:To claim the Soul Stone, one must sacrifice someone they love. 'A soul for a soul' is the way it's phrased. In such a way that they cannot be resurrected by any means, I believe, since the Soul Stone itself would normally give one that power and I have not heard of it being used in such a way.

:Tony and Cap have volunteered to go. I don't know which one plans not to come back, but I'll let them work that out between themselves. However, I feel like—you, and your people, should also have the chance to volunteer, though of course we do not expect you to.:

:Oh. Thank you for telling me, it - is relevant: 

It...makes a lot of sense, that this information isn't wise to share with everyone. 

Vanyel, Leareth thinks, can probably take it calmly. And would be furious with Leareth afterward, if he learned Leareth had known and decided against telling him. 

He can think about that and decide after the meeting though. 

"Strange thinks it unwise to have anyone travel back to an event in which they were personally involved unless it's absolutely necessary. Thor will be going to Asgard, I think that's unavoidable and we don't really have anyone else who could navigate things there. Strange will be getting the Time Stone in New York. Tony and I will be going to Vormir. The rest is still up in the air—I think Velgarth people could handle the rest—"

"Maybe we shouldn't send the medieval wizards into the middle of a battle with aliens in New York City. At least, not alone."

"I'll go with them."

"Leareth, Vanyel, your thoughts?"

"Honestly I think we can look after ourselves in a battle with aliens, especially if it already happened in your timeline and you can advise us on what magical protections to prepare." 

:- Strange, is there any reason the missions need to take place simultaneously, such that our total staffing for all of them is limited to ten people? I would make different choices on who to bring to New York. Also, I - am not sure of the strategic cost to you of losing one of Captain America and Tony, but...I can think of possible options among my people where it might be substantially lower: 

This doesn't mean that the options currently floating in his head aren't very horrible. Just, in some sense, possibly less costly. 

:I suppose there is not. That didn't occur to me, I suppose our planning was biased by the originally foreseen version in which we were limited in total trips.

:If you need a moment to talk with your people privately, we can give you that.: 

:I think we ought at least do New York separately, then; it sounds rather chaotic, and having more redundancy might end up mattering. Especially Mindspeakers, for staying in communication. I suppose the Heralds will need to be separated from their Companions for it, since you do not have time travel suits for horses: 

And, separately, to Vanyel: 

:I have a question for you: 

....Oh no. Vanyel can tell from the overtones that this is going to be awful and horrifying in some way. 

:Yes?: 

Leareth summarizes the Soul Stone question, tersely and neutrally. 

:- and, no, I am absolutely not going to let you die for it. Valdemar will need you, after this is all over. I did want to ask if you had any ideas: 

He has one, but he's not going to be the first to say it. 

....Vanyel hates his brain so much right now. Why did he even think of that. Now he can't unthink it. Or stop from noticing that, in fact, it would work and has a lot to recommend it. Goddamnit. Aaaaaaaaaaaah. 

:Savil: 

Leareth is realizing that he had also been hoping Vanyel would fail to think of the obvious option. 

:You think she would agree to it?: 

:Yes. In a heartbeat. She would have all sorts of arguments, too, how she's only got a few years left anyway - she won't be much good if there's fighting, during this mission or afterward - she, she, she matters to a lot of people but - it's only a matter of time, right, we all die sooner or later. Except for you, I guess: 

:...That could change, you know. We have new resources now: 

They might, at some point, have the infinity stones. Leareth is pretty sure those would be sufficient to solve mortality on Velgarth. Assuming anyone let him use them for that. 

:- But someone has to do this, right. And Savil - wouldn't be giving up as many years as anyone else on the team: 

:How disruptive would it be to Valdemar?: 

A sort of mental shrug. :Some? But we've gotten a lot better at redundancy, and - well, now we know that we don't need to prepare for war with you, right. We've got your help, in fact: 

Vanyel REALLY HATES that his mind insists on generating all the arguments Savil would make to him, up front. 

:And, would you - be all right...?: 

Vanyel takes a deep breath. Lets it out. 

:...Yes. I think so. It'd - mean something, right? And...I'm just a lot more, er, stable now, in general. Mandos fixed the broken lifebond: 

:....You had not mentioned that: 

Shrug. :Seemed like there were higher priorities: 

It's surprising, and kind of fascinating, how much Leareth hates having this conversation.

:- Could you actually do it: