Animate rope

"One spell?" Liandra had to ask, but she understood how much harder it would be. History was filled with power hungry madman that got lost in their path to power, consumed by unbridled ambition.

There were spells of attack, but Liandra didn't want to hurt anyone. Spells of defense perhaps? She wouldn't be the first member of royalty to employ as a last defense her own spells. There were also spells of divination and enchantment, which could possibly help her rule better, but even those she felt unease on trusting until she was anything more than an amateur.

"What do you suggest, Analia? I think I want something simple and that I can practice without hurting anyone. Something discreet and that can be useful on a ship."

"Animate rope" that is what Chives, the beholder kin said, and Analia agreed "Sounds like an appropriate choice, princess". So it was chosen, and Analia spent well over an hour to explain the intricate spell weave to Liandra. It was still a record time, and she practiced diligently on the curtains of Analia´s bedroom.

"You noticed, right?" The beholder kin said, and Analia nodded. "She has been casting spell after spell, and she gives no sign of tiring. And her concentration also is unusually good, for a novice" Analia complimented, but Liandra kept focused on unwinding the knots she had just done.

Lunch was fast approaching, so Liandra tidied up to join the captain and Sir Kreyos at the captain´s cabin. Liandra ate to her heart´s content, and when she noticed it was Gaul bringing the food, she told the Captain "The food is superb, Captain. My compliments to the chef"

The subject eventually turned to politics, and Sir Kreyos was unduly frank in his description of several Nobles and neighbor kingdoms. Several were weak, power hungry and corrupt.

"But there are no easy solutions. Your father thinks that a large conquered territory, like Nocternia, could solve it. He would award rich land to those he wished stronger, distant lands to the enemies he wished exiled and troubled land to those he wished distracted. An Oracle told the king that Prince Mortimer was the only man that had a chance to conquer Nocternia" Sir Kreyos spoke freely, now that he was in a place where he could trust everyone

"It doesn't sound that good of an idea. If we spread like this, and the other countries suddenly see us with thrice the power we had a generation ago, than they would band together to try to defeat us." Liandra didn't hesitate to share her opinion

The conversation went on for a long time, the gathered discussed possibilities and scenarios. Sir Kreyos was a pessimist, but Liandra couldn't deny his logic most of the time.

"But if this marriage happen... and I am not sure I want it to happen" Liandra spoke with the confidence of a woman that owned her own destiny "The only thing that is obvious is, I must be my husband´s equal. This is the only way I can curb his ambitions, if worse comes to worse" And with that Sir Kreyos was the first to stand, and kneel in front of his princess and future Queen, and swear his soul oath obedience to the princess. The captain followed suit, and chives as well, even though the beholder kin didn't have legs.