JUNIPER
you think i'm happy because i'm smiling,
but it's the easiest thing to do
Juniper nodded slowly, a bit reluctantly, at Alina's description of their chances. If it came to open war with the Ascended ... "If war comes to the Greatwood, we will lose much, even if we do manage to drive them away. And we cannot bring open war to the Ascended without running afoul of the others they live among. We are isolated, and they have allies ..."but it's the easiest thing to do
And it was Juniper's job to fix that -- an intimidating prospect. Alina was right to ask how she expected to get the outsiders' help when they had proven perfectly willing to sit by -- or even to support the Ascended -- so far. Taking a deep breath, Juniper spoke slowly, trying to think. "I expect that appealing to their sense of justice or morality will have ... limited utility. Seeking out supporters of the Old Gods might serve us better. In fact, it might not hurt to ask the gods themselves for assistance ... Nephele said that she had spoken to Ludo."
Which brought Juniper to Alina's last question -- a query that made Juniper's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Aren't you? Nephele told me that you are our queen now -- Ludo's choice. I doubt the other lands will listen to me without the will of our people behind me. If I have to promise them something, threaten them ... Obviously I cannot lie."
if you looked a little closer,
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
you'd find my eyes aren't smiling too.
