[ He makes a noise that suggests his thoughts are aligned with hers. Splattered along the walls sounds fitting. Objectively, he can acknowledge Grigory's death is a problem. That he would be better alive because then the Queen would not have lost her fucking mind, but really, this war would have started one way or another. If Thorne had not been driven to strike first, he assumes the Free Cities would have. They were mobilizing long before any hint of conspiracy or Nocwich arose.

His palms lay flat on the table as he leans forward, deep in thought, vodka forgotten for a moment. Solvunn is extending a hand to the Free Cities, as well. Still maintaining their image of neutrality, he supposes. ]

Marlo is staying her hand for now. [ The Free Cities could have done a hell of a lot more than set some grain stores ablaze. ] She still relies on the will of the people, and many wish to see the military on home soil, aiding their own.

[ He imagines that goes for the soldiers, too. Even the most loyal of generals would be reluctant to leave the side of friends and family, dead and dying. But what will happen afterwards? Once the smoke has lifted, and anger has had time to simmer, to boil over, what then? His worry is not only for what the Queen may do within the castle's walls. It's what might happen should the Free Cities descend on Thorne—and those known to be part of the Queen's inner circle.

Those like Yennefer. ]