Truth or Consequences [Striker please / others by Invite]

[Milo L'Evienne]

Ponutis 17, Spring of Era XIV

Two men waiting beyond the gates of Paxia mid-brightening in a previously secured area off the beaten path were soon joined by eight more, all having arrived from Alleria Prime compliments of the two journeyman sorcerers amongst them. It made for a group totaling ten all told.

Eight Knights of the Order of the Black Rose were dressed in plain clothing and armor, bearing arms each of them; two be-robed and staff carrying wizards were as different as brightening and darkening for one being dark of hair, rail thin and deathly pale, the other portly and rosy cheeked, white haired and topped off with a trademarked raspberry beret that even threat of removal at Sovereign’s sword point could not have parted him from without more argument than it was worth; one personal guard in the form of a tall and dignified Eunesian with olive complexion, bright blue eyes and salt and pepper hair tied neatly back; and one Imperial Regent rounded off the final tally.

For no want of formal receptions or ceremony but given an intention to get his hands dirty if need be this particular brightening, Milo had cast off the usual expectations come of meetings held at the Imperial Palace, and so likewise reflected those intentions in his wardrobe. He wore simply tailored moss green trousers and a darker green waistcoat buttoned up over a white linen shirt and his dark hair, prematurely scattered throughout with a few distinctive streaks of silver caught the first breeze drifting over the landscape and briefly blocked his vision when materializing far from home. Just as well, it took a second or three for him to come to feel he’d successfully puzzled his wits back together in an orderly fashion after enduring yet again a means of travel he imagined he’d never come to fondly embrace.

Nonetheless, they’d arrived, arrangements had been looked into prior to their arrival, city officials expecting them and knowing Sir James’ thoughts on matters such as this, Milo didn’t imagine the senior knight would be content to allow the group to linger too long in one spot. As predicted, Milo didn’t have long to wait before the blonde haired human approached and laid plain his thinking, and so resulted in the group moving off with the intent of entering the city of Paxia, a visit with the city’s local aedile being a likely destination before the brightening was done.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan had made his presence known to a member of Milo's entourage prior to the arrival of The Man Himself with his name already in their minds from communications between Regent and Loyal Subject of the Empire Sythe. Finding himself a position off to one side near the gates he had waited secure in the knowledge that he was most likely making everyone else nervous. It wasn't something he overly enjoyed given the exposure but at the same time necessities here had forced him to use his own name for a while and just once wouldn't hurt over much, Paxia was obscure and waste-land-like enough that he doubted anyone had particularly paid much attention to it the past few months.

After all it was only now that Milo had unraveled enough of a mess to enable his own arrival.

Dressed in his now standard drabber colours the former Imperial Mage cut an unimposing figure in a brown leather coat and gray trousers with additional sword, that he suspected none the less managed to look unfortunately intimidating simply because that was the way of the fates and life.

Upon Milo's actual arrival meanwhile he made his way from his milling-around to the Imperial party, inclining his head towards the guards who were familiar with him from his visitation to Milo's island retreat.

“Milo.”

He said simply to the Regent once he was admitted entry by some means of Miloesque hand waving or some such, cutting off all formality for the time being, seeing as there was no-one around to be formal to and he had no qualms with the Rose guards getting the impression of the situation they were likely to get.

“I will be here if your Excellency requires anything but, for now, there is probably not much to say that Mister Moonstar won't say himself. It's probably best that I correct you on salient points afterward the fact than try and provide one version now.”

The Mystic surmised with a slyly amused smile that suggested he figured Milo was in for an interesting time. Given Duncan's habitual lack of humour this may or may not be a bad thing for the Regent...but Duncan Sythe was going to enjoy what was to come regardless. He so rarely got tickets to good performances though, so Milo and Moonstar would be his Spring treat.

“Welcome to Paxia.”

He summed up and waited patiently for Milo to make his grand entrance.

