Age of Destruction: Fire Emblem CYOA

"What exactly am I agreeing to?" Lily asks.

"I just ask you give me your trust for the night," Isana answers.

"But what do you mean?" Lily presses, a bit flustered.  "What exactly are you asking me to do?"

Isana pauses to think.  "...Nothing.  I wish for you to do nothing, Princess.  Merely remain here and await what is to come.  It will not be long.  I would like to remain by your side, if I may."  A warm smile spreads across her face as she looks up at Lily.  "Perhaps I might entertain you in the meantime, your highness?"

Lily is taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"This tent is a bit small for a dance, but I would gladly sing for you.  Or perhaps you would enjoy a massage?  Surely all this travel has left you sore.  Please, speak your wish.  I would consider it a great honor to attend you."

(A) OK, this has gotten way too suspicious.  Get out of the way, I'm going out.
(B) I'm not getting distracted.  Let's just talk more for now - I've got more questions (also ask a question)
(C) Get out of here, I'm waiting alone
(D) Demand she cut the esoteric crap and properly explain what's going on
(E) Actually, a massage would be rather nice... (can also ask a question)
(F) A song...?

Well hold on what about E while telling her D

So that's one for D, and one for E while asking D. I'll give it a few hours for debate or new/changed votes, then I'll toss a coin.

Lily pulls back from Isana and draws herself up.  "You said you aren't going back to Regna Ferox, correct?"

Isana sighs.  "I wonder.  At the very least, I'm leaving the Great Khan's service."

"I see.  In that case, perhaps you'd like to come back with me?"

Isana looks up in surprise.  "Wh...  Really?"

Lily's eyes darken as she smiles down at the dancer.  She folds her arms over her chest and slowly lowers her voice as she speaks.  "Of course.  I have a wonderful cell down in the dungeon just waiting for someone who's pissed me off touting a bunch of esoteric bull**** instead of giving me a nice, clear explanation of what's going on."

Isana grimaces, then giggles.  "Not... nearly as intimidating as Zenia.  It seems pretty clear you aren't going to let this go..."  She rolls her eyes.  "Well, it doesn't really matter if you choose to trust me or not at this point.  It's too late to change anything.  And even if I wanted to tell you everything, we don't have time."

"Isana..." Lily mutters threateningly.

"...Promise not to stab me, Princess?"

"We'll see.  Start talking."

Isana bows her head.  "Very well, then.  First of all, Kurt is fine.  I gave him some warp powder and an important lead to follow.  That flash signals he decided to follow it."

"And that was a distraction?"

Isana shakes her head.  "It was a necessity.  But that's a conversation you can have with him later.  There are more pressing issues.  Zenia's been lying to you.  She said she was sent to negotiate - in truth, the Great Khan sent her to start a war by any means necessary.  If the negotiations did not succeed, she was originally ordered to carry out an assassination."

"An assassination!?" Lily demands.

"Yes.  Anyone that would provoke a war.  The king, the Archbishop's wife... presumably, it would have been you, if her orders hadn't changed."  Isana looks up with a reassuring smile.  "You've nothing to worry about."

Lily stares at her, dumbfounded.  "I... have... plenty to worry about...  What...  Why does...  New orders?  What changed?"

Isana reaches to take Lily's hand, only to be swatted away.  Isana's smile fades, though she maintains a cheerful tone.  "Zenia's been ordered to capture you instead.  You're going to be taken to meet the Great Khan."

"Stop being so... perky about this!" Lily orders.  "I don't appreciate being used as a damn pawn!"

"I'm sorry.  But if I'd warned you earlier, you may have done something to provoke things.  This may be the only way to prevent a full-on war."  Isana bows down.  "So... please.  Will you come willingly?"

