[Ministry of War] Reporting to one's commander (Keldon)

[Alexis Sapientia]

Timestamp: Forty Ninth Brightening of the Fifth Cycle in the Month of Immanis in the Season Spring; Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIII
Post Fractum. The First Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne


Moving silently through the Imperial Forum the Provost brought himself to the doors of the Minister of War. Holding several rolled pieces of paper in his hand he paused briefly and made his way inside. Although his uniform had changed and his title he still did not know the full scope of his authority thus he did not to try see if his rank or title had merit. "Serale, I would request a meeting with the Minister per the request of the Surveyor-General. Please ask if he has time to discuss the nature of Paxia and her defenses." He said in a sound voice and stood there waiting for a reply.

His mind started to wonder about the possible structures and layouts of the city of Paxia, and then he smirked briefly. He was a military man yet here he was thinking like an engineer. Curious it was for the elf.

[Alexis Sapientia]

A trieririus of the Imperial Navy was working the receptionist duty for the moment, a yeomen navit beside him busy scratching out ink on some paper.

"Surveyor-General?"

The naval officer looked quizzically for a moment at the fellow, before consulting a thick tome at his side. "If you will please leave your Imperial Visa with us for a moment, sir...?"

That accomplished, and after verifying the same with the Imperial Admiral, indoors, so did the naval officer emerge with something approaching a smile, opening the double doors to the suite as he did so.

He would find the Imperial Minister of War seated at his desk, poring over a thick sheaf of papers, as always.

"Provost Elsdragon, please come in. How are things in the Empire's far northwest?"

[Keldon Elsdragon]

After taking his Imperial Visa back he smiled to the officer and entered through the doorway, however even with the Ministers question he came to attention and saluted. "Confusing to say the least your Excellency. Paxia as it stands is little more then what it was before, the men you have assigned are helping the clean-up of what retaking the city left, however it is still mainly a collection of shacks, remnant troops that stayed in the city and a looters dream." he said with a sigh standing firmly straight.

"Your orders where to deliver the status of Paxia's force. Currently the Legion stands at approximately three thousand from estimate. The chain of command, is pathetic. Although there is an obvious presence of who hold rank over who. The local military is in despair and barely operational, the imperial legion assigned has no official head. It to my knowledge has yet to have a official commander to oversee the legions operations of the city." his lips curled to a smirk. "Although," his smirk turned to a grin. "The navy is operating well sir. Being an outside structure I believe they are functioning regardless of the setting they are in which is a nice relief... ah yes... and orcs are still poking about the city and outlaying lands here and there. However they are being found arrested or removed, or depending if they are not hostile left alone as per required by imperial law." he paused briefly to think and his eyes shifted from the Minister to the door behind him and then back to the man. "The local government is dealing with the situation well, however they have no firm nor direct leadership to move them into direction. The provincial government.... from what I have seen thus far is useless and at this point I think it would be very little point to rely on them for assistance or direction..." he paused once more, a comment about what should be done about the provinces government should do stayed in the Provost's mind and never moved to his lips.

[Alexis Sapientia]

A bit of musing, there, as Alexis set aside what he was working on to take fresh quill, dip it in ink, and scrawl further on clean paper with regard to what the fellow was saying. No chance for a preamble at all, just straight with the down and dirty. Ah, well, that was one of the good things about the Legionaries, straight to the point. Most of the time, by use of their swords.

"Confusing, eh?" Well, that was to be expected, considering the fact that the city was damn-near wiped out and only reclaimed as of recently...

He took the news of the Navy helping very pleasantly, proud of his boys, and doing just as he had planned. A frown came on the words that Paxia was still a looter's dream. Has it still been that lawless, what with all those sailors and marines?

A second scrawl made its way to the fresh paper.

"The Legion stands at three thousand? This is the Falcon Legion you're talking about, right? Where did all these troops come from? Fresh conscripts, untrained? If that is so, who's taken command, and who's training them?"

