[i]Castle Grounds, Pelataria Afternoon 7th Day of the third Month[/i] "Damon!" The call went unanswered, as the heir to Vetus Patriae lay at rest in the golden fields beside the castle. Though the sun was yet new, he had spent it's hours sparring - and now he deserved a rest. Still, the call persisted, louder, closer. "Damon, where are you?" He popped his head up, and spotted his younger sister Juliana, identifying her as the interruptor of his rest. Groaning, he got to his feet, adjusting his sword in the scabbard and brushing off any residual grass and dirt. "I'm here, Jules," he replied, taking a few steps toward her. His sister grinned - her search successful - and ran over to meet him. "Father wanted to speak with you - something important. He's in the main hall waiting with Uncle Jonah!" Damon rolled his eyes. "That's Commander Peterus - the man fought hard to earn his post, he deserves to be recognized." In truth, Damon saw more of a father figure in Jonah than he ever would in Lord Cole. In his heart, a warrior's fire blazed. And though he mostly respected his father's ability to get the job done, Damon often questioned if the ends truly justified the means. "Yeah, yeah," his sister's voice broke him from his ruminations. "Father and [i]the Commander[/i] wish to see you." Damon nodded approvingly. Jules was a brat sometimes, but to the eldest lf the Cole children, he could see quite a bit of himself in his younger sibling. Besides the physicals - the same piercing black eyes, their thick black hair inherited from their mother - they both shared a deep dedication to whatever job they set about doing. For Juliana, however, that task was normally to annoy Damon. But she did so with the fervent determination of a soldier of the Guard. Though Jules and Damon were similar enough to be marked as siblings by the average stranger, they differed in some respects as well: in complexion, where Damon's tanned, rough skin proved a stark contrast to Juliana's porcelain features. Furthermore, Damon always made the effort to keep himself presentable, his clothes clean, his hair tidied. Jules on the other hand cared little about the impressions she made on others, and it took the direct order of her parents to tame the free spirit. But though the two were quite unique of each other in their own rights, deep down they shared an affection for each other, and one would not betray the other if push came to shove. With a word of thanks to his younger sibling, Damon set off toward the castle. [i]Cole Castle, Pelataria Afternoon 7th Day of the third Month[/i] "We must think of our own lands first, my liege." "What affects our neighbors affects us, Jonah." By the time Damon arrived, the Lord and the Commander were already embroiled in heated discussion. "To send our entire fleet north would leave us vulnerable to attack from the west!" Jonah exclaimed; the old friend was one of the few in the land who could ever raise his voice to Lord Cole. "We both know that the Bogans are no true enemy to us. These rebellious vassals, on the other hand, could pose an issue to us. Sellafour is our one and only neighbor, and the current monarch is certainly no enemy to us. This could change if one of the vassals deposes him. Military aid could strengthen our relations further." Damon cut in. "Rebellious vassals, my Lord?" Antony nodded. "Aye, House Somberfall and House Dewthorn have declared open rebellion against Lord Qyptos of Sellafour." "So.. That is why you wished to see me then?" Another nod. This time, Peterus explained. "Your father wants to pledge full military support to Lord Qyptos - including our fleet of heavy warships. A courier has already been sent to Lord Aldran requesting half the Calisii Bowmen, and half of my Guards are combat-ready and waiting in the yard. Though I have my own qualms with regards to pledging our navy, your father pointed out that a sea blockade of the rebels' capital at Sunbard could deprive them of vital supplies. I am inclined to agree with him, tactically." "I see," Damon thought. "But what does this have to do with me?" "You've shown great skill in combat and leadership," Lord Cole replied. Jonah elaborated: "Your father wishes for you to accompany me to discuss the war with Lord Qyptos. He believes that you may learn much from the trip, and that your tactical mind may prove an asset. Once again.. I would agree." A smile crept onto the war veteran's face - a smile that Damon returned, tenfold. At Lord Cole's behest, Damon was sent with Peterus to the yard for training with the troops. Soon after their departure, Nevin approached the Lord with a different issue - that of the recent attacks on the capital of Lundland. "We have no more men to spare, Frederick," Cole stated flatly. "Indeed - not with the Sellafour rebellions. But shall the messenger return to House Trisch empty-handed?" "I'd prefer he not return at all, I'm afraid. We never received the letter." Cole's dark eyes were devoid of emotion. "My lord?" "The roads from Trischland to Pelataria are long and dangerous. Between rebels and raiders.. Perhaps he was killed making his way through the rebellious fiefs of Sellafour. Perhaps the Bogans took him as a slave. But he did not make it to my lands." Frederick stood in silence for just a bit longer than a standard pause. And then he spoke: "Yes, my Lord." "We are the only ones who know of this?" "Yes, my Lord." "Then see that it is done." [u]Actions[/u]: - Courier sent to Sellafour with the following letter: [quote][i]Lord Qyptos of House Takhar, [indent]Word has reached Pelataria of your troubles regarding those who wish to stand against your rule. I sympathize with your cause, and wish to do all in my power to restore those lands which were rightfully yours, and bring peace once again to Sellafour. Therefore, I have mustered half of my standing army, and have instructed my Commander, Jonah Peterus, and my eldest son, Damon, to travel to your capital and discuss the ways in which my forces may assist you. Peterus is a skilled tactician and a talented swordsman; if you wish, he may stay to advise you and assist with the war effort however you see fit.[/indent] Sincerely, and with the best of luck wished, Lord Antony Cole, Ruler of Pelataria[/i] [/quote] - Jonah Peterus and Damon Cole, along with twenty Legionary Guards as escorts, sent to Sellafour to meet with Lord Qyptos - Courier sent to Centreport to ask Lord Aldran for 250 Calisii Bowmen dispatched to join 250 Legionary Guards at the border of Centreport and Pelataria - Combined Guards and Bowmen, under the command of 2IC Gerald Wallace, are to begin raiding Yedarbahan to disrupt food production. The goal is cut off movement of supplies, but enemy forces are a secondary and Pelatarian forces should skirmish if met; ambush tactics if possible, otherwise barrage with arrows and tactically retreat - 5 Great Galleys sent north to Sunbard with instruction to blockade and harass from the sea - 500 sets of mail armor with round iron shields constructed - 500 short axes constructed - 500 men raised from Pelataria, sent to the yards for training