Reporting as Ordered (Keldon)

Vincent Stefan · October 13, 2007, 12:51 PM

25th Brightening of the Second Cycle in the Month of Ponutis in the Season ?; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV
Post Fractum. The Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne

The Trip through the city had taken longer then the half elf had originally thought posible. Though this place called Paxia was half run down, it still held a bit of it's old buildings as well as many more being built, or on the way to being built. For the next few hours the men contiued there way further and further into this city, after a few more stops and a bit of directions from a man who looked like an Imperial, Vincent found the place he sought.

Jumping down from his mount the half elf gave a Quick whistle to the sky. This compleate Vincent placed his arm outward in a strait line. Seconds later a Raven flew in to land on this makeshift perch. After preening itself for a few moments, the bird jumped it's way up the half elf's arm until it had taken up a place on it's masters shoulder. satisfied Shadow was in position Vincent walked up to the provost's office/Tent and began to rap on the makeshift door.

Keldon Elsdragon · October 13, 2007, 02:45 PM

Keldon stood up and moved around infront of the main desk. "Enter" he said firmly leaning up against the oak he would look to Vincent as he entered knowing all to well who he was and exactly why he was here.

Vincent Stefan · October 13, 2007, 02:52 PM

Taking a breath, the half elf pushed his way through the door and into the small tent, office. Walking to stand in the middle of the room Vincent placed his hand up in a salute and began. "Cencoris Vincent Stefan, formally of the Taralon 9th devision reporting to his Provost Elsdragon, as per his Provost's orders, Sir." Standing there in a stiff backed position the half elf waited for Keldon to respond.

It would have been now that the provost would note that Vincent appeared warn out if not run down, his uniform was caked in dirt and ripped in a few places where brush would have come to close for comfort. His Eye would appear sunken and hollow from lack of sleep and he was swaying ever so slightly. Though such was the price for riding hard from Taralon to Paxia.

Keldon Elsdragon · October 13, 2007, 03:04 PM

Keldon let out a small laugh and shook his head and walked over to a small table that had a pitcher of water on it and poured a glass. Walking back to his desk he handed it to Vincent. "Well, you made it on time and proved you are atleast dedicated, or in the least stubborn as my mother. Which is fine with me either way. So take a seat Vincent, I am sure your ass is sore and you want to give it a little more cushion then that of a saddle." he said shaking his head slowly with a smile as he sat down.

"So Cencoris why in the gods name do you think I have reassigned you to this lovely burned place?" he asked leaning back in his chair slightly. Keldon was giving the appearance of a more relaxed state and a demeanor that fitted a relaxed politician then a military commander.

Vincent Stefan · October 13, 2007, 03:17 PM

Vincent almost garbed the cup but, then remembered his place and excepted it with a nod. Then drained it in almost one gulp, enjoying the feeling of the water as it made it's way down. with a small indication from his hand the raven shadow jumped off it's masters shoulder to land on the chairs back. Free of the raven on his shoulder, the half elf took a seat.

Though all of this Kelden had been saying something, but since it did not sound too important the half elf only took only partial note of it... Something about a mother, and a saddle. Vincent just left it there rather then be confused.

"So Cencoris why in the gods name do you think I have reassigned you to this lovely burned place?" Looking up Vincent had to consider this for a moment. After a few moments of consideration the half elf responded.

"From what I noticed in my time arriving here, Paxia has not yet recovered from the strife that..if the provost does not mind my mentioning..earned him his station. Since the strife was hard I would wager things are becoming hard to keep order. However, in reference to my presence I have no idea, not a one, I am a military man, I go where I am ordered."

With that the half elf leaned back and finished off the rest of his water.

Keldon Elsdragon · October 13, 2007, 03:38 PM

Keldon nodded briefly, "Indeed it did earn my commission although I would turn this post and anything earned from it over in a heartbeat if it could undo that night. The position however came from my actions and the actions of those with me.... so here we are now aren't we." Keldon said leaning forward putting his hands on the table. His face almost changed in an instant from relaxed to the all formilliare tone of a military officer.

"Before we go forth Cencoris Stefan, the conversation we had outside of Taralon I will put aside and consider it a confession of a man and not that of an officer within the crowns military. However I want to re-iterate something to you so we are both dead clear on the subject." Keldon said pausing for a brief moment, his words where quick, sharp and firm. "I have gone over your history and that of your men, a good sum of them close personal friends of yours. A handful from your former faction the Raven's Wing." Keldon said shifting his eyes to the bird briefly.

