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Naoki’s ears flatten against the top of her head, visibly wincing as the vase shatters against the wall. However, she remains silent, sitting there placidly on the loveseat. Silently, Naoki resolves to have a discussion with Renaux about this matter at a later date. In her opinion, Camilla deserved to have this information sooner, regardless of Renaux's reasoning on the matter.

In response to Camilla’s next question, Naoki shakes her head, gravely indicating the negative. “I know next to nothing of the circumstances surrounding Evrand’s death. None of the refugees I’ve spoken with knew what role he played, or anything specific regarding his fate.”

Figuring it best not to give Camilla a few moments to organize her thoughts and perhaps clean the blood off her hands, Naoki continues to sit silently, waiting to either be addressed again or for Camilla to regain some measure of composure.

"They have a powerful weapon in their possession," she countered as evenly as she could. "Destroy the weapon and you win the war. I was on my way to do that very thing when it fell into the wrong hands. I failed." Her voice had flattened to a monotone. "Because of my failure, many people lost their lives. Regardless of your reasons for wanting Goraia to fall... You must destroy that weapon or they will use it to kill more people." She paused for a moment as another cramp took her breath, her fingers moving to rub at her baby bump.

After several breaths could be taken, she settled her hands in her lap, her eyes still dark with the anger she had under control as best as she could. "I will not cooperate unless you destroy the weapon. and don't get caught up in the power of the scepter because it will be your undoing too."

She suddenly felt very tired, wanting nothing more of this business but knowing she couldn't just walk away. "The circle never ceases to end, Milady. First Croeria, my ancestor, then centuries later the madness overtook my own father, and now this power hungry nation and they are fools if they believe they will e the last if that source of power yet exists. Do you know the real story of what happened long before Medan fell?"

Shrugging slightly, Naoki nods. She’s aware of the powerful weapon in place at Stonevale. But at the same time, she doesn't seem overly concerned by it. Whether this confidence is genuine and well informed, false, or founded upon a less than complete understanding of the weapon’s capabilities is left to one’s interpretation.

As Emahra chimes in, Naoki nods in affirmation, but feels it necessary to add, “Well, that, and I would like to put a stop to the slavery and blatant disrespect of the citizens.”

After pausing for a moment, she elaborates, “I will be frank in that the primary reason I intend to undertake this venture is a concern of human rights.The government that is currently in place is one that enslaves and rapes its citizens, presents young ladies as ‘gifts’ to their superiors, forces its people to work in mines, and generally speaking, affords its citizens no rights.” Though Naoki attempts to maintain composure, it’s all she can do not to spit the words, as disgusted as she is.

“As such, I am going to replace it.” This line is delivered with a sort of quietly understated confidence- as if Naoki is simply stating the time of day.

“It would be preferable to instate- or reinstate, depending on how you would prefer to consider it, the ‘rightful’ ruling party, as that adds another degree of legitimacy to the whole affair, beyond simply acting in the interests of the citizens.”

With her motives explained as such, Naoki shakes her head, indicating the negative in response to Camilla’s inquiry. “I do not. I also know very little of this ‘Jill’, and the details of this ‘scepter’.”

Adjusting herself slightly in her seat, Naoki sits quietly, prepared to listen to what information Camilla might have to share.

Sitting quietly, hands folded in her lap, Naoki’s attention remains focused on Camilla as she relates her tale. And what a tale it is, she muses.

The first thing that jumps to mind- and in introspection, Naoki supposes that this is somewhat telling of her character in a less than flattering way- is that the other three gemstones still exist, and that Camilla’s children ought to count as valid descendants for the intention of opening the cases. This thought, however, is quickly dismissed, filed away with the rest of Naoki's darker thoughts. 

The next item that jumps to mind is that 'Goodness, Camilla certainly has had a rough time of things, hasn’t she.' It isn’t as if Naoki is utilising some naive and innocent princess, pampered her whole life and whose foremost concern is the opinion of others. No. Looking up at the other woman with new eyes, Naoki finds a certain… realness in her. A certain sort of very respectable, down-to-earth quality- which Naoki supposes is something of a pun, given Camilla’s apparent affinity with the earth. Perhaps it’s the manner in which she speaks, or carries herself. Perhaps it’s the grass-stain on her dress, or how pained she seems when the suffering of her people is mentioned. Figuring that it’s some combination of the above, as a reflection of who the woman is, Naoki finds it very easy to see how Jun maintained such a high opinion of this woman and finds herself considering Camilla with a fair amount more respect than she had been previously.

