The Ward's Guard

Caden motioned for her to take a seat, "since the chef had time to prepare, you have more options."

"That, and I'm contractually motivated by the King," Caden pointed out. "And uh," his mind raced as he tried to think of another excuse, "I made you a few promises, if I recall."

"I should really be keeping a list," Caden mumbled.

"Right," Caden quickly agreed with little notice of her taking his arm, "but also fairly confusing."

Caden gave Riva a harumph, his scowl returning. "I do not smile, and if I did, it was out of . . ." He paused, thinking on it for far too long, "amusement."

Caden raised an eyebrow, but smiled very faintly. "In that case, we'll go and eat dinner."

Caden jumped slightly at the smack, "if you don't like them, then I won't get you any more."

Somehow, his face grew hotter. For but a moment, Caden didn't move, the motion causing his mind to thicken up like mud. He cleared his throat, and wiped his nose. "It was some of the men's idea," he grumbled.

Caden felt a strange sensation as his face grew warm with the realization that he was still holding the gift behind his back. She would certainly want to take his arm, so it would be best to reveal the gift now, right? "I- Well," Caden produced a mediocre bouquet of flowers, "these are for you," he stated.

He regarded the room with a mixed sense of caution and curiosity, "you wanted to eat with me, so I assumed you would be more punctual."

The tapping of a fork on wood resounded through the chamber as the proud general of Mendahar sat in his chair, waiting for the arrival of the Raveness, his wife. He was certain that this was the time that she had fetched him for the evening meal the day before, but he could be wrong. He sighed, waving for one of the few serving staff to tell the chef to stand at the ready, and he went off to find the Riva, the Raveness. However, he stopped himself as he was about to leave the dining hall, spending but a moment debating on whether or not he should bring the gift before groaning and picking it up before heading out the door. - Caden rolled his head, feeling a few satisfying cracks in his neck while walking towards the room he had been told that the Raveness, Riva, had set up shop in. It wasn't anywhere close to the relief he had felt after the massage from the night before, but it was something. He approached the door as designated by the member of the castle staff that he had talked with briefly. He eyed the handle, noting the lack of a lock before placing the gift behind his back, and twisting the handle open. "You're late," he said as he entered the room, pausing for but a moment to take in all of the the things that Riva, the Raveness, had placed in it.

"Uh," Thetan raised an eyebrow at the makeshift device. "Please excuse me, but I've never seen a device quite like that used on a quest."

Kuno looked away from the Mayor's mansion, clicking his tongue. He watched as the town militia marshaled in the courtyard below, silently criticizing their slightly sloppy line-up, as well as their equipment that surely had seen better days. He couldn't wait until he saw proper soldiers again. Manpower was, and likely always would be an issue, but that was to be addressed later in the future, for he had a whole new town under his protection, and the Mayor would be more than happy to have them pull their own weight. Regardless, Kuno sighed again, the weight of his calling hitting him again. He wasn't startled to feel a hand on his shoulder, as when he looked up he saw Catorphia still relentlessly watching their surroundings, despite having her hand on him. "Thank you," he said with a smile. Only Catorphia's left eye so much as twitched in response, but Kuno chuckled. "I have more than just you by my side, you know. Then soon it will all be over." A slight cough that one could have easily missed if they weren't paying attention came from the traditionally garbed woman. "Of course not," Kuno replied, "there's always more to be done." He looked back down at the men gathered for their training, watching and gauging their effectiveness. In only a day a contingent of his best would come to show these men how to properly soldier about, but until then, he would have to settle for this lot. He quickly ran through his plans for the next few weeks in his head to be sure that he had everything straight before turning to walk back towards the Inn that he had taken up residence in for the time being. His facade of a simple traveller was nearly laughable for his true calling, but often times those who were made to lead are meant to serve those they are meant to rule. That was the cost of being a leader, especially one for humanity. When Kuno opened the door to his room in the Inn, he was raised an eyebrow at the familiar sight of a blue eyed man, sitting along in a chair in the corner of the room, sipping from a small cup. Thoughts that were clearly alien to Kuno's mind appeared, as if they were from a voice that was speaking. We have much to discuss, sir. "So it would seem," Kuno said as he held his arms behind his back, "and I doubt you'll want the small-talk today, so let's get to the point, shall we?" Production has stalled, we need more time. Kuno walked towards his bed and sat on the edge, "that time is what we do not have. We must move now, and quickly. What preparations have been made?" The targeted towns have been prepared, and the means have been planned and placed into position. "Then what is stopping us?" The grey eyed man asked. Materials, sir. We cannot finish the project without them. Kuno sighed, standing from the bed and pacing the room slowly. "We do not have the luxury of time, my friend. We must prepare them as best we can, yes, but I've seen that the hottest blazes burn the brightest during the most trying times." But that would be sending them to seemingly pointless trials and tribulations! "No, not pointless," Kuno corrected. "Never pointless. We need this to survive, to carry on into our future. Not to fulfill some glorious destiny, mind you, but to simply continue on. At the very least we'll solve many of our production issues, at most, we'll save us all. It's just a matter of time, and we're running out of it. The due date still stands, Arminio. I won't change it now, and I don't intend to change it in the future. Project Mesial must go on." As you wish, sir. Kuno sighed, sitting down once more. "Now on to the boring parts, then. Where are these issues coming from, exactly?" Arminio put aside his cup, and leaned forward as he reviewed the reports that had been filed to him, sighing. This might be a while, sir. "Just all the more reason to further streamline our bureaucracy, Arminio. Which shall be done very soon." If you say so, sir.

