Empires of Ashes

Diana: "The adrine bridge massacre was aptly named. I have been dead to them for two years, they will have come to terms with it."

"Ket, do you know why Dracian legionarries are the best soldiers in the known world? Don't try to dispute that fact, our track record of conquests more proves it."

Ket: "I dispute that fact. you are superior to immortals only in numbers."

"That wasn't what I asked."

Ket: *looks mildly confused* "Dracian legionaries are well trained, well equipped, and numerous. that is your advantage, no?"

"*chuckles* There's more to a soldier than training and equipment. Tell me ket, what do the soldiers of kelthro fight for?"

Ket: "That depends on the individual soldier. My immortals fight for the man at their shoulder. if you are referring to slaves, they fight for their lives."

"Slaves, who make up more than ninety percent of your armed forces. And the soldiers of Thengul, they fight for their enjoyment, and for booty. The soldiers of Voldamia, for some sense of honour and loyalty. Powerful forces in the heart of a man, yes, but these are ideas. Beliefs. A good motivator to be sure, But they have their limits. Nothing tangible. Nothing physically real."

Ket: "To motivate a man, you must simply make to fight their only option. A cornered man fights harder than any other."

"A cornered man who survives also never wants to be in that position again. And will likely resent you for putting him in that position. She knows what I'm getting at."

Diana: "The bridge was the worst moment of my life. I do not resent my general for sending me there, i resent him for not sending enough of us to win."

Ket: *Raises an eyebrow, and looks at the dracian.*

"Have you really forgotten? Legionary!"
a legionary approaches
"Why did you sign up soldier?"
Legionary: for my family Sir. Joining the legion meant that we'd have enough money that so long as I'm serving, they'll never have to work again. They're warm, fed, and housed, all because I chose to do this. They're safe and happy because of my enlistment.

Ket: "Admirable. however, money is the worst motivator of men."

Legionary: it isn't the money. It's knowing that they're happy and safe. Looked after.

Diana: *Looks at him strangely* "I signed up to stop the kelthrovi raids."

Legionary: I signed up because now my little brother won't starve to death before he grows up. Because it means my family are able to actually afford food when times get hard, like in the winter and the crops die.

Diana: "Better starving than a slave."

Ket: "Diana, please, dracia shares our views... for the most part."

Valdorus takes a step towards diana
"I can understand your choice Diana. I can even sympathise. Better this than the other option. But, the moment you say you no longer consider yourself Dracian, you lose that from me. Dracia is the most powerful nation in the known world, we are the rightful heirs of Stracia and the first Dragonslayers. You Say you are a new recruit? Well, that leaves me with two options of what to think about you. Either you were recruited long enough ago that you forsook the nation that ensured the safety and happiness of your family, and fought for the very slavers who took you, and who you enlisted to stop, or you were recruited recently enough that Ket here had already rebelled, and so I must conclude by the speed with which you forsake your heritage in order to proclaim loyalty to your new friends shows just how fickle you really are. And I doubt your new friends should trust such fickle loyalty."

Diana: *grits her teeth* "We have been fighting slavers since i met them. two years, and they saved me from a fate worse than death after i was marched to that god forsaken bridge to die as a delaying action. No hollow words of loyalty to the rightful heirs of the ancient empire matter to me, only actions. I have found people who believe in the same ideals i do. I would spit, but i would not like to soil the ground with my spite."

Valdorus is about to retort but stops due to a thud in the doorway

Ket: "I think we may take that as a reason to stop this fruitless argument."

*the thud was LI entering the room*

Ket: "LI, Good to see you."

LI: *in reference to Diana* Who's she?

Ket: "One of my soldiers, she was giving a report" *She is wearing full immortal plate, but his holding her helmet in her left hand, and her right hand on her swords pommel*

She walks over to Diana, eerily silently

Diana: *looks a little wide eyed, but remains steadfast. her knuckles going white around the pommel of his sword*

Ket: "What are you doing LI?"

LI: Hello.

Diana: *takes a step back* "H-h-hello."

LI: Is something wrong?

Ket: "Li, stop this."

Diana: "No..... Nothing." *she meets Li's gaze*

LI doesn't say anything. she offers her hand to Diana instead.

*Ket rests his hand on his swordhilt, his face furrowed with concern*

Diana: *Reaches out hesitantly*

she shakes it
"Do not fear me. I am not an enemy."

Ket: *Relaxes his hand* "Your reputation is more fearsome than even ours, Li. Fear is inerrant, even among your own allies."

Diana: *Shakes back, and simply knods*

"You are Dracian?"

Diana: "I was."

"I do not follow your meaning"

Diana: "I was born dracian, now i am an immortal."

"So am I"

Diana: "Uhhh... metaphorically speaking. not, really."

Ket: "LI, please, stop."

LI: I am sorry. *to diana* You...are interesting. Would you like to...talk for a while?
*she's not sure of her wording, hence the pausing*

Diana: "Um..." *Looks at ket for permission? reassurance maybe? in any case he knods his approval*
"of course."

"Then lets...walk. I like walking the city battlements. Reminds me of home."

Diana: "Lead the way, clavae."

"thankyou"
she walks out

*As diana walks out, she takes her shield and spear from where they were lent against the wall, and has replaced her helmet, she carries the huge steel round shield with ease.*

LI: what is your name?

Diana: "Diana Legati."

"I am called LI"

Diana: "LI? that's a strange name."