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Kayden got out of bed bright and early, but once he got dressed and smoothed his perfect hair, he decided to go on a jaunt rather than immediately to the room they had been summoned to. He had time, and felt like a brisk walk on the grounds would clear his head for the day. He had much to think on, though thankfully Veronica was not one of those topics. She had been...relatively tame the last few times they had been within proximity to one another. Well, he pushed her out of his mind and reflected on the horse ride they had earlier. Jorah's obsession with hating him seemed to have been lightening up slightly, and though he hadn't had the chance to speak to Derec, Clarissa was a gem. He was honored to make her acquaintance. All of those present had been grand riders too. The Eagles might have less problems than the other two Houses, but they weren't as personable either except for himself. Hopefully they would be able to change that.

Kayden stopped himself, realizing he had been so lost in thought he had forgotten to wake up his team. Not that they were expecting him to, but he felt it was his responsibility. Cursing, he raced to the classroom and stepped in a minute or two shy of them starting, right when people were taking their seats and whispering to one another. He scanned the room and counted the Eagles, pleased when he realized they were all present. He made a point of searching for Rudolph, finding the diminutive student was present whilst simultaneously looking like they wanted to leap off a bridge rather than be here. 

Same old, same old, then. 

He made his way to the front of the classroom and found Clarissa, Albrecht, Alyeas, and Ezekial. He had not spoken much to the latter bunch, though Albrecht had been assigned to the Eagles. [color=4851AA]“Fair weather and good morning,”[/color] he said to them in greeting, not deigning to make any more conversation so as to focus on the board. The Geography professor had a detailed map of Magdred Way. The professor did not disappoint, the curves of the terrain and the foliage was well presented, letting Kayden get a good idea of the forward tactics they would use. He struck a professional poise, hand on his chin as he listened intently. 

Volunteers? Was this a training exercise? Immediately he wanted to raise his hand and be thrown into danger, but once he absorbed the information, he realized it would only be a small cog in the wheel of the plan. There were people to be kept safe, and as much as he liked running in the vanguard, he knew it was good leadership and a showing of nobility to uphold lives over glory. He also knew he was trying to convince himself he was being pragmatic, when his conscience was what was truly making the decision for him. And if Kalliope and her knights weren't where the volunteers were going to be, then he would see if they might hang around the defenders before or after their advance. 

Something did not sit right, however. He hoped this wasn't going to be a rehash of the last battle. Defending people's backs on a five to one ratio had not been his idea of a sound plan, but it was all he could have done at the time. At least he would have backup, now.