Lieutenant General Sheng Kaldres' Office

[Sheng Kaldres]

In a building solely for the purpose of the Military Provincial Center, and in the the better and more luxurious offices was an Office. The Office was that of Lieutenant General Sheng Kaldres.

In many ways, this office was similar to that Sheng had in Allerie Prime. There was an office door with the name tag with the words, "Lieutenant General Sheng Kaldres" and the door was made of oak and had the time worn look.

Just before one would open the door, one would noticed a small line of words below the name tag. The words are, "Please knock before you enter!". The familiar note, "Please knock before you enter!", was posted below the name tag.

But however, there was a difference this time round. Sheng's office had a reception area and there was a clerk. The clerk was Sergeant Glod Khalid'kalir, one of the few that had escaped from Alleria Prime and had reported to Sheng.

Still wearing the grey Prime Garrison uniform, the plump dwarf would greet anyone who entered the office with a disagreeable tone, "Yes, what do you want?"

OOC: Only military personnel or those guided by military personnel is allowed to post in this thread.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan had made an effort to ‘turn up’ as soon as it became public knowledge around the base that Sheng had finished bickering with the former commander and possessed his own office, dressed; as usual, in a part mockery of military protocol; weapons non-standard, heavy green scarf and the gloves decidedly so, he approached the office with a degree of disdain and anticipation; anticipation of a great big argument; namely involving another Elf, Duncan’s position and exactly what he was expected to be doing.

Dressed in the grey uniform with Captain’s rank marks; now outdated Master Magi tabs and everything else he was expected to have along with his personal extras he lowered a hand to the latch of the first door and was immediately greeted by the door-Dwarf; why Sergeants tolerated being doormen was something Duncan had never comprehended; certainly he disliked having receptionists himself but that was just him.

In a way it was the opulence of the place that decided his next move; the Psionic blue eyed, white haired human mage Captain was hardly likely to have been forgotten by those from Prime; thus he didn’t stop walking as he greeted the Dwarf; even if he stepped into a debate between the Empire Field Marshall and Sheng he wouldn’t mind too much; putting his hand to the knob of the next door he gave the Dwarf a simple, abrupt greeting.

“Captain Sythe to see the General.”

Before putting an elbow to the door in question in an attempt to pass and enter the office proper, shutting it behind him before stepping away and; presumably, towards an empty space.

“Serale General, I suppose you remember me and before you ask; I haven’t the faintest idea where Motito is.”

The words, the greeting were accompanied by no salute and a small smile; irritating Sheng was something Duncan enjoyed and the other man probably knew it; so be it, he was never going to get along with the ‘military’ man anyhow, philosophies seemed to fundamentally clash, Duncan didn’t believe that driving people into a mould was a way to prepare them for the future; Sheng did, it didn’t really mix.

[Sheng Kaldres]

Glod would have tried to stop Duncan if Duncan had stopped for just a while or at least let Glod formed an answer. But as it was Duncan did not stopped for Glod, and all Glod could was to grumble about the snobbish behavior of officers and not respecting Sergeants.

So it was that Duncan would step into the office of Sheng and saw that Sheng was reading through some paperwork. Duncan's greeting announced Duncan's presence to Sheng and Sheng was not pleased. A stickler for procedure and ranks, Sheng hate it when people did not stop to even knock on the door. Duncan's behavior reminded Sheng why did he dislike Duncan in the first place.

Sheng did not immediately looked after Duncan had announced his presence. Instead, Sheng took his time in finishing the piece of parchment that he was reading before looking up. Sure, it was not that long but Sheng did not want to appear rushed and to react to Duncan as if he was that important for Sheng's immediate attention. Yes, Duncan had Sheng's attention but Sheng would not give him an hint of approval by giving Duncan immediate attention.

Looking up with a grim expression, Sheng saw that Duncan did not salute. Just as well, for I do not want to return that his salute! Sheng thought irritantly as he tried to figure out what he could do with Duncan.

