarina! The woman lived in her house for a small while! So when news travels that Katarina is going to be speaking to others about something, it's possibly piqued Quenia's curiosity just enough to maybe travel wherever she goes to hear her out, particularly if it has to do with Eurusi stuff. Not that Quenia can speak Eurusi herself, so she's at a bit of a disadvantage here. But here she is, one of those nobles who is one of those lookie-loos who actually knows Princess Katarina Valardin, and wants to know what she has to say.

Veronica visits Duskshire now and then for one thing or another. Her uncle Norwood runs it after all. She also just spoke to Katarina before leaving this last time, so it seems rather odd that her patron would be in the same place she was herself going, giving a speech of all things? Also this Katarina isn't using her Valardin surname, which is odd. She has turned up, an Arvani among the Eurusi, to see what there is to see.

The tall old man with snow-white hair and a strikingly deep and long scar running the middle of his face steps up to the front of the crowd, a little hunched over in his dark and drab leathers, using a uniquely carved bone cane to help him guide his way through the crowd. On his cloak is a pin for the Crimson Blades and on his shoulders is what appears to be wood dust and shavings. Some might know him as that old weird guy that has been fixing up the Duskshire keep, others might recognize the marbled cat that lays across his shoulders with its tail hanging lazily over his right shoulder with an occasional wisp at his beard. With a odd accent that sounds Avarni, though has hints of Eurusi and some shav dialects mixed within his vowels, "Just, get out of the way, look you get to my age you can be cranky too. Though, you're too young right now to be this cranky. My eyes ain't what they used to be... Yes, that's a frying pan. Now stop touching it."

Kiera likewise comes to see what has drawn the princess off her expected course. while not best of friends or family with the princess, they are friends enough to have traveled in the same company and have been in confidence several times and woulf likely count as the valardin royal with whom she is most acquainted despite her being a true native of eurus

Emma has arrived on horse, and it's from the saddle of her mount that she watches the show, remaining outside the bulk of the crowd so as not to spook the beast. As to why she's here? She's Valardin: there's more than a handful of reasons she might be present, but judging from the barest hint of a cold frown that tenses her brow, it might be surmised that she's here to do some serious *judging* of all this apparent chicanery. Hands gloved in thin leather rest lightly on her horse's reins, and a glint of diamondplate twinkles from the vambraces overlaying her silk tunic as she turns to remark lightly to a Valardin knight -- also on horseback -- within talking distance, "Suj'Abbati perversity on display, I reckon." She takes a sniffy breath inwards as she turns her head back to the tent, which is matches by an equally imperious huff from her horse.

Alis was no doubt a little confused by rumor that 'Princess Katarina' was both going to be speaking in Duskshire, and be in Sanctum at the same time. So here she is, arriving with several others so that she might witness the speech about to take place. Impatient, of course, because what the heck Kat!

Raimon's interest is significantly more prosaic. If Katarina is Katarina and is -the- Katarina that survived the voyage, then -this- Katarina knows things well worth knowing about seagoing voyages to places this Katarina has been (from) and any mariner would love to met that Katarina in question. Especially if this Katarina is going back, as the crowd infers. And if this Katarina is not Katarina but is yet almost-Katarina then seeing this not-Katarina and how she became not-Katarina might shed some light on what exactly happened to the Lost of the Tydes. Either way, it's a bit of a puzzle and Raimon's brain is all warmed up from puzzling out the puzzles that Kiera had led him onto. So. He's here.

Only some of the crowd actually recognize the likes of the royalty and nobility amongst them. Alis, Emma, and Raimon receive bows and curtsies from those who do realize that there's a /Highlord/ in this field with them, but for the most part, people keep their distance and whisper and point, as is proper for dealing with celebrities.

the woman billed not just as Princess Katarina, but as /Queen/ Katarina emerges from the tent, and... well. She is /not/ Katarina Valardin. This woman is tall, with a slender and elegant shape to her that's completely at odds with the short-limbed adopted sister of Alis. Her hair is midnight black, flowing in waves, and her eyes are a piercing shade of amethyst. She wears what might be described as 'royalty on a budget' couture. Her clothes are refined and gorgeous, but the materials are a far cry from what one expect to see a Queen in... no luxury brocade or honeysilk for her. She wears a gauzy, see-through veil, different in style from Katarina Valardin's. When she emerges and lifts both of her open palms to the crowd, the applause is instant and deafening, as the crowd that had just been silenced by the master of ceremonies comes right back to life and then some.