So, the local Legion didn't have a commander, yet. Well, that flotilla commander he sent was a capable fellow, though he was still a Classis officer, and not one with the Legion... Yet another scrawl made its way to the paper.

More musing, at that, rubbing his chin as he took in the fellow's words, still standing at attention as he was.

"The local government is dealing with the situation well...so there is some semblance of civil authority...I wonder, could you tell me who these personages are, and what they are like? Your thane lives, eh?" grinned he, with reference to Keldon Elsdragon's former boss. His exploits, after all, weren't in the Herald for nothing.

As for the provincial government thus far being useless...well, that was more Merchante's fault, as well as his folly. If he continued to let things as they were, no doubt he'd find himself in a situation which Pescado Branch was very familiar with. A pity there was no Imperial Consul in that part of the Empire after the resignation of the Countess Lothain...well, one more point to raise to the Regent, one of these brightenings.

...and at this point I think it would be very little point to rely on them for assistance or direction...

The beginnings of a plan began to germinate, and Alexis Sapientia, Imperial Minister of War, continued to jot down notes as his subordinate continued his report.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Keldon shook his head briefly. "No sir, nearly Three Thousand Five Hundred Imperial Troops from the army reside in the city of Paxia." he said as he placed the document on the Ministers desk. Although he knew its content perfectly. "There is Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty Two men currently sworn to the empires army serving in Paxia. Exactly Two Thousand and Ten are survivors from the original legion. However some of them have suffered injury's I issued orders from my own authority for those to work in non combative roles. Such as a desk clerk, and so forth keeping man power up, and allow those capable to serve in other locations. Yet allow the moral of those who wish to remain in service of the empire to serve. Those who suffered injury's and wish to leave service were granted so." he paused and smirked a little. "Six Hundred and ninety four have been transferred from the Third Legion in Nexus Prime, the remaining seven hundred and ninety six have been transferred from the Twenty Forth Imperial Legion." He said thinking briefly.

Yet a sigh managed to escape his lips. "Unfortunately thus far it seems that command of both the Navy and the Army has taken place individually, completely separate of the local militia. The ranking officers in Paxia at the present time are myself and Provost Darious Drake. However as the legion is relatively small at present are the ranking officials and have not stepped on either of our toes for command, yet." he said with a smirk full aware his attention was not vested elsewhere for the empire. "The local military is... well much smaller and fighting to stay alive. Although there records are not as detailed due to the fact there ranks are more or less filled with survivors and those who have come off the street in an attempt to defend there home, which is commendable. Bolstering there ranks are approximately One Hundred, to perhaps A Hundred and Fifty men and women of various talents."

A gentle sigh of releaf came from Keldon as he nodded. "The former Lady Thane is alive, she was injured and moved to the rear with the refugees during the siege of Paxia where is when I took command. Since then she has resigned from office to recover. Although I would not be surprised if she holds some sway with those currently in-charge." he smirked, knowing the women he was sure she was in the loop on things. "Currently the city is run of a rather slim staff, although they are doing it well they could use the support. Gena’ra is an interesting Lionoid that I sometimes wonder when he speaks if he is telling everything he knows about situations however his heart is in the city. Respectively he is the Acting Thane for the city since the province has not appointed a official replacement, which yet does not surprise me." he said with a sigh. "Under him is a minor support staff, lovely women named Mayal who is in charge of what you could call the cities housing and structures. Although her job is likely more about finding tents and small structures, and there is Risna and Gandan who are general staff members that have various tasks. Also do not talk an overly large amount." he said with a smirk and a smile.




OOC: Official information used with permission of Game Master Striker per AIM Conversation and Realmcraft Threads. Logs available if anyone requires them.

[Alexis Sapientia]

Alexis' eyes began to widen as the fellow began to spout all sorts of numbers in such a rapid-fire fashion...he nearly had to literally raise both hands in an attempt to ward off the direct assault.

"Please...hold on..."

He began to scribble, trying hard to get the facts from memory, perusing the given documents as he did so.

3,532 - sworn to the Empire in Paxia.

