Croydon territory claim

[detectiveofthewest]

Likely Circle Daybreak had been anticipating a clash with the fae ever since they'd first appeared in London in force: it was only, as they said, a matter of time. Yet that anticipation had the potential to work to either side's benefit. The Daybreak witches would be prepared, true, but they wouldn't know the exact time of the offensive. And if they failed to protect their territory despite the forewarning, the blow could be a significant one.

The name of the fae's strategy this evening was guile, reflecting the personalities of the fae organizing the effort -- they took advantage of blind spots and bottlenecks, staged decoy attacks, made use of illusion magic and fae glamour to pit unprepared witches against each other. These attacks were designed to bring about a swift end, minimizing casualties on both sides. Whether this would be a successful strategy or not would reveal itself soon enough...

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[rules_winter]

The wards would make her glamoured business suit fall away replaced with something out of a fairytale. She turned her head as Sylvia's voice broke out across the street from the shadows she'd been drawing around herself. Fortunately they'd zeroed in on one of the lesser fae to begin so it gave her a moment to take in who the Mother of Witches had brought along for the ride.

The troll who only looked like a large human to those eyes not protected by a ward, actually towered over the witches in the street as he turned with a rumbling growl. A yowl answered from a nearby alley in chalkboard scratching cacophony. Trolls tended to be a little magic resistant but he still wore fae armor under the glamour, light and strong.

She had yet to meet this woman beyond seeing her across a crowded room looking sour. The expression really hadn't changed much, though the set of her jaw was firmer, with what Mab thought might be righteousness. She didn't hide, instead turning to fully face the coming witches, considering each of them in turn as magic sharpened the air and charged it like static.

Well, Heiji was just out of luck, a cornered fae would have to directly counter something of this magnitude.

[brightwitch]

Sylvia's team, at least, was disciplined. Unlike the witches in the borough, they were not caught unprepared. They recognized the troll for what it was and acted accordingly.

A spell of binding: Sylvia drew a handful of salt from a small leather bag at her hip and threw it at the troll while the other witches began their chant. Caught by magic, the salt scattered through the air and landed in a perfect circle entrapping the troll, preventing it from stepping outside its bounds or escaping to the Other Realm. It was a crude barrier and would not last the night, but in the short-term it was effective.

A quick fix solution, because Sylvia knew there were other more powerful fae to deal with. The moment the spell was finished, they moved swiftly on.

[rules_winter]

It was actually somewhat impressive to see the witches working as a group. The fae tended to be individualistic unless a monarch was calling the shots so a coven that had it's stuff together could actually be a problem for the fae if they weren't cautious. They took down the troll with ruthless efficiency but interestingly did not kill it. Perhaps they wanted to subdue the entirety of the fae first before bringing bane or spell to finish the job. It was logical if not terribly effective, all it took was luring something over to break the circle of salt.

As the witches approached, Mab watched cooly, her hands at her sides, her eyes focused on Sylvia who was the real threat. She controlled the others even if by word alone. Fear though, was not something Mab thought Sylvia was incapable of instilling when she chose. Cool air spooled out from Mab, as her magic waited. "Madame Redbright." Mab's voice was as cool as her gaze and she lifted her hand, palm up, "Finally we meet. It seems long overdue." It was more curiosity than courtesy that made her greet the other woman. Perhaps the witch would not stop to chat. But if it came down to it, Mab was certainly ready. Noises continued outside their line of site, a yowl here a yell there. A rumble that could be mistaken for a large truck but was more likely one of the larger fae, perhaps a yeti.

[brightwitch]

The salt circle could not be broken by mere physical means; it would take another more potent ingredient to disrupt it. The witches were not above killing fae where necessary, but their task was to clear out the area. Nullifying the weaker fae conserved energy which they would need to face the stronger ones.

Like this icy creature. As the cold billowed over the small group of witches, so too Sylvia felt the sharp tang of power, far greater than the troll. She halted.

"Who are you?" A challenge, her eyes meeting the fae's.

Around her, the witches hastily sketched protection spells, made nervous by the strength of the magic they sensed.

[rules_winter]

Mab might notice those other witches spelling against her power but she only has eyes for the real threat at the moment. Sylvia does not disappoint. It isn't surprising the the woman doesn't know who Mab is. After all, Mab has been very careful about who knows her name. A cool smile slips across her face but doesn't reach her eyes. She very much doubts the witch expects her to just give out her true name. "I shall give you the answer for free, I think, just this once." She replied and it is clear she thinks this is stretching her own limits. "I am the Winter Lady."

Something clatters in a nearby alley but Mab ignores it, she can feel Grimalkin pacing closer still hidden in the shadows but near enough if he is needed.

[brightwitch]

Sylvia took in a breath. She knew the structure of fae society well enough to realize that Winter Lady was a high-ranking title. The fae who represented the seasons answered only to the king and queen.

"It's a little early for winter." Fire, she thought, would be the best weapon. Could cause a lot of collateral damage though– "You're out of time and out of place. Call your people off. You're not wanted here."

[rules_winter]

"Summer wanes, my time only grows more appropriate with the day." Mab raised one pale eyebrow but that was the only expression that crossed her face. "Oh I think you have made it perfectly clear we are not welcome, Madame. Did you truly believe the fae would allow themselves to be boxed in?" The question sounded as though she was considering that very thought. "You held so much less interest before this campaign, perhaps diplomacy would have been a better option."

Her eyes seemed to glow in cold colors for a moment though it might have just been reflected light. "Nevertheless, we will not retreat." A chill wind seemed to blow past them all for a moment. "Shall I offer you an equally insulting ultimatum? Call your people off and we will not harry your flank."

[brightwitch]

"Isn't your own land enough for you? Now you want to take ours as well?" She shook her head, despairing. "Why?"

It was an honest question, but it was also a distraction. Sylvia glanced at the witch next to her, who murmured fire? and gave a slight nod. If they could kill this fae or at least drive it off, they might yet gain the upper hand.