The southern territories of the Lothian Empire were the flattest stretches of land available to it, thus it was natural that many farms were built here. In the wake of the war, the long and vast plains spotted with mountains, valleys, and trees, once were yellow at this time of year, now green or brown with lands becoming more and more untended. Whether the crops were left to die in the middle of harvest, or had already been taken over by mother nature. Sitting amidst these lands was Garleton, once the booming city of the Empire's finest produce, now a fortified hold, dedicated to recruitment of soldiers for the war effort.

Garleton was a large castle town, but with a rather modest castle, which was unlike others within the Empire. The modesty of it once reminded the citizenry of the relationship between peasant and lord, but now lays mockery to this idea with it's current and well-hated Emperor. There is a certain air of reluctance around those who have come here to sign up for the war effort. For the mercenaries, it was another job, but for the citizens of the Empire, many are finding it difficult to fight for an Empire that is heralded by 'that' Emperor. Perhaps, if it were not for the young lordling sitting behind the registration tables for mercs and citizens alike to sign up for the war effort, many would not have decided to do so. A similar radiance to that of Elliot, a well-loved prince who had died just a few years back, to the people who beheld young Alnard, it gave them some semblance of hope. His bright face, and red hair that the first Emperor of Lothian had, was to them, the ideal beacon that the people needed.

It didn't take much to convince mercenaries, they signed up on the first day with money and jobs on their mind, but it took a few days for citizens to start coming in significant numbers. It wasn't until they heard one of the princes would be leading this little army, which was a rarity. Normally a prince would be given an elite guard, but it appears this was not the case. While some may have scoffed it off that it was suicide, an inexperienced prince leading an army was not promising, but sometimes, all people needed was something worth fighting for, and with hope they throw their lot in with him.

Within the tent behind the registration, the Prince spoke with his personal advisor, just one man, old, scarred, wearing heavy armor. The retired general Hadrick.

"When you made this request to your father the Emperor, even I was surprised. Had you given the word, we would have been willing to just give you a regiment of knights to command into battle", he commented. Hadrick stood tall, shoulders broad, while clean shaven, his hair was already whiting away, being a frizzy dark gray. He held two scars, one upon his chin, and the other just near his temple, just jutting out from his hairline. His eyes seemed to be constantly gaunt and judging those who came within view, and a constant half-frown. He was a man who command power with his presence, even in his old age.

"I'm aware Hadrick, but I had chosen to do this. I think the people need it. I had thought over what I could do to help in these times... Kalvas commanded an elite unit, while Fenris has... Well, last I heard he has gone to Dinas Afaraon. When I took a short tour of the countryside it occured to me the connection between the ruling class, and the citizenry was frayed. This is to...",

"Such a reason for recruiting troops? I would call you foolish. Training new troops is no easy task",

"Right, but as it is now, there are so few willing to fight for my father, I think the people need a new reason", as he uttered this, Hadrick began to smile, a genuine smile,

"Hmph. Hehahahaha! To supplant your father in the people's minds! How shrewd! I had not thought you to have that kind of gut!",

"That... That was not my intention, but-"

"Say no more my prince, I understand. For now, I suggest you rest, perhaps take a walk around the town and see the people. You wanted to fix the connection between ruler and citizen did you not?"

"That is true but-",

"No no, let me handle the papers for our new recruits. I understand your motive, morale is very important for an army afterall", the young prince looked down at the papers of recruits and their forms, he pursed his lips for a moment, before looking back to Hadrick.

"Very well. I will be back in perhaps an hour. I'll expect a report when I return", with that he turned to the tent entrance and left, Hadrick bowing in response.

Trace Retloth

Trace Retloth had just signed up as an unaffiliated mercenary. Since he didn't belong to a company he could be assigned anywhere. He was quiet and only said what was needed. There was no point attracting undue attention from a new employer so he kept his skill to himself. Besides, there were many in the world who were better than him. Of that, he was still certain. If notoriety and fortune were to come his way, they would come on the battlefield.

The town was glutted with people and vibrant with noise. Trace had known battles quieter than these pre-battle markets. He longed to return to his tent outside the walls. It was at least a little quieter there, though the other mercenaries were fairly rowdy. Even though the money was good in war, mercenaries had to consider their odds of living to collect. Looking around, Trace had seen a lot of mercenaries who didn’t seem likely to. In fact, most of the bigger name companies didn’t seem to be here. At least, he hadn’t seen their markings or names in the camps outside just yet.

He hoped that they weren’t trying to join the Lyonesse. It would be tough going without having to face veteran mercenaries from the same lands. The numbers here weren’t very great. They weren’t as bad as they could be, but the people weren’t leaping forward to defend the Emperor and the Empire. Then again, if his mother wasn’t buried near Edinburgh… maybe Trace would have sought other sources of fortune a long time ago.

