([color=f26522]Holden d'Alnharte[/color], War Room, Paline, Praelium)

"[color=f26522]It's a long story,[/color]" Holden explained, "[color=f26522]and not exactly a pleasant one.[/color]" He sat down, and leaned back. "[color=f26522]Charges were drummed up against me, and it's part of why I've come here.[/color]"

"[color=0054a6]Actually, never mind. We have more important matters to attend to. Specifically, the paper you just brought me. You say you killed a spy for it? Have any proof?[/color]"

"[color=f26522]If you travel to the Artis Port and search along the outskirts, you'll find your 'proof' in a ditch with two halves of a bow through his throat.[/color]" Holden smirked, and reached into his pockets, before setting a blood-stained pendant on the table. It was a blue chip; one side metallic. "[color=f26522]Common military pendant for officers in the Royal Army. I caught him before he could make the drop. Unfortunately, I don't know where he was going to drop it off, so his contacts remain anon.[/color]" 

Sliding the pendant to Claudius, Holden cleared his throat. "[color=f26522]To make this plain and clear, On'hino is sizing up Praelium. They have the size of your armies, and where they're concentrated. If they're not on the move already, it's only a matter of time. What do you intend to do?[/color]"