Norwood drops just a random bone.

Zakhar takes just a random bone.

Zakhar drops just a random bone.

So, there it is. This woman is very clearly not the Katarina that Veronica Keaton was expecting, and her brows immediately furrow while the crowd goes wild. She eyes the cheering people around her, then this 'Queen' up ahead--something is obviously amiss, but how best to approach it? For now, she'll listen. There's still supposed to be a speech.

Alis is somewhere near Emma of course. Definitely. And when Katarina appears, her expression is on priceless display to the other princess and to the other knights surrounding them. A mixture of befuddlement, mild irritation and -loads- of 'what the actual fuck'. "Who is that?" she hisses. "Is that supposed to be Kat? That's not Kat!" There may be teeth grinding as she grips the reins of her horse before Sir Rhys (no doubt fearing that he will fail in the 'do not let anything happen to my wife if you know what's good for you' mission he always received from Fiachra) clamps a hand down on her arm and gives his head a single shake. Stay. Good Highlord.

Katarina takes just a random bone.

Zakhar stares at the would be queen and shakes his head declaring loudly to those around him, "Nope. Whatcha cheering for? If that's the Nob's Princess Katarina then Shekies (the cat on his shoulders) is also Katarina!" He taps the bone cane upon the edge of the stage, "Hey! Liars! Yeah, you!"

Merek walks along and finds a place to listen, he had come to listen and to learn about what this is all about, having heard rumors about the Katarina. Which Kat? That Kat. The man wears a longcoat about him while he checks the place and watches Zakhar speak.

To those who curtsy and bow, Emma nods courteously, though given the weirdness of the show, it might come off a little distracted. The cheering crowd has her and the Valardin knight -- who we will now call Alain, because why not -- dismounting their horses. The beasts are well-trained enough not to buck their riders off at a bit of loud jubilation, but still... best to be safe rather than sorry. Emma and Alain hold the reins of their horses, with the Princess turning to Highlord with a light lift of eyebrows. "Indeed. I'll wager it's a deception designed to garner coin." She frowns then, "A shoddy one at that."

Raimon figures that when someone hurls shouts of "Hey! Liars! Yeah, you!" at a stage full of politicians and courtiers one is -bound- to have those slings and arrows of approbation sent toward some very genuine and valid targets. I mean: politicians who -aren't- liars? But those accosted with verbal slings and arrows might well be motivated to reply with more substantial ones made of -actual wood- and -actual iron-. Not-good. Having spied the wounded war vet with the Crimson Blades pin earlier, Raimon knows the man is legit. -That one- has faced some -actual- arrows and lived to be old. Raimon strides forward through the crowd to back up the old man. He stands just behind and to the left of the old fellow, a familiar position for any who've stood in a Shield Wall at any time in their lives. Raimon stands by . . . 'just in case.'

Kiera raises a brow . Of course she and her fellow valardins are well aware this is not katarina, but what of the euris, lying is the stock in trade of the eurisi. are they all onto it. Are they expected to know. Is it common for eurisi to speak through proxy. Do only those from sujjabat practice subterfuge. all questions to be answered. this could well be a case of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

'Queen Katarina' is about to speak, when Zakhar's outburst garners attention. He is, after all, a strange man whacking a bunch of bone against the stage and making a fuss. When he calls out 'liars,' Queen Katarina's amethyst eyes turn upon Zakhar, and she tilts her head to stare at him for a moment... in amusement.

"He calls me a liar," Queen Katarina says to the crowd, "which tells me that even here, Suj'abbat is renowned~." Her voice has the same accent as Katarina Valardin's, the same almost-musical cadence that comes from the emphasis placed on 'wrong' syllables in her pronunciation and the same flattened and bent vowel sounds.

The little joke garners some laughs. Those close to the Valardin royalty look at them as if trying to snoop without making it obvious that they're listening -- angry royals are a thing that a crowd of Eurusi probably want to pay attention toward.