But, for now, there was only one reason why he was still suffering with the crowded streets of Garleton. His whetstone was getting pretty worn and he didn’t want to go off to battle without one. He still had a few coins from his last job, enough to last a few weeks or so if he camped in the wild and only bought food that he couldn’t hunt or trap. But, the way prices go in places like this, he would be lucky to find a used whetstone that he could afford. He was forced to check the small merchant stalls that were hidden and out of sight. These places often charged less in an effort to attract customers to their less suitable locations. However, they also frequently offered lower quality.

It took over an hour before he finally found a tiny shop run by a poorly dressed teenager who had an assortment of poor quality daggers, knives, and a few serviceable tools that had likely been stolen from craftsmen and soldiers as they walked through the crowds. Among the motley assortment was a chipped whetstone. Aside from the chipped corner, it seemed to be in good shape but the boy was offering a fairly low price for it. It could have been one of his highest value items. After all, most of the stolen tools and weapons had some kind of small markings that would allow the owner to identify it later. The whetstone did not have any and could be purchased more safely.

Trace showed interest in a dagger as well as the whetstone and began to haggle over the price. He favored lowering the price of the dagger at first but eventually, with apparent reluctance, gave up on getting it and took the whetstone for about three-fourths of its listed price. Then he moved back into the crowds before allowing his disappointed expression to fade back into stoic neutrality. He had what he came for. The quiet called to him.

Then he heard the raucous noise of a bustling tavern by the road and remembered that he hadn’t eaten or drunk much for the past couple days. More than that, he hadn’t heard many rumors worth hearing. As much as he longed for a quiet moment at his camp, dying because you don’t like the noise of the places where information flows… would be embarrassing.

He headed into the tavern, paying no heed to the sign above the door, and found one of the very few empty seats. It wasn’t as remote as he would like but it was at a table midway between the wall and the center of the room. It would do.

Trace didn’t stand out much. Most of his gear was leather and his lance was simple iron and unadorned. So, it took a few moments before a hustling serving girl to notice him and take his order. He only ordered a little food and an ale. But, he kept his ears open. He wanted to gather rumors of the Lyonesse army, if there were any, as well as any news of the bigger mercenary companies. He hoped that it wouldn’t take him long to get some information worth hearing.

The ale… wasn’t very good… even for the price.

Another day, another way. The light of the day laid bare on a young mans face as the curtains to a window could no longer hold the force the sun shined with anymore, with the light in his eyes he let out a grunt and fell out of bed to get ready for whats left of the day. The man went by the name William now and never really had any routine for days, he liked being free to decide what he would do on the spot, and he was willing to make the most of this way while he could.

But why was he waking up late? shouldn't he be rushing for the recruitment he bothered coming to this city for? Thinking to himself while picking up a small bag of coins, William smiled, he was indead a lucky lad at times. But it wasn't really luck that brought this purse to his hands, it was the way he pretended to be what hes not. William had simpily blended into a group of mercinaries on his way to the town, it was good most don't care of past or what they are doing, they only care for capable people Which he showed off well enough over time. This way he could joing the battle and never have to actualy enlist, putting on the winners smile William walked out of the inn and into town while thinking of how everything just fell into place, all you have to do sometimes is tell people what they want to hear. It was all too easy, so now the young smiling man could leasurly go through town and stock up on any supplies he felt was needed at his own pace.

Walking into town William heard some light music in the distance and decided to stroll over, for it was always a pleasure to get some entertainment. Though when he got to the plaza he was surprised to find not only the sound of music, but the image of dancing to accompany it, which was strange.
"hmmm what a strange sight to see the two mix so well for looking so different......speaking of different...." speaking to himself, William thoughts seemed to trail off.

The young man Bel and Sunbeam had been with for the last few days, simply said to the horse giving him stink eye "You can give me that look, all you want horse but it won't make me cower in fear like it does, to the other people. I've seen a lot more then you'll know" He said in a cheerful tone. He had seen horrors beyond measure during his travels but he had maintain a certain lack of connection to those event as to not let his mind crack.

He had met Bel when the young woman had basically missed a target and had almost hit him while he was hunting, she had told him she was inexperienced so out of the goodness in his heart, Mike choose to give her some pointers when using her bow, just to ensure she did not endanger anyone again, plus he had also threatened Sunbeam once when the horse got in the way of a training session, which is probably why the horse hated him so.

Mike gazed up at the City as they followed everyone into it, he had also noticed a shift in Bel posture which told him two things, one that she was certainly a green horn traveller who had not seen much of the world beyond her and two, that she seemed to be avoiding something or someone, he would assume he'll find those answers eventually but for now as a tease to Bel. "Alright, cutie, if you wish to sign up you gotta be quick to learn. Whichever group you join, don't much care for the inexperienced, I could probably sweet talk them into letting you join if your my vassels unless you can impress them on the spot, I've got some contracts to fulfill while I'm here" He told her with a flirtatious wink.