Empires of Ashes Reboot

*marching occurs, the men getting back into their usual rhythm of singing, joking and bitching*

Ket'verahi rides slowly up towards trajan.

Trajan waves in greeting as he rides along with his staff officers

Ket is accompanied only by the queer eyed Denya. The prince returns the greeting, raising one arm. "The vanguard has captured spies. And released them."

Trajan: *eyebrow raise* go on.

"The mercenaries found them, and delivered them to your first spear, who told them we intended to march upon the capitol and burn it. Then let them go." Ket's tone sounds rather displeased.

Trajan pauses for a minute, before grinning
"I wasn't aware Justinian was such a wily sod."

"I would flog the man for impertinence. Our strategy is potentially affected by this."

Trajan: You will not lay a hand on him, he has acted entirely within his authority.

"I would, of course, leave your own discipline, to you."

Trajan: besides, I can see no way in which it would make our strategy change. We are not planning on marching on the capital any time soon, but if the enemy think we are they will likely divert troops there, making our path onwards easier.

"You intended to fight the grand army along the river. We cannot fight them, if they are not there"

Trajan: if they are not there, then we will be able to get to a better defensive position before they reach us.

"I dislike this changing of strategy, made without concerning any of the rest of us. Especially with the Young prince Mordred away, we cannot change the plan now."

Trajan: Circumstance changes strategy all the time. It is a simple fact of command, prince.

"This circumstance should have been ended with a shallow grave." The prince knocks the plate of his vambrace against the scale on his thigh. "I am aware of your centurion's vendetta, should it be impeding his ability to command, you should relieve him of it."

Trajan's brow lowers
"Justinian's initiative has won me more battles than I care to count, prince. He has more than proved his ability to read a situation and exploit it to our benefit. If he saw this beneficial, then I too see it as beneficial. And I will not hear such a trusted and proven veteran's decision condemned out of hand so readily."

"I have given you my opinion of the matter, and i will not retract it. Command is split enough as we stand, without giving such licence to subordinates, no matter how experienced and trusted."

"You have a lot to learn about the dracian way of war."

"I know your ways. The man who does not study his enemy, is fighting with eyes firmly shut. I know it, but i do not agree with it." A sigh escapes his lips. "Be’āmalikiti... Did the cymraic wars turn your thinking so far to the self aggrandising?"

(By the gods)

"They taught us a lot. There is a reason all land north of the vein belongs to us now."

"Kelthro is not so small, if there are things to be learnt based upon size, you should perhaps listen more."

Trajan simply rolls his eyes and continues riding

Ket shakes his head, and peels out of the column, riding forwards to its head. He sits his horse like a man born in the saddle, as some are in this part of the world. His escort hurry to follow, four today, the number seems to fluctuate by some logic Trajan is not aware of. At their head is the man with mismatched eyes.

He slows to a canter, then a trot, still outpacing the column's march. A call in kelthrovi, and one of the mercenary riders comes over to him, nods, and turns about, riding at a gallop back the other way.

At the head Justinian has reorganised his men and has continued the advance

The mercenary rider soon returns with Yennefasi, dressed in mail now, not silks. From hoof to neck, both her and her mount are covered in armour. Only her head uncovered.

Reaching the column's head, the prince greets the mercenary, and a conversation begins between the two of them. Too far for any specifics to be made out by any in the main column. She leans over, and whispers a few words to the rider who brought her, and again, he turns and gallops away. The conversation then resumes, at a rather lighter tone, so it seems, and a few words and phrases drift over into earshot. They seem to be speaking of the City of Toram, which bridges the kuphilla to the north.

Justinian, never one to eavesdrop, continues keeping an eye on his men

The river kuphilla stretches out almost as far as the eye can see. the other bank is just within sight. It's banks are lush beyond anything. Ket kneels by the waters edge, gauntlets and helmet removed, and cups a little water into his mouth. He sits back on his feet, and breathes deeply, wiping drops of water from his short beard.

as he does so, he hears the sound of footsteps approaching him from behind

He wipes his hands dry upon his trousers, and busies himself with his gauntlets. "Yes?"

"So this is the river eh?"
the voice is female, with a notable Thengul accent to it

"Yes, this is the mighty Kuphilla." he pauses for a moment, thinking. "Theresa, was it not?"

"Aye, that's the one." she nods in greeting

He stands, having fitted his gauntlets, and picks up his helmet. "It is your first time seeing it, i assume." He turns around to look at her.

"Aye. I prefer spendin as little time south of the vein as I can. Spent enough time here in chains."

"Ah, you were taken a slave, my condolences."

"Condolences don't heal the scars on me back." she shrugs as she comes to stand beside him

"No, unfortunately they do not." He takes a step away as she comes to stand by him, a questioning look in his eye.

"What?"

He gestures between the two of them. "This level of... familiarity, is unusual."

she shrugs again
"It a problem?"

"It could be. It depends on why you are here."

she shrugs
"I'm a scout, why else would I be at the head of the column"

"What i meant by that, was why you are." He gestures to the area directly around himself "Here, speaking to me."

"You're someone who's opinion very suddenly effects the livelihoods of my men. Figure it's worth meetin you at the very least"

He nods, seemingly pleased with this explaination. "So, you wonder if i... respect? Value? Your warriors?"

"That kinda thing I 'spose aye. See if ye've got a good head on yer shoulders. Sorry if it's a bit bull-headed o' me but I like t' see shit like that fer meself."

"You are one of Trajan's Fourth, are you not? I believe we have traded blows on more than one occasion." His eyebrow climbs behind his helmet. "I was told we were respected among your ranks, do you not feel as i have been informed?"

she shrugs
"The legionaries respect ya aye. I'm an Auxiliary. 's not quite the same"

"I see... I have an appretiation for your martial prowess. I have considered something similar for my own armies." He turns back to the river. "You have no respect for me then? Myself or my people?"

"'s not like that. Where I'm from, ya don't respect a man without seein why ya should first. I got no reason to disrespect ya, I just don't really know ya"