Spirits of the Earth

OOC: This thread is a part of the mini-event here (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=16012.0) that plays into the larger, Connlaothian Civil War event here (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=14741.0). Please post in the plotting thread for said event if interested in joining. This is an open thread with approval only- you can not just join this thread unless you've already discussed your character's position with me :) Thanks!

There is no posting order in this particular thread- just be respectful and I ask you to be at least active enough to post once a week so we can keep this thread moving and it doesn't go stagnant.
:)

THIS THREAD IS A PRE-ATTACK MEET AND GREET THREAD PRIOR TO WHEN THE FIGHTING BEGINS. Only soldiers and characters that would be at the fort prior to the attack would post here :)

Please familiarize yourself with the Fort Locations (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=16012.msg172505#msg172505), as they will be mentioned alot here and should also be mentioned when your character moves within the fort to other locations within this thread.[/size]

--------

Spring time was far from over, and autumn was too short for comfort. Too few crops this year and too early a frost had a lot of the Connlaothians worried about the winter. Snowfall never occurred this early, but it was everywhere, at least a foot of it- and it was fresh. The last time this happened, the winter lasted half a year- and that was before most of their times.

But work was work, and there was a war to be had- and General Serenus (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=13798.msg116768#msg116768) had found himself the next unfortunate sod to be stationed at the large, but prestigious Fort Dhagh that rested just at the foot of the Kilanthro's. The weather was even colder here, being so close to Hyoite, and like his men, he felt the irritation and early onset of fatigue from the snow.

The stable tower walls and east field tower walls still needed fixing. Both were still in their crude, wooden state when the fort was hastily built, and the stone masons and miners had been working around the clock to see all of the walls fortifying the place were tough and thick with new stone reinforcements.  But no one could have predicted this earlier winter, and a lot of the men were falling ill and could not work as long as they needed to- not in this biting cold weather. So the wall progress slowed to a crawl.

Though Serenus was growing older, he was the Grand Duke's (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=13795.msg116719#msg116719) best man- and though it was almost a slap to the face to be taken off the battle grounds across the kingdom and stationed here- he accepted it with pride. Perhaps it would do his old bones some good to remain stationed; and Fort Dhagh had a lot of appeal. Though it didn't stop some of the rumors for spreading as to why he was there- after all, it was almost public knowledge now that General Serenus had been saved by a mage healer- and that made a lot of folks who supported the Grand Duke worried.

Though it had never been said out loud, Serenus knew enough what was being said and knew this was punishment enough for justifying his open support of Solita (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=14656.new#new), the healer- though it was not to his surprise when her presumed lover was also sent along north and stationed here as well. Killian Gryst (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=13788.new#new) had risen quickly in rank and favor with the Grand Duke- and was actually beginning his training as a knight when the rumors spread to the public. He wasn't sure who leaked that information, but he had a hunch Zannrick (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=13873.msg118197#msg118197) (possibly a man stationed below even him) was to blame. This could also be in thanks to the healing girl, who's fate, neither of them could foresee. She was in the Grand Duke's hands now- and that very bit of information was hushed. No one knew who she was her what she as doing- but Grand Duke Allarick had taken interest- and that was that.

With the cold winds blowing in, General Serenus was making his rounds along the Northern Wall, and had made it to the North Watch Tower when a familiar soldier caught his eyes.
"Ah, Killian, I see you're on night watch, hope you're not afraid of heights," he said, patting the younger soldier on his shoulder as he smiled. "See anything interesting in the forests?"

Killian, surprised to find the General approaching him, gave an awkward smile and laugh through a puff of white breath.
"Nothing to see yet, sir. Just forests and snow, more snow." The young man's blue eyes went out into the forests. The snowfall had just started but a hour ago and it seemed they were due for another foot or two of fresh snow come the morning.

"It's peaceful," Killian murmured, blue eyes wavering as they took in the sparkling flakes of white snow- They glittered and fell, much like the start dust that was normally evident in the night sky- but now it was fogged over by heavy clouds, yet the moon managed to break through at an opening and lined everything in silver.

"What brings you to North watch tower?" the soldier asked curiously as he looked over at Serenus, but the man said nothing at first as he smiled and patted Killian on the shoulder again.

"Just inspecting my new territory. With work on the walls delayed, I'm putting in extra effort for men to be stationed along the walls- especially those still of wood."

"How long do you think that will take to complete?"

The General shook his head, "Now that I can't say. You volunteering?" he asked whit a grin.

Killian laughed and turned his head bashfully away. "Not unless you want it to be done soon. I don't know the first thing about building a wall."

"Aye, not all of the men do," Serenus said sagely and gave a nod. "Well, keep up the good work soldier, and keep your eyes on the snow. If there'll be any sort of attack, it would be coming more likely from the west- so keep your chin up your still stationed on stone."

Killian gave an uncertain, breathy laugh but peered over at the General as he was walking away.
"What do you mean the west? Do you think someone would actually attack us here in this weather?"

The General paused briefly in his stride to shrug as he peered back at Killian.
"You never know, Killian. We're at war- and with the change in weather, men can get desperate." And with that, he proceeded to step outside of the tower and continued his rounds along the walls.

---------

OOC: If you want to run into Serenus, just let me know which wall you're running into him at XD other wise, Killian is stationed by himself at the North Watch Tower.

A patrol around the fortress' walls - or more of a slow walk in this weather - was one of the few duties for a man such as Mordred in this fortress. Snow was falling heavily on the hood of his grey cape, landing like a cover on his broad shoulders and gradually sliding off the cloak and armour as he walked forth. He wasn't cold at the slightest - not in this clothes, oh no. But the wind was blowing snow into his face and eyes, and that was more than irritating.

He moved closer to the wall to gain a little protection from the snow, and shook the snow off his hood, scowling at more white mess, dropping from the clouds. In his concentration at complaining about the weather in his mind, and wondering when this accursed snow will stop, he almost walked into another man.

