Finding the Way

[Iron Dragoon]

The afternoon after the Wake finds Julius escorted by his new friend to a small, out of the way office in the castle. As he arrives he finds two others waiting outside as well. Both, obviously military. The first, a elven man, standing rock solid without a single shuffle of nervousness or any reaction to the world around him. Indeed, this one seems to simply blend into his surroundings, fitting as if he belonged. It was a skill Julius was familiar with, but w

The second was of *far* more interest to Julius. A young woman, human, similarly standing rock solid and resolute. Unlike her male 'companion,' her motionlessness was somehow more casual. She stood motionless, relaxed but seemingly on the verge of movement. but was impressed with the casualness of it in this man.

<Tristen> Tristen glanced at the newcomer but then returned to his thoughts.

<Julius> "Fellow recruits, hmm?" Julius gives Tristen a cursory glance, before subjecting Natalia to a longer, more thoughtful one.

<Natalia> "...Of sorts," Natalia replies carefully, not really knowing much about her current companions, and thus not wishing to reveal much about herself. "And yourself?"

<Julius> "Another recruit, but being freelance, I'm likely being offered more for my participation. I'm Julius Goldenrod, of Northern Helvacaia." Julius smiles and tips an imaginary hat.

<Tristen> "Either of you know the mission details?" Tristen spoke from his spot.

<Natalia> "I'm afraid not. I didn't get much information on what's going on," Natalia replies to Tristen first before pausing and giving her name. "Natalia Greenwood. My name, that is."

<Tristen> "Tristen Dawnstrider."
* Natalia starts looking around for anybody else appearing, since neither of her current companions seem to know what's going on. That she doesn't know either of them doesn't help. Hopefully a familiar face will show up soon or something...

<Julius> "I know the reward, and that's sufficient for me."

<Natalia> A...mercenary? Delightful. Why was she in the company of mercenaries?

<Tristen> "I wasn't aware that there was a reward." Tristen replied evenly.

"Lieutenant, bring the others in with you," is called through the door.

* Natalia looks towards the door, trying to place the voice as she motions towards the others. "That's our cue, I suppose..."

<Julius> "You're doing this for free?" Julius gawks at Tristen in shock, and maybe a little bit of disgust. "I will never understand military men..."

<Tristen> "I get paid a salary. That is my compensation." Tristen replies lowly as he follows the Lieutenant.

<Julius> Julius gags at the concept of a salary as he tails behind.

Inside the room Nathaniel is standing behind his desk, "Ah, good. Prompt arrival."

* Tristen stops a few paces from the desk. "Reporting as ordered, sir."

Nathaniel nods to him, "Very good Corporal. I assume you made introductions to each other?"

<Julius> Julius nods cheerily. "Charming folks."

<Natalia> "Vaguely, sir. What's this about though?" Natalia asks, not quite placing the figure before them, though he tickles at her memory slightly enough to know he's someone important.

<Natalia> "We seem an...interesting trio to gather together."

"Lieutenant, we've not yet met. I am Nathaniel Hamoh. I advise the King on a wide bredth of things. As for the three of you, well.. I, and those that work for me, have had you marked out. As you know, the Prince has fallen, which leaves us in a tenuous position. Without a clear heir, the throne seems weak and may soon be contested."

* Natalia waits quietly for Hamoh to continue with his point.

<Julius> "And likely there's a nearby ruler who's a distant cousin who would quite like to expand his fiefdom?"

"With the issues we are having with the undead, this makes us a rather.. Large target for those around us, in addition to those who are watching King Alric for weakness inside our own lands. Things have been set into motion already, but you three are the lynch pin. And yes, Julius, something like that."

Nathaniel steps out from behind his desk and motions to a map on the wall displaying the results of the scouting reports from across the lines.

"Thanks to Corporal Dawnstrider, we've gotten a solid idea of what the state of the undead is. We still don't know what is raising them, or leading them, but they're in disarray right now. Prince Arturo seems to have made his death costly to them, large numbers are wandering aimlessly."

<Tristen> "What are our orders, sir?"

"I've mobilized the 5th Regiment to reinforce the line and to help clear them out. But that has nothing to do with any of you, any longer." Nathaniel turns to Tristen and Natalia, speaking
to them mainly.

* Natalia frowns a little at the idea of her father getting sent out to fight undead. Worse, that even though she's been given a position in the military...she's still getting held back? "Excuse me sir, but...if I'm not heading out with the 5th regiment, what was the point of my...promotion?"

<Julius> "The rank and file saving the day smacks of desperate times. Makes things look more stable if it's the higher-ups doing the important work. And devilishly handsome foreign mercenaries of noble lineage, of course."

"The three of you are to retrieve a person for me. His name is Victor Alger. Lieutenant Victor Alger, that is, leader of Corporal Dawnstrider's team. Lieutenant Greenwood, you've been under watch for a while now, and it's come to the attention of many that your abilities are much like your father's."