(A) You're insane!  Hawke, get in here!
(B) How about let's go chat with Zenia, huh?
(C) (Stab her while she's vulnerable)
(D) Alright, then.  So, about that offer from before...
(E) I'm pretty pissed, but I have more questions before I decide.
(F) (Blank stare)

What can we smuggle with us besides a knife? Anything pill-sized we can swallow and eject later?

......

Lily knows magic. Hello. We don't need weapons.

What we do need is strategy. We need to let Rand know somehow without raising suspicion or being too damn obvious.

She'd probably be weaker, but it's better than nothing.

We can also probably bet on them capturing our allies too. Unless they try to kill them, which they won't because that's war sparking. So I'll find a way to keep everyone equipped with something.

Main goal though: Let Rand know we're captured so he can save our ass later.

"Well I suppose I don't have any choice but to play along.  For now," Lily growls.

Isana looks up in surprise.  "Prin-"

Lily cuts her off by stomping on her shoulder.  "But don't think I'm happy about it.  In fact, I'm extremely upset.  I don't appreciate you plotting against me.  I don't appreciate being used."  Lily glares as she presses down just hard enough to cause Isana to wince.  "First of all, I need to get word to Rand..."

"I don't think that's possible, Princess..." Isana says, keeping her voice level despite the pain.  "That was the last of my warp powder.  Rumor will spread quickly enough, but we can't count on anyone arriving in time...  Remember, the Great Khan originally ordered your death..."

"Hmph.  I suppose I can't count on rescue.  From outside, anyway...  Look at me.  I want you to look me in the eye."  Lily pauses until Isana looks up.  "Are you willing to help me escape?"

"I-  Gah...!"

Lily grinds her heel into Isana's shoulder as she glances to the side.  "I.  Said.  Look.  Me.  In.  The.  Eye."

"Forgive me, Princess...  I can't make that promise.  I'll do what I can, but I fear Zenia may learn my intentions and... at best, she'll honor our friendship by executing me on the spot.  More likely, she'll...  Well, I prefer not to imagine the worst.  I'm already taking a risk by talking to you tonight."  Isana bows again.  "But...  Thank you...  Thank you, Princess, for trusting me enough to ask for my help..."  She sniffles.

Lily removes her foot with an annoyed grunt.  "Yeah, well.  If you're not going to be able to do much for me, maybe I can smuggle something with me..."

Isana sits up and wipes her face with her cape.  "I'm sure they'll search you thoroughly before you wake up.  I doubt you could hide much useful, but...  Ah!  May I?"

Lily gives Isana a look, then nods.  The dancer gracefully rises to her feet and steps behind Lily.  With a flick of her wrist, Isana produces a few thin pieces of metal.  "Do you know how to use a lockpick?"

"I've never tried."

"You'll have plenty of time to figure it out, if they leave you unguarded long enough..." Isana assures her.  After a few seconds of messing with Lily's hair, she's finished.  "There.  I doubt they'll find those.  Just pray they don't ruffle your hair too much."

Lily sighs.  "Well...  Thank you.  For doing what you can."  She blinks with realization.  "What did you mean by 'before I wake up?'"

"I'm sorry..." Isana repeats.  Lily braces herself, half-expecting Isana to try to knock her out.  Instead, she continues.  "I didn't expect you to be so reasonable.  I'm sorry that I couldn't do more, and for what I already did."

"What... did you do?" Lily asks.

Isana smiles nervously.  "I... may have slipped a slow-acting sleeping powder in with dinner while Kurt wasn't looking.  Ha... ha..."  Her laugh is even more awkward.  "It... should start to take effect in just a few minutes..."

Lily virtually glows with rage.  "Isana...!"

"I'm sorry.  I just didn't want anyone getting hurt."

(A) ...It's fine.  This is fine.  I hate you, but it's fine.
(B) How thoughtful.
(C) Great.  Well, while we wait.  Answer another question for me.
(D) (stab)
(E) I'm going to call everyone together.
(F) It's time to confront Zenia directly.
(G) May as well enjoy the last few minutes.  Get started on that massage.