Updates 45 (couldn't think of anything witty)

[Mamorien]

Espionage is one of the dirty secrets of statecraft, in that everyone does it, even on their allies, even if no one wants to admit it. Generally such spying takes mild forms that aren't even considered to be such—an attache officer at a consulate simply keeping their eyes and ears open as they walk around the capital city is technically spying if they report back their findings, even if the information is freely available for the local citizens with their own senses.

Deeper levels of espionage tend to be reserved for opponents and threats, and it is these methods that are popularly associated with the term in the public awareness. Informant networks, agents-in-place, penetration agents, disinformation agents, double agents, and other such human assets make for the common concept of the term 'spy'—often conflated together in popular imagination and lurid novels—and in modern times, the official reactions to such individuals can be anything from banning them from the country for those with diplomatic immunity, to arrest with an end result of imprisonment, asset trades, or even torture or execution.

We pick up from the end of last week's chapter on Eigg, where Gregor, the Alban merchant and spy who'd just had a moment of mutual recognition with Jonna, finds out just how bad his situation really is. In the K'avk'asian foothills, Drago takes an interesting meeting with King Durgulel the Great of Alania. On Berk, Stoick confronts Gregor and his colleagues, then sends Hiccup to ask King Mac Bethad for a more detailed explanation. In the Dubh Linn office of the Almoner, Yishai ben Yaakov, a minor functionary handling the matter of Adhamh the innkeeper, finds something very unusual among the seized papers.

As the Berserkers approach Inbhir Niss, Toiréasa sees the Hooligan party arriving and resolves to discuss her mission with Hiccup, who, for his part, wants to be reasonable about this. Mac Bethad is tempted to do something rash, temptations Gruoch encourages. Hiccup is surprised by Toiréasa tracking him down, and by finding out what's going on in her head.

In the Chief's Hut on Berk, Stoick receives Mildew's last letter and prepares to take rapid action on it. At the Harā Bərəzaitī Nest in the K'avk'asioni, Sigurd is awakened by Gunnar with the news that it's too quiet, and the Hypsikrates go outside to see why. And we close at Inbhir Niss, where Jacob of Glenfinnan, lying awake stewing over Toiréasa's story and Hiccup's willingness to believe it, wanders the castle corridors just in time to see the preparations for war...

The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/104089...s/73525632