Lanik had eyes still on the map as the two officers relayed their respective intel. So many obstacles.. . variables. The weather, enemy soldiers, supplies, mission pacing, and the terrain. It would be dangerous, no question about it. But there was something in Lanik that thrived for this type of analytical problem-solving. Even from a young boy he would always be solving little puzzles and equations he could scrounge up from father's old text books. Variables like that were no different than what he was doing now. There was a problem and the next step was to decide exactly what was the best way to approach it. And he had already decided. The mission was thus as broken down in his mind:

- infiltrate the elvish mountain garrison and relay strategic information to Imperium commanding officers.
- if possible capture elven authority as suggested by the spike in forces in that particular area.
- come back to Marië alive.

He was already prioritizing this as a reconnaissance mission. If Lanik could get a good idea of an entry point and its surrounding area then Imperial forces would be able to do the brunt of the work assaulting the walls. Though, it he would have to insert through the wall from a purely terrain exploit and see how it could be altered so ground forces could make a push through. He smiled to himself. He had to admit, it [i]had[/i] been awhile since he'd been able to do anything exciting. He would be the eyes of the greatest combat campaign the Imperium had ever embarked on. The pressure was there, but Lanik had enough confidence in his abilities to see it complete.

[i]Durvain.[/i]

The captain made a mental note. Odd, he had never heard of Imperial forces encountering an enemy that employed the use of technical weapons in the field. He had learned about such uses during his education at the Carpenter's Guild, but such ideas were usually left only to schematics and drawings and never got to see tangible result. He'll have to be wary. Captain Wintergate straightened, looking too all the officers before departing.

"I have all the information I need," he bowed his head slightly, "Excuse my dismissal, but there's preparation to be done. Lieutenant Rayne will be in command of the Covenant during my absence. Refer to him for field requests,"

And with a sharp salute Lanik moved on.

He left the three with a feeling of unease. They were all officers sure... but Lanik couldn't help but feel a certain disconnect between their command character and his own. He could sense their patriotism, an unwavering dedication to draw blood for their country and country-men. Sure, Lanik would lay his life on the line for any of his Wintergate brethren, but for just any Imperial citizen? That was a stretch even just to think about. He did not see the pride in the arbitrary slaughter of entire nations for sake of [i]patriotism[/i]. So why was he still here? Wintergate had always served the King honorably. Maybe that's why he stayed. The King gave Lanik problems to solve, and in turn Lanik would solve them. That fact, coupled with the tradition and relationship Lord Wintergate had nurtured between himself and the King must be the reason. Maybe that was oversimplifying things, but Lanik had always been a simple man.

"Do my eyes deceive me or is that Captain Wintergate back to form from the cold, Northern mountains?" Lanik strolling through the camp heard a voice beside him. He looked over.

"Darian?" Lanik grinned, "You're not so [i]little[/i] anymore,"

His blonde brother was leaning up against one of the buildings, shirtless, with a chalice in one hand a sword in the other and lips stained with blood. His brother was beaming as he approached, arms open, embracing Lanik with a hug and kissing him promptly on one cheek. It had been six months since Lanik had last saw Darian... or even communicated with him at all, strangely enough.

"No ser, the battlefield changes a man, as you've told me before," he took a swig from the chalice, a thin trail of red seeping from the corner of his mouth and down his defined chin, "But, the Imperium facing its greatest foe yet is day by day taking ground. And I, yours truly," he gave an exaggerated bow, "Have been carving Wintergate into the edifice of legend. You're welcome by the way," he laughed and placed an arm around Lanik, the two making their way through the camp.

Lanik couldn't help but smile as well. Though the two were not nearly as close as Marcus and himself, there was something about Darian that put men at ease. He had a very unique charm, and one that evidently could work on men as closed as Lanik was. The two walked on for quite a ways, catching up, mostly Darian boasting about great battles he had partaken in and the beautiful elven slaves Lanik would [i]have to try[/i]. Captain Wintergate frowned at that, but carried on listening. He had even mentioned Serani, Lanik's wife, who as usual was doing [i]okay[/i]. Not that he cared. Marië was still at a children's art academy too close to comfort to the Aetherion border, but Darian had assured him that there was nothing to be worried about. In fact, in due time the academy was to be relocated to Midhaven via a network of caravans, but that was still yet a ways away.

"And father?" Lanik asked, the tone of the conversation taking a sudden turn.

They were now in one of the great Imperial mess halls, where drunken legionnaires were stumbling about spouting and spitting at whatever they pleased. Tired torchlamps illuminated the mess from between every great pillar and corner making for a strangely ambient environment despite all the ruckus around them.

Darian poured a cup and slid it towards Lanik. He turned, filling up his own whilst giving a solemn nod, "His health declines brother. The apothecaries give him but a month to live," sighing, Darian made his way to a spot across from the Wintergate Ranger, "Sad but... father has been this way for quite some time, we knew it was coming,"

There was a sad silence between the two of them for a moment. Lanik was still processing the information. It wasn't news, and Lanik had in fact saw it coming for awhile. There was just apart of him that believed things would mysteriously turn out okay. He didn't want to lose any more family. Not if he could help it. But to save father, that would be to fight against the very fabric that tied the universe together. Gregoir Wintergate had simply lived his years, and his time had come.

Darian, obviously noting Lanik's change in disposition gave his older brother a soft smile, placing his hand on one of his shoulders. He lifted his cup.

"Drink, for father, and you my brother, the heir to the great Wintergate legacy," something in Darian's sincerity spoke to something deep within Lanik, but he couldn't place exactly what.

Lanik let the metallic tasting crimson envelop his senses. He cringed, feeling its thickness slide through his buds. As a younger soldier, the captain had frequently partaken in such rituals, but having been out of the loop for so long, he cringed at the taste.

Darian laughed, "Brother! Have your buds gone soft?". Lanik sighed, hoping his aversion wasn't so obvious.

"It's been awhile, Darian," Lanik chuckled before drinking the rest of his cup.

The two brothers spent another two hours talking before Lanik assembled a group of six veteran rangers, and started the long trek through the mountains.