Tacitus heard the door open behind him, he stood silently in the place he'd taken behind the woman sat in the chair. He'd known she was there before she cared to reveal herself. It was a habit of his to cast detect life whenever he entered a meeting of any import, but he'd kept his mouth shut waiting to see matters unfold.

He drew the gladius from its sheath at his waist and placed the blade on the woman's shoulder. [color=0054a6]'I wouldn't be so glib, nor would I make demands if I were you.'[/color] he began, [color=0054a6]'We need allies but you need us more than we need you, if need be the Empire can abandon this damned place and reclaim it later. Your order however, well I've dealt with that matter personally. This is it for you and your ilk.'[/color] He smiled behind the scarf that covered his face, when combined with the hood he wore all that could be seen of Tacitus was his piercing eyes. He kept them both trained on the assassin his sword ready to cut her neck at a moments notice.

[color=0054a6]'General Tullius Sir,'[/color] he said addressing the general, his eyes still levelled at the assassin [color=0054a6]'what are your orders?'[/color]

The general mused for a moment before replying, 'I want you to accompany this woman and her associates, you are the Imperial representative in this affair. I want this new threat dealt with but I won't have acts against the Empire, you're responsible for ensuring that the mission is carried out as such, am I clear Tacitus?'

[color=0054a6]'Yes sir, understood'[/color] replied Tacitus sheathing his gladius at his side again. He turned to appraise several figures who were now entering the room. They didn't look like much, but then again there weren't many people signing up to throw themselves at dragons. [i]Great[/i] he thought to himself [i]damned to die far away from home, against a threat that we should've seen coming, alongside, miscreants and the curs I've been hunting for years.[/i]