He looked the short - at least when compared to him - man over, and crossed his arms on his chest. He didn't know who it was, but he appeared rather young. Mordred raised a brow, and let the hood slide off his head a little, revealing his face. What was usually just a thick stubble has almost grown into a short beard over the time he spent in this fort, and it gave him an even stronger, more intimidating appearance.

"You should go hide somewhere inside." he spoke eventually, in a far less hard tone than one might have expected from a man like him. "It's snowing."

((OOC: Nasin is a young man...))

Nasin hitched his cloak against the bitter cold as he passed by the East Field Tower Wall. He was sure the duty officer was out to get him, this was the third time in as many days he'd had an all day patrol in the bitter weather. Not that he didn't understand why though. Everyone seemed to hate the unfortunate boy because of the stupid rumors associated with him. He sighed. if only he could be back on the farm right now, helping his pa with the firewood...

In his reverie, he didn't notice the taller man until he was almost on top of him. He backed up and looked up at the fellow before quickly throwing a salute. He didn't know the man's rank but everyone was higher on the chain then him so saluting was a safe bet. He held the position until the man spoke, and then waited another moment to compose his answer before speaking. The look of concentration on his face and the time it took him to answer might have made him seem slow, but in truth Nasin just wanted to make sure he phrased his answer right and thought it through.

"I'm out on patrol, sir. I have another hour out here sir and my superior officer would be greatly disappointetedted [sic] with me if I left my route." He flushed, embarrassed with his stutter on the word 'disappointed.' He had only learned it recently (his education was a bit lacking in the vocabulary department) and he still had trouble pronouncing it.

To some, snow was the color of innocence.

It fell upon the world softly, tiny shards of sky-stuff crystalized by the cold, blanketing trees and land and houses in a soft, comforting layer of pearlescence such that the world seemed almost transformed, a place where anything could happen and dreams took wing on the zephyrs of a cold night. It was a foolhardy, childish notion. The snow was no more innocent than the ground it fell upon, and it represented nothing more. Unlike the ground, however, the snow was slowing her down... and that, Kasna found affront at.

She had been en route to Fort Dhagh for four days, ever since completing her latest assignment from the order. The White Lily knight had been dispatched to perform her holy work by tracking and rooting out a cabal of outlaw mages who'd turned their unnatural talents to the task of blackmailing and extorting a local merchant family. However, when her task had been complete and the heretics lay dead, Kasna had discovered, much to her disappointment, that the 'blackmail' in question was the merchant's own son, a boy who was cursed with the fey touch of magic. The family, like so many others, had thought that if the boy never got his hands on a spellbook or made the wrong friends that they could keep their secret shame, going the rest of their lives without the stigma of a marked mage for a son and heir. Give people a little wealth and all of a sudden they think the rules no longer apply to them; it was a tragically common story, made yet more tragic when the parents were carted off to the jails for their crimes (which included bribing officials, apparently, and trying to bribe a Knight of the White Lily). That left only the son, who'd been promptly marked and, after the appropriate rituals followed, given into Kasna's care. There were no Mordecai available to take him to the camps... which had just left her.

That was four days ago.

Trudging along steadily, the reins of her horse in hand and a hooded cloak drawn up over her armor, Kasna at last had the fort in sight. On the horse sat the boy, tied into the saddle and wrapped in a heavy woolen blanket. They had slept little along the way to make time, the boy nodding off more often than not while riding to make up for it. As mage-prisoners went he had been one of her more compliant which, while it made the journey comparatively easy, had also made it dull. There was little to talk about that hadn't been covered within the first fifteen minutes of the trip so they had passed the time mostly in silence -- the child would, at times, sing hymns softly to himself for comfort and Kasna didn't see a reason to stop him. At least he had been raised in the proper faith, it seemed.

The fort loomed in the distance, its shape a dull outline in the falling snow. Kasna knelt quickly, thanking Ansgar for their safe arrival. Even someone as hardened and resilient as herself still needed to rest at some point, and the prospect of a simple stew and the comfort of Connlaothian foretress-walls appealed to her. They kept on until they reached, at length, the Front Gates and were stopped. When one of the soldiers standing watch demanded she identify herself she pulled back her hood so they could see her face.

"I am Kasna Vel Telshear, Knight of the White Lily and servant of his grace, Grand Duke Calent." The Adhara gestured behind her. "I have a new resident for the camps, Erwin Jastfeld of the town of Horold. He is a marked mage who has cooperated with me in bringing him here -- follow your procedures in that respect." Dusting the snow off her shoulders, she added. "As is to be afforded a knight of my order, I request lodging within the fort until conditions are right to travel out. And let the ranking officer know that I'm requesting an audience at his or her earliest convenience."

There was nothing innocent about the snow. It merely covered up the sinful stains of the world.

Giving the boy before him a short nod, Mordred crossed his strong arms on his chest. "Then continue in your patrol. Pay attention to what's around you... It might yet be of good use to you." he advised him, and passed by, continuing in his own walk.

It was getting dark. The snowfall grew harder and harder, covering the fort with its heavy white cover, which was beginning to frost over in the cold northern wind. Mordred wasn't too amused by that, but fortunately, his boots were heavy enough not to slip on the freezing cover of ice and snow that lay upon the ground. He walked towards the gate, occasionally frowning at the sky, and the heavy clouds that obviously weren't eager to let the snow stop falling.

He never liked winter. Winter was too cold, and too poor for someone to enjoy it - the food was scarce, roads frozen, and prices high. The snow wasn't half as good as it appeared, it was only a nuisance on the road, one that brought nothing beautiful, fair, or helpful.

There was someone at the gate - a rather small figure, most likely a young man, or woman, and a horse behind. He brisked up. It was far better to walk while talking, than to patrol alone.

