[Imperial Marshall's Office] Sheng please

[Shorty]

The office next to the Minister of War's office was occupied by the Imperial Marshall- the commander of the Empire's mighty Legions. The Legions were known for their spartan environments, and this office fit that bill excellently. There were two rooms- the large outer office which held the desks of the Imperial Marshall's staff, and the inner office that the Imperial Marshall occupied.

Orderlies and officers filled the outer office with a determined energy. Papers were shuffled, filed, and shuffled again. Once in a while a meeting would happen. Most of the their time was filled with cataloging the massive amount of communication that the Legion circulates.

The inside office was the private domain of the Imperial Marshall's. On one side wall was a large, detailed map of Alleria. It showed positions of the guardians of the Empire, all 28 combat legions that made up the Imperial Legion. Behind him a large window let in a cool breeze.

His massive oak desk sat in the middle of the office with enough room to fit four comfortable chairs which guests would sit in.

Timestamp: First Cycle of Imperos of Era II, Autumn, First Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne

"Enter..." Came a bark from inside. Blackbjorn Baktar was speed reading reports but looked up at Sheng's enterance.

"Ah, Kestor Imperatis Kaldres..." Baktar motioned for Sheng to take a seat in a comfortable chair across from him. "Trust your holiday was a restfull one?

"Your demotion- as embarrassing as it was I'm sure, was the best possible compromise. You may not agree, but politics is not a fair game, and unfortunately my job is consumed more by political bickering than I ever imagined. Now the question is what to do with you next." Baktar smiled. "You've served your time in the 30th. However, I am in need of additional people to help me in the Ministry. If you are willing I was considering appointing you my 'Chief-of-staff'- do not worry I am not looking at you to file my reports. As Chief-of-staff you would be heading projects within the Legions, such as increasing enlistments and reforming broken cohortis. " Baktar shook his head.

"For instance- we need to rebuild the Paxian legion- as well as consider what changes need to get changed to face the orcish threat. You know the dangers out there Kestor Imperatis...If you are willing to accept the job, it's yours." Baktar stood and called for an orderly. "Tea Kestor Imperatis?" He asked.

[Sheng Kaldres]

After a quick salute, Sheng sat down where Baktar indicated. In the chair, Sheng leaned slight backwards, still maintaining a straight back. Sheng would need his attention on what Baktar had to say.

There was a lot to be said and Baktar did so. In silence, Sheng listened to what Baktar had to say and a lot was being reflected upon internally.

Of Sheng’s ambition, Sheng had once thought to himself that he would see himself in the position of Imperial Marshal or as it would be called now, the Minister of War. But given the circumstances now, it would seem very difficult now unless Sheng had strong backing. Time would be needed before Sheng would put his thoughts there.

Another concern was the state of the Legions right now, especially Narim. The war had not been kind to the Legions and a lot more need to be done. Ideas abound in Sheng with regards to that. The offer of Baktar seemed to be attractive. However, there were some things that Sheng wanted to know before he made any decisions.

“Yes, thank you.” Sheng said in reply to the offer of tea. Then, Sheng waited patiently for the tea to come. Once the tea arrived, Sheng would take some time to sip some tea before he would go on, listing his thoughts.

“Before I accept or not accept your offer, perhaps we can talk on what needs to be done and on the current situation. What of Narim?” Sheng fell silent as the images of what he seen in Narim assaulted his memory. Recovering from this reverie, Sheng went on to say, “Orcs still plagued that area though they are not in the city anymore. I have given orders for the 9th and 10th Legion to secure the area but how successful are they, I am not sure.”

“The losses that we suffered in that war also need to address. I have seen the recruiting efforts in the Jade Legion, but are the Legions that suffered the losses strengthened? And since we are talking about the Jade Legion, are we still going to move them to Midpoint?”

At this point, Sheng could not help smiling ironically to himself. “I know that there are political forces present here but there are ways to deal with that. I hope that the Regent will understand that there is no need for four Provost Imperatis to command the forces…..now that I am demoted, three Provost Imperatis should be enough.”

