[sub][indent][h3][color=d8cfbe][i]𝔹order of 𝕃apseus and ℙachel[/i][/color][/h3][/indent][/sub][hr] They had been trekking through the mountainous pass for a couple of hours at that point with not a sound passed between them, and then the quiet was broken by a low pitched and steady voice. "It's just over the ridge, My Lady." A nod of acknowledgement, and then silence settled over the group once more. "No less than five," were Melodia's conditions for the Pachel observation. Five they were, counting the stoic Lapsean Lord. A technicality, yes, but an operation like this was one she could have handled herself truth be told. Still, it was war, and though Rhythmia was confident she was not stupid. After briefing the Naval generals of the situation at hand she'd collected a few officers that caught her eye before beginning the journey to the border of Lapseus. When they arrived at the precipice, the group set their equipment down and deposited themselves onto any stone seats they could find. Rhythmia knelt at the cliff and looked out over the land in front of them. It was a sweeping valley, and what lay in the shadow of Lapsean mountain was barren and dry. It wasn't until miles away from the penumbra that greenery began to grow, simple grasses that were eventually joined by flowers, bushes, and scrub the further one looked. An older man with hair long grayed came to join her. He held a telescope to his eye and swept it across the fields. After a few moments he grunted. "Clear," he said. Rhythmia nodded. [b]"Intelligence?"[/b] "Ma'am~" came a tinny voice in reply. "Spies say Pachel ain't in no shape for fighting back. Wouldn't be nothing to torch the whole place and move in." Rhythmia breathed out slowly through her nose. It was not the answer she wanted, but it was expected. The hatred of the South ran blood deep in Lapsean citizens. Though like any House there would be those in Pachel unwilling to fight and die in the coming conflict, and if they could avoid putting the entire population to death that would be ideal. Rhythmia's gaze shifted to the young man who'd moved beside her. He was pale and wiry, and the small grin that graced his face told her that he was one of the many that subscribed to the saying [i]'There are no innocent among the Mageborn.'[/i] That would prove as interesting as it was troublesome, she was sure. [b]"..."[/b] She said not a word, but the man's expression gradually changed into a more serious one as her gaze continued to focus on him. He coughed lightly into his hand before speaking again. "There's two main contenders to take over ruling the House Pachel. Neither's much to worry about." "Pachel's widow being one of them, yeah?" The gray haired man chimed in. "Mhm~ the other's a family of arms dealers, more or less. There's a few others but from the information we got, none have as much support as those two." [b]"Hn. What else?"[/b] Rhythmia looked to the third of those she'd brought along, a tall woman with furry ears and horns that curled skyward on either side of her head. The Akeshan perked up and cleared her throat. "Before us is The Valley of Rest. If we descend the mountain then we will, officially, be in Pachel. There are a few towns around there, and a fortress just beyond the Valley too. It's manned, but with their lord's death they haven't sent for reinforcements. Too preoccupied with fighting themselves than us I guess, like Vina said." Rhythmia nodded. Everything they'd said was about as much as she expected. A little more reconnaissance was in order, but after that... well, one way or another they would take control of Pachel. She had a plan in mind, and a back-up, but it wouldn't come into fruition just yet. She turned her gaze on the last of their group, a girl with a hood pulled over her head and a grim expression on her face. She did not hesitate to meet the eerie crimson glow of Rhythmia's bionic eye. For several moments neither of them said anything. The other three glanced between each other and the two women. Then the younger spoke, her voice rough, and young. "What?" she asked. She had nothing to report, they both knew. Rhythmia's stare turned pointed. [b]"Your... strategy?"[/b] Rhythmia inquired, tilting her head just slightly. The girl sighed and closed her eyes. He brows pulled together and she frowned. "Occupying the area will cut off Seler from the rest of the South. Once both Houses are dealt with it'd give you a useful foothold to help your... [i]compatriots[/i] from." As she spoke her tone darkened with distaste, but she went on. "I would back the Lady Pachel. She would have the most support of her people I think, and be desperate enough to take Technologist help in keeping her seat in power." She crossed her arms in front of her and cracked open one eye. Rhythmia stared at her in that uncomfortable way she often did. Then the Lapsean Lord nodded once. [b]"Good."[/b] She approved of that line of thinking. A half-smile almost formed on the girl's face. [b]"But we won't... support Alana Pachel."[/b] "Huh?" [b]"Let the two... wear each other down. When one... triumphs, we will step in."[/b] Behind them, the pale man snickered, "hopefully by force." [b]"Get... yourselves ready. We will move in... and learn more about... the situation... before we... take any action."[/b] A trio of affirmative answers sounded. The group went about checking and collecting their equipment. Everything from weapons to bedrolls, prepared to spend a few nights in Pachel territory. With luck, what Rhythmia told them would turn out to be the case. Wasting energy and resources arguing against each other would leave the Southern House in such disarray that Lapseus could swoop in and force cooperation. Or failing that, just take over - whether going full scorched earth or not. However, there were few things that Rhythmia believed in less than 'luck.' [b]"Kenzie, take point... as we descend."[/b] "Yes, Lady Rhythmia!" The Akeshan woman said, snapping to attention. The group of five would soon be on the move again. The hooded girl pressed her lips into a thin line and gripped her pack a little tighter. [sub][indent][h3][color=d8cfbe][i]ℕotoria (𝕃apseus)[/i][/color][/h3][/indent][/sub][hr] "Oh oh oh... maybe you should rethink this, hm, doctor?" A man, gangly and scruffy faced, paced up and down a a dingy alley way. "It's been a few years, sure, but last time you were tossed out of the estate on your arse. Y'remember that?" His bushy black hair was tied loosely behind his head, and an overstuffed bag was slung around his shoulder. His footsteps echoed loudly in the cramped space. Whenever she stepped through a puddle his face contorted in an odd expression, but he never went out of his way to avoid the shallow pools of water that dotted the cobblestone path. He was, also, completely alone. "Buuuut you've really got something going for you now. Something interesting, very interesting, very useful..." Every now and then he would stop his pacing and peek out of the alleyway, looking in the direction of one of the city's wharfs. He did it again now, breathing heavily. The one sided conversation he'd been having with himself out loud shifted internally. He might have already said too much. This was a coastal city in Lapseus - in other words, a complete hell hole where any man, woman, or child would stick you without so much as a second thought if you had something they needed. And he had something useful, but it was locked up in his brain. He'd really hate to be killed for something his murderer wouldn't even be able to get. As for what the man needed, it was one of two things. Passage up the river to Gohetia where he'd bend his knee at the twin Lords' door, or a mage's body. Ideally both, if he could convince himself to get on with it. A few long minutes later and an ugly smile split the doctor's face. He reached around to pat himself on the back for a job well done, apparently satisfied with the outcome of the argument he was having inside his head. Straightening his back and passing a hand over his scalp, the man barred his teeth and scurried off toward the water to catch a ride.