Mas Bagus

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

After some more teasings that would either make the prince blush or his chamberlain raise an eyebrow, the group arrived at the designated waiting room. A buffet, drinks, and some more food had been prepared there, along with several sacks of provisions and other odds and ends.

It seemed to be one of the auxiliary halls located in the west wing of the palace. It conveniently led to a corridor that ends at the Royal Palace Stable. A full scan with Jazdia's eyes ensured that the room was clear.

Lord Thernous had already sitting there with Cedar's relatives, offering comforting words to them and an invitation to enjoy the food provided.

An invitation to eat!

Jazdia couldn't help but chuckle a bit upon hearing that. Considering how "gentlemanly" Cedar was with his table manners, she could already imagine this entire lunch would turn out to be rather hilarious.

Sitting now on one of the chairs, Jazdia reached for one of those sophisticated-looking pastries in front of her and munched it slowly.

"Good for Baker he is supplying his stuff for the king now."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Just when she finished exchanging pleasantries with Loise, another silent walker approached. Varya Chandrar... again was odd one, but Jazdia greatly appreciates his cordiality.

"Ah, it is a pleasure to meet you as well Lady Jazdia. I am Varya Chandrar. I hope our journey together will be a pleasant one."

"The pleasure is all mine," she said, taking his gloved hand for a handshake doubling as a means to prevent the elven man from bowing any deeper. Jazdia was not a frequent bower, and being bowed to was even more embarrassing.

"I hope our journey together will be a pleasant one."

Pleasant huh? The direness of their mission was not lost on her, but who wanted to be a mood killer in a moment like this?

"I hope so too." Jazdia said before adding in a hidden wry. "Let's do our best!"

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Jazdia managed to gain some distance from the prince, who seemed to be overwhelmed by the sudden influx of attention around him. Then to the black-haired woman, she smiled. "No offense taken. I am sure Miss Yvonne would feel the same."

Shortly after, a lovely blonde woman approached them, she seemed hesitating before Athena encouraged her to just join in.

The woman bowed, and then introduced herself as a squire working under Lord Thernous, born from a rather well-known family of Ironside and---

"As for Ironside's customary for greeting on first time. The one who greeted by an Ironside must place their hand to the Ironhand's head..."

There was an awkward pause between them until Jazdia spoke up with a perfectly straight face.

"That would not be necessary."

Then she softened. "A handshake would just do. My name is Jazdia Crystalspark. A Restaurateur and Legal Advisor by trade. A pleasure to meet you, ladies."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Athena Voltspear. Had she not spoken her warning aloud, Jazdia may never have foreseen her arrival. Looks like her reputation as both a scout and warrior was not exaggerated at all.

Or Perhaps it was her who was getting rusty?

"I believe the matter regarding my gift has been resolved," she said, still maintaining her nonchalance as she shifted her gaze alternately between Prince Alec and the interjecting soldier. "Also please be assured that you will not hear any more objections regarding the security protocols from me."

Jazdia turned to face the black-haired guard now, and smiled at her enigmatically. "But, Miss Volstspear, I'd suggest you not bring up who is equal to who in this conversation. For the lines to determine equality or inequality becomes ambiguous when you try to apply it beyond the hierarchy you are familiar with."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

A smile cracked her seemingly earnest expression and she laughed. And she had never laughed this good for a long time it was almost comical.

"Ah... oh... my sides! Indeed, you do look more serious than the first time we met, but your sense of humor hasn't changed at all."

The elf grimaced, pausing to rub her aching ribs. "I will let you in a small secret. Trust me, our problems are way bigger than you might have comprehended. So big that concern about bureaucratic protocol has been largely disregarded by Fredricus himself by inviting us all here, a group of strangers with unknown qualities to tell us all Kindeance top secrets."

Jazdia could feel her own smile turn wolfish, and she enjoyed every second of it. "And talking about a major breach of security protocol, there is only you, the only heir of Kindeance Monarch, and us here."

"But in the end, I can respect your decision. But I still suggest you keep it and don't let anyone get their hands on it any more than necessary." she winked, chuckling mischievously before resting her hands on the hip. "Or you could show or ask Fredricus about it. It's yours now, so it's your choice what you want to do with it."

"And that's very cute of you worrying about me! I will keep that in mind."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Jazdia listened, and she could already feel the grievance in his voice. Sullen and filled with self-doubt. The sad truth for him was the burden he felt on his not-yet-broad shoulder was just the beginning.

Poor prince, has the lordship and thorns in your diadem sapped away your brilliance? Even as the enemy's captive, your voice was more resolute, and your eyes gazed brighter than they did now.

"What I do know, is that if he felt the operation could not succed, he would not have summoned you here. There is great utility with holding the lot of you in reserve."

"I asked you, not your father's opinion." Jazdia suddenly scoffed. It was at that moment Alec looked remotely provoked; he straightened himself, perhaps ready to form up words in a sharp retort. It was an amusing sight to see and made him look more exuberant and articulate at the very least. But Jazdia quickly continued, with a more conversational tone.

"But that too is a wise answer," she said, lowering herself to be on the same eye level as him. "Anyway, I have not congratulated you properly for your coronation." She gestured for Alec to open his palm and handed him a round, polished trinket that immediately gleamed under the room's warm lighting. Guiding him to open one of its well-hidden buttons, it turned out to be a fancy-looking compass with a titanium body and golden pointers.

Jazdia retreated two steps back, but instead of bowing, she chose to give the prince a knightly military salute. "May it serve you well even when the sun is out and the day is bleak."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

The meeting was concluded with three important decisions. The priorities were the following:
Deliver the message to King Denon of Meche and return,
Save Cedar, the new noble druid,
And last, deal with Caitlyn Stritzel.