"I am Katarina al'Muraq-Sabbat," the tall woman on the bandstand says. "Soul of Bosa, Rightful Bearer of the Crest of Alel-ar, She Who Sings the Song of Mehahnaba, Appointed Lie-Chancellor of Riyataq Prefecture, and Queen of Veils, Who Sits Upon the Throne of Veils, Ruler of the Dune Kingdom of Suj'abbat~." She pauses a moment after reciting this list of titles. "My parents, the King and Queen, perished in the Dune Emperor's invasion, and I would have perished as well had I not fled. Like all of you, I find myself here: a woman without a home, a daughter without a parent, a spirit disconnected from the future I thought would embrace me."

Veronica spots Alis through the murmurs of the crowd and makes her way in that direction while this 'Katarina' continues speaking. She'll offer a nod of greeting to the princess, and her companion, before turning back towards the ongoing speech and the older man making an immediate confrontation. Truth be told, that impulse is in her as well, and it shows in the forward set of her jaw. But she's trying for a minimum of patience--angry crowds are dangerous things.

"She sounds like she's from the same region." Alis murmurs to those closest to her, simply out of familiarity with her sister's way of speaking. "Laurene, would you write down all those titles for me?" she adds, glancing over towards the nearby adjutant. "There is a too much of a crowd here to make a scene; she might even be counting on it. No, I want to first make sure our Kat is safe - word sent back immediately to Sanctum. And, people who can fit in with the crowd to keep an eye on this woman claiming to be Queen Katarina." All spoken in quiet tones; not because she isn't angry. But because she's -really- angry.

Merek thinks about it, it doesn't look like it's the Katarina he knows, going by words. But it does by all other appearance. That's what makes the situation pretty interesting. He takes notes while he watches, not mentioning anything at the moment.

To Alis and Veronica, Emma speaks a little more quietly, as though she's aware as well that getting a crowd whipped up right now would not be optimal. Almost casually, she reflects, "Someone once told me that the best lies are mingled with a pinch of truth. Perhaps her parents did perish." The princess lifts a gloved hand to stroke soothingly along the neck of her horse. "Not that I'm sure what relevance such an observation has presently. Whatever the case, it's a good idea of yours to ascertain that the real Katarina is safe before we make any hasty decisions." A drawing down of Emma's brow hints that she'd very much like to do something hasty, such as arresting this mysterious pretender, but she's being disciplined anyway.

Zakhar looks around at the crowd for a moment before returning to the stage with his retort to the Queens jesting for his dislike of her being the heiress to the throne. The old man mutters to the crowd, then back to the stage with "Little birds can get caught in the webs of a spider unless they remember about the snake beneath them. What say you of this? Or shall you simply declare that all spiders are dangerous to never be trusted?"

Zakhar says in Eurusi, "Will you believe that what one person tells you that this is who you seek? Do none of you have the power to see the lie?""

Tris, a Kite of the Cloudspine arrives, delivering a message to Zakhar before departing.

Zakhar checks dexterity and dodge at easy. Zakhar is successful.

"Sir, this is probably not the best way to handle the situation," Merek mentions then to Zakhar, while he takes a look to fake-Katarina, who is most definitely stirring up the people, who are now being stirred in another way by Zakhar. The man sighs while he scratches his cheek a bit, "I'm just going to... Step over here," he settles to the side and takes more notes, beginning to write about the accent, about the details of words spoken, yes, need to piece it together.

Kiera takes her journal out of her backpack. gods does she go anywhere without one. She starts to ttake notes. She seems also to be counting on her. What in arvum is she doing. One..a beat ..and but the more important for kiera. Is what in arvum is zakhar doing. Given the bizarre nature of words , he may know more than he does, but now her eyes have too many places for her to look. zak...the would be pricess. the crowd. ultimately the third as the most likely avenue of danger gets priority .

Zakhar's second interruption of the so-called Queen's speech doesn't go as smoothly as the first one did. Queen Katarina almost continues speaking: "We find ourselves strangers here, but we have no choice but to continue--"

Queen Katarina cuts herself off as the crowd begins to make angry noises. Those who are close by Zakhar are attempting to shout him down in Eurusi and shove him. The tall, slender Queen Katarina steps over. "Please, stop, if he is angry we will listen, we will try to understan--"

At that moment, a big rock comes flying out of somewhere in the crowd, in the hopes of braining Zakhar. It misses the old man and, because Queen Katarina is starting to kneel down at the edge of the stage next to him, it comes /very/ close to hitting the Queen. She loses her balance and falls backward onto her butt.

Things get hairier from there. "The old man!" Someone calls. "He knocked over the Queen!"