OOC: Just a reminder ana to highlight locations where your characters are in the post so it's easy to  spot out :3

--------

The General had done his rounds- and it was long and exhausting. But maybe he was just getting older. The cold air felt a lot harsher than it used to as he felt it down to his bones. By the time he was done, he was near the front gate- and wouldn't have even bothered to give it a second thought as he was turning his back to it and making his way up to the Keep for the night when a figure at the gate caught his attention.

He paused, curious to see who it was that would enter the Fort at such an hour, and after the men stationed there allowed Kasna through- General Serenus gave a grin. He recognized Grand Duke Allarrick's knights anywhere.

"Ah, Lady Vel Telshear, what a surprise to find you here at Fort Dhagh!" And he bowed gracefully before her. "So I see you seek a night's rest and some food. Perhaps some supplies before you return to the capital? That's easy enough. We always welcome our doors to the soldiers of the Grand Duke and what's ours is yours, my lady. Just let me know what you need and I shall fetch it personally."

He chuckled and offered her a smile, and began to lead the way towards the massive stone Keep that resided in the heart of Fort Dhagh.

"There's a few updates I'd like to inform the Grand Duke about- that is, my lady, if you do not mind the extra work to take a few scrolls back to Reajh for Allarick."

"General Serenus." Kasna replied with a short but respectful bow that was more a slight nod than a full cutrsey. She knew the man by reputation alone, knew what the rumors said about him. Those, to her, were side details; so long as he served the Grand Duke faithfully then he was someone she would respect. If there was any real suspicion that the General had any kind of softness or disloyalty where mages were concerned he wouldn't have been given a posting like this in the first place. The Adhara wasn't the kind prone to rumors anyway -- she would judge the man as she did any other, with her own eyes.

Those eyes took in the snow-drifted fort as they walked. "A night, or perhaps more if conditions are bad enough. The word further south is that the winds are strong towards the coast and carry clouds heavy-laden this way. They say a storm may be coming, a bad one" Her gaze fixed on the still-wooden walls and other structures, making a mental note of them. "And I would have to agree."

"I'll gladly relay whatever you have need of, though my purpose here is chiefly to add to the camps." She reached into her cloak and withdrew a thin wooden cylinder, the kind commonly used to shield important documents against the weather. "The boy is marked and has cooperated; the parents, not as much. They thought bribery would stand in the way of Ansgar's justice -- it did not, as their jailors would likely agree. You'll find all the required documents are in order to pass the boy's custody along." She handed over the container, still leading her horse forward with the boy saddled atop it.

"I won't be requiring much -- whatever provisions are good enough for your men are sufficient for me also." The knight cast her gaze skyward a moment, watching the falling snow descend. "If the weather is good to depart tomorrow, I will need to ask you for a fresh horse."

"If not, I'd appreciate a posting on the duty roster for the duration of my stay." She paused, then added. "I dislike being idle. Or handled lightly. As a soldier I'm sure you understand."

The General chuckled.
"But of course. I would never deny an eager knight some work." Extra wrinkles creased around his eyes as he smiled, and his eyes sparkled as he lead the way. His gaze shifted towards the clouds at the woman's assessment of the weather as he gave a nod. But he didn't ignore the fact she took note of the wooden walls.

"As you can see, the wall's updates have been delayed. Due to the weather, of course. Unfortunately, the men hired to work on the walls have fallen in- and with the men at half- and with supplies being as they are- the work to complete them has not been done."

He tried to smile about it, though it was forced, and a lump formed in his throat. He knew that wase an excuse-a nd he yelled at lesser ranking soldiers for less. Even still- he could only work with what he had....

When the pair approached the doors of the keep, one of the two soldiers on duty was assigned to take the prisoner into custody, and it was here, against the torchlight, he read over the official paper work briskly before slipping it into his waist pouch. He gave a silent nod to the soldier before gesturing him to be off.
"Send the boy off to Camp Hassfeld. I know there's a bed or two recently vacated he could take."

And with a salute, the soldier and the prisoner were off, boots crunching through the snow. But the General took note that the prisoner was staring up at the old stone tower, and he himself peered up at the lights burning in the window. He'd have to hceck on their prisoner later. And it was here the General returned his dark eyes back to the Knight of the White Lily.

"Well, let us sit down to eat- and afterwards, I can see what positions are open in our roster." And with a sweeping gesture, he waited for the lady to enter the Stone Keep first.



But the General and Lady Kasna were not the only ones entering the building. Killian's assignment at The North WatchTower had come to an end. Twelve hours standing in the freezing cold made for quite the appetite, and hungrily he waited in line to be served the nightly stew. To him- it smelled heavenly, and he was just happy enough to be getting something to eat. He didn't even care what meat it was, but if he had to guess- it smelled of vegetables and pork, and his stomach rumbled loudly.

Killian wasn't the only one who's shift was over. Nasin passed by the front gate for the last time of this patrol and stopped. His replacement was already there. The boy handed the other man his pike.

Wordlessly, Nasin passed by the man and went in through the gate. His boots made a heavy crunching sound as he walked through the snow towards to the keep. Once inside, Nasin went to his bunk in the barracks, and carefully laid his armor out on the hard cot.

From there he went to the mess hall, ready to pick up dinner. The meal was in full swing and it took a bit of time for him to get to the front of the line. Dinner was a delicious looking stew and a small chunk of bread and cheese. He looked for a place to sit amongst the soldiers. Most of the men were sitting amongst there home divisions, laughing and conversing with the men they'd known since their training days.

Nasin didn't have that option. He didn't really fit in with any if the groups, so he ended up sitting alone at one of the several empty tables.

Nasin wasn't the only one alone here either. Though Killian was a quiet man- some of his.. reputation as a mage lover (which he could not deny- for he had become amorous towards a mage (and elf, none hte less!)) had followed him. ANd he mostly kept to himself. He knew where his duties lay...
But even he was uncertain what was right and wrong anymore.

