[Darkblade Fortress] Daekin Eyvind "Redbeard" Avornmagor's Office

[Eyvind Redbeard]

In one of the many Offices' doors one can read in a small metal plate: Daekin Eyvind Redbeard Avornmagor Björnsson. This Office had no receptionist, just a small wooden box upon a small and tall table with a small opening where people could place letters and other documents. Upon knocking at the door one would listen to a: "Come in." answer.

The Office was too rich showing the ways of the man who worked. There was a large desk with a few books on it. Behind it there is a chair similar to the two in front of it. Some bookcases containing books cover part of the walls while the wall behind the desk has a large map of the Aelyrian Empire and some of the surrounding lands stamped on it.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

16th Brightening of the Second Cycle of the Month of Cryxatum in the season of Summer; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

A Legionnaire knocked at the door of the Office carrying two letters. Upon entering he saluted and handed the letters to the Daekin sitting behind the desk.

"Letters from Aelyria Prime, Sir. Some have been delayed. It seems the messenger had a problem with the horse and had to come walking."

The Daekin nodded and opened the letters. They were old indeed, one had been sent during his mission in Mystique.

34 Melora, Era XIV PF

TO: Senior Legionnaire Eyvind Redbeard

Eyvind, by the time you receive this I will have been reassigned. It was stipulated in the orders that the details must remain confidential, and I will therefore not elaborate. I am leaving Prime and don't anticipate returning for some time. I wish you the best of luck and hope that we will have the opportunity to serve together in the future.

Your Comrade
Shield Deakin Tarfuss Son of Glinn

So Tarfuss had been reassigned and promoted. That was interesting but at the same time not so good. The man was a good companion and would be of great help in his next mission here in Sheria. Opening the second letter he read it as well.

To Deakin Eyvind Avornmagor

From Shield Deakin Tarfuss

3 Cryxatum PF XIV

If you still have opening in your unit and if you are still looking for more men, then I am writing to let you know that I hope to be available for reposting soon. I am going to be requesting a transfer from Provost Elsdragon. If you have a wish to have me transferred to your unit, make your wishes known to the chain of command.

SD Tarfuss, Son of Glinn

Another letter from Tarfuss. He was seeking for a reassignment. Without losing time Eyvind stood up.

"Thank you Legionnaire, you are dismissed."

Taking both letters with him Eyvind headed to the Office of the Cassandra.

[Kella Greeran]

34th Brightening of Cryxatum, Summer, Era XIV PF

A brisk knock heralded a visitor that entered sharply when given permission.
Unsure of who else was present, the visitor began with a crisp salute and acknowledgment of Eyvind's higher rank.
"Daekin Redbeard."

Seeing that they were alone, the formality quickly melted. A low whistle came from the hooded figure, as she turned about the room.
"Fancy stuff." She paused looking at a bookshelf. "Aw, Ginger, they don't even have many pictures in them," she commented with mock pride.

The woman pulled her hood back and removed her cloak, though it was hardly necessary, her identity could be known moments after she opened her mouth.
Kella never dressed in her formal military attire, but her current garb had some slightly more professional touches. Her more formal gray cloak was across her arm, trimmed in red and bearing her proper insignia, and her longsword was embellished in the same scarlet. Otherwise she wore the basic uniform of a soldier with knee high boots that seemed a little more pliant than typical dress attire.

"As you can see, I got special permission to come. A little belated but it came. Why on earth you'd want me here is a whole different quagmire, though."

[Steve]

As Eyvind was leaving his office, one of the books fell from the shelf, onto the floor.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

29th Brightening of the Second Cycle of the Month of Cryxatum in the season of Summer; Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

Sitting on his chair Eyvind was reading some reports regarding the developments of the new Sherian Provincial Army. Things seemed to be going well but time was running low. Someone knocked the door.

"Enter. Oh, Eirik Elebsson, I was waiting for you. Sit, please."

The Senior Legionnaire entered and took a sit and waited for his commanding Officer to speak.

"I've called you here because I want you to carry on a very special mission for me. I want you to travel to Jaedaxia."

"Jaedaxia, Sir? But the war is here."

"I know Eirik, the war is here for the time being, but Telath is changing and there will come a time in which war will be everywhere, I feel it in my bones. I know that you, like me, want to see our people's honor restored. In the past I was told that I wasn't the only person unpleased with this Empire and that the Vagaran weren't the only who would be fighting this authority."

