Evo nods, "I don't know if Billin and Stig have spoken to you about the sword of the late King Ulric, but I'll leave the details to them. In brief, it appears that the blade has finally decided to speak again, and directs us to several artifact-grade weapons to be used against Culdranth."
"Beyond that, much has transpired. In addition to declaring war on the great Conflagration, Queen Ava last night made it clear that we are to begin the offensive against the vampire lord, and to continue our mission to defeat Al Zoon. And as you are painfully aware, his first target was our dear Phaesos. The vacuum left in his wake is what we need to consult the Guardians about. Elspeth may not feel ready to assume the mantle, but I do not know who else would fill the role. She needs our support, a proper memorial, and to act without delay. That, and we must discover if we have any defence against the vampire lord doing the same to any of the rest of us."
He continues. "The Queen cast public suspicions on Ral'Endas. She claims they threaten her trade routes and that the Dwarves are fortifying the tunnel entrance near the small village of Estelmere. They were not the only ones Queen Ava made hostile overtures to last night. In speaking to Lord Az'Caine, Her Majesty called Aethusa "his dragon," and the insult was not lost on him. Even the Empress was slighted by her promoting Colson, the man hated by Shadowrose, to General."
"Something is not right with the Queen, and we need to find out if it can be helped before Her Majesty alienates every ally she has." Evo pauses. "I have thoughts I might share privately, as well."