Spotting a table off to the side with just one other solider, he pulled up beside it and inquired, "Mind if I sit by you?"

Mordred's shift has ended, and another mordecai has came to take his place on patrolling around the fortress, while the dark-haired knight went straight to the dining hall. He avoided the company of others, not eager to speak at all, and sat down by a smaller table on the side alone, staring down at his stew and nothing else, when someone sat down beside him.

The man asked him if he can stay... Mordred shrugged. "I don't mind." he replied, not giving Killian a glance, and picked up a spoon to pick the chunks of meat, floating around the small bowl, up. It was steaming with heat, vapor rising from its surface and spiraling up, carrying the delicious smell around the hall.

"You needn't make apologies to me, General. You know the business of the Fort -- I'm merely a soldier passing through it." Kasna reassured him. Wooden walls were certainly better than none, and the threat of force that Serenus' troops presented was an even more effective deterrent than those... for the dangers inside the walls, at least. And with the snowfall, hopefully there would be no dangers from outside to present concern.

Hopefully.

His glance at the stone tower, which looked as though at one point there had been an effort to dismantle it, caused Kasna's eyes to track that way as well. She hadn't heard about the critical prisoner that was now kept within those walls, but just a look at it suggested the tower to be important somehow. Perhaps some sort of solitary confinement or isolation for particularly troublesome members of the mage population? She couldn't help a slight scowl at the thought; to Kasna, mages should either be penitent or dead... and, truth be, she didn't much care for the penitent variety either. The faith of the corrupted was always to be questioned.

Following the General's lead, the White Lily nodded appreciatively and stepped into the Keep, shirking her cloak and folding it under one arm after she was finally inside. It was a relief to be in out of the cold and the damp, and indoors the air was warm and scented with the promise of a good meal. Later, when she had the time and privacy, she would need to wring the damp from her gambeson and hang it to dry... though the idea of being unarmored with so many potentially traitorous mages around vexed her, it was necessity. She made a mental note to ask that the General be sure she was placed in the women's barracks, if there was one, or be spared a small room to herself if one was to be had. A While Lily's virtue was paramount -- she was no peep show for frosty soldiers, nor anyone for that matter.

At the moment she presented quite the opposite figure. Kasna passed into the torch-lit dining hall as a maiden of battle; with the cloak removed her armor and weapons were plain to see, glimmering silver in the firelight. The soldiers closest to the entrance went dead quiet once their eyes fell upon her, eyes that told of a certain sense of awe. It was not everyday one beheld an Adhara in full battle dress, after all, and it was clear that they were at once impressed and concerned. Was there danger coming? Had one of the mages warranted special attention? One of the men, hesitating, rose as if to salute -- Kasna interrupted him halfway with an open-handed gesture.

"Sit. Eat. All is well."

Nasin was eating quietly, still alone, when he heard something. Actually the absence of something. Conversation at some nearby tables had stopped completely. The young man looked up from his meal to beheld a breathtaking sight. A woman dressed in full armor was standing in the mess hall doorway. Long hair framed her impressive armaments, and an aura of violence rolled off of her person.

The men nearby her were completely quiet, and one of them made a move to stand and salute, but some words from her halted his action. Nasin wasn't close enough to hear them but he could see her mouth move. Obviously this woman was important, though The conscript didn't know why. He was from the countryside and had never heard of the Knights of the White Lily.

He stared for a moment or two longer, she really did cut a striking figure, and them went back to his stew. Ah well, whoever she was she had little to do with the young conscript.

Noticing the type of armor Modred wore, Killian cleared his throat to start some idle conversation.
"So you're a mordecai? I..  I'm just presuming.." and he gestured towards the other man's attire, but before an answer could be received, another figure- one that astounded him, stepped into the mess hall of the keep, standing right at the General's side.

Killian's blue eyes went wide with awe. If one thing the fort had been lacking, it was adhara. And though mordecai were helpful, he had always wondered why the white lily's were used to sparingly in the war. But once the adhara told the men to calm and go back to their business, Killian dropped his eyes to his stew and gave a toothy grin as he picked at it.

"Seems the Grand Duke decided to send us another of his own soldiers."And he peered over curiously to Mordred. "Thgouh I thought we had another White Lily enter the camp barely a week ago- perhaps I was just mistaken." But he was not mistaken-for another adhara was stationed inside the Stone Tower where the duke of Turgall's sister had been kept. It had been a rather hushed thing, that a White Lily had been stationed there, but whispers began to fill the room- and Kasna might have over heard a quip here or there about another White Lily in the tower.


It was towards the line of men before the serving pot General Serenus gestured.
"Lady Kasna, if you wish for a meal, feel free to help yourself. I myself, am famished, but I have some paper work to attend to first. So feel free to make yourself at home here. I shall return shortly and I can show you to your room."

Putting the spoon down for a moment, Mordred gave Killian a short nod. "Mordecai and knight." he answered, with a hint of hidden pride about it. He would have continued eating, but when the astonishing figure of the White Lily entered, he dropped his spoon in awe again.

It was definitely not the first time he would have seen one, his sister was, after all, an Adhara just as well, but this woman was astoundingly beautiful, and even humble, quite unusual for one of such a high standing.

He returned Killian's curious gaze. "I've heard of her, too. Saw her passing, and my sister told me that she was supposed to do something similar, but they put there another White Lily instead of her. Much to my pleasure, to be honest. She's too young for this..." he explained, shaking his head. "I don't want her in this fort."

Mordred has always been maybe a little overprotective about Nill - but after all, she was his sister, and as he was strong, she appeared to him like a glass flower, fragile and soft.

Killian smiled through a breath at Mordred.
"I bet your family is very proud to have two family members serving the Grand Duke."

"My mother's a barmaid, she doesn't really care much. As long as the business's going." Mordred mused, chewing on a piece of hare, till then floating around his stew.