"But, Sir..."

"Let me finish young one. We both know that in the past Jaedaxia has tried to become one without the Empire. If we are to try something we need to find support among those who may still live there. And remember Jaedaxia is the middle of our people's land, at least the eastern lands and that it is a very important city."

"But, Sir...why don't you send Coates?"

"Coates is old and I need him here to prepare the Provincial Army, Eirik. You are still young and full of strength."

"But why preparing this army if the objective is to fight the Empire."

"We want to fight the Empire to protect its people, not only the Vagaran but all. The Provincial Army will be the only thing between the Orcs and the civilian population once the Legions get defeated. I have a bad feeling about this war young one, that is. So I want you to carry out my orders. Ride to Jaedaxia, don't let yourself be caught and find others who may be interested in the revolution. I trust you Eirik Elebsson, don't fail me."

The warriorpoet looked Eyvind in the eyes and stood, after saluting he left the office.

"Good luck, may Aslan ride with you."

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Kella Greeran

The Vagaran didn't look to who was coming in his Office, so focused in reports as he was. The voice he heard though made him lose some of his focus. The voice saying his rank and name seemed somewhat familiar then a storm of feelings came when Kella used her silver tongue. She was here, by Aetheria she had come. He looked up to see her pulling her hood back. Almost turning a glass with ink over some papers he stood up and walked around his desk to stand before her.

"Welcome to Taralon, Kella."

He said, a smile on his face. He extended his hand for a handshake, then he removed it, then he extended it again just to remove it a second time. He didn't know how to greet her properly.

"I...I need you to help me in a mission I was given."

Opening the door so she could leave the Office he continued.

"Let's go take a walk, I will tell you everything. You should see the view we have from the walls."

With a smile he closed the door after her. The noise of something falling came from the inside of his Office but he didn't pay it much attention, he could check it later. Now Kella was here.

[Kella Greeran]

At Eyvind's welcome Kella's face turned brighter with her crooked grin.
"I'm just glad to be anywhere but Prime, my wanderlust hasn't been beaten from me entirely just yet."

When the Vagaran extended his hand the first time, Kella looked at it with mild surprise but motioned to take it, only to find it snatched away in a fit of indecision. The second endeavor and subsequent failure to shake her hand was met with a cocked eyebrow and the gentle tap of her foot.
Making a decision more rapidly than her friend, Kella rolled her eyes like a teenager forced to explain why her parents were not allowed to come with her and her friends to a festival.

"Don't be daft, Ginger. I'm not going to slap you over a handshake."

To prove her point she gave the man a quick friendly hug. To the best of her ability, at least, he was a little tall for her to handle properly.

She withdrew after a beat to listen to Eyvind's rather cryptic description of what she was here for.
When Eyvind opened the door, she pulled her cloak back over her shoulders, readying for whatever walk they were going to take.
Passing through the doorway she responded to his comment, "A view? Anything but the back of a horse's head would be a bloody wonder of the empire, at this point."

[Tarfuss]

30 Cryxatum XIV PF

Tarfuss had asked directions to Eyvind's office and ran through them in his head as he walked. The fortress was an imposing sight. He had lost no time in coming straight from the gate and was slapping the dust of the road off of himself before he approached Deakin Avormonger's office. He was finally out of Paxia, Gods be thanked. He hoped that things here went better than they had there.

As he walked he looked at the plates on the doors until he came to the one he sought. He rapped thrice on the thick door and heard Eyvind's voice: "Come in!" Opening the door he marched to the front of the man's desk, placed his orders upon it and snapped to attention. "Sir! Shield Deakin Tarfuss, reporting as ordered." He kept his eyes level, six inches above the officer's head and waited for his reply.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Tarfuss

Eyvind raised his head and smiled as he saw his companion entering his Office. The Vagaran stood to his seven feet in height walk around the desk to meet Tarfuss face to face. He looked a bit dusty but what was to be expected from someone who'd spent cycles on a horseback? Exactly this and Eyvind knew the man in front of him had done one of the fastest journeys between Paxia and Taralon.

"Shield Daekin? I thought you were a Spear Daekin."

The red haired man joked.

"Welcome to Taralon, my friend."

Eyvind offered his hand for a handshack.

"It is good to have you back. Take a few Brightenings to rest and then take up your new responsabilities as Spear Daekin. I don't want to bother you or tire you more but time is running out for us. Recover from the journey, don't even dare to return to active before that. Don't worry with details, I'll make a briefing for all my men soon."

