"Oh, I would not necessarily consider it a trial of combat, Hatuum, though that is one of the obstacles you must grow through, of that I have no doubt you will pass." Amiartys examined him subtly. There was absolutely no doubt as to whether or not he would be a formidable warrior seeing that he frightened both Commodry and Mycandros. He was big, most definitely, in fact the largest man he'd ever seen. As tall as a statue and quite possibly as built, durable, and as strong as one if it were living. Amiartys didn't quite see him fighting in an open battlefield as he could easily be spotted directly and targeted by lancers, pikemen, or could be easily targeted from a volley of arrows. In that case, he would have to use large and thickened armor, perhaps made of titanium which was a very expensive material from the ancient world. Given the armor Hatuum already had on him, Amiartys deduced that it couldn't have been his role in a fight, maybe that was what he was hiding all along during this conversation.

"Given we had just met, I don't necessarily know you quite that well, nor have I ever seen a man such as yourself not to mention your face. What are your specialties, you should say, as a mercenary?" Though before Hatuum could answer, the Elder of Nocturne spoke of the predisposition that was facing Nocturne. "Perhaps another time, I assume." Amiartys concluded before listening intently on what the Elder had to say on the matter that was facing Nocturne.

An assassination on the High King? Amiartys thought to himself. That'll be no picnic, especially with someone was large as Hatuum here. There were tales once of giants who roamed the lands to the North, though through his own 127 years of living, Amiartys came across no such thing until he met Hatuum who was in fact not anywhere near the north. Certainly he would stand out as Alenio pointed out, though maybe if they had cut across mountain ranges and into forests it would not be as noticeable. He may even be an impressionable figure among the Germans if he had somehow infiltrated their premises, for it wasn't uncommon for those men to talk of such tales in an aspiring manner, but not to mention witness them before their own eyes. That would be a certainly entertaining thing to see. As long as they were quiet as to not arouse suspicion in attempt to assassinate this High King.

It would definitely be no picnic, as he put it, especially if this High King, whoever he was, had gathered a host of the thousands of men of all of Germania together, not to mention if this High King had made treaties with the tribes of the northern barren reaches of Scandinavia, or the Ugric tribesmen of Old Russia. Maybe an army rather than a good company of experienced men would be more of a sufficient way to deal with this issue as it was a manner of national security. It wouldn't be a waste of good men, if the plan were to fail. Amiartys's skepticism began to fester within him, though came to terms with the Elder woman, who had lived for nearly a millennium. If a women such as Amelia could pick Amiartys like a babe in her arms with little to no strain, she could certainly kill a mortal human king with ease. After a brief silence, Amiartys finally get go of his skepticism and trusted the old and wise Amelia, subsequently accepting her offer, nodding his head towards Alenios, his old comrade and friend, and Amelia, the ancient Elder.

"I'll gather my men whenever you need me to, Elder." Amiartys said.

---

In the grand council chambers, Arielle forced herself to listen attentively to the important matters that were growing all the more disconcerting to the peoples of Nocturne. As rumors had speculated that Germans were beginning to form together under a high king were becoming true, Arielle grew all the more anxious about the next war that would take place during this moment of time. A large-scaled war destined to take place in Europa, a war that would determine the course of history like the many others before them. Events, like the ones her forefathers themselves took part in beforehand, the many mortal men who had put forth their lives for either the fame of many heroes they heard of in the grand tales and legends sung and told by generations of men or a few coins richer. History is written in the old papers of scholars and often exaggerated as legends of the common man, though to hold that flame of glory for yourself was, to Arielle, a salient opportunity. An opportunity far too great to miss.

"My lady, I am at your disposal. As a loyal and trusted vassal of yours, I beg to take part of this expedition." Arielle implored. She had her father's ambition that was true, though his stubborn ability to prove himself on terms of battle. It would not necessarily be a wise move to send a noble Baroness to fight alongside only a handful of men, this she knew, but if she were to gather a force of perhaps a few good men along with having an Elder on their side might be suffice. She herself was a fine sword master, being taught by both Contentos and Amiartys, both hardened veterans who had fought alongside her father, though Amiartys had been fighting for generations before under their family when needed.

The Dryell family had always considered him a good and loyal friend, a mercenary well worth the money needed to employ a soldier of such prowess. It had not been until forty years that he had grown fond of their family, often taking visits and helping condition the young and impressionable children to be better at yielding a sword, Arielle being one of them. She considered him as much of an uncle in the same way she viewed Contentos. They were both old nostalgic and amiable faces that she saw rather warm-heartedly and now she would see them as comrades, ready to fight and die if need be beside one another. Arielle was almost deathly eager to fight alongside Amiartys as she did years ago, as well as many others during this expedition to the mysterious north, which she had little to no personal knowledge or experience of. Though when Arielle turned to see Amiartys, her old and temporary mentor, she only saw a hidden expression of disappointment in his bright, hawkish brown eyes.