"And my father thinks we kill and fight for naught..." His wide shoulders arose and dropped in a shrug. "Though they appreciate the money that's sent home."

Killian went quiet. He sent the majority of his own wages back home as well, but his family always looked up to him and were proud and always worried.
"I'm sorry to hear that." It was a shame, he thought, to not have a family supporting you. He never really knew how lucky he had it until he joined the army- and his perspective on life began to change.

"My father wasn't originally Connlaothian. My stepfather, I mean. And my mother is still happiest when me and my sister return, rather than when we're serving!" he laughed shortly. His mother was terrified of mages, and was glad that her children were keeping order, though she was still more satisfied when they were at home, and his father, originally from Serendipity, didn't consider mordecais and adharas useful at the least...

"Well she probably misses you," Killian told him through a smile. "I bet it gets lonely now that you're both away. What with your duties to the cause."

As the hush from her entrance degenerated back into assorted and sundry chatter Kasna gave Serenus a grateful nod. "Thank you General -- I appreciate all your hospitality."

With an efficiency of motion she made her way across the room to where many of the soldiers' weapons were hung up, hesitating only a moment before unbinding her chain flail. The Adhara's weaponry stood out from the rest; in some ways they were more use-worn, particularly the handle-grips, but in others they almost shone due to Kasna's careful maintenance. The sword, in particular, dripped with tiny beads of moisture as snowflakes that had clung to it melted -- she quickly and thoroughly wiped them off with one of the dryer edges of her traveling cloak and left it to dry in the warm room. A rusty weapon would not do.

Thus unobstructed, the White Lily availed herself of a bowl of stew and a nice crusty wedge of bread still somewhat oven-warm. It was simple, hearty fare -- exactly what she preferred and certain to warm and satisfy the hunger that had been needling her for much of her journey. Dry rations were usually sufficient but even a spartan pragmatist like Kasna appreciated the benefits of a well-cooked meal.

Of course, as she looked about for somewhere to sit it was difficult not to overhear the soldiers. She thought at first that much of the chatter was simply about her -- and she wasn't sure how she felt about that -- but a part of her began to suspect otherwise as a few choice soundbites reached her ears. The womanly knight brushed her curiosity aside; if there was another of her Order here, surely the General would mention it. She had more immediate concerns... there were no empty tables.

A mostly empty one would have to do.

Walking over to Nasin's table, the White Lily nodded her head to him before sitting down, laying her cloak aside. "Kasna Vel Telshear, of the Order of the Knights of the White Lily. Your name, soldier?"

Nasin was busy consuming his meal when the the sound of approaching heavily armored boots reached his ears. He looked up from his stew, and he was greeted by the sight of the armored women who had entered the room earlier.

She introduced herself, and her title elicited a look of surprise from the conscript. She was a knight? A noble? Actually though, he rationalized, it made sense. She did have a sort of regal air about her. But what was she doing here?

When she asked for an introduction, Nasin turned around to look behind him, and then to both sides of him, but he couldn't see anyone else she might be talking to. Did she want his name? Why would he want his name? He wondered that for quite a while, considering the consequences if he was wrong. What if she wasn't asking him? What he made an arse of himself? Everyone in the fort seemed to hate him already.

He was occupied with these insecurities for some moments, but he eventually came to a conclusion. Better to intoruce himself now and avoid being rude, even if she hadn't been talking to him.

Course of action resolved, Nasin stood quickly, bringing his hand up in a salute. On the way up though, he banged his hip against the side of the table painfully, and with a rather audible thunk. Nasin winced, both in pain and embarrassment, but he ignored it and went on to give his introduction: "Nasin Cerea, ma'am. I'm honored to meet'cha" he tried to keep his drawl as restrained as possible, but some of it still came through.

Kasna raised an eyebrow at Nasin's reaction to her. Were all the fort's soldiers this... excitable? He looked comically nervous, especially when he hurt himself in the attempt to stand up and salute.

She pointed at his bowl with her spoon. "For Ansgar's sake, soldier, just sit and eat. I don't like people fussing over me like I'm some kind of Dutchess."She sighed audibly. "I was merely making introductions, Nasin. I'm a warrior, effectively a soldier like yourself. At ease."

Kasna proceeded to eat in silence for a while, merely enjoying the stew. When she stopped to tear off a piece of bread and dip it the knight looked back at the conscript. "You're from this area I'm guessing, Nasin Cerea? My duties seldom bring me this far north -- I'm unfamiliar with the land."

Nasin held his salute until Kasna gave the "at ease" command. At those words, the conscript dropped his arm and sat back down at the table, taking care this time to avoid any mishap doing so. He'd had just about enough of embarrassing himself for one night.

He stared for a moment as she began eating, and the looked away with a start. He'd been told many times since leaving the countryside that it was rude to stare. Apparently the boy had a tendency to do so. It's not that he was really looking, he was just lost in thought. He sighed internally. Back in the boondocks he never had to worry about what he was staring at when he lapsed into deep consideration. Life in the world outside his little village was so complicated. He began eating as well, to take his mind off the awkward interactions he'd committed so far through the night.

The pair had been sitting in silence for some time, and Nasin was just beginning to get used to her presence when she asker her question. "Yes ma'am, I'm from Cerea."he responded.

He was going to let that be the end of his statement, but then he realized that a knight like Kasna would have no idea what Cerea was. "It's a tiny village here in Ajhfeld. Cerea is, tha's wha I mean."

His own awkward turn of phrase and drawl made Nasin wince, and he spoke more to cover up his poor language. Of course, he only dug his hole deeper. "That's where my name comes from. Cerea. Ya know, my family don't have no surname or nothin' so we just call ourselves Cerea when we're outside the vilage, cause that's where were from, ya know?"

He realized that he really wasn't helping his case by going on, and he lapsed into an uncomfortable silence.