Raimon doesn't know what Zak is doing either. But Zak is the one who is clearly telling the truth, and so he's the one that must be defended. People who tell the truth tend to know that people who tell the truth tend to get stabbed by people who tend not to. (Just a little pattern Rai's noticed.) So Raimon stays nearby to guard him from stabbings. The odd potato, turnip or random bone shouldn't do too much harm tho. Those are fine. Rocks and surging mobs are ... less fine. Still, Truth is Truth, and Truth gets defended.

Merek thinks about it a moment, while he places the book up. The man walks forward and lifts up both hands to adjust his gloves, "Alright." He then points to the crowd in general, "You all, you can keep listening to this woman if you like, or if you don't want to, that as well. But please don't throw things at hecklers. And no one knocked down the Queen! She is, looking upon him, to address him. She has decided simply that seat is more comfortable."
He will defend truth, but he also will defend not wanting people to get mob rioted. He does seem to think, looking from beneath the hood to Zakhar, then he takes a look to the Queen, "Tell me, Your Highness. How have you been since last we met?" He's met Katarina, half-truths used in a situation like this to a recipitent who has to play along, it seems that he's trying to work it about.

Veronica checks perception and survival at daunting. Veronica marginally fails.

Alis checks command and intimidation at hard. Alis is successful.

Merek checks charm and diplomacy at hard. Merek marginally fails.

Emma checks command and leadership at hard. Emma is successful.

"Oh for the love of Gloria." Alis can't actually scrub at her face because of metal gauntlets. But she can sigh, and she does so. Loudly. Not as loudly as what happens when she deliberately pulls on Sir Summerwinds reigns and has him rear back to grab the attention of the crowd. A destrier posing, and then her voice ringing out into the crowd. "THERE WILL BE NO VIOLENCE HERE TODAY. I /COMMAND/ IT." There should be a good many who recognize her. But even for those who don't, she bears a family signet ring and is quite visibly dragon themed in her armor.

As the rock is thrown and the cry goes up, Veronica whirls--not to look at the 'Queen', but to scan the crowd around and behind, trying to spot the thrower. It's difficult of course, but she's wary of others making a similar attempt, while the royals exert a calming presence, or at least one scarier and louder than everyone else present.

Emma peers through the crowd towards the man at the stage who is currently getting pelted. Her eyebrows raise up before she murmurs, "That's... ugh, by the Gods." She turns to Alain and hands him the reins of her horse, then pushes as gently through the crowd as she can; careful but firm presses of her hands on shoulders and arms. To those who might be ready to tear Zak a new bumhole, she raises her voice, cool and commanding and brooking no disagreement. "Let that man go. Anyone who harms him will be subject to my disapproval." She does not yet place her hands to the scabbard of her sword.

Emma adds, "Hand him over to me."

Kiera checks charm and diplomacy at hard. Kiera marginally fails.

Zakhar has a silly little grin under the snow-white beard as the rock misses him. It's as if he incited this on purpose to see what the reaction would be. As the crowd attempts to protect their would be queen and then turn on him, he's looking for an exit, as a hand sneaks to his vest and pulls out... oh goodie, the bent out of shape, tinted with quite a bit of...blood, spoon. The spoon that has songs written about it, though will those here in Duskshire know the songs? /Probably not./ Though with spoon wielded, a grin, and a look of no fucks given, he's in mid declaration, "Come at m --" Then he turns to the clear and noticeable voice through the crowd, with a new smirk, and a waving the spoon in the air over his head, and a gruff soldiers voice in perfect Avarni, "Hiya Emmie! Want some soup?" He then looks at the spoon as if this means something to her.

Kiera tries to speak to the crowd to calm them but she does not posseses the calm or the carriage of voice that Ailis does "You came here to listen to this woman speak. She appears uninjured so listen to her" she says though its doubtful people tossing words about

Emma checks composure at normal. Emma is successful.

Queen Katarina is indeed uninjured. Merek and Kiera are successful in directing people's anger away from Zakhar... with the unfortunate side effect of directing it toward themselves. Angry members of the crowd are yelling at the two of them in Eurusi, with the gist of their complaints seeming to be 'get away from the Queen of Veils.'

Queen Katarina looks to Merek at his question, and seems confused by it. "We have never met before," she says, as she pushes herself up to her feet.