An inkling of the decision behind the appointment of a Provost Imperatis for Prime was in Sheng’s mind; it was more of a political decision to have four Provost Imperatis for fear that Sheng might do something against the Empire. This was despite Sheng service in the Empire throughout the reign of four rulers.

[Shorty]

"Our priority is the reconstitution and replacing the losses incurred by the Legions these last few seasons." Baktar sipped his tea. "With that as our goal, the Jade Legion's transfer will be pushed back. Right now we need boots on the ground and shields to fill our ranks. This massive project will only take away from the Legion's effectiveness at this point in time. We are adding more classes of recruits, but it takes time to train a soldier- you know this. Sure, moving the Jade Legion could get done, but I personally do not want to deal with this while our energies should be directed at defeating the enemies of the Empire."

"The current situation is that Paxia and Narim are lost and need to be rebuilt. Though revenge was had we are still in the same situation as we started. The legion is in a poor light right now and now is the time to reclaim the trust of the Empire."

"That said, in your opinion Kestor Imperatis- where do you see the most pressing issues facing the Legions this brightening?"

[Sheng Kaldres]

It was good to hear from Baktar that the movement of the Jade Legion had been postponed. Indeed, there were more important matters that the Legions had to see to before there should be any movement of the Legions. However, there was an omission of the status of the Provost Imperatis. This was a matter that Sheng had based his argument against Arkahn on. But no matter, Sheng had the confidence that this would be resolved sooner or later.

“One of the pressing matters for the Legions is for the Legions to recover the strength of its numbers.” Sheng said, touching on the matters that were important for the Legions right now. “Many Legions are affected, especially those of Sheria. Only with strong Legions, can we enforce the Imperial presence.” The absence of Imperial presence was a situation that Sheng was familiar with. During the reign of Julos the Mad, the soldiers were excess to the needs of the government, acting as cityguards rather than Imperial soldiers of the Empire.

“Another matter is how the Legions and perhaps the Classii should fight in the face of overwhelming Arcana forces. Strategies must be formed to deal decisively with Arcana forces. It is not just a simple matter of mages against mages….it is more. More importantly is how we stop the opposing mages and for our mages to deal the maximum damage.” Strange that Sheng moved from numbers of the Legions to mages, but it was a matter that Sheng felt that utmost attention should be paid to. Sheng had seen first hand what damage a few well placed mage could do to the Legions.

[Shorty]

"I agree with you Kestor Imperatis. Therefore shall I count on your assistance?" Baktar leaned forward. "Will you take the job already? Your friend Riconus Xind'ell has accepted the post as commander of the Imperial Shields- the Intelligence legion. I figure with you on the operations side of the edge, Xind'ell on the intelligence side, the Legions will have more than a fighting chance."

"Also- if I am to be Minister of War one day, the legions will be in the market for a new Imperial Marshall...." Baktar dangled the carrot out before Sheng. Oh yes, Baktar had set his sights higher. "You've been a combat commander, but there is a different leadership needed when you are looking wide in scope. Thinking of changing tactics or training. This may be as valuable experience for your next job as any battle would be."

"What will it be? If yes, I suggest heading up the two projects you've mentioned- reformation of broken Sherian and Paxian forces, and beginning the development of anti arcanic measures."

[Sheng Kaldres]

Perhaps Baktar might not have noticed it or that he chose to ignore it for now, but the situation was that he was the next logical choice to become the Minister of War given the current situation. Of course, there were rumors of what happened to Arkahn, that he was poisoned and now lay in a coma. But the truth was never told to Sheng and Sheng could only guess what happened.

“You’ll be the Minister of War if you choose to and I will support you in that task if you choose to.” Sheng said, smiling, making clear where did he stand. As it was, Sheng was in no position to make the post of the Minister of War his and Sheng saw that Baktar was the logical choice. If it was between Baktar and Arkahn, Sheng would choose Baktar.