That had been quick. Almost too quick. While Hatuum had come here hoping to acquire a new contract, he had been nowhere near expecting to get it so quickly. It almost seemed like that his sheer appearance was making enough of a first impression to let people think thad he'd be suited for the job. However this also added to the pressure resting on his giant shoulders now. He would have to deliver: early and decisively. Otherwise the damage to his reputation could become unrecoverable.

Additionally there were other circumstances that gave this contract the potential to be one of the most important and most special of his entire career. The fact that one of his clients was one of the three elders, for example. Hell given that Amelia was standing so close to him he suddenly felt quite ashamed of himself. Was he behaving correctly ? Was his clothing something that could annoy some of the very high ranking persons here or was it at least halfway adequate for the situation ? Normally Hatuum didn't bother about such things at all except when doing his job, but right now these thoughs suddenly hit him so fiercly that the colossal man almost seemed to slightly shrink, though only briefly.

Hatuum made unvarnished use of his size, taking a quick survey of the crowd to check if there was anyone eavesdropping. Personally he thought that speaking openly about such a mission in such a room was a big mistake, but it had not been him who started it. There was no point left in urging to relocate the discussion now.

"Alright." He cleared his throat, partly due to embarrassment. "So I think there is a multitude of matters we have to discuss beforehand. First: Who is in command ? I'm not an official part of your mercenary group, Amiartys, but still it must be clear who has the duty to obey orders and who has the privilege to issue them. Second: The german territory is quite far away from here. I assume it is rather urgent ? So what do we do in order to get there if not walk ? Third: When and where to meet ? I'd like to have a little bit of time to prepare myself beforehand. A different set of clothes, something more adapted to the situation. And we need a plan."

The 'meeting' that followed the actual grand affair was something that interested the young Argentine heiress considerably more than all the lower level politics that had proceeded it, loitering for some time, the flame-haired woman approached the increasingly eclectic group, a pleasing, easy smile on her lips. She could be quite the charmer when she wanted to be, and right now she exuded the careful grace of a diplomat and noblewoman.

"I couldn't help but notice that this discussion quite focuses on the possibility of this new German King, frightful business no?" Her accent was clear, a rolling, smooth tone, but not enough to disguise the meaning of her words. "Both interests I represent here have little to gain from a powerful barbarian ruler, and I do have a few connections in the region." She continued, tossing her ginger mane, heavily styled, slightly. It wasn't a shade naturally found among the peoples of the Coast, and was a clear hallmark of her father's mysterious origins in the North, and whatever contacts she might have there.

"I can provide whatever support is necessary, provided I am involved." she added, with a slight grin, not quite reaching her ears.

Amelia listened to Alenios speak, and it was a concern, Nocturne was not exempt from courtly intrigues. Backstabbing, gossip, swindling, bribery, even down right murder have and probably will happen within the political circles of Nocturne. Despite being what could be the epitome of civilization in this world, it was immune to the depredations of humanity and trans humans, it was not immune to the decay seeking to worm its way through society.

"Bring your guards." she said to Alenios.

Turning to Amiartys and Hatuum, but speaking to the former, Amelia regarded them all before her eyes. "A dangerous threat is forming to the North, within the forest of Germania, rumors of a High King. A united Germania is a dangerous reality, tens of thousands of them pouring across our borders, a long and grueling war that would be. But if we can kill this in its nursery, excise the root from the soil, before its sprouts fruit it'd be a boon to us all. Arielle, you will accompany Alenios as well, your request is accepted. You all may take what you need."

Amelia at that stood up and made to leave, but stopped, and turned half way to everyone, "If you all accept, gather at the Western Gate of Valeria's outer wall." At that she left, to prepare, and lay plans to keep Nocturne's clockwork government working efficiently without her being present to exercise executive powers.

Moving throughout the citadel, progressively downwards, through hallways and dim galleries. Down many stair cases. Until she came to a vaulted chamber deep within the earth. The air was cool, mist hung around the stone masonry, and on the ground was a set of three gold icons. Stylized letters, the first letters in the names of the Elders, their place of rest when not awake. A sealed chamber to keep them safe. The advanced locking mechanisms using devices held over by the Elders since before the atomic wars long forgotten by mankind. For none but the Elders remained who knew of their workings. Moving to the one with the icon 'V' she flicked aside a small gold panel. Raising her wrist to her mouth she gave a small bite. Ruby rich blood trickled down into the pan. A pan cold to the touch, kept cold by some mechanical means long forgotten, and she closed the panel. With her index finger she adjusted a set of numerals to read 31. Thirty-one days until the blood preserved in the pan would be dispensed to whomever slumbered in the vault. To Vlad. So that he may awaken from hibernation and take the reins of power in Amelia's stead should anything befall her.

