[Center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/695501837029212202/696901830604619846/Captain_Doan_Nasir.png[/img][/center] [indent][indent]The captain nods along to Lyun's words thoughtfully, remaining cross-legged upon the dusty earth. He mulls on the thought, appreciating a rare moment of insight into the warrior's soul. After a solemn silence, Doan's dry lips part, "Perhaps there's more to--" Before he could truly finish his thought the foreign merchant's voice chimes in, his reasonable concerns are well-heard amongst the Hellions. Each of then showing their obvious support. The captain raises a hand to settle the light murmur against the gentle crackles of flame. "The lack of sleep must be getting to me, or perhaps my heart is not as stony as the boys say. . ." He raps a knuckle at the skullcap upon the fallen Hellion's spear.[/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "Let me clarify." He begins, taking the tablet back into his hands and squinting in the relatively dim light. "'Know that the bands calling themselves [i]Hartuum's Hundreds[/i], [i]The Dark Suns[/i], and [i]Shulaar's Scorpions[/i] will handle the main assault.'" Doan paraphrases to an extent, filtering out the beautification of their would-be employer's script. "[i]'The Men of Titub and Utu's Chosen'[/i] will take a support role where needed. Remaining in reserve until Der's fortifications are broken, [i]The Hellions of Gyr[/i] will enter the city and subdue dissident elements. . .'"[/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]Thereafter, Iddin makes his claim. Again, the band is in general agreement, while the captain continues to nod in contemplation. [/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "Shrewd as ever Iddin-Ninshubar." Yet, he allows his soft expression to sour some, "Akkad and the Ensis of the empire very much so acknowledge our independence, as do they the other bands named. And that is precisely why they've devised this operation." The captain stands, lifting up the fallen longspear of La'um. "Our fate as sellswords is simple, to die a coward's death in the midst of our greed, used as pieces on our employers' many boards. Yet. . . With the subjugation of Elam, no great battles are left in sight four our Šar Kiššati, and so we are purposeless. We become dangerous elements, starving wolves ready to snap at any scraps now that the pickings are slimmed." He raises the weapon, thrusts it forth to where it halts before Iddin, the priest unfazed. "We are like the spear, wrought into this world by the hand's of ambitious smiths to sate only the dunes' thirst of blood."[/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "In the eyes of Akkad we must be cast aside, yet why not make use and wear us down before striking the killing blow? Yes. . . Perhaps the day for our kind will come again, but we cannot wish that upon the common man, we have chosen this fate, must we condemn the Empire for doing the sensible thing? I cannot say. . ."[/indent][/indent]
[indent][indent]DOAN-NASIR: "Forgive the ramblings of a tired old fool." He says, placing the spear upon a weapon rack beside his own. "Iddin. Men. I put to you the question, surrounded by stronger bands with a greater grip yet still upon the vices of our lifestyle -- [i]what were to become of us should we decline and so too be labeled dissidents?"[/i][/indent][/indent]