Just then, Alis and Emma charge in, and by sheer force of will make the crowd disperse a bit. This is a good thing, in that no one is likely to throw any more rocks. But the way the people scatter, the message is clear: they /fear/ the royals. If Veronica had had any chance to finding whoever threw the rock, it's now dashed, because people are literally dashing away.

Queen Katarina stands on the stage, looking to Emma, and then to Alis. It takes her a moment to process who the woman must be, and then Queen Katarina pinches the corners of her gown to curtsy gently. "Your Grace... thank you."

Veronica looks...a bit startled by the sudden dispersal of the crowd. She expected some degree of quieting, she did not expect...fear? Admittedly, Katarina herself was almost the only Eurusi she'd personally met before now, but this is not what she expected. Once again her brow is furrowed, though for slightly different reasons. She turns back to the stage then, to approach behind Alis and Emma once more, silent.

Now that things have calmed a little, Alis seems better equipped to also approach the situation rationally. "You are welcome." she replies initially, watching this Katarina's mannerisms with a vaguely assessing manner. "There should be no violence towards those who peacefully gather. I am glad that the situation was taken in hand before someone was hurt." Warmth reaches her smile when she nods her thanks to those who helped make sure it was so. "You should be aware that you are not the only person claiming to be Katarina al'Muraq-Sabbat. And that since you are within the Oathlands, your safety becomes my responsibility until the matter it settled. I will assign knights to assist with your security unless you object, though I hope you will see this as an overture of peace."

Emma focuses her sharp eyes on Zakhar, staring at him plainly and not without a little bit of a frown. "Since we have long known each other, I shall allow you that familiarity, Goodman." As for soup, she doesn't comment on that; though she does give the spoon an narrow-eyed look. After giving a distracted nod to the 'Queen' Katarina, the blonde tuns back to Zakhar and says, "Follow me over there." An upnod is given to an area of field away from the crowd. "I would speak with you."

Merek looks then to Katarina, and lifts up a brow in thought, while he will keep his notebook with him. People being upset with him, that means little to the man while he takes a moment to walk along and listen to everything and take notes.

Not many have seen the old man look wounded, let alone to live to tell about it. Though this will be a rarity of those times. As Emma speaks to him he looks sheepishly at the spoon in his hand, slowly running his thumb over the bent up well of the spoon. Then kicking lightly at the dirt and looking back up as if he's suddenly reverted several years in one statement from the Princess. "Aye Princess." He gives a quick look to those around him, and the fleeing crowd. A quick recognition, or what appears to possibly be a familiar response to the chaos that /could be said/ to be his fault. /it is/ and he's still smiling about it a bit. "Over there then?" He'll follow Emma without much question.

Raimon notes that the requirements for protecting elderly 'Truth - Sayers' from mobs of 'Dune - folk' seem to have abated, quite thankfully. Raimon relaxes a bit, takes off his helm, and seeks out Kiera to see what she makes of all of this . . .

Despite the clipped nature of her tone, Emma claps a gloved hand on Zakhar's shoulder, giving him an almost gentle guiding push to direct him away from the thinning crowd. With an impassive expression, she murmurs something to him in casual tone. "Take heart, soldier. I'm not leading you to your execution." And then when she's led him to stand on the earth out of hearing distance, she folds her arms and looks at him with a scrutinizing look. "Good to see you, Zak, but I do wonder to what ends you would incite a riot."

Kiera gives a small sigh of relief as the crowd backs of which lasts only a minute as she notes the looks on their faces. she puts hrt hands up and walks in the opposite direction of the crowd without hesitation

Queen Katarina stands and listens to Alis as the Highlord of the Oathlands speaks. She carries herself with a totally different bearing than Alis's sister, but perhaps that's to be expected from someone nine inches taller. Even so, there's something more... regal, really, about /this/ Katarina. She seems to play the part of a royal much more effortlessly than Katarina Valardin.

"I am aware," Queen Katarina says, lifting her veiled chin slightly. She keeps all displeasure out of her tone, but it's right there in that subtle cant of her head. "The history of Suj'abbat is full of pretenders, Your Grace. I can bear someone no ill will for seeing the opportunity and taking it. Your generosity in providing protection for me is truly appreciated, and I accept your offer~."

