Kara visits Madeleine once more.

Kara decides to stop off to visit Madeleine once again, hoping to end things on better terms than she did last time. You decide to tag along.

The Red Princess is still in her silken bedclothes, sitting on her couch, pillows propped under her. By now, the bruise on her face has blossomed quite spectacularly, a purple flower that marks what Hjordis did to her for all to see.

“How're you feelin', Madeleine?” Kara asks, her voice full of genuine concern.

“My head's like the Copieux Cathedral's bell during our Festival of Light.” Madeleine remarks, gingerly touching her injured face. “It simply won't stop ringing. And as for my face, or what's left of it...”

“You've been through the wringer, there's no doubt about that.” Kara says, reaching down to take the other woman's hand in solidarity. “But you'll heal up in no time, Spirits willing.”

“I doubt your Spirits are going to take my swelling down, or get this ridiculous imprint off my forehead.” Madeleine scoffs, gesturing to the indent of Hjordis' seal, just above her eyebrow. “Still, I suppose this is to be expected. We're at war, and it seems like, even avoiding the battlefield, I'm actually going to suffer as much as anyone else.”

“With all due respect, Madeleine, that's a load of hogcock.” Kara says evenly.

“I'm sure she just meant-” you interject, but Kara's having none of it.

“Hundreds lost their lives in the last battle. In all of our names, mind.” Kara states, crouching, bring her eyes to Madeleine's level. “What's happened to you, as horrible as it is, as unaccustomed this type of thing as you are, is a triflin' thing by comparison. You need to realise that.”

There's a charge in the room as Kara's words bear down on the Sinnabarrovian. You glance to Swain, then Elodie. Both seem equally perturbed. You remembered how it had been with Madeleine's group of followers in Copieux. Their sycophancy, how they had laughed at her command. You imagined even for royalty, the Red Princess was not accustomed to having her notions disabused.

“...You're right, of course. I'm not thinking of others as much as I should be.” Madeleine relents. “It's just... I'm not a warrior, Kara. I'm not used to physical pain like this. Emotional, yes, but I don't get slapped around by giantesses on a regular basis. I'm... sorry.”

The word feels slightly off coming from Madeleine. You imagine she's not exactly given over to begging someone's forgiveness.

“I'm sorry too, Maddie.” Kara smiles softly, squeezing the other princess' hand. “We just decided on the next phase of our battle strategy. That's weighin' heavy on me, I won't lie.”

“Ah! But I might be able to take one thing off your plate.” Madeleine announces, her face lighting up. She beckons to Swain, and her faithful bard soon comes forth, carrying a wooden document tube.

“It's my plan for Hjordis' cell.” Madeleine reveals, as Logos' prodigal son unscrews the top of the tube and displays the finished blueprint. “There were a few hours yesterday evening when I could be on my feet without wanting to fucking vomit, so I finished drafting it personally!”

As you skim the blueprint, you have to admit you're impressed. Madeleine's seemingly taken everything into account, Hjordis' size and strength, the half-giantess' cunning is unlikely to provide her any purchase in escaping. The princess had even designed the cell to be broken down and reassembled in a short amount of time, meaning her prison could be moved, allowing you to bring Hjordis along as the coalition's armies moved on from Airgid Carran.

“Not bad!” Kara says, poring over the plans. “Not bad at all.”

“If you've got time to stay, I can tell you about some of the real innovations, and how I conceived of them. Benjy, why don't you get Kara and Edward something to drink, maybe a little Jitterleaf?”

“I'm not sure that's the best idea...” Kara tells the Sinnabarrovian.

“Oh, please!” Madeleine simpers. “I've been going without while I convalesce, Nurse Swain's orders! Maybe I could get a little vicarious thrill, watching the two of you indulge?”

“What I meant to say was, we'd best be headin' off.” Kara says. “But we're grateful for your assistance, Madeleine. Donald's gonna be over the moon when he sees these plans. His men've been having quite a bit of trouble, keeping Hjordis contained.”

“I completely understand if Beatha doesn't have an engineer or smith up to implementing my designs.” Madeleine says. “If that's the case, have no fear. Seki's told me there are learned men in the Oro Elide who can-”

“We'll be able to manage it, thanks.” Kara says, a little more tersely now.

“Of course, of course you can.” Madeleine catches herself. “Very well, I hope to see you again soon. You especially, Kara.” the Sinnabarrovian smiles at your wife.

“Should be able to swing by tomorrow. Wi' a bit of luck, you'll be feelin' more like yourself then.” Kara says sympathetically.

“Goodbye, Madeleine.” you interject. Madeleine doesn't respond as the two of you make to leave.

-

“See, M-Madeleine does have her uses.” you say, thinking as charitably as you are able.

“She does at that.” Kara says, as you move along together. “Still, even when she's trying to help, it's always so back-handed.”