Thetan smiled, "the Pure Flame never leaves astray. How may I help?"

"So long as everyone's fine with it, I would hate to be a cause of contention."

"Apocalypse cult?" Thetan asked, looking gravely concerned. "Don't tell me those actually exist. only idiots would sign up to cause the end of the world, right?"

Caden rolled his left shoulder as the high ranking officers of the Praetorium Guard stood up, marking the end of their meeting. However, as the captain who had just reported from the King's palace, captain Broz, got up to return to the palace, he stopped and raised a hand to the general. "Sir, if I may?" The general raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Proceed, captain." "I know you wished otherwise, but word has gotten out about your . . ." Captain Broz paused, apparently considering his words carefully. "Word of your arrangement has spread among the men, sir." Caden growled, "what of it?" Captain Broz cleared his throat, "it's just that some I overheard some of the men, your newest recruit, actually, and he made a suggestion that he wished me to bring up to you, sir." "Stars tell, what is this advice, captain?" "Flowers," Broz stated, " sir." "Does he not know to whom I'm married? Flowers would hardly be an appropriate gift," Caden said as he leaned back into the chair, folding him arms. Captain Broz tilted his head, "the boy seemed rather sure of himself, sir. He does seem to be one who knows his way with woman." "I'm sure he is," Caden said with a scoff, recalling the other times that his men offered him advice. "But that's not what I ask for from my Guard." "They believe they owe it to you after all that you've done for them, sir." "What was the man's name, again?" The general asked as he stood from his desk. "The one who made the suggestion." "Fischer," captain Broz stated with little thought, "sir." "Be sure to watch him, his apparent way with women must not get in the way of his duties." "Yes, sir." The captain saluted Caden before heading out the door to start the long trek back to the King's palace. Caden followed close behind, he had an errand to run before the dinner with the Raveness now. ----- With a smile plastered on his face, Fischer walked back into the barracks. He had spent practically the entire walk back trying to remove it, but had been unsuccessful. Instead, he tried to hide his face upon entry, but that didn't help. Sergeant Nowak perked up to see who it was, and grinned when he recognized it to be Fischer. He nodded at first, apparently set on leaving Fischer be until he noticed the corporal's smiling. He then jumped to his feet and rushed over, calling out to Fischer. "What the blazes happened to you, my boy? You left more solemn than a Raveness's prisoner, and now you're beaming brighter than the sun!" "It's nothing," he replied too quickly. "Oh," the sergeant leaned in closer, "is it a girl?" Fischer felt his face grow warm, despite doing everything he could to try and avoid it. Nowak only grinned wider, "must be a girl, then! What's she like, is she a looker?" "This is none of your business," Fischer said as he cleared his throat. "Oh, that's what you say," Nowak said as he straightened himself, "but seein' as I'm your friend, you can tell me anything." Fischer rolled his eyes, but found himself amused by how the upbeat sergeant stood in contrast to the soldiers who were either caring for their equipment, or resting in their respective bunks. Fortunately the majority of the men were far more sober than normal, except for Nowak, Which in all honesty, Nowak was an exception in and of himself. "Yes, I me' someone," he said with a sigh, "but that's all I'm saying, understand?" Nowak raised an eyebrow at the accent slipping through, but then he shrugged. "Sure. Just figured our star recruit would like some advice from us older men." "Can I stop you?" Fischer asked with a sigh. "You could try," Nowak replied with a chuckle. "But I'm gonna say it anyways. Try and stay professional, it goes a long way." Fischer raised his own eyebrow, "this coming from you, sir?" Nowak chuckled again, "as hypocritical as it sounds, yeah. But hear me out, learning to be professional as a soldier gives you training for keeping a level head, which will more often than not be the thing that saves a relationship." "Well, if it comes up, then I'll keep that in mind." The sergeant patted Fischer on his shoulder, "there's hope for you yet, my boy." "Whatever happened to that whole 'star recruit' thing?" Fischer asked, furrowing his brow. "Yeah," Nowak replied, smiling unhelpfully. "I'm going to catch whatever shut-eye I can before I report for duty," Fischer said with a shake of his head, and starting to step away from Nowak, "uh, sir." Nowak only nodded, "sounds smart, my boy." Fischer slowly turned and collapsed onto his bunk, his beaming smile returning. Everything was finally going back to some sense of normal after what felt like an eternity of being alone. Now he just needed to avoid messing everything up again.

"My quest is no secret," he straightened himself as he stood up, "I have been tasked by the Guiding Council to take up the labor of retrieving the Artifacts. I have been guided here, but I don't know where my path will lead from here. Perhaps you can point me in the right direction?"

"I am Thetan, Dasukar of the Purified Flame. All I need is advice, and I can repay with some of my own if you want." He turned on the barstool, propping one foot on his knee while he leaned into the counter casually.

He turned to greet the group, but paused at the sight of the voodoo mud. "Uh," he cleared his throat and smiled, "the three Blazes favor you. I know this is sudden, but do you think that you can help me?"

Caden nodded, "I guess I will." He stepped away, heading to the training field.

He nodded, not quite feeling like his need to speak was satisfied, but it felt better. "I have duties to attend to with my personal guard, feel free to wonder the castle if you wish."

Caden scoffed, then turned to walk out of the room. Just as he reached the door, he stopped and placed his hand on the doorframe, shocked over how different the simple act of walking was after Riva's actions. He cleared his throat, feeling the sudden need to speak, if only softly. "Thank you."

@Blessing of Potency, @Chasmgoat, and @Random Bystander

"I don't care for apologies, I just want you to understand that you are never to try something like that again."