Then, keeping his smile and what appeared on Sheng’s face was contemplation.

“I like to accept your offer but in what capacity? What you are suggesting are taking me across two provinces at different ends of the Empire and taking a hand in mage matters. What kind of authority do I have? This is not the same being the commander of the Jade Legion; I will need assurance that I will have the full power to do as I will; subject to your approval of course.”

And Sheng waited for the response.

[Shorty]

"A new position I was envisioning," Baktar answered Sheng as to the job title. "Inspector Imperatis... Your duties would include monitoring readiness within the ranks, devising new tactics and weapons, being my agent for duties assigned by me, being a commander I can turn to." Baktar reached within his desk and pulled out his pipe.

"First things first...the Minister of War is not improving, nor do I think he will anytime soon. Not only that, but ships are missing on the waters, and what can only be considered an underhanded effort to decrease the stability of the Empire is being taken. By whom? We know not. The office of the judicator has not taken action, or at least visible. There is little investigation. However, this statement remains true to my mind.

"Someone or something exploited the argument of both you and Provost Imperatis Xind'ell and the Minister of War. The two of you were very nearly thrown out of the legion. In one fell swoop the Ministry loses three top commanders? The witnesses disappeared, the truth may never be known. As a consequence, suspicion lurks around every corner, but no one talks about it.

"What are we missing? What forces move against us? That is what concerns me, and I want to be ready no matter what happens."

[Sheng Kaldres]

The matters that Baktar spoke caused Sheng to fall into a contemplative mood. The situation that Baktar painted was not rosy. It spoke of a conspiracy against the Empire and someone was or were trying to bring the Empire down. This brought everything to a new perspective.

First of all, it confirmed the rumors that Arkahn was poisoned. Of course, the suspect was on Sheng and Riconus. A priority must be set on finding who had caused the poisoning. Another was the actions to reinforce the Imperial Army must be quicken. But then, Baktar was not above suspect himself…But Sheng believed in Baktar.

“I would accept the post with utmost gratitude.” Sheng said and nodded in respect at Baktar. Then, resuming a worried expression. “And if what you said is true, then we must do something more.”

“The first being that I request for permission to conduct and lead an investigation into the poisoning of Arkahn and finding the culprits. The next is that, Sir, you must become the Minister of War. Someone must have the ear of the Imperial Regent and to make the necessary decisions and I don’t that there is anyone more qualified than you. Especially considering the danger that Empire is in now!” Would Baktar accept Sheng’s proposal or….?

[Shorty]

"Yes, I agree that top priority is to finding whom or what is plotting against the Empire. However, for the time being I wish for this investigation to have held using a high level of secrecy." Baktar looked around. "After all, we don't know who we should trust. Especially in the Forum- the Legion's code of honor does not extend to the other Ministries. If, in time the culprits are found we will together present the case to their Imperial Excellency, which no doubt would catapult you back to good graces, allow me to promote you and then assign you to be my deputy..." Baktar said the lines quickly and added a smile.

"Feel free to request resources and work with Provost Imperatis Xind'ell of the Imperial Shields. He should be able to provide the adequate personnel that would be suited for this sort of investigation..." Baktar stood up. "In the meantime you shall rate one aide of Cencoris rank and two enlisted orderlies for your own staff...." He grabbed a piece of paper- the official order signed by the Imperial Marshall, stating simply that he had been appointed Inspector Imperatis.

"Any other questions?"

OOC: Sheng, feel free to make up the races and names of your staff. However, they are all low leveled NPC's that file your papers, get your coffee, mow your garden, etc. etc. Only the officer is a little better- a lvl 2 researcher.

[Sheng Kaldres]

“No.” Sheng said and saluted Baktar, assuming that this meeting is at an end.

With the parchment of the orders in hand, Sheng would exit from the office if there was no further issues to talk of.

[Shorty]

OOC- PM me if you want to get to the bottom of this mystery!

THE END