This is why Alis is still on her horse (of course), to make up for some of that height difference. Ahem. "Yes, I'm aware of the practices of your people. So I am sure you understand that this will make a somewhat difficult investigation." she allows, her own expression remaining polite although there is obviously an underlying irritation to it as well. "I thank you for allowing our hospitality and protective nature to extend to you, then. I will leave two trusted knights from the retinue that accompanied us, to remain with you." In fact, while she's been speaking Sir Rhys has already tapped two of them and they step forward, saluting the Princess and their direct superior before taking positions nearby to the woman calling herself Queen Katarina.

"They can send word back to me at any time, if there is something that needs to be addressed and you request it of them. But otherwise they will not interfere in anything other than matters of your direct safety." Naturally, they will report everything they see and hear though.

Veronica checks perception and empathy at daunting. Veronica fails.

Zakhar laughs lightly to Emma, "This? That's not a riot. Just a few very spirited people. Put them into a pub and it's a Tuesday." He continues to speak to her though in a hushed tone for only her ears while looking back to the would be Queen.

Veronica remains watchful, wary, standing with her arms at her sides. No visible hostility, but not exactly as welcoming as the high lord. She studies the Queen as she speaks, seems to hang on her every word, analyzing, looking for...anything, some flaw, or crack, that would tell her who to believe. She finds nothing, and cannot keep a tiny frown from forming at the edges of her mouth. But she'll keep her manners.

Merek checks perception and empathy at daunting. Merek fails.

Kiera checks perception and empathy at daunting. Kiera is successful.

Away from the immediate sight of the Queen and those gathered around said Fake-Katarina, Emma offers a very light but wry smile to Zakhar. It's actually tinted with some grudging humour, despite her face's constant and unintentional propensity of being of the marble-hewn variety. She then nods to him as he shares something with her, her features turning serious as she listens to the words he speaks. She replies to him in equal hush. Whisper whisper. How conspirational.

Queen Katarina's amethyst eyes look out at the field that, mere moments ago, held an excited crowd, and then they fix on the guards who step forward. "It is truly my honor, Your Grace," she says. "For the time being, I plan to remain in the Oathlands, where so many of my people have settled. I will speak to them... hopefully more successfully than this attempt... and attempt to provide them with something that is often lost in flight across oceans: pride. From pride will come purpose, and from purpose will come effort... effort to uplift this new home, to work with our neighbors and our hosts. There will be some, like myself, who strive to one day return home. But there will be many who stay. I must prepare them just as well as the ones who will opt to set sail~."

Alis gives a single incline of her head. "I understand." is said simply, with no give 'way to help determine whether she believes this Katarina is who she says she is or not. "The Oathlands welcomes the innocent who seek refuge, and will do whatever we can to help in the building of new lives. With no ill will towards those who will eventually wish to return home." That said, she allows her destrier to canter back a step or two with a deft twitch of the reigns. "I am certain we will speak again soon." she adds, with another of her polite smiles before she and her small retinue turn to leave the area. No doubt to head towards Sanctum immediately.

Kiera merely slides her hand to her chin and silently sidling next to Rain as her brow furrows

Merek will keep on taking notes while watching, and nods a bit to people, "Well, it looks like... That's enough for the time being." Not a lot that he can do while he thinks.

Veronica steps back as well, still unspeaking. Her eyes study the new 'Queen' for one moment longer, then she bows briefly, and turns away to depart. She should probably go tell Norwood who's camping out on his lands, among other things.

Zakhar takes hand rolled papyrus with a plump belly of haze from Double wrapping sea serpent engraved leather weapons belt.

Zakhar continues a mostly hushed conversation with Emma. Turning to look at the would be queen, then pulling his head wrap off to fish a prerolled smoke from the inside of it. Lighting the smoke and taking a couple of puffs off of it before continuing the conversation with Emma in between held breaths and long plumes of the blue haze.

Zakhar mutters, "... someone to ... willing to lie in such a ... they would have ... have either ... ... ... board and several decks up their sleeves or ... crazy enough to think that ... can convince everyone around them ... they are the ... thing. Treading ... ... sense, ... what better way to do that than ... remove the crowd first?"

Raimon remains next to Kiera, placing his bets that if anyone can chart a path through this chaos, it's the Truth-Seekr . . . and neither does his faith go unrewarded, as the Lady Wyvernheart seems to have been the first to penetrate at least the outermost level of lies. These things usually have layers though... layers upon layers. Time will tell!