Consider it from our perspective, though.

The Jewel of Fire shows up at our door, when we thought it was lost to Cryostoria. In its tow is the daughter of the president of a nation currently held ransom by Cryostoria.

They ask for us to take part in a magical ritual that will drain the power of the one elemental stone he possibly has any fear of still, perhaps permanently.

It's a reasonable thing to think that you all might be a plea bargain from Rotoridginfram so he'd stop the blockade.

What are we supposed to believe? Trust is something in short supply, nowadays.

Fittz, I...

I think they're telling the truth. Call it a gut feeling, call it whatever.

But I can feel they've seen his horrible powers firsthand. And I don't mean in the blockade.

There's no way they would know about his barrier or orbs. Look at the pain on their faces.

They've seen it themselves. You didn't, but I did.

I don't really believe in Lunism's dark god, but I know what I saw at the temple that day.

I believe the currents all led you here today, and I will go wherever the flow takes me.

You completely have my support and trust.

I can understand your hesitation, Fittz. We are strangers to you, and asking a great deal.

But I can prove at least that I am here as an emissary of Ion, by taking off my right glove.

...that tattoo. You're a dragoon.

And you know that this is not something that can be faked. I carry the full authority to negotiate on behalf of Ion.

Well, I don't believe there's any chance you're from Cryostoria any more, but my concerns about the Jewel still stand.

If I help with this, and it goes awry, we will need to retake the Nature Nexus, with Ion's military might, no matter the cost.

If your relic does not work, my del will need the ability to use their magic again if we want to defeat the Air Tribe.

KNOCK KNOCK

Hello? Are we interrupting something?