"Captain Sythe or should I say 'Commander' Sythe?" Sheng said with open contempt of Duncan's claim to the rank of Commander, even though Motito did promoted Duncan just before he left the Garrison. "I did not expect to see you here for obvious reasons and I have no hopes that you can answer any questions about General Gil'dae." And Sheng gave a grim laugh.

"So am I to do with you?" said Sheng as he looked at Duncan with the piercing look that he had come to develop in his service in the military. "Should I hand back the Mages Corps to you or should I charge for insulting a senior officer? I inclined to the latter option, but to do so would be unfair and unjust. Be grateful that I am a just and fair man, 'Commander' Sythe."

"Being just and fair, it seemed that I can only do one thing, I will let you choose what you want to do within reasonable means. If you want to set up the Mages Corps again, do so by giving what are your plans for that. If you want to leave the military, by Ioannes' grace, do so by informing that you wish to leave and I will discharge you from the military. Whatever you want to do, please....no, I should say please, I should say 'must', inform me."

With Sheng's signature stoic mask, Sheng ended this with, "So, what is your choice?"

Nothing that Duncan could do could shock Sheng of that, Sheng was moderately sure....

[Pirvan Kaldres]

Acting Provincial Commander of the Principality of Prime, Earl Sheng Kaldres of Blackmark,

Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? The humor and joy it brings to read my brother name in the Herald stating he is taking over Prime is good. You always did have mom’s aggression, at least in you it works better, much better. It’s good to see things are going excellently for you.

Anyway, the purpose of this letter is not only to congratulate you, it’s also to late you know of some happenings that will soon come to pass in the Lylls Kingdom of Lauryl, some power shifts and hopefully through it all your brother may come out on top. By the time this letter reaches you, it may only be a few brightenings until articles rock the Herald.

I hope you aren’t too tied down that you wouldn’t be able to come bail your brother out if the need arises. Heh, you know I enjoy mischief and excitement so lets see how things turn eh? Oh and I want to discuss some other military matters with you, but that can wait until the next House meeting. Have fun in Prime, and stay good.

Pirvan.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan had to smile, dryly, thinly, but none the less an amused smile. Sheng was as predictable as ever in his response and apparently immensely irritated with the only option he’d been left with. Motito was away, location unknown, leaving the man he’d hinted as promoting the only one really available for the job of ‘leading’ the group. Plus, the fact Sheng probably knew – or wished he didn’t know – Duncan wasn’t the type you charged and expected to comply with the charges. If Sheng tried to charge him with anything the least damaging result would be Duncan simply slipping out of Abestat; something far worse was however possible and probably likely.

“To be honest that was your only choice, was it not General?”

He inquired with quiet, stoic amusement, the fact he’d been promoted and so had Motito was extremely amusing, even if Duncan didn’t have any wish to lead a load of men for Sheng’s command.

“I came because I was in the neighbourhood after discovering prime closed; the deal I had with Motito was that I’d run the Mage Corps for a while and allow him time to relax with his wife. Then he’d take over again - whether he was going to come back was another matter entirely. I personally planned to groom a successor who probably would get in your hair as much as I do and then leave, plans never go as planned though do they? To use strange words.”

Duncan smiled again, no, there was nothing Sheng could do that would inconvenience him but he’d still felt the need to come down and see what Sheng exactly wanted to do after being stripped of army and barracks, if only to make sure nothing stupid occurred.

“Therefore I find myself here and given a choice by you, given I have no particular wish to stay and sit on a bunch of idealists I’ll get right to the point with as much respect as you’ll probably get out of me. What do you plan on doing here General? What is the point of having an army with the Sentinels around or indeed with the real Imperial Guard over with Audrey and elsewhere spread around the Empire? I’m curious to know what you hope to achieve.”

[Sheng Kaldres]

Pirvan Kaldres

By the time Privan's letter reached him, indeed, something about Pirvan had appeared in the Herald. In a move not unlike Sheng's, Pirvan had actually declared himself the Acting Governor of Lylles Kingdom of Lauryl!

Shocking news. But then, was not Sheng's declaratin a shocking one...However, maybe Sheng should have expected this of Pirvan. Though Pirvan had said in his letter that Sheng was the agressive one in the family, Pirvan had always shown and was more agressive than anyone in the family when they were young. The eras ine business would have made Privan even more agressive when he was young.

And if Pirvan did get into some sort of trouble and Sheng knew of it, he would come. Perhaps with more than just one person....if Sheng could gather his resources....

Duncan Sythe

What could Sheng do except to bristle his hair and growl at Duncan's words? Of course, Sheng had the authority to do many things of which many would be fitting punishment for Duncan. But it would not right to abuse that authority. If only Sheng was not so principled....

At Duncan's question, Sheng paused to think. Of what Duncan had asked, Sheng had pondered upon it many times. The fact that the Sentinels were still around and most of the Imperial Army were with the Empress had been in Sheng's mind. A few options were played out in Sheng's mind. One was to do nothing and let things be or wait until the Imperial Order had been resumed. The other was to be active and reinforce the Imperial presence in the Principality of Prime once more by starting recruiting for the Imperial Army. The other was to gather what
he could and maintain the peace. And there were many other more. So what should Sheng do?

Sheng had an idea in mind, but damn him if he would tell Duncan. Of all the people in the Prime Garrison, Duncan would be the last person that Sheng would tell of his plans. Duncan was not in any of his plans, simple as that.

"What I planned to do is none your business, Commander Sythe." Sheng would replied coldly. "If you could not make a choice now, get out of my office and come back later with your choice if you want. I have work to do." And a cold stare end this conversation.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan lowered his eyes briefly in thought he had to admire one thing about Sheng, the man knew what he believed and opposed to most who spoke to Duncan he kept to it, there was nothing the sardonic, insubordinate and utterly arrogant mage could do to convince Sheng otherwise, he was a product of the system and…Duncan had to admit something else, he was a needed product despite Duncan’s habitual hatred of such solidly militaristic men. He would be faithful to the Empire to the bitter end, an Empire that after having met Audrey he had come to the conclusion would be sufficiently better than chaos. He had principals and, opposed to some men, he had morals, that was enough to ask without asking Duncan’s sense of ruthless cost vs result as well, something even Duncan called into question occasionally.

Even though Duncan didn’t believe the mould was right he had to admit an army was needed and that army needed a mage corps, despite Duncan’s words Sheng was focused on that and that alone, fair enough. He’d get his mage corps, Duncan would see to that and Motito would be given a few choice words in finishing what he started next time he saw the Elf but he knew Audrey needed an army and he had a certain individual in mind, a change of job might do Agaenos well.

“Very well.” Duncan said with a nod, looking up at Sheng, a rare admission that the other man had won, people didn’t usually beat Duncan at word games but then again the stakes were usually different and there was much more pressure. Sheng was merely doing what he thought was right, relative thought again. “I’ll give you your Imperial Mage Corps General, I’ll give you a competent Commander who’ll listen to you and then I’ll be on my way.” He shrugged. “I know you don’t like the fact Motito brought me in from the outside, I don’t like your way of dealing with things any more than you like mine and we both know that, still, you do your job and your intent is right, even if my opinion means nothing in that regard and I don’t expect it to.”

Duncan stepped forward, extending a hand.

“Give me the rank tabs and papers then a month, I won’t have it said I don’t do the job." There was an odd resigned yet firm character about the man's attitude. "If I run out on you then have me hunted down, you need those men though.”

He continued patiently, Agaenos would make a fine new leader for it if he could pull the man in, it wasn’t about the rank anyhow, Sheng would probably be able to figure that one out, as a Mystic Sythe could impersonate anyone up to and above himself or even Sheng if he fancied it, it was just about a grudging respect for a man who, despite Duncan’s innate dislike for him, was set in his ways and was far better than his Cousin; at least Duncan hoped he wasn’t wrong about Sheng and he was in it for the job, not the power.