"Your loyalty, to the empire is not in question." he said with another pause highlighting the statement. "However I question your loyalty to the military and I am sure you know precisely what I mean by that Vincent. Your organization while being filled with deserts of the empire did also provide legal assistance to those who needed aid and from my understand at times free of charge. Which proves to me although you have little respect for those in command you atleast stand by our people. Which is enough for me to have you under my command." Keldon paused he had not moved his stance. "However, I want to know the full history of the men you brought with you and there full ability's that are not listed on there service record. Because correct me if I am wrong they are former members of the Raven's Wing." he said cutting himself off waiting for an answer and one quickly.

Vincent Stefan · October 13, 2007, 03:59 PM

At the mention of the Raven's Wing a sadness passed over the half elf's features. A sadness that was what a man who had seen his dreams fore filled only to have them crushed just as quickly would show. Then just as it had appeared the wall that had fallen, was back up, covered by a chilling ice blue.

"However, I want to know the full history of the men you brought with you and there full ability's that are not listed on there service record. Because correct me if I am wrong they are former members of the Raven's Wing." Asked the Provost, placing the half elf on the spot. Vincent did not want to answer this question But he knew it was also important to have such information out in the open, least there be no trust at all with this man.

"I have brought only three as per yer request, Vencenti, Landon and Magelia." the half elf stopped as if deciding something and then began again "The first, Vencenti Malcuro is an expert in the way of Knives, trained to kill period. He can do this by throwing or by using the punching dagger's hidden in his gauntlets. He is fast, agile and I have seen him take an Ork before the creature even noticed it was dead. Landon Ancurst is, was my head archer in the Ravens Wing. He is a capable fighter in all things bow, short, Long it does not matter he can place an arrow where ye will need it. The last Megelia is well, he was one of the only members of the Raven's Wing that started out there and not in the military, It's why he holds such a low rank now. He is a trained spy, though never have I ever had a use for his skill, he is stealthy and deadly. Not to mention a good cook, never have ye tasted a rabbit out in the wild until ye have had one cooked by Megalia, It's almost scary since I have never seen the man eat." The last was said with a bit of a chuckle. "Together each takes there place as the best of all fighting ideals, speed, accuracy and stealth."

Finished the half elf remained quiet as he had given more info then he wanted to but such things where necessary when you considered the position he was now in.

Keldon Elsdragon · October 16, 2007, 12:42 PM

Keldon nodded his head slowly. "I applicate the honesty Vincent, your head archer maybe of some assistance if he does not mind teaching people, i knew there are locals who are looking to learn archery and I am hoping to arrange class's to train the local militia to better standards as most of them are nothing more then mere farmers, which if we need to defend this location again that will not do at all." Keldon paused briefly as he pondered. "Rather skilled team you brought with you, interesting to say the least. I am sure they are, and most likely yourself are interested in rebuilding what you had before once your service to the empire has come to a end." He said with a brief pause then shrugged. "Regardless however is there any questions you have of me before I give you an assignment?" He asked with a firm tone leaning back slightly.

Vincent Stefan · November 15, 2007, 05:13 PM

Vincent seamed to be considering something as Keldon finished speaking. His mind went into itself for a moment. Then when he looked up he decided it was time to the item he knew he must. Reaching into his side pouch, the half elf withdrew two peaces of paper.

"I would have liked to say I brought the men for purposes of them being useful to yer mission here but, I needed more because of what is in these." With that the half elf reached out and dropped the letters on the Provosts desk. For a second the half elf thought he heard the sound of them dropping resound around the room but then he thought better it was all in his mind.

Leaning back he waited for what for what he new was going to come.

The Letters:

Secrets :

The second:

Secrets :

Keldon Elsdragon · November 15, 2007, 05:14 PM

Keldon raised his brow when the man placed the letters on his desk so he picked them up and started to read them. His brow quirking even more, as it brought questions to his mind. Namely why someone's who's authority ranges to the Eastern Host and has no scope of power in the Western Host at all, nor does his current assignment from his understanding.

Looking back to Vincent he pondered briefly. "Given your past history that you know is public information and the reason to why you were even given a commission would you know why Sheng would make an order like this? Which in essence is not in his mandate to do so?" Keldon said in a firm tone that noted he wanted an answer and fast.

Vincent Stefan · November 15, 2007, 05:17 PM

Vincent could see the upset in Keldon's eyes, though in truth the half elf cared only slightly. It was not his wish to be dragged into whatever was going on, but here he was. It was what made the men within easy ear shot, all the more necessary.

