Not so Quiet on the Western Front [Imperia War Effort/Closed]

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

12 Kalendryas

Imperia's Aedile did not know if he completely shared the Thane's sentiments. It was not an all too uncommon happening, but he was particularly skeptical about how much a few prisoners, city guards and volunteers could do in a war on which 'the fate of the empire was hinged upon'. But nonetheless he would not dream to hesitate to see that his Lord's whims were realized. After all, it was not his city or his resources, he was simply the puppet.

The elf clutched the latest letter in his weak grasp, brow furrowed as he read it over for a third time while planning a strategy to attack the latest problem. There were half a dozens things to be coordinated within a few meager brightenings and he was determined to begin immediately. The prisoners would be marching two by two from the city gates within two brightenings.

He would have to send off letters in all directions.

To: the Officials of the Imperia City Guard
From: the Senior Aedile of Imperia, acting on the commands of the Thane

Greetings,

In concordance with the recent law that was passed dictating that Imperian prisoners might be pressed into military service at the whim of the city, I write to inform you that I have been instructed by our Thane to do so. The prisoners of Imperia will be sent to Sherian to aid in the war effort. The fate of Empire, of our existence, hinges upon the battles to fought in the Eastern Empire.

It is with this note that I wish to inform you that seventy five guards will be required to accompany these men to the front. The road is long and arduous, but both I and the Thane have trust in the abilities of Imperia's guard. Each guard member will be highly compensated for his work, and be paid a wage of twenty five crowns per brightening.

The city guard has two brightenings to find fifty men appropriate for this task, and they are to assemble in front of the city gaol in the early brightening of the 14th of this month prepared to march with their equipment.

Regards,
Eraisuithon Nan'tathren

His hand swept the letter to the side and he began another. Without looking up from his scribbling hand he barked for his most familiar guard and aide. "Alwyn! Alwyn, get over here!". A very confused blond haired young human came scrambling over. The elf merely shrugged towards the discarded letter from the Thane that he had been reading a few minutes before. Clearly he trusted the young human, or he wouldn't be allowing him to read sensitive documents. "Read."

To: the Imperian Trade Depot
From: the Senior Aedile of Imperia, acting on the commands of the Thane

Greetings,

In concordance with the recent law that was passed dictating that Imperian prisoners might be pressed into military service at the whim of the city, I write to inform you that I have been instructed by our Thane to do so. The prisoners of Imperia will be sent to Sherian to aid in the war effort. The fate of Empire, of our existence, hinges upon the battles to fought in the Eastern Empire.

He has commanded that the caravans of the Imperian Trade Depot follow the city guards and prisoners, laden with supplies to support the journey to Sherian. Enclosed is a paper where he issues this order and commands my requests be followed in regards to his business. You are hereby warranted with assembling a caravan large enough to hold the food and supplies for approximately 475 men, along with approximately 200 swords.

With this letter I am sending my aide, who is responsible for the purchase of these supplies and will attend to all matters regarding them. I trust that the staffs of the Imperian Trade Depot will follows his requests and not hinder the will of Imperia's Thane.

Regards,
Eraisuithon Nan'tathren.

The elf was finished writing as the human was finished reading, and the Aedile immediately pushed forward his latest letter. Alwyn's eyes darted back and forth and when looked up from the latest letter, he was rather perplexed. The Aedile did not allow him time to speak.

"Have a courier send that letter to the guard, and deliver this one personally. The trip to Sherian will most likely take 40 or 50 brightenings, find the suppliers for the food supplies accordingly. Ge the caravans to pick up the food, and you are to see that they assemble properly. Buy weapons for two hundred. See to this all before the darkening hours, this brightening. You will be alloted the proper funds to this, and I shall write a paper which gives you whatever measure of authority I can issue."

Realization of the sheer massiveness of the operation flickered across the aide's face, but he was undeterred and prepared to do what the elf ordered, as he always did. "It shall be done, sir."

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

When Alwyn had departed his desk, the elf wasted no time. Immediately three guards were at his rear and he was marching out of the Aedile's office, four pairs of footsteps marching in unison down the cobble streets. The weather had grown crisp and drizzly and the Aedile was at once thankful for the thick black cloak and gloves that his new found sister had bought for him. The god's knew he wouldn't of had the presence of mind to purchase them himself. A twinge of emotional pain spread throughout the gaunt Aedile's features. His sister was in the Sherian, and despite the efforts of Imperia, he doubted whether the outcome there would be preferable. Selfish or not there was only one life in the entire eastern empire whose death he would feel sorrow for. He had harbored too much pain already in the last months for another that was close to him, and he spared no pity for the nameless masses.