After scribbling some important details in her notebook, Jazdia then returned the dossier back to Fredricus' desk. The king had left some time ago from another door with Matilda and his chamberlain. While his uncle, Thernous had left with the two ursine sisters. Jazdia had no idea where, but she felt rather disappointed letting the opportunity for an early introduction to pass just like that.

Well, it was water under the bridge now. She would have plenty of time to know everyone later.

Thernous' grandson was also on his way out with his beloved squire. Meanwhile, Prince Alec chose to stay behind and was standing nervously in his spot, almost like a guard or a watcher, overseeing his father's throne.

"Alec!" the elf called.

Flinching, the teenage prince belatedly noticed Jazdia, making him look even more nervous than before. The elf acknowledged that her attitude could be considered irreverent by a court standard, but she disliked fake cordiality even more.

"So..." she asked, trying to lower her voice this time. "Your father made quite a demand. Do you think we can do it?"

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

“If I am being entirely honest, your majesty, I do have some reservations about our numbers. I understand that you wish to keep news of our movement at a minimum, and having more men would make that difficult. It sounds like secrecy matters here if we wish to stop a war before it begins. I also understand that we who you’ve chosen are of some repute. Are there any concessions that can be afforded to us?”

Fredricus paused. Considering his options carefully.

"A week before, a unit from the recon division was dispatched to scout Stritzel's compound. With them was Madam Antigone's subordinate tasked to plant a prototype of magical geolocator. The plan was rather unsuccessful, but they are still there. Convene with this team once you get there. I will also send my pigeons to inform General Falrick to tighten the security on the west crossroad, should the rumor about Stritzel's personal militias be true and she call their assistance. I will ensure no other parties will disturb your mission. I believe that's sufficient enough."

Fredricus's attention again shifted to the male elf clad in clothes so gaudy it insulted his kingly privilege. Shaking his head once, he then waved for the elf to speak.

"Your Majesty, if I may inquire, where do you think the noble Cedar is currently being held?"

He glanced at the bear sisters for a moment before refocusing his attention back to him

"Stritzel has a mansion deep inside a pocket of forestry between the West Road and Clearpine Lake. Her mansion is unfortunately the only solid lead we have now."

Pausing, the king tried his hard to not be smug, or look at Jazdia. "Yes I know there is a possibility that Stritzel has other facilities hidden somewhere in that forest, but years under constant turmoil have rendered the region unobservable. But fret not! If my scouts failed in their task, I believe some of you are resourceful enough to look at the smallest needle in a haystack. Even if the effort could get them pricked. Any other question?"

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

The king sighed, and his attention immediately shifted back to Jazdia, who had moved aside when he answered the soldier's question.

"She had a point there." Said Jazdia, gesturing at the sealed document. "May I?"

The king gestured his permission. "Go ahead."

"Thank you." Anyway, your shieldbearer has a point there. Time is our most precious commodity right now, and adding the subjugation of your duke into our schedule would make it more constraining."

"This is indeed a difficult decision," said Fredricus calmly, yet the words sounded bitter. "Putting aside the importance of removing Stritzel and her ilks away from my land, Cedar is not just a druid or talking bear anymore. I have awarded him lands near Great Misty, and that makes him a Kindeance noble."

"That sounded like a made-up excuse."

The king did not appreciate her bluntness.

"Your failure to acknowledge the gravity of this matter surprises me. I thought you were a person who would not abandon a friend. Very well! Think that however you like. But the political risk of abandoning a loyal subject to face torture and unusual death will be felt in the long term. Besides, my son seemed to have taken a liking to Cedar. Wouldn't it be in your best interest to gain more favor from Kindeance's future king?"

Jazdia could only rub her forehead.

"There you go again using my conscience against me. Shame on you. How long before your next plenary meetings?

"Four days."

"We have eighteen days then. Perhaps we can pull that off. But the delay will be inevitable."

"I'll leave that to your judgment," he said, pausing to look at the rest of the group. It seemed none of them had any more questions. "My uncle will be with you in this mission."

"Thernous? I don't mind."

"He will be a great help," Fredricus assured. Though Jazdia could clearly sense that it was just another way of saying 'he will be my eyes and ears.'

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Jazdia Crystalspark

__________________________
"If it isn't my favorite elf in the world! How you been since I last saw you, Sparky?"

"All is well." Jazdia smiled. Though the reality was far from it, and currently grinding her from the inside, she refrained from complaining. Now was simply not the time nor the place for it.

She took a moment to spy on Fredricus who seemed busy speaking with his bodyguard Matilda. He Then spoke to his boy Alec, letting the prince have his freedom to wander off.

"Let me handle the talking with Fredricus. Alright?" She whispered before Yvonne retreated back to somewhere outside the King's line of sight. Fredricus however, seemed to have been fully alerted when Jazdia approached his table

"His Majesty."

When there was no longer distance between her and the edge of the King's table, Jazdia continued in a quieter tone. "All right, you win. Count me in this little game of yours."

"Couldn't expect a better result myself, welcome back."

Jazdia, not interested in congratulating him for his little victory reached for a tubular compartment in her satchel bag to take out a rolled parchment. She undid its red ribbon and had it spread wide on Fredricus's table. A contract, written, formalized, recognized if not in Kindeance Law, then still valid in an international court. It speaks that a certain level of authority will be granted from the Ruler of the Land to the holder of the contract. A hard evidence to prove the legitimacy of their assignment. She couldn't just let Fredricus disavow her and this party whenever he damned well pleased.

"How classified would you want this mission to be?" asked Jazdia when Fredricus let the wax drip down and pressed his signet ring onto the document. "Last time I heard you don't want your enemy to know you're contacting Meche. Yet, all that lengthy speech before suggested that you want to do the opposite."