But, wait a moment, Jun. Jill was also a lady in waiting of Camilla’s. Jun knows Jill.

Turning halfway about to consider Emahra, Naoki poses the question- half to herself and half to the other women in the room, “Why didn’t Jun mention that she knows Jill...?”
 
After puzzling over this for a moment, apparently well and thoroughly at a loss, Naoki figures it prudent to elaborate to Camilla. “Assuming that you and I are speaking of the same Jun, she is currently an associate of mine. A Sun Marshal, like Ms. Untyrid here.” With one hand, Naoki gestures to Emahra’s crimson scarf, making her as a Senior Marshal. “They are… special operatives of sorts. Tasked with missions others would not be able to adequately complete.”

“In the time since I’ve met Jun, I’ve come to know her fairly well. I would even go so far as to call her a close friend. She has spoken of you, Ms. Camilla, on multiple occasions, with nothing but positive things to say, she admires you a great deal. She has told me to some extent of Verri, and the other elements of her past. However…” Brandishing a single finger, Naoki makes her distinction very clear, “She has not, in the past few months when we have learned of Jill’s involvement in Goraia and her ascension to the top of the metaphorical ladder, mentioned that she was once closely acquainted with the woman.”

Falling silent again, Naoki relapses into thought, rubbing at her chin. There must be some manner of reasoning behind it, but she cannot for the life of her figure out what it might be. Admittedly, Naoki isn’t quite sure if Jun is even aware that Jill is currently the ‘Empress’, but… she has no excuse not to be, really. And if she is, Naoki can see no reason why Jun wouldn’t mention to someone that she has a history with the figure. That seems like a good detail to share.

From there, Naoki proceeds into other lines of thought, more fully analysing the information she was just given and considering how it all fits in with what she was already aware of, and what conclusions can be drawn from it.

It would stand to reason that Camilla’s mind was fooled with by Zephidel or the other members of the coup, removing her memories and such, of pregnancy. However, it doesn’t make sense- why they would use her to open one of the elemental gemstone boxes, tamper with her memory, and then leave her somewhere to die? It would have been preferable on their part, Naoki thinks, to either keep her around- imprisoned, in the event that they are ever able to locate any more of the gemstones, or to simply kill her, and prevent her from becoming the thorn in their side Naoki intends to make her, ending the lineage there and then. Leaving a loose end like that is suspicious, and Naoki, always one to err on the side of caution, wonders if any lasting effects of their tampering remain with her.

With her own research into the magics of the mind, Naoki thinks that some sort of relay, or remote observation spell would not at all be out of the question. Heck, they could have simply planted a mundane scrying focus in her head and sealed it up. Though Naoki supposes it’s a bit late in the conversation to, Naoki resolves to inquire further about the matter and perhaps ask to have Camilla thoroughly examined before showing her any particularly sensitive information or warplans.

However, this line of thinking leads to another question, which Naoki articulates as such, “I do hate to keep you on this topic, but I must ask- do you have any insight on this ‘Zephidel’? He is almost a complete unknown to us, and even if he is well and truly out of the picture at this point, I remain curious as to his involvement.”

"Jun hardly knew Jill when she brought her to me, and admittedly, I knew less. But from the time I married into the house of Eremae until the day I lost everything, things moved much faster than one could imagine. The gems... Those were forgotten about by the time the scepter was made, or so my grandmother told me." She did not know that those were being speculated currently, but felt it prudent to be detailed with the important points. "The first stone was in the possession of a blue dragon... Jark? I can't remember if that was his name or not, but the gem was part of his hoard. They should have been in boxes like the scepter and I cannot say why that was... My grandmother died soon after she told me of the gems, but she probably knew. I do know that there are other descendants of Croeria, but none that could open the box. I surmise because I am in her image. There is still much that eludes me as far as clues and I never got to finish unraveling the mystery. And now, I am afraid I cannot give you all the answers to questions you might have. I do know that the box was sealed by someone who must have known what the gem was and why it was prudent to hide it. But why, knowing the destruction the scepter has caused, not destroy it? Why does it yet exist? There has to be a reason all of the gems still exist too. And unless the dragon revealed what he knew of my mission... We still have time to find and destroy the gems before the rest of them fall into the wrong hands. The only gem I promised not to destroy was the one the dragon kept." She paused, genuinely trying to pick apart a long time puzzle. The whole tale was the stuff of legend but it seemed to be as real as the grass was green.