"Those who vouch for you see much of him in you, but you're new. And you have a reputation. Unfortunately, both of these work against you in the military. This will give you a chance to prove yourself, and perhaps a bit more. This is will earn you the right to your rank."

<Natalia> "I see. And Lieutenant Alger? What's his part in all this?"

Nathaniel stares at Natalia, considering, for a long moment.

<Tristen> "Isn't it obvious, Lieutenant? Alger is the heir to the throne."

"Hmm.. I suppose.. Julius, out of this group, you are the only one I can't fully trust and who hasn't proven his loyalty. This is your chance. Betray our King, and I will have you killed without hesistation."

<Julius> "Some of my best friends are royal bastards. Why stab a fresh one in the back?"

"But yes, Alger is to be the new heir. You are to retrieve him and see him safely to his father to be announced. Once the bloodline is secure again, the military can be deployed in full without needing a reserve to secure the capital and our borders."

<Tristen> "If there is nothing else, sir, I would like to take my leave and begin preparations."

<Natalia> "...well, this should be interesting," Natalia notes after musing all the information. "Is it just us three then?"

"Corporal, I do believe there is someone else you should be asking. And yes, Lieutenant, it'll be just you three. However, keep in mind that your father's company is mobilizing. Should you
require help, I'm sure you know how they move."

* Natalia lets loose a breath of air and grimaces. 'No pressure, huh? If I'm in trouble, just run to dad. Ugh, that'll look good...' Natalia thinks as she looks over her teammates again, trying to understand what's led to the decision to use the three of them.

<Julius> "So, how many foreign spies do you suspect will be lurking in the woodwork to stab to death anyone you send large amounts of soldiers to retrieve?"

"Well, that's part of what you're there to find out, Julius. You have to earn your reward, after all. You've played at the games of Nobility long enough to have an idea of it, and worked the blade side of it, have you not? I should expect you know how to spot both sides by now."

<Julius> Julius grins. "Intrigue is such fun. And that is why, my dear commanding officer, it is just us three."

<Tristen> "we're wasting time. Ma'am I'd like your permission to make preparations."

"You three have reasons for being sent. Natalia, you have it in you, so I hear, to be an excellent leader. Tristen knows both the land between here and Alger, and knows Alger; his thinking and movement. Julius knows the shadow side of most towns on the way, and how to spot what the other two do not."

* Natalia nods absently to Tristen. "Go ahead," she replies as she turns to Nathan again. "One more question, sir. Is Lieutenant Alger aware of his lineage?"

* Tristen salutes and takes two steps back before turning and hurrying out the room towards the quartermaster's.

<Natalia> "I ask simply because I'm wondering how much we're to reveal once we approach him," Natalia clarifies on her earlier question.

"He is not.. I have a missive you are to take with you. Alger was raised in the Barony of Nikolai Glosam. You are to take it to him and have him write a similar missive, as proof to Alger."

<Julius> "I get to welcome him to the club? I like this job."

Nathaniel opens a drawer on his desk and pulls out a sealed note, sealed with the signet of King Alric himself, and hands it to Natalia.

* Natalia nods and looks pensive. She smiles slightly. "Well...I did always say I wanted a challenge."

"And Lieutenant, be aware. The undead were strong enough to take down one Prince. Another
will not be of much challenge to them, I expect. You are free to use whatever forces you come across to cover your back."

* Natalia takes the note, nodding at the warning. "Anything else, sir? Otherwise, we'll go join the corporal in making preparations so we can depart."

"Just one. Julius, leave us for a moment."

<Julius> Julius raises his eyebrows, says "Sure thing," and saunters out of the room.

* Natalia pauses, frowning slightly as Julius takes his leave. "So how concerned should I be that I have a mercenary under my command?"

Nathaniel chuckles as he sits behind his desk. "Not too much I expect. Julius is being offered exactly what he wants. We've found his price, essentially. I don't imagine he'll do too much to endanger that. But, that is part of your challenge, and part of the test of your leadership abilities."

"I expect you'll be seen by as being pampered with oppertunity because of your father. I do not employ based upon bloodline, nor do those who work for me. As such, your actions will have to be above reproach. You will have to be seen as the consummate officer. You will have to look and act as such."

* Natalia nods. "I understand, sir. I would not wish to present myself negatively in either case."

Nathaniel nods. "You have a busy day ahead of you. I expect you want to speak to your father and begin equipping. Have a good day, Lieutenant."

* Natalia gives a short salute, and takes her leave.
-------

* Natalia heads towards the quartermaster after grabbing her normal equipment and bidding her family goodbye. She's not really needing much, but some horses might make the travel time shorter, and the faster the mission is done, the less chance for potential problems to crop up. A few extra food supplies wouldn't hurt either, probably.

* Julius returns to the group with a backpack full of food and a fine black stallion he has dubbed Doubleshadow.