Kasna's presence in the table behind his was causing a slight stir as Killian chanced a glance her way before spotting General Serenus and dropping his bread in his soup. The General, who was on his way to procure some food of his own (as he always ate in a hurry, anyway, never finding much time to sit among his men- though he preferred the quiet of his own room over the mess hall anyway).

But catching Killian's gaze, the General chuckled as he paused at the soldier's side.
"Still as nervous as ever, Killian." He chuckled again and gave the young soldier a pat on his shoulder.  "Be at ease soldier, she's just a White Lily." And to Mordered he smiled and nodded, inquiring to him, "Any news to report?"

Mordred shook his head, putting the spoon down, and saluting the general - somewhat lazily, but formally enough to avoid being scolded. "No news to be reported. The mages are obviously not satisfied, and will shout curses when you pass by, but otherwise nothing but wind and snow. Same as yesterday." he announced, and didn't continue eating before the general would confirm that the information was sufficient.

"Yes, I understand." Kasna wasn't quite sure what to make of her dinner partner. He was a soldier... but he had the disposition she would expect of a farm hand or brick layer. Probably a conscript, then -- the struggle with the magic-tained was taking all types into the Grand Duke's service after all, not just professional sword-hands. She briefly considered reminding him to relax... but decided against it. She couldn't order him not to be nervous and trying would only make it worse. So she ate, setting to work on the bread now and using it to sop up the remainder of her soup.

He really did seem out of sorts, almost at odds with himself. Probably a raw, green recruit. Perhaps the General would let her lead some of the men in training exercises later, should the storm force her to stay.

"What can you tell me of the lands around this fort, soldier?" She inquired after the first pertinent topic that came to mind. Whether she was heading out tomorrow or a week hence she would need to have a better idea of the terrain, as her road from prior assignments to the one she'd just completed, and now to here, had been a long and obtuse one. Perhaps he would be able to give her some insights to make the journey to Reajh a bit more direct.

Nasin had returned to his meal after his failed attempt at reasonable conversation, but he looked up from it when Kasna began speaking again. He listened intently, and then his eyes lost focus as he began thinking up a response.

It took some time, Nasin was a deliberate usually a very deliberate thinker, but he eventually came back to her, answering as best and as thoroughly as he could. "Well the hills directly behind the fort is pretty steep. Some soldiers tried ta see how far into the hills they could hike, but they didn't get too far. Around the main gate area is pretty open I guess. I mean, it's not a huge field or anything, but it's not as hilly as the stuff further away from it either, I think. Heck though, you probably saw most of this stuff on the road in!"

He paused for a moment, to collect himself, and then he continued. "Um, let's see, what else? I guess there's a river that comes outta the hills a few miles west o' here. Never seen it myself, but some of the fella's were talking about how crapp..." he paused, face coloring slightly. Crappy was not really a word to use with a lady, especially not a noble one.

He coughed in an attempt to cover his falter, though it came too late to do any real service in that regard. "What I mean's to say is how poor the fishin' is out there on that river. Now the other way there's a forest a few miles away, but I dunno how big it is. I've only ever seen the front trees while on patrol." He paused again for a moment, "And I think that's about it. I mean, a lot of Aihjfeld's just hilly in general, so you can kinda go offa that I suppose. Was that what you wanted to know, ma'am?"

"Yes, quite. Thank you."

Nasin had actually answered more of Kasna's questions than he'd realized. The moment she saw those unfinished fortress walls she had wondered why, of all directions, it seemed those facing the front of the fortress had yet to be completed. General Serenus was clearly a man of sound tactical sense, sounder she imagined than most of the soldiers realized. A fool would look upon the fort's stonework progression and see only the forward vulnerability... but with an understanding of the land the picture took on a different twist. With hills behind and flatland ahead the General had been quite prudent to fortify the fort's rear walls first. Should anyone want to launch an attack, especially one to free the incarcerated magi, those hills were a golden opportunity to approach unseen and then withdraw out of sight -- an advantage that dissidents could not be allowed to have.

By contrast the front of the fortress looked out upon even ground. Any force, no matter how small, would be hard pressed to remain unseen after breaking the tree line, meaning a defense could be mustered. And the fortress' flanks, with the river and forest respectively, had been almost completely fortified as well, denying almost any attacker the chance to approach through subtlety and guile. It was not without flaws but it was a sound stratagem. The White Lily's respect for the fort's leader was now significantly improved.

And then the White Lily's thoughts turned from foes outside the fort... to those within. She swirled a crusty bread chunk in what remained of the broth as she gave Nasin a dead-cold look and, politely, inquired "And the mage prisoners... how fare things with them?"

Nasin looked at her with surprise on his face. It's not that the question shocked him, just that she thought that he'd be watching the mage at all. "I never patrol the mage camps, ma'am. I mean, those jobs usually go to the more experienced soldiers. You know, those mages can be pretty tricky. I mean, that's why they're locked away in the first place, right?"

He shook his head a little bit, to clear it of the thoughts that sometimes crept up on him. The mages had to be evil, or they wouldn't be locked up like prisoners. Of course innocent mages wouldn't be imprisoned here, that wasn't Angsar's will. Of course not. Nasin was sure that the mages locked away here were all bad people.

He thought a bit more to see if there was anything he could add to his answer. He realized there was something, and he tacked on, "Oh, well I guess there's one thing I've heard, mind you it's just a rumor. Apparently there's a special prisoner in the Stone Tower. I've heard some folks talking about it before, though I don't really remember where." He shrugged. "That's about all I got. Sorry I can't tell you more, ma'am."

Nasin was becoming more and more comfortable in the presence of this odd woman. He liked how she didn't judge him, and how she didn't seem to show any impatience at his long silences while he planned out his responses.

A special prisoner... that explained a few things, certainly. It was the most logical use for the Stone Tower other than as a lookout and most certainly fit with Nasin's rumored story. But who would be the prisoner, she wondered? And could it have anything to do with the mens' whispers of another White Lily...?