--2,010 - survivors from the original Falcon Legion.

He nodded on hearing of transfers, but the crinkled brows doubted the former Equite's lawful abilities to do so. Still, he continued writing.

*694 transferred from III Legion, Nexus Prime.
*794 transferred from XXIV Legion.

"Twenty-fourth Legion, which is in..." he searched his drawers for a piece of paper...

"...Chanliya's Fortress, the so-called Vogden's Glaive?" Alexis looked quizically back at his Surveyor-General, a bit puzzled as well. "Under whose authority was they made? And I assume their commanders agreed to these...dispositions?"

Shaking his head and waving his hand irritably, as if an errant insect had gotten in the way, so did he continue. Be that as it may, he'd let it go for some later time. Weakening some legions to strengthen others just didn't seem right.

Then came the report of the surviving ranking officer, one Provost Darious Drake. Lips pursed at that, wondering if it was sound to have a mere Provost in charge of such a sensitive posting. Another note, and yet, another.

*150 women.

Thus did he take a deep breath, and ascertain his information accordingly.

"This Aedile is acting Thane...not a satisfactory state of affairs. Good thing I've my local flotilla commander there to take charge of defensive matters, and thus advise..."

The Imperial Minister of War looked pensive for a moment.

"Anything else you'd like to add, Provost Elsdragon? The state of their walls and defenses, perhaps?"

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Keldon paused and though briefly, he had presented his report. Then shook his head rather briefly. "No sir, anything you would need is detailed upon my report. As stated the walls are relatively none exist, they are finishing cleaning of derby to have reconstruction begin..." he paused and thought. "Permission to speak freely sir?" he would pause and wait for permission to do so, or be denied. If he was denied he would nod his head and then go onto another topic.

However if he was permitted he would start up about the chain of command. "The transfers were authorized by the commanders of the legion and personally they make sense for the time being, Ten Thousand troops will not miss less then One Thousand and it boasted the ranks of a legion that desperately requires the troops. However the leadership is not in place for total operations of that area, and perfect coordination with the legions is, well likely to fail as one legion seeks to reap the credit for an action, plan or other type of way to boast themselves, unfortunately." Keldon paused one more time thinking about what he was going to say, however with the task given to him he felt it was a necessary step. "Your Imperial Excellency, you charged me with the reconstruction of the city of Paxia, and grand it shall be, while being strong and dependable. However that will only come about with direction, currently the limits of my office are, well limited to my knowledge. Thus I request command authority over the Third, Eighteenth, and Twenty-Forth Imperial Legions. You have already given me authority over the naval forces there. However I feel it would be best to utilize all the assets the Empire has in the vicinity to have Paxia re-enforced and constructed while remaining protected." he then thought once more. "As far as I know the other legions are only performing basic operations in the area, wherein they should be looking for orcs who attacked Paxia, locals would not go into the mountains or far away from there cities, we are the defenders of the empire do, and should sir." he stopped himself there thinking he had said enough. He was aware he was requesting command of all imperial forces in the Province of Arium, he also knew there was a slim chance of it happening. However he must be said.

[Alexis Sapientia]

To say that Alexis was surprised would have been an understatement, if the manner in which his eyebrows twitched in reaction to certain words was anything to go by. Oh, he'd had Elsdragon pegged as something of a high-flyer, most certainly, ambitious, without a doubt, scheming...?

Perhaps. A very big perhaps, but at least the lad was honest, blatantly honest, compared, to, say, certain other superiors of his in the Imperial Legions...

A smile came to his lips, just as truthful as the question the Surveyor-General had pleadingly asked.

"I'll consider it. You are well aware, of course, that decisions of this nature at not arrived at hastily," said he with a contrite grin.

"For the meantime," so did he scribble on free paper, signing and sealing it with a flourish, "...you're entitled to ten brightening's leave. You've earned it. I would suggest you spend the rest of it sleeping, but what you do with it, of course, is your own affair."

He continued musing as he wrote down the order.

