[center][h3][color=C0392B]Rudolf Shilage[/color][/h3][/center]

Rudolf grunted, shaking his head doubtfully. [color=c0392b]”With Solitude having gone as dark as we’re hearing and the need for longer-range scouting bands to even develop [i]this[/i] information picture, I think we can move with an initial assumption that it’s dead on friendly ground out there at best. Otherwise they would have established contact to tell us about [i]before[/i] turning questions over to us.”[/color]

A tinny sound called the rhythm of his thoughts as his finger rapped against the crown of his helm. His frown and furrowed brow deepened— for a change an encouraging sign, after Esben had acquiesced to leaning on the younger man’s own education in the broader arts of war before they shipped off. To be honest, he was still a little sour about Zacharias brushing him off in Brightlam [i]after[/i] noting it… but there were more important reasons to throw his head at the problem.

[color=c0392b]“Still, another head that knows the terrain better’s going to be a windfall in the planning stage. I like fields and forests and hills more than snowdrift. I’ll be cross-referencing topography with you whenever I get to plotting out potential staging areas. Airships and technological advantage or not, Valheim’s got their own physical and logistical limitations to field— Can’t just pop a whole landing force out of thin air. Plus, if we need to bound [i]into[/i] the city later, that could just as easily determine sites [I]we’ll[/i] use. Granted.”[/color]

He took another pull of coffee. Keep thinking. Keep thinking. He may have been hasty, bleary, and not completely bloodless in making that promise to become the Cadons’ sworn sword, but it was not an oath he meant to break easily, in any respect. He had filled well up on missing standards for twenty years.

[color=c0392b]“In the aftermath of Garuda, I assume winds are like as not to be more capricious than usual. One blizzard blows through between then and now and so much goes out the window I might just cry.”[/color] he drily quipped. [color=c0392b]“No visibility, no continuity in terrain development, shaping actions are a guessing game, I’ll have to tell Anders I lost my charge two feet in front of me. Terrible. I almost [i]want[/i] the lizard culling.”[/color]

[i]Yeah, really quick question. What’s the math on these divisions look like before you’ve been drafted, exactly?[/i]

…

A narrow-eyed, suspicious look fell upon the junior of the two SEEDs in the room.

[i]Fight! Fight! Fight![/i]