Beads of miserable precipitation continued to soak the party of four, adding to the very gloomy, very Imperian afternoon. At one point the Aedile caught his foot on a loose stone and found his pant leg splashed and shoes soaked, but with a mumbled curse he continued onward with a mind only to relieve himself of the weather and the duty which he was pressed with.

The interior of the Gaol was almost as dreary as the outside weather. Sparse light led the troupe along the grimy corridors, drafts of icy winter sweeping through the building and prodding the gaunt figure of Imperia's only senior official to shivers. The elf could hardly imagine the dreadful existence of those that were forced to inhabit the depths of the dark and dank environment. They proceeded unmet by anyone higher than common guard status, the Aedile in search of a man who he had simply been assured that he would know from the rabble immediately upon setting his sights upon him.

It turned out he didn't have to look, because he almost was trampled by the elephant of a human that stepped out from behind a corner unexpectedly. There the warden was, tottering on his cane and laughing deeply and hardly looking where he was going. The creature was revolting to the elf. Morbidly obese, bloated beyond proper human proportion, and clearly a want to be connoisseur of finery. He sported a startling red fex which sat lopsided on his head and contrasted sickeningly with his thick face.

"Mustafa al Harman?" the elf asked. He vaguely wondered if he and his three stoned faced guards were intimidating to the man, who leaned back and forth on his feet unconsciously.

"That is me, sir, me indeed. What is it that you want with me?". Mustafa inquired.

The elf gave the dirty surroundings a cursory glance and shrugged. "I am Eraisuithon Nan'tathren, Senior Aedile. Perhaps there is somewhere more private?"

"Of course, follow me". He waddled off down the corridor, exaggerating his movements with the flourishing of his cane.

Mustafa led the troupe deeper into his lair and up a treacherous flight of stairs, finally stopping outside of a thick wooden door. Only the Aedile and the warden went within. The room was small, but furnished strangely well for a prison warden's office. Eraisuithon had no private office of his own and could not repress a pang of jealousy.

"Do you care for a drink, or something to eat?" The warden gestured towards a decanter of an amber liquid, and a plate of pastries sitting on his desk.

"No thank you."

It was the human's turn to shrug, and he made sure to sate his own appetite despite the Aedile's apparent disinterest. He plopped his body down in a chair and made the elf know he should do likewise all the while rummaging through the pile of assorted bakery delights. Eraisuithon fought back disgust.

"I suppose you are more than a little interested in why I am here. Rather simple really, you will no doubt hear about it from your superiors within candlemarks" the elf mused the comments thoughtlessly. "But I decided it would be best to make a.. personal visit. Your see, Mr. Harman, a law was passed not too long ago which dictated that city prisoners could be recruited into military service at the will of the Thane." The elf paused to observe the warden who was scoffing down a pastry. He stopped halfway through chewing, his mouth inching open a fraction to reveal the contents. Judging by his facial expressing the elf reasoned he knew exactly what he was going on.

For a few seconds the warden made no movement, but he quickly remembered the delicate morsel squashed between his stubby fingers and inhaled the rest of his treat.

"It has been ordered by the Thane that the prisoners of Imperia are to aid in the war effort in Sherian." His voice was devoid of passion; monotone, he was simply playing messenger now. "We are expecting two hundred prisoners. The City Guard which runs the gaol as you know, has been informed already of course. Seventy five guards will be going along, with a number of volunteers hopefully. It is needless for me to say that the majority of the guards will be coming from the gaol itself, but the officials of the city guard will certainly expand on that. Expected departure is the early candlemarks of the 14th, this month. A few brightenings away, unless you are updated and told otherwise."

The elf smiled and stood up. "Thought you ought to know. I would make sure there are no delays, the Thane is very adamant about this."

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

The senior aedile's young aide broke away from the crowded office with one other assistant and stepped into the grimy streets. The pair stumbled through the miserable weather, suffering the chill of icy rain as they made for the general direction of the city gates. The blond haired human was still reeling from the job that Eraiusithon had thrown upon his shoulders, but he was more excited than intimidated. He was eager to please, eager to do well.

It wasn't Alwyn's intention to go to the actual gates, but a business nearby that the success of the operation itself hinged upon. Logistics were key. The trade depot. The old warehouse was hardly special in any way but the nondescript location was found quickly with the directions that had been provided and the pair of intern paper pushers were soon dripping wet in a building that was already damp from several holes in the roof.