"I am sure that there is so much more to know," she continued, then sat down. There was nothing but honesty from the Princess, and one could tell because she had every reason not to lie, for one thing, and for another, it was not part of her nature to lie. That was crystal clear.

"But I digress, Jun brought the girl to me soon after I married Prince Evrand... And I took a liking to her-- I had no reason at the time not to like her because she did not seem like she would do what she did. It might be that Jun didn't speak of Jill because she doesn't know much of anything about her. She knows as much as I. I cannot speak for the girl but I can honestly say that she had my best interest at heart. Jun is as honest and forthcoming as I have ever known anyone to be, she would have to have a very good reason to keep something to herself. Jill... I tend to see the best in most people... I believed in her." She sighed softly and pondered silently for a long pause.

She sipped at her water until it was empty, then set the glass aside and reached to touch Blake's hand to let him know it was safe to touch her again. It felt kind of like a weight was being lifted off of her shoulders to have someone else of influence to want to know what people only speculated about. It was nice to be asked and listened too when many people spoke rumor.

She then looked Naoki in the eye, the caramel eyes sad, now, tired. "I carry the weight of much guilt on my shoulders... For running away when I was betrothed to that prince and hiding for as long as I did, to letting that artifact fall into the wrong hands because I thought it was my destiny to save the world. So many people have died...Verri... then Medan... The reality is, it will happen again if this doesn't end soon... Not by me, but by my descendant... I cannot live with that. It has to end, even if it means it kills me." And that was her revelation. She had much to think about, especially now as her hand found her unborn child... Tears spilled, finally. It didn't seem fair.

She looked to Blake with the understanding she now had and said softly, "I may have to be the one to destroy the scepter..." Which meant that she could very well die along with the babe in her belly. It meant that she would have to do the most selfless thing she could think of to right this wrong.

Indeed, it may have seemed like she hardly noticed the elf but she proved that wrong in shifting eye contact between the three. First she addressed her new husband and touched his face, "My love... I don't wish to even lift sword while our wee babe grows, but I may yet have to." Then she looked to the elf and nodded softly, "I thank you for being a voice of reason through this." And then she squared her shoulders and faced Naoki again... "My cousins..." She said softly, "The guardians of the Usque, though one is too self absorbed to know her potential... Lady Faisine of Ansah, my youngest cousin... She is an air manipulator and healer. My closest cousin, Feruzia, is a Beast Mistress, animal spirit... And Vales, if he yet lives... He is of the forest tribe my mother came from. I am a manipulator of earth as you might have noticed, something I hardly use in battle. I would trust Feruzia and Vales most, with the fate of the gems. I cannot promise to fight with you because of the babe."

“So you believe that we would be well suited by seeking out your cousins for assistance…?” Raising an eyebrow, Naoki seems somewhat skeptical- that seems superfluous. Beside Isra’s military might- not to mention any other nations that may be convinced into assisting, three additional individuals who happen to be related to the claimant don’t seem terribly necessary.

But, on the other hand, perhaps there’s some other reason Camilla is suggesting it. Naoki must admit, the strange magics at play elude her understanding. That, or perhaps they’re simply quite powerful. If their status as ‘Guardians of the Usque’ has any actual bearing on the forest itself- the ability to coerce it into doing things… That could be helpful.

Naoki shrugs, acquiescing. “Very well. If you think it would be a good idea, we can find them. Do you have any clues to their whereabouts? Have you seen any of them recently?”

Interestingly enough, Naoki opts not to acknowledge Camilla’s stated intention not to fight. Honestly, Naoki hadn’t intended on fighting either. That isn’t her role, and it certainly isn’t Camilla’s. Not as one of the only individuals with a ‘legitimate’ claim to the lands, and most certainly not as a pregnant woman. If Naoki’s will is acted upon, Camilla won’t even be permitted near the battles; hers is a life too valuable to risk for next to no reward.