The Vagaran waved his pointy finger in front of Tarfuss as if saying no, then he winked.

"I think Teig and Cyrus will be glad to have you back. We should gather to drink something one of these Brightenings."

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss grinned a toothy grin as the big man stood and came around the desk to shake his hand. It was good to be back around friends, people he trusted. He had most emphatically NOT trusted Elsdragon. "I'm most glad to be here. Thank you for the promotion. I'll throw my gear in the barracks and take a day to get to know the city and relax - but sure, I'm ready to start NOW. And a drink is welcome any time, as you well know!"

He glanced about the office for a moment and smiled again. His smile became crooked and he decided to take a poke at the big Vagaran. "Why. Look at all these books - a treasure of them - and all the fine brick-a-brak! Aren't you just becoming a fine figure of an accountant?" He took a sharp step back, just in case the larger man decided to respond with friendly cuff to the head.

He laughed. "Thanks for the welcome, Sir! Let me know what my duties are when you're ready to work me in - I'll be around!"

[Tarfuss]

32 Cryxatum XIVPF

Tarfuss strode through the drafty fortress, this time not in hard worn travel gear, but his uniform which was impeccably neat. He needed no directions to Avornmagor's office this time and made good time getting there. He knocked sharply thrice on the door and waited for instructions to enter and then did so, marching to the front of Eyvind's desk and barking, "Spear Deakin Tarfuss son of Glinn, reporting as ordered, Sir!"

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Tarfuss

The Vagaran smiled at the show of enthusiasm coming from his friend. Finally they were all together again, the Legion's boys were gathered and ready to shake Taralon with their deeds just like they'd done in Aelyria Prime. The idea of gathering them all in a tavern and drinking some ale while telling stories was appealing to the Daekin.

"Then a drink we shall have!"

He listened to Tarfuss' last comment and laughed.

"These are just tools of an Officer, sadly I spend more time here than I really want. Now go get used to the barracks and the men. You are assigned to my Centuri, the First of the Second Daos. Now be gone before I decide I need a receptionist!"

He joked.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eyvind raised his head from some reports he was checking and grinned, he had never requested Tarfuss to follow the rules that much around him but it was understandable since there could be others listening.

"Spear Daekin. Sit, please."

The Vagaran said as he stood up and pointed to the map behind his desk.

"The Province of Sheria."

He paused for a moment so Tarfuss could see the outlines of the said Province.

"A troubled part of the Empire. Right now the Orcish Horde amasses and builds defenses along the borders of what it claims to be their rightful territory. The region they claim as theirs contains two cities that once belonged to the Empire, Narim and Autumnus. From what I was informed the Orcs conquered both cities some Eras ago and the Legions' attempt of reclaiming them back ended in complete defeat. Ever since the Sherianite Legions have been licking their wounds and kept an eye on the Orcs' activities while the greenskins simply sit on their mighty fortress, Ire. Unfortunately those eyes haven't spot much until now, at least something that could help on a new offensive. I have been ordered to take a group of twenty men to the mountains and find a way until Ire's backdoor without being noticed. The path is intended to allow the Legions to open a new front in the attack on the fortress and maybe with some luck, enter it without being spotted.

To this mission I have selected the best men I could find. Provost Imperatis Sheng Kaldres assigned two shapeshifting Dracons to the group and I managed to get two mystics of the Mage Corps from Imperatis Cassandra Saddon. Cyrus and Teig will come as well, and maybe a third person if my request in Prime was accepted. The plan is simple. We will use some boats to go up the Black River and then split in two groups of ten. I will lead a group and find a way to Narim Castellum and from there to Ire while Cyrus will lead the other and find a way through the mountains to Ire. With some luck we will meant up and retreat by the safest of both paths, if not each group will retreat in good order. You will follow in Cyrus’ group.”

He finished his speech and waited for questions.

[Tarfuss]

Tarfuss took a seat and then looked at the map he was shown. He had seen maps of Sherian before, but hadn't had the need to pay much attention to them. This time he studied it in detail. Eyvind outlined the problems facing the empire from the Orcs, though there wasn't much information to be had, which was the problem that they were to solve. He was to be part of this scouting party and under Cyrus' command. Cyrus was a good man. Tarfuss nodded his head. "Yes Sir. Is there anything else?"