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Post by Lotte Wolfram on Apr 2, 2023 1:57:08 GMT -5
There had been some differing reports sent in about what exactly was going on at the northern outpost. While some of the noble commanders were sending in letters saying everything was fine other soldiers were sending back reports about how things were going to shit and they needed help. So which one was it? Lotte wasn't a fan of playing games with people's lives and evidently someone was lying. Which was why the king had sent his warden in to check on the outpost. Lotte wasn't going to pretty up problems with a bunch of flowery language. If there were issues they needed to be straightened out. Especially with everything going on as it was. Lotte didn't often have to leave the kings side like this but part of her position entailed being his eyes and ears outside of the palace. So she road into the town the outpost was stationed at. A single other guard with her more so as a precaution than anything else. There was one scout in particular she was looking for. A man by the name of Hunt Valier who had been sending in the most distressed reports. So she wanted to see what was going on with him first. She was in full armor, the royal crest on her chest plate, and her hair had been pulled back into a tight bun to keep it out of her face. As she arrived at the post she dismounted as she was greeted by one of the commanders. "Warden Wolfram, sir! We didn't expect your visit," he said as he gave her a respectful bow. "I wish I didn't have to be here," she said back cooly as her eyes wandered the surrounding area. "Where is scout Valier?" |
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Exile
Manthiran Army Captain
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Taknieri
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 2, 2023 7:59:24 GMT -5
The Warden passed a few postings of guards along the road to the town. Most soldiers didn't know what to make of the Warden here. It made them nervous. Not so much as the King himself being present, it was close.
Commander Farrins projected an air of calm and collected. Surprised with his unexpected guest but it was best not to show anything more. "Captain Valier?" He had a few exiles with that surname but he was more than familiar with the one she spoke of. He had a sinking feeling. "He is leading a patrol," he clipped. How to tell the woman the man she wanted to speak to had been gone for a full day now and he didn't particularly want him to come back. What did someone of power want with an exile anyway?
"Perhaps I could give you a tour while we await their return." Farrins insisted, ide stepping her clear demand. "Wolvstadt is heavily fortified by the Grand Duke's soldiers. There are a few villagers but most have been evacuated south. We have a constant patrol to ensure no raiders make it further south." Clearly the man thought if he simply kept talking, he could take charge of the situation.
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Post by Lotte Wolfram on Apr 3, 2023 0:00:16 GMT -5
Harlan had not notified any of his commanders that he was sending his warden in to check on things. That would have given them too much time to change things up before she arrived. Instead he wanted to see how things had been running this whole time. Hearing that the man she came to speak to first wasn't around made Lotte sigh softly. She didn't mind waiting for him to return. It would just give her a chance to talk to some other soldiers.
When the commander continued to talk though she turned her eyes to him with an indignant stare. "If I wanted a tour from you I would have asked for one, commander," she said plainly. The last thing she needed was some cocky noble walking her around to show off where he felt they were going right. "As it were I wasn't sent here for a pleasant stroll around the town," Lotte hadn't visited Wolvstadt in some time but it wasn't as if this was her first time seeing the town.
"How long has Valier been out on patrol?" It didn't matter what her business was with an exiled scout. Not to him at least. She'd read some of Commander Farrin's reports and wasn't interested in listening to him try to pretty things up.
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Exile
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 3, 2023 0:53:54 GMT -5
Commander Farrin's bristled at her words. All else being equal, he outranked the Countess. She might be the daughter of a Grand Duke and married to a Earl, but as a woman, it was just a title. It entitled her to fetes and fancy brunches and very little else. But she was the Warden. In both military and political settings, she was King in all but name unless Rost himself countered her. It didn't simply irk the commander that he had to defer to a woman, it was down right outrageous.
But he swallowed and tried his best not to back talk an extension of the King. "Very well," he clipped, folding his arms in front of his chest. Whether she wanted or didn't want a tour, he wasn't about to let her meander about by herself. In that regard at least, she couldn't order him away entirely. This was his outpost, after all. As for a pleasant stroll, the biting wind at the moment made that almost laughable.
Farrins frowned, silent for a moment but then decided not to lie to woman. "He and three others left yesterday morning," he said. A whole day ago. He could have volunteered that they expected them back before dark last night. But he didn't.
Clearly it would be pulling teeth to speak to the commander. Some of the soldiers in the camp would likely direct her toward the Scout Legion's tents and some of the other scouts might have more to say on the matter.
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Post by Lotte Wolfram on Apr 6, 2023 5:30:37 GMT -5
Lotte wasn't surprised by the more prickly disposition the commander took with her. Many men were heavily displeased at best to see a woman in the position she was in. To see her in command, take orders from her, defer to her. Many noble families had been in quite the tizzy when their sons hadn't been made Warden. The fact that Harlan had decided to take a woman on as his right hand had caused quite a rumble through many people in the country, especially those in the military.
There were men under her command that did appreciate and respect Lotte. For who she was, for what she did, for how she decided to lead. But for men like Commander Farrin's it seemed a cut to their pride to have to follow the will of a woman. It was almost satisfying. But Lotte wasn't here to just ruffle some feathers.
She could tell getting information of Farrins was going to be a pain. And she didn't have all day to play this game with him. "What time were the four of them expected back?" If they'd left yesterday morning certainly they should have returned by now. Not that the commander seemed too hung up about that.
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Exile
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Post by Hunt Valier on Apr 6, 2023 13:18:17 GMT -5
Had she never asked, he wouldn't have told her. As much as Farrins wanted to leave decent impression, the Warden and this scout where not on his list of preferred people or conversation topics. He wasn't a born and raised military man, after all, he was an Earl. One invested in the betterment of his house. Leading in the army, especially if they did go to war, was a sure-fire way to get that recognition and status. Harlan cared about battles won and land gained more than he did about the smaller picture or personality.
The commander shrugged. "Last night, I suppose. There are a lot of scouting parties. We're already sent another squad to check in," he added quickly, narrowing his eyes as if he was worried she might suggest he do just that. Or worse, go herself and potentially drag him with her.
"Commander!" He turned at the shout. One of his lieutenants waved at him as he walked quickly closer. "The scouts are back. You said if-"
"Thank you, Lord Weyrauch. That will be all," Farrins cut him off quickly with a nod. This woman didn't need to hear any of his personal issues. Thankfully the young man seemed to take the hint, glancing over at the Warden and offering a customary nod of respect. "Escort Warden Wolfram to them, will you?"
"Yes, sir. Milady. They are in the medical tent. Say they encountered an enemy trap." His tone was open enough. He was clearly young, likely a nobleman's son. Dreyfuss lead her to one of the larger open tents. There weren't very many people nearby, a small gathering in one corner talking and grumbling and laughing as another young man gave Captain Valier stiches on his right side and thigh. Hunt looked drained and almost ill, but he was conscious enough to hold up his own shirt and offer the other soldiers a faint forced but reassuring smile even as his eyes tighten and he winced with each stitch.
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