"The girl and her pet actually do exist. I had my doubts, especially after the tale that the Emperor spun for me." Erik, Prince of Strosberg, bemused as he continued to wipe the blood off of his blade. The man barely looked up as both Ash and Rohaan approached him. Erik was large and powerfully built, clearly of Northern stock. His beard was cut short, as was his hair, with both being as black as a raven's feathers. However, there was a streak of silver that cut through his hair, proving that he was much older than he first appeared. Apart from his Imperial armor, which was always impressive, he wore an emblem designating him as a Sword of the Realm. This was immediately relevant to Ash, but likely less so for Rohaan - not that he would probably care about anything that was associated with Empire. Swords of the Realm were generally responsible for all military matters within a specific region of the Empire. So it wasn't all that surprising that Erik of Strosberg was tasked with purging the remnants of the Malacharian cult. Besides, it seemed that whatever battle that had taken place was short and uneventful, based on the fact that it had already concluded.

It hadn't been terribly difficult to reach the camp. The location was on an outcropping that allowed it to have a good view of the villages below, a useful strategic location if there was any. What was even more remarkable was that the Imperial troops managed to move into the area so quickly after the death of Thoburas. The Emperor clearly had them in place for weeks before he had even sent in Ash and Rohaan. It sort of made Ash wonder what would have happened if they hadn't been successful, but it was fairly evident that there were many other contingencies if that had taken place. Perhaps the Emperor wasn't a good man, but only fools would ever consider him to ever be unprepared. Ultimately, Ash and Rohaan ended up being accosted by a few soldiers, who were quickly put into their place after seeing Ash' ring. From there, they were brought before Erik of Strosberg, as intended. Out of her bag Ash pulled the decapitated head of Thoburas, definitive proof that the elf was dead, and offered it to Erik.

Erik finished cleaning his sword and slid the blade back into its scabbard. He motioned towards one of his subordinates who took the head and began to pound the head on top of a pike. "Death is always the great equalizer, I've found. Cause all of this chaos and you're reduced to nothing in death." Erik stood up, to properly address Rohaan and Ash. "Last I spoke with the Emperor, he indicated to aid the two of you in any capacity. Mind filling me in with what you need?"

"Yes, we need transportation. Uh, to Last Vigil! If that's possible." Ash spoke up first.

"Of course it's possible. I can arrange an armed escort. Slow, but it'll get you there. Any objections?"