Hatuum nodded in silence, but full of purpose. It was always a good thing to explicity signal the contractee that one did agree with his terms, thereby formally making the deal. The assassin firmly believed that this was true even if one's employer told that the contract would be regarded as accepted implicitly by showing up at a certain location at a certain time.

Then he could see the elder vampire leave. There was no point in trying to stop her to ask more questions - he probably would have done it if it had not been her. The information provided could very well be regarded as sparse and he wasn't happy about it. Yet... if it was the elders themselves wanting to hire him there were good chances that the payment would be equally high-ranking, even if the job was bound to be difficult, too. What a lucky decision it had been to go here... Definitely worth listening to all this political gibberish!

Hatuum turned his head and attention back to the mercenary leader. "Alright. I'll see you at the allotted rendezvous point then ? Greetings..." He nodded towards Amiartys in a friendly manner as well, then slowly accelerated to make his way out of the building. The assassin deliberately restrained himself to a snail's pace: If the other man would feel the urge to add or ask something - he'd still have the opportunity to do so right now. Otherwise however Hatuum would leave. There was a lot to prepare for he'd not go on this mission without his own equipment.

And with that, the Elder left the council hall, as abruptly as she usually did, though it was Arielle that was on his mind. That fool... Amiartys thought to himself. A baroness, head of the household, wants to go on a mercenary mission? What the hell is she thinking? He could see it in her flamboyant and radiant green eyes, the eager and flaming passion to pursue something she had never done before, to expand her limitations. It was true that she was a different woman, certainly no maiden wanting to be rescued by some knight in shining armor for she was one! No, Arielle was no ordinary woman at all and certainly no ordinary human in addition to that fact. A wild-blooded woman, descended from the Germans who migrated into Nocturne and forged the great noble houses north just several hundred years past. Many could derive her rather masculine behavior from being raised in a household filled with younger brothers, having to lead and deal with men nearly all of her life. Amiartys, however, thought otherwise, perhaps he thought she was born that way, a human born astray from many others.

As admittingly intrepid as she was, Arielle was however predisposed to show her worth in the world, often too boldly as it had gotten her in trouble many times in the past when she was smaller as Amiartys could remember. That certainly did not change. Change must only occur someone, so as long as that person is willing to make that change themselves. Arielle was no exception to that. She had her father's ambition, this he could admit, though his rash valor, ready to prance as quickly as a rabbit if ever one was to be so eager to jump into the call to duty. Thus the predisposition was further based downward to his daughter, who he did not expect to be a soldier at all, not to mention the true Head of the Household as a woman. He had yet to teach her humility.

Women who fought during vicious wars were definitely not at all uncommon, though hardly of them were human, especially as young as Arielle was. That he could again give her respect for, but to risk throwing her life away for what? To bottle fame, if not for at least once? Like the many shield maidens she heard of in her ancestry many hundreds of years ago? It was idiotic and foolish he thought, why she would allow herself to do this he had no idea but he knew he could not force her to stay. She was too stubborn for that and she was perfectly able to make decisions on her own though Amiartys wished he could've taught her better.

"Mycandros, gather the men, wherever they roam, and have them bare arms and have them pack to leave soon from this city." Amiartys ordered. Mycandros complied without hesitation, silent as he normally wasn't though it was whenever he knew he had disappointed Amiartys as he did earlier when Amelia had her hands wrapped around his neck. "You must leave too, Commodry, and let me stay here just for a while."

"Aw, but I-"

"No buts, go, boy. Unless you want to walk all the way to Germania. Besides, I'm surprised you're not bored in a place like this." He said, referring to the typical and rather boring political discussions. The boy however semed to be impressed by the individuals attending this meeting than by the discussions. "Mycandros, take him with you. You are to take charge for now, I shall meet you at the Inn. Now off with you!" He gesticulated a cue for his men to leave with haste. Amiartys could not deal with them now, he had to talk to his old and rather rash student whom he partially raised.

"Yes sir." Mycandros complied, signaling Amiartys's guards to leave his side. Briskly, they left the large council hall that had already been emptying out, the large man following behind the crowd. It wasn't until it was more than halfway empty that Amiartys could admire the architecture of the building. The arches and symmetry of the building, rebuilt from when a time the old world before the Great Wars where those who lived during that era would call it ancient, though it were polished as as if it were new. The waxed mahogany that shined almost as bright as metal, the radiant windows shining from the rising morning sun that pierced into the council hall, the clear, reflective, and fine marble that lay on the floor. It was a fine city, as the rumors said they were, a city Amiartys had nearly forgotten about in these 30 years since being away.

"Alright. I'll see you at the allotted rendezvous point then ? Greetings..." Said the large man as he left the building.

"Yes, yes, Hatuum. Goodbye, and be sure you are ready before our departure." he reminded him, though Amiartys already knew he was well prepared. He looked as if he were a hardened veteran of violence, he had come across many his many youthful years and with that, Hatuum had left the building, leaving Amiartys to contend with his old student in the council hall.