<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> Moving forward... -LurkingWolf ___ <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> March 4, 708 CR<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Lois met the patrol in the armory once again, although the meeting on this day was a few hours later than it had been on that day. The timing of the patrol had been carefully arranged to have them arrive at their destination very briefly before evening, hopefully giving them time to find their quarry and settle in to observe them before all light was gone. With a pair of mages along, the deadline was not overly strict. If they had difficulty finding their targets, they would simply make use of magic to find their way.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Lois caught sight of the second mage as soon as he reached the room where he was meeting his companions. He stood near Lucy, speaking to her quietly, but he was the first of the assembled patrol to notice the assassin’s approach. He had the appearance of a bipedal hound dog, his body looking much closer to an animal than to a man. His eyes, however, held an intelligence that no animal could match, and something else as well. There was an icy depth to the way he appraised Lois. He was not attempting to discern whether the ermine was worthy of trust; he was determining exactly how Lois could be used to further his own ends. He had seen conflict, and quite a lot of it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> His armor was of an unknown design, a strange set of leather that suggested plate armor by its shape. Its dominant color was black, contrasting the off-white of his fur, with dark grey cloth of a dense weave visible between the plates that did not fully meet. It seemed both secure and light, the ideal combination for a war mage. How much skill he had with a blade was uncertain, but he carried himself like a warrior, and the sword at his belt certainly had not come from the Keep’s stock.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Lucy and Alex followed his gaze a few moments later, and they each acknowledged the ermine with a curt nod and a few words. The moondog’s greeting was even briefer, consisting of nothing more than his own name before he resumed his silence. Lois supposed that the man did not approve of what he saw from him. There was no surprise there, in all honesty.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> With the group assembled in its entirety, Alex wasted little time on introductions before beginning the briefing. He clearly wanted to begin the patrol quickly and without wasting time, and Lois could certainly respect that decision.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “The Wounded Moon lutin tribe has been a thorn in our sides for quite some time,” he explained. “Scouts have confirmed their general location, but Keep intelligence wants more specific details. In order to secure this information, we have been asked to infiltrate their camp and seize whatever might be useful, at our own discretion.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “That sounds like a very complicated mission, considering that this is my first patrol with the Keep,” Julian commented. The moondog was carefully checking the briefing for lies, trying to do so while still seeming respectful. Lois smiled. A man this careful would be difficult to deceive.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Andwyn has assured me of your competence. Staying undercover in the service of Nasoj since the Three Gates is no mean feat. I do not expect you to find a covert mission particularly difficult given this consideration.” Alex managed the reply without once sounding untrusting or deceptive, and the moondog accepted it without further comment.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Whatever the case, we have a reasonably reliable idea of where the lutins should be camped. That makes our task as simple as infiltrating the camp and finding that information.” He gave a feline smile. “At least we’ll make it look simple.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The cockiness might have been laughable from another source, but Alex clearly had confidence in his companions. It might have helped that he knew that Lois would be the only one in serious danger when the time for action came, but the assassin doubted it. Alex truly seemed to respect the people he worked with. It meant quite a bit, especially since he had only worked with one on anything resembling a regular basis.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The lynx asked his companions for questions, but none were forthcoming. Nothing else remained to be said, and the four left the armory soon afterwards.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Lois prepared himself for another extended journey. Such times presented ample opportunities to think, but they were not particularly interesting otherwise. Unless they met resistance, these journeys also gave him only a limited idea of how Julian would hold up. He truly wanted to see the sort of magic that the moondog would deliver, but he doubted that he would have an opportunity until they reached their destination.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> * * *<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The party arrived at Hareford without ceremony before or during their arrival. Julian, if anything, was disappointed at the moderate pace that Alex set on the way, and was never more than a few steps behind the lynx. He also seemed to be the only one that didn’t need any time at all to catch his breath once they had arrived. Lois considered talking to him, but the moondog found a place to lock himself away soon after they had been welcomed into the barracks.