The katta receptionist was quickly spotted out, and the duo walked in oddly matching strides towards the desk. Several 'serales' and handshakes were shared all around along with typical declarations of the nasty weather before things came down to business. "Whhhhat is it that you wannt?" the katta asked. Alwyn pushed the letter Eraisuithon had penned earlier in the Aedile's office across the desk towards the furry man for him to read. Two more documents followed: that written by the thane to the aedile to present to the depot, and another one from the aedile to the depot.

The receptionist was hesitant to leave his station, but he did, throwing the two newcomers a piercing look. "You'll need to seee Cargyle then.. I will get him for you.." And he was off into the depths of the warehouse.

They did not wait long. In fact, it did not seem like it took more than ten seconds for a very grim looking kemite depot manager clutching a clipboard to come storming forward. Cargyle was a man of business. And with time being money, he didn't seemed pleased to be roused from his monotonous routine of inventory. "Whats it yeh folks want?" He was very blunt, but Alwyn had been by the side of the Aedile when interacting with business people enough to know not to be offended.

"Things have come up. I think you're in for a change of plans." Alwyn likewise made no attempts at pleasantries, instead his glance swept over to the papers laying unattended on the desk. "Those oughta tell you."

Cargyle huffed, but conceded. Snatching up the papers he read them one after another. His expression slowly darkened further and his eyebrows furrowed the slightest. "He wants us to go to Sherian?!" The words were much louder than required and laced with a hysterical undertone. "For Sherian in two fething brightenings?" He was staring the Aedile's young aide in the eyes with gleaming orbs of his own.

"Afraid so, sir. I'm here to help. We need caravans for supplies for almost five hundred probably. We wont be bringing all the food and supplies with us 'course that we need, but maybe a third or half. I was told you'd have contacts for gettin' most of that."

The depot manager was rubbing his brow, shaking his head. If the young lad though that Cargyle was unhappy about having to make a trip to Sherian he was wrong.

"Feth sake, he could of given us more time.."

[Eraisuithon Gil'dae]

He was right to have assumed the trade depot manager would have contacts, Alwyn thought happily as he pushed through the muddy alleys of Imperia again. Cargyle was more than knowledgeable in how to purchase goods in bulk and coordinate them, and it was him who informed Alwyn that the foodstuffs could be purchased from a certain merchant league for much cheaper than the average Imperian at a market stall. ooc7.5 crowns/ cycle for prisoners and 10 crowns/cycle for recruits/guards approved GM Anne

But now he was off to try for the same luck while leaving Cargyle and the depot to securing the food supplies, but this time he was after several hundred weapons.

The rain had lessened, but the water soaked thoroughfares of Imperia were left akin to pig slop. It was with reserved footfalls as if treading a booby trapped tomb that the Aedile's aide forced himself into the belly of Imperia and towards one of the most prominent weapon's manufacturer intent not to spoil his shoes completely.

Alwyn's hair was damp with drizzle by the time he strode quickly into the Imperia Forge and Armoury and up towards the counter. He regarded the cheerful elven youth for a moment, and decided on an assumption he would need a more senior official. "Serale there, master Elf!" he said in return to the young one's own greeting, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips at the seemingly carefree creature. The elf was probably older than he was. "Is the owner of this establishment in?"

Cha'naah nodded happily and skipped off behind a curtain to call for someone, and when he returned a dwarf that was the epitome of racial stereotype stepped from behind the currtain with him. The blacksmith's voice was rough. "Can I' 'elp you?". Alwyn shrugged towards the end of the counter, where they could speak without potentially interrupting any incoming customers. The dwarf seemed to understand.

"Yessir you certainly can! I need one hundred and twenty five elven longs words, and one hundred and twenty five short swords!" The young human smiled and spoke fast enough to daze the dwarf with his exuberance.

"Are you now sir? Tha's alot of weapons.. tha' is." Twenty five thousand crowns worth of weapons. Enough to daze a blacksmith.

"I'm here as an official on behalf of the city of Imperia.." The human explained. "They are to contribute to supplies for men from Imperia going to Sherian to fight the orcs."

The dwarf's eyes glazed over and he revealed his teeth in a very menacing grin.. Alwyn could imagine he was dreaming of hewing the beasts apart himself, he seemed like the type.

"I thin' we can give you a deal."

Alwyn smiled. He would of asked for one anyway. "How much?"

The dwarf shrugged. "Twenty percent?"

"Forty."

"Thirty or nuthin'."

"Thirty." The aide agreed with a nod. "I can imagine this might clean out some of your stores.."

"When're the men leavin'?"

"Two brightenings." It could possibly break the deal.

"You'll have your weap'ns!" oocApproved, 70 crowns each, GM Darkmavrck.