Esstrey, along with many other officials had all been called to the keep to discuss a crisis, the price of bread was skyrocketing, and the death of trade saw a oable and prosperous ey ground to a halt. Mass-migration from farms pouhe various problems, as the farmers seek refuge from roamis. Desertion rate among the now unpaid troops was... loarently, deserting isn't very entig when you have both o desert to, and the threats your people face is quite monstrous. There have been some deserters that made it to Malencia from surrounding vassals of the kingdom, who were surprised at the low casualty rates of the duchy. Apparently, when you don't really lose a lot of troops to monstrous attacks because the enemy baes are sistently purged by demons people don't desert that muot that a the inner circles of the duchy knows or o know that.

  The head-honcho's of the paranormal division weren't invited, most likely on probation after their anti the capital. Esstrey wasn't held under suspi for any of those as, because Cathy is a little better at c tracks than whatever the other's cook up. It also helped that Esstrey was capable of social navigation, especially around snobs that believe they are the greatest. Said snobs were currently sputtering their inane idea's to save a city under siege, not quite uanding that it will be their heads mounted on spikes if the situation tinues. Apparently the Faerune Kingdom hasn't e uhreat in so long that it's vassals have fotten how to deal with the problems now that shit has hit the farey isn't heartlessly watg it all happen, of course, she caused this.

  "I believe this situation will blow over with a show of force from the military, our troops haven't been having much trouble keeping the e bay." As much as Esstrey really wants to help, words like that are spouted from pears to be one of the highest-ranking officers in Malencia. Perhaps she overestimated the military here after meeting dell and Rowan. One of the highest-ranking officers saying he fix a hurike with military force has to be one of the stupidest thirey has ever heard.

  "We should divert troops to guard the caravans instead, aart trade! There is no way this city will st without fresh imports, I heard a caravan came in from the west a couple of days ago if I am not mistaken." A slightly more educated take from a mert, but the woman iio realize that that specific package came with liters of stamina potions for outrunning everything out there, and that's not eveioning all the other problems.

  "Nay, that is not sustainable, we should focus our efforts on strug growable areas within the walls, this pce is the only safe pce from what's out there! Perhaps even a rger walled area, using refugees as fuel for the struy people would be willing to bor for this." Esstrey pauses for a bit at that, not actually a terrible idea ing from one of the vassals of Eliana that had fled from a farmer vilge that provided food. With such a policy Malencia could potentially hold out until the Kingdom as a whole arrives to relieve this siege with some luck, but luck isn't in the cards for this world, and the man's standing with the others clearly isn't great as he receives scathing looks from his city-born terparts. This method would see Malencia stagnate as its aim bees survival, and is also a direct threat to both the army and the ey as both would be stretched and focused on maintaining its own life. Perhaps a more radical option with clearer bes is required to sway these hotheads?

  "The paranormal division offer two safe trading partners, and four additional sources for troops to defend Malencia with. As for a solution for food, well... the entire forest outside Malencia was effectively turned into meat. Just because the berry bush has no more berries, doesn't remove the fact that it's edible. Not to worry, as long as you do it raw you should be fine, I checked." Esstrey receives various stares of intense disgust as she makes her presence quite known. The officer especially as he heard how she had ordered one of the human-mutants to be delivered to her personally, and the troops were already making wild bets what the monstrous woman from the paranormal division was cooking.

  "Doctor, do you believe these trading partners would be safe?" Eliana looks at the mermaid suspiciously, but so far reizes that Esstrey offers the only good option. The old duke of Malencia had drilled a lot of old teags about rulership to Eliana, starving people rebelling was one of those. Apparently those specific teags were inspired by the first Rin revolution, which ultimately failed to do anything but bring about the end of the Rin Empire, which was s it was actually poised to strike at Faerune.

  "I have faith that the paranormal division keep their end of the bargain, I am merely ed with the respoo our trading partners. We will not be able to hide their existence from the weak-minded popuce." Military officials present are suspicious to the mermaid doctor's iions, but the religious individuals simply believe she speaks of some historical enemy of Malencia. They aren't pletely wroher, there are very few nations who haven't been wronged by demons, eldrittities, or the undead at some poirey herself couldn't give two flying shits about some 'disaster' or 'massacre' from turies ago, humans do that all the time.

  "Fihen, I will inform some loyal men to aid you, you will be granted a bnk check with my seal on it. I'm certain it doesn't o be said, but do not disappoint me doalencia has enough issues, and the reliability of our most flexible force ot be brought in that set of issues." As much as it sounds like a threat to the entire room, it isn't a threat to either Eliana or Esstrey. The duchess simply only hope that the assets uo Malencia are what will pull it through, while Esstrey knows enough about courts to know that the duchess is her only ally in this room. A bnk check with the duchess's seal on it... such favor is already drawing the ire of envious eyes.

  "My thanks duchess, I will order my retio act immediately then, ta-ta!" A small cheeky wave is added at the end by Esstrey, openly daring said envy to act. They would probably tell the duchess how a mere doctor 't be trusted once she leaves, and how she would use the bnk check for her personal gains.

  Prickly

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