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[@Achronum][@Obscene Symphony][@Scribe of Thoth][@Hero]
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Kayden's father had once told him, 'If one wants peace, prepare for war.' At the time he didn't give it much thought, but he trusted his father in matters of state. Apparently many of his ministers considered him a great leader. Kayden believed them, simply because he felt the man had to be good at something other than his favorite hobby of being an asshole to those closest to him. Still, sound advice in a vague sort of way. Peace was never on the table if one didn't make sure they could protect themselves, and such a philosophy helped him gather his thoughts and prepare for battle. He hoped one day he could be as good of an emperor as his father whilst being kind to those around him. Somehow, try as he might, he seemed to never be able to salve strife or broker agreements until every other option was expended. Veronica took forever to calm, and Rudolph was as cowardly as ever. And then there were those outside of his guild... 

[color=FFAB66]“Pull any shit like back in Luin,”[/color] Jorah had growled when Kayden passed him, [color=FFAB66]“and if the heretics don’t get you, [i]I will.[/i]”[/color] 

The Prince had nearly stopped, and he didn't know whether to laugh or get pissed. Kayden had come to the conclusion Jorah utterly lived outside of reality. Who in their right mind chastised someone who had [i]risked their life[/i] to keep men with swords [i]off the backs of his allies[/i]? Kayden had guarded the flanks with his own life and Jorah was enraged?? The logic was simply not there, and Kayden came up with two outcomes. Either Jorah was jealous, which wouldn't be the first time he had experienced such from a lesser noble, or Jorah was utterly batshit crazy. He wanted to give the man the benefit of the doubt and go with option one, but option two was seeing far more likely. The man had even eavesdropped on Kayden and his house, thinking Kayden had eavesdropped on Clarissa who was, quite literally, loudly calling out a professor in public. He earnestly did not see what someone as honorable as Clarissa could see in him, but at least he had made acquaintances with her and spoke to a few of the other students from the other houses. Imogen was always pleasant to be around, as well. 

He took all but three seconds to think this all through, and made a mental note. He had always tried to be nice to Jorah, even whilst the fellow was being an asshole, but he decided his patience was growing thin. One more vague threat or outwardly malevolent intention to Kayden, and Kayden would go from pleasant to pissed off. Perhaps it would teach Jorah a valuable lesson in diplomacy when he ascended to whatever Dukedom he would inherit one day. Kayden snorted. He didn't know if this mental note would stick, but he also doubted Jorah could learn anything meaningful after the way he had been acting. He purged the thoughts from his mind. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand, and the prince went to retrieve his armaments. 

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The carriage was musty and cramped, and it did wonders for those who wished to venture into the wide world of back pain. However, he supposed it was more expedient than walking, and this let him gauge the thoughts of his fellow students in far closer quarters than was socially acceptable on a hike or horseride. So far, everyone seemed at least passably prepared save for Rudolph, and that was to be expected. They needed to be ready for whatever the battle would throw at them or they might collapse formation and potentially lose their lives. The advanced unit had the glory, but they were to be the backbone.    

Kayden stepped off the carriage, gathering his wits and taking in fresh, albeit humid breathes of air into his imperial lungs. He stopped at their center and leveled his striking eyes on the fog permeating the perimeter, his gaze fixed like a hound's. Kayden had the air of a veritable statue, stern and imperious all at once. Whatever others might think of him, he very much had the look of the princely ideal. After a few moments passed and no screaming heretics were stampeding into their ranks, he managed to glance at the others as they gave their commentary. 

[color=4851AA]"They're right,"[/color] He informed Rudolph, referring to Lienna's comments and Clarissa's speech. They needed to get out of this in one piece, and to do that, they couldn't lose morale. They were here for a reason, and that was to protect the people. Kayden drew his sword, hefting it into the sky like a beacon, though with the fog he doubted it would have the same effect as in the tales. 

[color=4851AA]"Citizens of the Empire, this will be a day of victory! If we stand with our distant cousins of the Alliance and the Holy Kingdom, no foe can overcome our combined might!"[/color] He called powerfully, hoping his crest was aiding in the proclamation. He wasn't going to give a long winded oration after Clarissa, but he did feel the need to speak and reiterate their stridently important goal. [color=4851AA]"We will stand and fight, and by the Goddess's mercy, no heretic will lay a hand on the innocent's of Magred!"[/color]