Speculation, however, would get her nowhere. If it became relevant she would make inquiries with the General; if it did not, then it was just as well. Despite wishing to be alert and well-informed Kasna was no gossip-monger -- she knew her purpose and her duties and tried not to stray far from them.

"That's fine. You've actually been quite informative." She finished up what was left of her food, performed a quick prayer of gratitude, and rose from the table with a nod towards the conscript. "My thanks, Nasin Cerea. If my stay here is prolonged then perhaps we'll meet again. May all go well for you, soldier."

Nasin watched dully for a moment as she stood up to go, before quickly realizing that it would be rude to not stand up as well. He rose quickly, repeating his earlier blunder and banging his hip on the edge of the table. In the exact same place.

He winced, but he ground his teeth and spoke through the throbbing pain. "It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance ma'am. May all go well for you as well." he returned the good-bye. "I would be honorered [sic] to meet you again, if the opportunity comes up."

He stood tall, and would only sit back down and resume his meal when she left. It would be rude to do otherwise, and a Cerea was never rude. Especially not to a lady. At least, he ruefully recalled his earlier language, not on purpose.

The General nodded to Mordred and Killian when both reported things were as usual.
"Good," he said with a chuckle through his teeth. "That's always good to hear!" And he excused himself with a bow, as usual, he ate by himself, and moved to disappear down the hall towards his study. It had been a long day, but most days here were long- and with the cold and snow creeping upon them- he sighed when news was reported fresh snow was falling, and fast.

He gestured to the soldier who had reported this.
"Then carry on the word that those soldiers on foot patrol to have their secondaries keep the paths cleared and shoveled. I want to be sure we are able to always navigate the fort with swiftness."

The man shot a hand to his forehead in salute.
"Yes, General Serenus." And he moved away from him to carry out his orders, all the while Serenus returned to his own room, eating a cold bowl of soup.

Her meal and conversation with Nasin thusly completed, Kasna retrieved her weapons. The General had just departed with his evening fare and, as Kasna recalled, he'd offered to show her to her accommodations after wrapping up some paperwork. The drudgeries of command... she didn't envy him that. Kasna bristled at the very thought of being stuck behind a desk for any length of time signing forms and drafting official documents. How any warrior could stomach that kind of tedium on a regular basis, playing the games of base politicians and bureaucratic demagogues just to keep a command in order, was beyond her. She mused grimly that she'd much rather fall on her sword than die buried in paper and ink. But Serenus had his burden to bear, she supposed, and now Kasna found herself with something she so seldom had any of.

Free time.

For a moment she was indecisive. She could train, but first she'd need to know where the fort's training grounds were. She could rest, but had yet to be given a room. She had already eaten and had no desire to glut herself on food rationed out to good soldiers of the Grand Duke. Which left one logical choice, really.

She turned back to Nasin.

"On second consideration..." She approached his table again, mindful of herself. "If you're amicable -- and this is not an order, merely a request -- then perhaps you might do me a service, Nasin Cerea."

She paused to fashion her cloak about her, securing it but leaving the hood down. "It seems the General has other duties at the moment and I am... somewhat directionless at the moment. If you have no other duties pressing, may I request a tour of the fort? Simply to satisfy my curiosity, you understand."

When Kasna finally departed, Nasin turned back to his meal. He was almost done, but a lifetime on the farm had taught him to fully appreciate all food put in front of him.

He finished off his last piece of bread and was about to drain the rest of his soup by lifting the bowl to drink it out. However he stopped midway  when he saw the White Lily out of the corner of his eye. She had returned to the table, and at the sight of her the conscript set his bowl down sheepishly.

He listened to her words, and though she said that she "requested" his assistance, he hopped to obey. Back on the farm, anytime his mother or sisters "requested" him to do something, he made sure to do it faster than when they told him to!

"I'd be happy to give ya a look around, ma'am." he stood up quickly. "I'm off duty for a few hours so it's no problem or nothin."

He stood there awkwardly for a few moments, waiting for her to take the lead, before he realized that he was the one who would lead. "If you'll follow me ma'am." he began walking towards the door. "Is there anythin' you'd like to see in particular or do ya want to see everythin'?"

Mordred stretched his arms, pushing the empty bowl away. He's finished his dinner, and it was time for another patrol... Only then, he was allowed to sleep. A high position, unfortunately, also mean a lot of responsibilities.

He gave Killian an inviting glance. "I'm off for another walk around the walls. What about you? Did they send you out in this snowstorm, too?" he asked casually.

Killian gave an unfortunate nod.
"Yes, one of the men fell ill, so I took on a double shift." Rising from the table, he nodded towards him. "Shall we go together? I'm stationed for half the night at the front gates, then at the Stable Towers until my relief comes in the morning."

"I suppose so. Strange, I got the same places..." Mordred nodded, and stood up, shaking the long melted snow off the fur on his shoulders.

Quite frankly, he hated patrolling. Especially in this cold weather, it was a torture - snow was everywhere, and where it normally wouldn't get, it was blown by the wind.

"Ah, so we'll be positioned together then? Well, I suppose we ought to get going. I know the shifts begins soon and those we're relieving will want to come here to enjoy a nice warm meal." And with a nod, Killian made his way out from the dining hall and made his way outside of the stone keep and flinched at the strong winds that were gusting across them from the west.

"Seems like another bitter cold night," Killian said, his white puffs of breath being carried away by the winds. "Maybe if we walk swiftly, we won't have to put up with these winds for too long. I know the Front Gates at least offer some protection from the elements, so the winds won't be as bad there. Come on!"

Leading the duo down the main, path, his boots crunched and pushed through the heavy snow. It had snowed so muhc the night before, there was at least three feet already on the ground. And as the pair were making their way towards the Front Gates, the snow picked up again, and by the time the two were positioned, the snow that was coming down was nearly blinding.