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Three of them quickly took advantage of the relatively comfortable accommodations to rest before they headed for the wilds in the north. If all went well their stay there would be brief, but none of them would count on that eventuality. Alex left them to their relaxation, however, and made for the keep at the center of the fortress. He had sent from the gates to request a meeting with the commander of the fortress, and was pleased to receive a prompt reply in the affirmative despite the short notice.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The keep was truly nothing like Metamor’s own central edifice. It was a squat, almost square, structure that dominated the center of Outpost, its halls quite concrete in their shapes and destinations. This didn’t stop it from being daunting to anyone who had been raised in a more rural area as Alex had been. He might have been more intimidated by the corridors had he not grown so used to the halls of the Keep, but he had long since learned to ignore the foreboding walls and superfluous decorations that men of taste used to disguise the drab, featureless stone which formed their homes. He preferred trees to walls any day.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> He was not visiting the commander of Hareford to discuss home decoration decisions, however. He was here to deal with his previous visit, an experience that now caused him nothing but shame.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The black lion who ruled Hareford met Alex in a small office, rather than in any sort of audience chamber. Alex had requested a private meeting. Some things were better discussed between two men.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The black lion was waiting for him, standing with his back to the door as Alex was ushered in. He smiled at the lynx as he turned. The expression was very familiar to Alex; he saw it in the mirror with reasonable regularity. Having a similar face to the mage certainly made understanding his expressions easier.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The black lion was dressed impeccably, wearing a striking blue robe with gold trim running along all of its edges. His mane was styled in a way that Alex suspected had taken hours, with complicated braids and more than a little jewelry woven into its length. Still, his general demeanor was personable, and Alex found it easy to return to smile in kind.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Alexander hin’Valius, I presume?” the lion asked.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex bowed low before the commander of Outpost, more out of obligation than due respect. “Yes, sir. Thank you for agreeing to see me on so short notice.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The lion waved a paw dismissively. “My responsibilities are well within paw, and I had wanted to speak with you as it is. Metamor sent ahead word of your impending arrival.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alexander nodded. Although he doubted that another patrol had been sent with that purpose in mind, mages like Nestorius had ways of communicating that transcended the need for a messenger. He briefly wondered what all the black lion had been told, but he quickly put it out of his mind a moment later. He would discover the truth before very long.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The guards left quickly, leaving the two felines alone in the room. With other dignitaries, some might have stayed to assure that the lynx did not try anything, but everyone was well aware that the mage who commanded Outpost was more than capable of defending himself. As soon as the door was closed, Alex took the opportunity to state his purpose immediately.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Sir, I do not know if you recall the incident as well as I do, but on the occasion of my last visit, I said more than a few harsh words at your expense. Although my current mission requires my presence until its end, I wish to submit myself for discipline upon our return from the North.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The lion laughed, a sincere sound that was utterly relieving to the lynx’s ears. A good-natured smile formed on his muzzle, and he waved to the lynx as he turned about. “Come,” he said. “I prefer to speak while walking.” So saying, he triggered hidden mechanism in the wall behind him, and several false stone slid away to reveal a cramped, but serviceable, passage back into the halls.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex shook his head, unable to resist a smile despite the serious nature of the ongoing discussion. “You’re sure the guards won’t mind?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The lion shrugged, the bangles threaded into his mane jostling with the act. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them,” he whispered with conspiratorially.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex followed Nestorius out into the halls, and soon the two had left the keep entirely, the guards at the door of the chamber none the wiser. Once they were into a more comfortable walking area, Nestorius addressed the question that he had left hanging as they left.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “I do remember that occasion,” he said, turning to look at Alex as they moved. “I was affected by it enough to inquire about it some time later, and was pleased to hear that your lost party members had returned alive. Before anything else is said, I did want to let you know how hard it was for me to deny your request for a rescue party at that time. I am no military man, and I am fortunate enough to have a family, so the thought of leaving men to die by my inaction rubs me the wrong way. To hear that they were alive was very relieving.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex nodded his agreement. “I was also quite relieved, as a patrol commander and a friend. One of my men lost a leg, but the alternative was far worse. Still, I recognize your reasons for refusing to form a search party at the time, and realize that my reaction to your decision was unacceptable.