[center][h3]High Kingdom of Freishann[/h3][/center]
[center][b][u]Abandoned quarry in Eastern Freishann[/u][/b][/center]
[center][b]Day 51[/b][/center]

“Halt!” the trumpets screamed out the order to the whole cohort. Most were in decent position, for garrison troops. The majority were Vuori from the North, asked for this purpose by Royal courier. They carried themselves well in the uniform of that Vuori Militia, perhaps more so because of their distance from their Homeland. A trip down various rivers and a large amount of fast marching had led to the current state.

Palisades ranged in construction up around the site, there was a base camp nearby which more work had been put towards. The quarry site on one side, the south-eastern corner, was steeped too much to be safely traversable, the other sides had Palisades in construction, but were not particularly well finished, they wouldn't stop anyone who cared enough to get in at this stage. Around the forest had been cut back to get the wood and to open up clear lines of sight for the almost fort being constructed.  Inside the quarry for the reason and cause for all this, an army of Statues some taking the faces of those recently dead most not yet, although the number has been growing.

A Magus stood with Prince Belzaren overlooking the whole situation from up the steep incline. Several Royal Guards kept watch, two parasol bearers stood by the Prince as he talked with the Magus. The Magus, Arawhurd, was dressed in the standard robes and looked quite uncomfortable, either in his position or the weather it was hard to tell. While the Prince was dressed in Regal traveling clothes, although he had elected to keep a thin decorative cape with the four-pointed star of Freishann on it.

“Will you tell me Headmaster-Magus, how exactly was all this found?”

“Yes, your Ro-”

“Sir will do, now that you have addressed me.”

“Yes sir, of course sir, my apologies.” Headmaster-Magus Arawhurd blotted his forward with his handkerchief nervously before continuing to the Prince. “Some time ago, the Baroness Aystoai was not clear, bodies of the recently deceased in the area turned to dust. As well these statues were discovered by some woodsmen with uh some of the deceased who they knew had their faces on them.”

“How long ago was this then? This,” he gestured towards the fortifications being erected, “is not a few days work, getting the men here and the proper equipment in enough number.”

“Yes sir, a few weeks ago perhaps, the work was started by a number of the locals organized by the Baroness as well as her retinue, later she brought in some townspeople and sent the word out, as well as coercing various travelers.”

“Hence why you’re here.”

“Yes sir, she apparently knows a Vuori councilman and well,” he gestured towards the cohort, “clear enough what came of that. I’ve been trying to do what I can to figure out as the Baroness prevailed upon me.”

Arawhurd paused before continuing, “Sir I believe the Baroness was seeking some form of monetary compensation for her efforts…”

“It's been taken care of. Now, more importantly, I want you in charge of this whole investigation since you’ve been here actually investigating the damn things longer than anyone else. I’ve brought along some Magus from the Collegium at Asyhaven who may be able to figure something out, in addition to some Priests as the magic of the dead is not something I’ve seen mortal magic do.”

Arawhurd took a moment before realizing a response was expected there, “Yes sir, thank you sir, as always your decisions are most wise.”

“Yes yes, we’re finished here, the party I brought with me is in camp, you are dismissed.”

Arawhurd bowed as he left, almost tripping down the incline before being steadied by a guard and starting down towards the camp.