asgardeventide | [video] i spy with my little eye

Citizens of Asgard. I come bearing only grave news this day. What I believe to be a spy, lurking in our very midst.

[ The camera pans over to a bound and gagged individual that some may in fact recognize from the tail end of the Utgard excursion. ]

He has aroused the suspicions of many with his peculiar behavior. The natives themselves have been able to confirm he is not one of them, as he has tried claiming.

Presently, he can be found in the custody of myself and Sir Gwaine. I wish to seek the council of everyone before we reach the city proper as it is a matter which undeniably concerns the safety of us all.

But as for myself, I would vote for execution to follow his questioning. I have seen firsthand what may happen with prisoners during war. They conspire to escape and wreak further havoc, squandering mercy and endangering good men.

(ooc: edited in-character to clarify.

don't forget about the poll going on. if you've already voted but your character's opinion has been swayed in this post then simply update your vote!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ LET'S JUST ASSUME THIS IS AFTER ARTHUR'S CALMED DOWN because some of the discussions in this post are horrific ones. He's tired and frustrated and more than a little bit disillusioned with some of the good Travellers to Asgard. ]

You've done well, Percival. Until such a time that a decision is reached, please ensure his safe passage into the city to be dealt with accordingly.

[Oh, look who's finally showing his face. He looks troubled by all the arguments he's seeing in this announcement.]

Morgana's right. The Ice Queen isn't exactly known for kindness, and she'd likely kill the man for sport because he failed in his task.

Is there no way you gods can take these memories from him? Anything he's learned of the city and of his capture, I mean. Surely if you can erase our memories of Asgard when you send us back to our worlds, and surely if you can give some the ability to read minds, it must be within your power to do this.

[He pauses, then says slowly.] Executing him wouldn't be pleasant, but it might be necessary if it means keeping the city safe. But...maybe it can be avoided, if you are able to replace his memories. Why not learn what we can from him and send him back with false information?

Is that really a precedent we want to set?

[He gives her a puzzled look.] What is?

Condoning the gods altering people's minds.

No, of course not. [He sighs heavily.]

Whatever we decide, there will be dissent. I don't like it either, but this seems like the best compromise.

[His voice lowers.] If we're supposed to expect an attack soon, we can't risk being divided over this. What happens if were too busy arguing with each other to protect the city?

We have killed before, and we will kill again, those of us that have the stomach for it. It's inevitable. Altering his mind, taking things away and putting other things in their place, that's a door we have not yet opened. Better to take the life he forfeited or let it be wasted in prison than twist it.

[she shakes her head]

We already are, Merlin. To say nothing of how utterly unprepared we are on almost any other level.

Such is war. [Merlin smiles humourlessly and rubs at his face tiredly.]

I guess there isn't a way around it. Showing mercy is a good quality, but someone like the Frost Queen would only exploit it. [He pauses.] We can't weigh one man's life against so many, especially if the gods are telling the truth. If we lose the war because we cannot bring ourselves to kill the spy, then we doom this world as well as everyone else's.

[yep, she feels him there]

Exactly. Letting a man live is not always a mercy, a kindness, or wise.

But I don't think we are going to convince anyone who thinks differently.

She might kill him still, I fear. If he knows something of her own city and of her, she would see him dead before she would see us with the knowledge. They will have to erase so many memories - what will be left of him?

But we don't know how long he's been here. If it's been months, then it would be a problem, but what if he's only been here a few days, a week?

[He doesn't look to certain, though. It's like he's lost a lot of confidence in his opinions since the last time they talked, but it didn't feel right not contributing to something this important either.]

He failed, still. The question remains if she'd care to kill him to make an example of him to her other men. A reminder why it is not wise to fail her. I would preserve his life, but if one man managed to enter the city, then another might come to kill him.

Or he might do it himself if he fears what we will learn from him.

[He hasn't had to deal with a situation like that before, but it isn't unheard of for a caught spy to swallow poison to keep their secrets.

[ she had not thought of that and it makes sense. he might also do it to escape her wrath and if he has honor, perhaps for failing her.

she nods. ]

Yes. He might.

[For all the battles he's fought, Connor has never been in a war.

It's about to really show. Already, he seems overwhelmed by the arguing, a furrow between his brows as he opens his own feed.]

Who's questioning him?

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