"Well, looks like there might not be much to see tonight. I guess if we ever get bored we could count snowflakes," the soldier jested, trying to lighten the mood.

Mordred laughed - it was a deep, roaring laughter, completely appropriate for his strong figure. The long, thick fur on his shoulders shook as he laughed. "I guess we could." he replied with a grin.

"I was lucky to bring something thicker than armour with me. Next time, I'm definitely not leaving the inside without a cape." he mused, picking up the hood of his cloak, and pulling it over his head, where it hid his face.

"You should get one, too." he nodded towards Killian."

"Perhaps between our next shift, though I feel incredibly stupid for forgetting it. What with this weather, I should be keeping it with me at all times." But either way, Killian still gave the man a soft smile as his breath came out in gently puffs from his nose as he adjusted himself from where he was now perched inside the look out, peering down at the front gates, then back out into the snow.

(OOC: Late post is late. Sorry! ^_^;; )


"Everything." Kasna responded, after some thought. She knew Nasin probably didn't have clearance to show her everything, but what he could would suffice. "I'd like to begin with the actual camps where the mages are kept, see for myself the state of the prisoners. From there... perhaps the armory or the stables. I'll trust to your knowledge of the Fort past that, conscript Nasin."

Falling into step behind the young soldier, Kasna soon found herself back out in the cold. With snow drifting all around them she pulled her hood up and made sure the clasp was tight as Nasin led them both onward.

Nasin nodded at Kasna's request. "It's a big fort, so I might be on shift again 'fore I can show yous everything, but I'll try my best."

The young conscript stood still for a moment, clearly in thought. "The mage camps first you said? That would be this way ma'am." Even as he was saying the words Nasin was waking in the direction he had indicated. He led them through the biting cold past the corral.

"I guess we'll start with Camp Northenswalle." He indicated a large and irregularly shaped wooden building that was coming into view as they went around the keep. "I heard some fellas sayin' that it's the first mage camp they built here, way back when."

It didn't take the pair long to arrive at the front gate, where there was a guard posted. Nasin spoke quickly to the man about how Kasna, a very important knight of the Order of the White Lily, wanted to make an inspection of the camp. The obviously bored man let them by without any hassle, Kasna was too impressive to try hassling anyway, and Nasin led the knight into the mage camp.

Camp Northenswalle was basically what Kasna had imagined the camps-proper to be -- here the loathsome magic-tainted dwelled, packed tightly, efficiently, and near-comfortlessly into oversize wooden shacks, watched by guards who showed no sympathy as they came and went, herded into huddling lines for soups that would have served better to feed pigs and bread that was dry and sour. Here the dangerous animals, the sinners known as magi, were made to feel the weight of the burden the rest of the world bore due to them. Here they felt the pressing call of what, to Kasna, was at least a modest penance... has the White Lily Knight her way these aberrations, these abominations, these human-shaped sins against nature and nature's god would all, all at once, be herded together and lit aflame like so much kindling, the smoke of their purification rising to heaven as the incense of true righteousness.

What the mages got here was more than they deserved... but nonetheless, as she gazed around and took it in, she found herself nonetheless satisfied in a deep, justified kind of way. This was as it should be...

... as it always should be.

Northenswalle had been a good choice on Nasin's part, though again the conscript likely didn't know how pertinent he was proving to be. This particular mage-herd, though well enough watched by towers and patrols, was in Kasna's estimation unpleasantly close to both the stables and armory. If there was to be trouble within the fort, here was where she expected it to arise. She'd wanted to judge the spirit of the prisoners, to determine with her own eyes and ears the likelihood of uprising...

... from the down-turned gazes and emaciated, frail bodies she saw more regularly than not, Kasna -- a very faint hint of a smile creasing the edges of her lips -- felt she had her answer. The mages in Northenswalle were in poor condition to stir trouble.

Still, she wanted to see more. And so they walked on.

Nasin's first real view of the mage camp was not what he was expecting. The conditions inside the facility were far worse than what he had imagined, and though he was able to keep rationalizing to himself --that it was better they be in here safe as opposed to outside either wreaking havoc or being attacked themselves-- a part of him still screamed against the way these people were being treated.

Eventually unable to look at his surroundings no longer, Nasin turned his attention to his guest. He watched Kasna out of the corner of his eye as he led her through the building. If he didn't know better, he would say there was something approaching happiness in the knight's face as she observed the camp. He tried to shake the idea from his thoughts, but something about her countenance rankled on him all the way until they were through the camp.

He turned back to Kasna as he led her out the front gate again. "And so that was Camp Northenswalle. The next nearest camp is Camp Hassfeld," he pointed to another large wooden structure not too far away. "And right next to it is the Old Stone Tower that I told you about."

His gaze lingered on the odd stone structure for a moment in idle curiosity before he turned back to Kasna. "I think I gots enough time ta show ya the next camp, if ya'd like to see it, or I could show you the Forge and the Practice Fields. Whichever works best for you ma'am."

General Serenus had eaten his fill of stew for the evening and had retired to his room, but as the night crept on, as usual, he did not get much sleep. Men worked around the clock here- women too, where they were usable, and it seemed the General's job was just about 24/7. But he was an old man now, not quite as youthful as most of the soldier's under his command- but he might be able to say he was far more fit than most of them- there being  a hardness, a toughness to him that he developed over the years while serving the crown.

But being as he was having trouble settling in for the night, he left his room after barely being in there for an hour and set off to see to the camp. He had many men that can and do do this job, but he... for some strange reason, felt the need to look around himself.

The snowy path crunched beneath his boots, the ice making fast travel difficult on the paths- and it had just begun to snow. Hefting up the collar of his jacket, he continued onward and noted a few figures over by the camps. Upon approaching, he realized the one was Kasna, and one of the soldier's escorting her at her side.

"Out for an evening scroll?" he inquired, chuckling softly as his white breath expelled and mingled in some of the dainty falling white flakes of snow.