"I'd like you to get ready to return to Paxia, probably by the beginning of next month, but for the meantime, start writing what it is you will need, both in men and material, to make your mission sure." Taking a second piece of paper, so did he continue to write.

"For the meantime, I'm detailing you a little permanent staff. Two cencoris officers and five legionaries of suitable rank. Pick anyone you want, preferably skilled in building. Also, if you can, I'd like you to figure out what happened to the reports you sent, regarding the status of forces in the Empire." Another dangerous grin.

"If we need to burn down a few drawbridges, it's best we know now."A wink came the Provost's way.

"You've done well. Report to me no later than the 12th of next month. We'll have you embarked, and I'll have a decision by then."

At that, a smile and clasped hands.

"Is there anything else I need to know? If there isn't, you can consider yourself dismissed."

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Keldon came to attention quickly and sharply saluted. "Yes sir, I did not expect a decision right away your Excellency. However all I can ask is you consider the request given its nature sometime to consider it is understandable. Thus far to my knowledge the only command that holds authority over both the Army and Navy is this office, any operations are done through co-operation and compromise between the two commands. However if Arium is to become a forefront of Imperial defense's the time for words and debate must end and action my be put into place." he said in an all to well known military tone, that was sharp yet commanding in a way.

[Keldon Elsdragon]

As Keldon turned to leave he paused his mind starting to wonder about several things, namely the capability of the local government and the ability to mix the command structure of a Imperial Fortress and a local city into one command structure. Turning back to face the Minister Keldon smiled. "Sir, an idea has been going through my mind about Paxia. We are going to be rebuilding the city into an imperial stronghold yet the city will remain under the control of the provincial government. Which could become a liability to the safety of the forces and the people... I do not know if your office can do such a thing so I was considering to make an appointment with the Regent to ask him about such a thing... but perhaps the city being transferred under the official jurisdiction of the Minister of War would help things greatly..." Keldon said with a pause.

"The military will not run the day to day operations of the city and would appoint a local official much like the Governor would however we would not need to concern ourselves with the Governor of the Province interfering with our operations and when time came to push the military can respond effectually without having to play politics with local officials."

[Alexis Sapientia]

One thing with having new people in newer positions was that it made them think quite out of the box...out of the fortress in this case, though one that had not escaped the Imperial Minister of War. Portshire was such a case.

The Governor of Arium's obstinacy was sufficient enough to cause much comment and comparison with that of the Empire's least-favorite equine.

Apologists, on the other hand, considered it a matter of see no good, hear no good, nor speak any good.

In that case, the Director-General was doing quite well as the famed walls of Nexus Prime. Silent, monolithic, but in the presence of a determined people, quite useless.

"I'll consider it," declared Alexis with some finality, noting the offers, and the fact that Provosts these brightenings would even deign to meet with their sovereign with as much effort as it did shining their boots.

Ah, well, Milo was indeed the man of the people, a beer-and-meatpie Regent. Isolate the rulers too much and one gets Antonius the antiquated, with similar ideas and ideals, to boot!

Setting his head down, he went back to his papers. The numbers Elsdragon had given were proving quite interesting. Now if you included them in the existing force structure...

[Keldon Elsdragon]

Keldon made a small sigh within the confines of his head, Considering it was welcomed however he would soon meet with the Regent himself and as a politician and slowly becoming a military man Keldon knew all to well that the Regent would want the opinion of his top military adviser before he made such a choice.

Perhaps he could get Alexis to come to the meeting and they all could discuss the topic at hand, perhaps not. But the mans opinion was needed no matter what. If he approved then all the better, if he disapproved Keldon would need to give reasons to counter it, although it would be useless to do so he would do it anyways as he believed it was the best course of action. In reality it was, perhaps not the best political action in the short term. Military wise it however was. "Yes sir, I shall go forth and arrange a meeting with the Regent and once it is established I shall come to your office and see if I can gain your opinion or decision for your point of view. Perhaps if time permits you can join me in the meeting sir." Keldon said with a bow turning to leave the room.