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “To be honest, Alex, I would take that sort of radical determination to save a friend over strict obedience, especially when that determination is tempered by a wisdom that can see when the alternative is the best available option,” Nestorius opined. “Surround yourself with advisors who can see the other options, and you will be a great commander. The help of advisors is the reason that I fooled the Keep into thinking I was a capable military commander for so many years.” He cracked a smile at his own joke, and Alex returned with a smaller smile.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Despite your reassurances, I still feel as though my actions were tantamount to insubordination.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Nestorius nodded, but did not immediately respond. He stopped and looked about the fields that the walls of the fortress encircled. The long winter had strangled much of the color from the grass, and the constant march of boots had further reduced the area to dirt and stone, stealing much of the color from the already dreary environs. Still, the lion felt a strong pride in the small fortress. It was not Metamor, to be certain, but it was his home more than the larger Keep could ever be. It was also his schoolmaster in so many ways. Already a master mage by the time he had arrived in Hareford so many years ago, he had still learned enough for a lifetime within its walls.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “I think,” he said slowly, quietly, “that it is less important to be punished in this case than it is to learn from it. Your command needs you; I meant what I said about your potential as a leader, and to take you from them for any length of time would be unprofitable. By your desire to seek me out and not force me to request a meeting, I would say that you have already shown no small degree of humility, a trait I myself often lack. Let us call your apology punishment enough for now.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex smiled. “Thank you for your mercy, sir,” he said. “I do not know if I can profess the same amount of faith in myself as you have, but I will do my utmost to justify that confidence.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Nestorius nodded, then turned to face Alex directly. No one was in the area, as all the soldiers were occupied either with their regular duties or training, and so he felt safe in the confidentiality of his next statement. “You can begin by taking care on your current mission,” he advised seriously. “Andwyn contacted me himself regarding this patrol, and whenever the spymaster takes it upon himself to speak with me directly, it means that he means me to keep a close eye on it. This is not so much a patrol as it is an assassination mission, am I correct?”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex could tell by the lion’s tone that he did not intend the question as a means of confirming a suspicion. He simply wanted to hear what he knew coming from Alex’s muzzle.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Indeed, sir,” Alex responded quietly. “One of my men, a man by the name of Vincent Lois, has some expertise in the area, I suppose you could say. This mission is his, but of the four of us only myself and Lois are aware of its true purpose. Officially, we are only seeking information.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> “Hiding the nature of a task from the very companions who will help you see it done is rarely advisable,” the lion cautioned in an undertone. “I understand the sensitivity of the mission, but the revelation of its true purpose at an inopportune moment could easily spell doom for you all.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex nodded, sighing as he considered his next words. “I agree, but I fear that any time before the act itself would be inopportune in this case. One of our companions is in his first mission with us, and I do not know how far I can trust him. I would question George’s decision to include him in our group so soon, but it would be impossible to leave him without also leaving our mage, Lucy.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Nestorius nodded gravely. “I have no particular talent for foresight, but everything about this task screams of ill omen to me.” He growled low in his throat. “Take whatever precautions you can to see it done, and keep your eyes open for any chance of escape in the event of discovery. Also, realize that you have plenty enough enemies in the enemy camp. Do not make foes of your own men as well.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Alex sighed. “I will certainly do everything in my power to avoid making enemies in the camp,” he affirmed. “I hope that will be enough to see us through.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The leonine mage quietly agreed. “Now,” he said, lifting his voice again, “we should return to our meeting chamber before anyone begins to question how quiet our discussions have been.”<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">The two returned to the chamber in relative silence. Alex was relieved by the first discussion, but speaking of the coming mission had set him on edge. He had not been comfortable with it since George and Andwyn had explained its nature to him some time before, and the more he thought about it, the more nervous he became. He just wanted to finish the task and return to the Keep. Now more than ever, he missed the presence of Gerard. The stag was always a reliable friend in even the worst of situations. <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 15"> <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CNathan%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml">  <link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CNathan%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"> <link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CNathan%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml">  <style>  </style> </body> </html>