[Sheng Kaldres]

Without a second word, Sheng set to do what Duncan requested, giving him the tabs and the papers for another to take charge of the Mage Corps. There was no more to say and Duncan's words that he would hand the Mage Corps to another find favor with Sheng. Sheng disliked Duncan and would galdly take another. Of course, there was the possibilty that the person that Duncan assigned would be worse than him, but Sheng was willing to take that risk.

Writing swiftly on a parchment, Sheng wrote to the effect that whoever receiving the parchment would have authority and command over the Mage Corps. After signing on the parchment, Sheng handed the parchment to Duncan along with some tabs taken from his desk.

Then, it was the expressionless eyes of Sheng looking on for Duncan to do as he had said.

[Duncan Sythe]

Duncan didn’t smile although it was awfully tempting to and Sheng probably knew the other man wanted to as he took a moment to fold the parchment in half and run a finger down the crease before pocketing the items in question. He then saluted remarkably politely before turning about without any formality at all, it spoiled the image…or perhaps not, after all there was only so much he’d manage.

No words were spoken though, there wasn’t really anything else to be said. Duncan had made his pledge and he’d come true as much as he could, one month and a reconstituted mage corps, or at least the beginnings of one.

[Elle Kaldres Lothain]

Bright and early, before anyone arrived at the Offices to begin their business, a bluish shadow materialises behind the desk of the Lieutenant General Kaldres. Glancing about for a moment, the shadowy figure did nothing but lay an envelope upon the desk. The parchment was pale green, and sealed with an impression of a stylized rose.

Once deposited the figure vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving only a puddle of water to mark where it had been. Water dried quickly.

Inside, on another sheet of pale green, and inked in darkest of green, read this invitation:

The Lord Aderyn te tuin Lothain
and the
Countess Trell'ayan, Lady Elle Kaldres
cordially request the presence of
Earl Sheng Kaldres
on the occasion of their wedding.
The ceremony and following reception
will begin on the fourteenth brightening of Ponutis
at the sixth candlemark of the evening
in the gardens
of Kards en'i'Uial and Trell'ayan, Tawnleaf Sylrosya.

[Sheng Kaldres]

It was with surprise that Sheng discovered the invitation. A check with Glod confirmed the notion of Sheng that the invitation did not arrived through the front. So this must mean that the invitation arrived through other means, arcane most probably.

After reading it, Sheng first expressed surprise and then that of amusement. This was for Sheng did knew Aderyn. In fact, Aderyn was one of the first people that Sheng met in Prime. But the titles and heritage of Aderyn was not by Sheng then or did Sheng knew until now.

So now Aderyn was to wed Elle.....a strange but fitting couple in Sheng's opinion. And so Sheng made preparation for teh journey...

[Sheng Kaldres]

After the gathering in the morning, Sheng waited for any personnel interested in his ideas of Imperial might....

[Vincent Stefan]

Walking up to the Lieutenants door Vincent found himself yet again wondering why he was here. Though, even as he thought on the question he knew the answer. The idea was sound there should be an imperial regiment and Vincent wanted in. So here Vincent stood his pet raven perched on his shoulder. The bird did not move, only through its head as if telling its master to get on with it. Changing the direction of his gaze to the bird Vincent found that he agreed it was time to make his presence known.

So, with a heavy sigh the half elf reached out with his hand and knocked on the door. His worry’s vanishing with the wind in his lungs.

[Sheng Kaldres]

"Come in and state your purpose!" Was the grumpy answer from Glod as he answered the knock.

[Vincent Stefan]

Vincent cautiously entered into the lieutenants office and stood in front of the mans desk. With a quick solute the half elf stated his purpose. "Private first class Vincent Stefan reporting as requested sir." Vincent stopped only to take a breath then continued. "You asked for Volunteers for a imperial regiment, I am here to offer my services."

As he finished talking Vincent realized just how overdue he really was for promotion. He had fought in the battle against the Orks helped to defend Abestat against the dark elves. He even protected the sea gate from a bunch of Saurids and yet trough it all he remained the same rank of private first class.

The thought kind of angered him and yet Vincent really did not care what his rank was, it meant nothing to him and if he was to stay a private first class then so be it.