[Milo L'Evienne]

Familiar Duncan’s face was to a number of the Knights of the Black Rose, not to mention Barrett and the two sorcerers, but nonetheless Sir James was inclined by instinct alone if nothing else, and maybe redeeming himself a bit too for a past blunder, to initially block any approach Milo’s way. Not long though, given Milo managing a glimpse past him and recognizing the fellow the Knight otherwise might have indulged in a bit of a dance with in order to stall progress.

”Allow him passage Sir James,” he remarked while all milled around the gates in order to manage their passing, added a dismissive wave to the rest of the Knights to assure them the mage’s presence was more than welcome. In fact, somewhat expected or at least hoped for.

”Duncan, it’s good to see you,” he said while offering his hand once visas were passed around, explanations confirmed and so forth. ”I imagine you’ve got that quite right though,” said in response to folks having plenty to say, and with somewhat of a humored grin to emphasize the point. Roland Moonstar, as Milo recalled, was one of the very few men alive who could very likely out talk him. ”We’ve met once, and I’m not quite sure I’ve fully recovered from the last time. An interesting character Mr. Moonstar. But I’ll be interested I hearing your impression as well of what’s going on in Paxia and the province Duncan."

"To the lord Protector’s offices, lead the way Mr. Tierney,” he added by way of briefly switching directions with a request for Barrett to direct the party off to Roland’s office. ”An informative brightening ahead I imagine.”

[Striker]

As the throng of Imperial soldiers and Regent alike materialized onto the earthen soil, a host of three purple-mantled figures cut an impressive silhouette against the backdrop of rubble that piled massively behind them. Their capes, a shade of purple that contrasted nicely with their ebony linings, demarcated them as members of the Falcon Legion, once the pride of the ruined city. Two of the soldiers wore obsidian helmets fashioned such that an elongated wing rested on each side, expanding up and backwards in an elegant manner. The one whose head was unadorned, however, simply wore a shock of tousled white hair with bangs that fell just above his dark brown eyes.

Captain Jagan, or rather, the recently promoted Captain of the Falcon Legion complements of the Lord Protector, issued a single nod to his flanking companions and in a few moments they broke off to stand watchfully behind him. Staring grimly upon the travelers from the Imperial capital, the hardened soldier straightened his broad shoulders and batted several of his white locks from his tanned visage. His expression, a mask of indifference, provided little to interpret as his stone-set features were locked in absolute seriousness. Not one to joke around as his subordinates knew quite well, the Captain was the epitome of professionalism at its finest.

His aged eyes, widening subtly in recognition as he noticed Duncan, lowered into a short bow as he arrived before the Imperial Regent’s escort of dutiful soldiers. “Serale and welcome to Paxia. We have been expecting you. I am Captain Jagan, Commander of the Falcon Legion and here to escort his Imperial Majesty.” Straightening as he regarded Sir James, one of the reputed Rosemen, the old soldier matched the blonde-haired man’s stare and waited patiently for the man’s permission.

Meanwhile, the other two soldiers of the Falcon Legion stood alertly and vigilantly, their hands resting comfortably near the hilts of their ear-hyanda, slightly curved long swords personally styled and tailored by the elves. As per the request of Sir James some time ago, the Falcon Legion had sent only a small portion of their personnel to accompany the Imperial entourage as to not rivet an unacceptable amount of attention which, admittedly, had been a wise idea. Despite the victory of the Paxians over their orcish invaders, sightings of the surviving guerillas had become almost commonplace throughout the seasons.

[Duncan Sythe]

“Oh all in good time.”

Duncan said with a small smile to Milo that suggested he was quite content to wait his turn when it came to talking about Paxia. Apparently he wanted to be the one correcting at the end rather than setting up a conflicting report. But then again he didn't think things would conflict that much.

Turning on his heel he fell in with the Imperial party, waiting for formal introductions to be made before giving his own compliments to Jagan.

“Congratulations Captain.”

Was all he said though with a simple, brief nod. No doubt Duncan's presence with the Imperial Party had only heightened his enigma with the local military...but then they trusted him after the Orc situation, so he had very little to loose by heightening the mystique of his position, waiting for the contingent to move forward.