As the Provost finished he demanded to know what this was all about. Except in truth the half elf knew very little. Looking back his eye on Keldon's two,l he responded in a sum-what hushed voice. "I wish I knew." It was a simple answer and soon Vincent realized he needed to give more. "I have, no idea why I was given this...the letter arrived the day after yours. not more then seconds before I left. Threw all the hard riding I did to get here, you don't think I wondered. I am involved now in something I have no idea about. Yet, here are the orders and I dare not go against them....not when it involves Sheng." The last was said at almost a whisper, the hate in the half elf's eyes was almost tangible.

Still leaning back in the chair, Vincent felt as though the hole world was out to get him and in truth the assessment was probably not far off.

Keldon Elsdragon · November 15, 2007, 05:19 PM

Nodding slowly Keldon understood, although he saw the hate in the mans eyes he kept quite for the time being. Although he had questions in the back of his mind they were perhaps best reserved for later. "Well Vincent you have a decision to make since given my position my orders superceed his own. However I do not object to the promotion, however having another Provost under my staff would be confusing since your current, or should I say previous rank is the rank I was permitted for my staff." Keldon said with a brief pause, the sound of thought came with his voice as he pondered how to deal with the situation before him.

"I will admit however this promotion raises questions since it is essentially outside the scope of his boundaries however that is not something yourself need be concerned with. I will however allow you to make a decision to stay on my staff and for the time being you will forfeit your promotion until I speak to the Minister of War upon its issue after which time you will either keep the promotion, take a lesser promotion or not be promoted." he raised his hand to silence him should he try to speak at that point.

"However, I will allow you to choose to follow his orders, as the command of Paxia is not directly in my purview at this time. The decision is your's." Keldon said with a firm yet understanding tone. It was not Vincent's fault in any means he was sitting here now in this situation oh no, and nor would be blame him for it.

Vincent Stefan · November 15, 2007, 05:20 PM

Why me, it was the first thing that came to the half elf's mind as he listened to Keldon's response to Shengs obvious coop. What Sheng had been thinking still baffled Vincent even now, but at the same time. The half elf's hands were tied. "If it where that simple." Began Vincent his voice evening out a little, the sound of weariness clear in it. " If I could I would gladly, take you up on not accepting Shengs orders. However I don't get that choice....how long do you think those talks could last a brightening, A cycle.... If I show any indication, any indication at all that I will not follow his orders to the letter I will not live that long..." The look that took the half elf's eye was almost crazed, however he soon calmed himself down.

"You have no idea how frustrating it is not to have control over your own life....If I leave the military, I die...If I stay in I die......Good future don't you think."

With that the half elf lowered his eye to the papers still siting on the desk. They where like a Obituary and execustion orders...both would end the same.

Keldon Elsdragon · November 15, 2007, 05:25 PM

Keldon's face went from serious to more concerned, why was he so scared of Sheng. Was it possible the military commander had such a tight grip around the man that he was like his dog. He understood that the military had people who were sometimes foolishly loyal to there former commanders but the tone in his voice was rather alarming. Looking to Vincent with a somewhat lowered tone his asked slowly. "Would you feel comfortable explaining what exactly you mean you will not live long. Since it would be I who would be countermanding his order's to you official that legally you have no control over." Keldon leaned back into his chair then rose upwards and moved towards the counter and started to pour some drinks as he waited for an answer.

Vincent Stefan · November 15, 2007, 05:28 PM

Vincent considered this, was it worth telling. In a way, the half elf was shock Keldon had not figured it out yet. Was it posible Sheng's plan had worked somehow.

"I can't believe you have not figured this out already." Began the half elf, His face clearly showing his disapointment. "The situations concerning my actions, both at Narum and in the Raven's Wing were never brought to Trial, Sheng bypassed the judiciary and figured since no one really knew I was involved except a select few of the higher ups, it was not worth going foreword."

Vincent stopped for a moment his eye's showing his clear discomfort in relating this information. In the end he decided what harm could on more person knowing do now.

"The problem that stands now is that at any time, Sheng could reinstate those charges. At any time, I could be draged off as a traitor and deserter to the noose....He has control over my life. If I show any desertion to his orders any show of free thought of rebellion I will be executed."

Looking up to Keldon the half elf added. "The rest you should be able to figure out on your own...Such as why I am here." Vincent could not come out and just say it. that too could be seen as a violation of orders. All he could do was try and stay alive.