[Milo L'Evienne]

Only the slightest alteration of Rosemen’s stoic expressions indicated their response to the appearance of the purple clad members of the Falcon legion, the split second required and no more for Sir James to come mindful that this was indeed the escort arranged for previous to the Regent’s arrival. As a result, the entire entourage came to a standstill in order for introductions to proceed, only the staff carrying Gwygwin in fact not quite managing as timely a stop for all his eccentricities. Milo on the other hand had by now, whether he liked it or not, mastered the art of traveling in the midst of a small and armored parade, that in part involving the nuances of avoiding an unsightly pileup.

Sir James matched the old soldier’s stare with one of his own before stepping aside, this a time honored and not to be meddled with tradition between soldiers Milo had concluded some time ago. But for himself once introductions were made, he met the Captain’s words by stepping forward somewhat past Sirs Pious and Aaron, and with a genuine smile indicating his appreciation for the officer’s reception.

”Good brightening Captain Jagan, it’s a pleasure and may I personally thank you for arranging in cooperation with Sir James and Mr. Tierney an official escort on what was admittedly short notice. I believe I'd first like to meet and have a word with lord Protector Moonstar if you'd be so kind as to escort us first to his offices. Afterwards I plan to meet with the city’s Aedile as well. Naturally should circumstances conspire to have one or the other unavailable at the moment, I will be happy to meet first with whomever is available,” he said, so then was left to follow where Captain Jagan led as a result.

[Roland Moonstar]

(OOC: like Labyrinth, I'm going to skip the posting here, there, and there bits)

When everyone arrived at the temporary office he was using in Paxia, Roland stood up and greeted them all with the proper greetings and salutations. He spent the better part of a candlemark going through the preliminaries, offering refreshments, making small talk, and allowing everyone from Prime to acclimate themselves to Paxia.

He was interrupted once by a Dorin who needed to consult with him on something involving the Northern Quarter. Roland excused himself for a minute, which became five, and then he came back and sat down.

He glanced at the various functionaries and dignataries in his office, not having a clue as to why they were there. That didn't matter, he smiled affably and made the usual self-deprecating joke: "Well, I suppose you're wondering why I summoned you all here today."

The moment of levity out of the way, he looked around the room expectantly, one eyebrow raised in curiousity.

[Striker]

“Thank you, Mister Sythe.” the Captain replied, tipping his head downward in noticeable reverence of the former Imperial Mage. Despite their limited interaction with one another (and they had been limited), those particular occasions had been under the direst circumstances, the likes of which had eventually effected the Captain’s utmost respect for the proven mystic.

Peculiarly unfazed and unconcerned by Sir James’s haughty demeanor, the white-haired commander of the Falcon Legion bent at the waist to provide a cordial bow to the Regent as he approached. “Imperial Excellency, the pleasure is ours. I hope that your trip was pleasurable.” He said, and his voice betrayed little if anything at all. Having been hardened by the throes of war for only the Gods knew how long, Jagan had developed something of a stoic-like reputation. Fortunately, though, those emotions that he had learned to suppress many years ago were often sublimated through his furiously swinging sword.

Gesturing for his two soldiers to proceed, Jagan waited for the others to follow into line behind the frontal escorts as they prepared to lead the entourage past the gates and towards the Lord Protector’s office. “Mister Moonstar eagerly awaits your arrival, and Senior Aedile Gena’ra is being summoned as we speak. Please, Imperial Excellency, follow me.” Tilting his head forward along with a jumble of long white locks, Jagan moved considerately to the side and waited for the group to proceed. Ever the alert and vigilant soldier, the Captain’s gauntlet-bedecked hands swung casually by his sides but always within each reach of the many-notched ear-hyanda attached to his left hip.

Upon arriving to the Lord Protector’s chambers, the two Falcon Legion soldiers opted to flank the outside entrance while the others entered. Jagan assumed a position near the desk, nodding and standing attentively while Roland and the others continued past perfunctory introductions and whatnot. Gena’ra had not yet arrived, and thus Roland and Milo would be free to progress if they so wished.