Mas Bagus

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

There were several things that had been decided, and some more would have to wait for tomorrow.

There were no objections voiced, nor any contention being brought up. Jazdia felt satisfied enough with the conclusion but would still keep her ears open. Some of them hadn't voiced their opinion about the plan, and in a group with no established chain of command, disagreement could happen at unexpected times.

But the time waits for nobody. The squire lovebirds were already resting on each other's arms. The bear twins were busy talking with each other. And Yvonne Rosenving, after voicing her preference for tomorrow's assault retreated back to her spot after no one answered her call for a polearm to borrow.

Everyone else seemed to be absorbed with their own thought. Varya declared his choice, but it seemed as if he was talking to himself. Either because no one found any fault in his already sensible decision, or simply out of reluctance to make a small talk. For Jazdia though, she would rather do something to combat the coldness of night air.

There were plenty of fallen branches around, and she gathered them in the middle of their encampment. With that arranged and her bedroll already unrolled, Jazdia stood up, a small fire danced on her finger and she flicked it away to fall into the middle of the pile, igniting the branches alight and steadily.

Sitting now in front of the campfire, the elf opened her satchel back, using it as a temporal workbench as she tinkered with her pocket watch. Its needles stopped at 9:10 o'clock.

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

Jazdia was quite surprised several people in this group bothered to answer the question with such earnest manners. She thought they would scoff or at the very least joke about it like hardened mercenaries would. The lack of callousness didn't bother her, but it was still an amusing sight to see.

Returning to Veronica to address her plan B, Jazdia made it very clear that she did not share her optimism. "If Stritzel managed to escape with that bear and hide inside the tunnels-- that God knows how extensive it may be, I would not involve myself in that pursuit. It's not about finding Stritzel, it's how to reach her that matters. It would take days, perhaps a full week. And if my calendar is correct, Fredricus would declare war tomorrow."

Jazdia strode toward the carriage to fetch her bedroll, letting words of war and declaration linger so everyone knew their priority. She was perfectly aware of how cold her sentence was, and It would probably hurt the twins. But if they choose to tag along, they should know that reality and sympathy don't always go hand in hand.

"Looking at the map, what Veronica and Thernous proposed seemed sound and I would plan it similarly. But my plan would focus more on speed. For that, I am willing to bet on the chance that even if Stritzel and Jonas are expecting us, our intention to rescue Cedar is something outside of their calculation.

And for that, they will see us as enforcers, hell-bent on arresting or taking them down on Fredricus's behalf. Such posturing would draw them out, giving off the illusion that retreating and hiding into the tunnel is no longer an option. They will need all hands on deck to destroy us, because if they let us live and control the manor, it would be a matter of time until more reinforcement arrives to overrun the compound and likely their underground complex as well. There is a reason why they need all of that effort to hide themselves, and if killing us means they could extend their subterfuge for months or more, they would take the bait."

After tossing her bedroll aside, Jazdia moved back to the map and pointed at the outer courtyard. "We will make this area our battlefield. when the battle raged, the second team would infiltrate from the side. Whether it will be from the west or the east, would depend on where the entrance to their basement is located, I will update the situation periodically.

Jazdia placed a bronze polished trinket on top of the map and eyed Veronica, Yvonne, and Solomon alternately. "Stritzel had seen my face, and assuming we agree on this plan, I will nominate myself in the group that initiates the chaos. The rest is up to you to discuss."

Lowered herself to pick her bedroll again, Jazdia then warned.

"Remember, the real countdown will begin soon. We might only have one chance, and if it fails, we move on with our schedule. Any question?"

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

Jazdia's blue eyes darted at the pale man with a coonskin cap. Another eccentric fellow asked an unusual question. Not sure if he was serious or not, or if it was a philosophical question or a literal one.

But it somehow made Jazdia remember her training as a Varenheim Sentinel. Where she was conditioned to be as remorseless as possible when taking lives, betraying all the teachings and instinctual life-preservation that had been hard-wired into her species' very being since their time of inception.

Ah, how nostalgic.

"It's awful," she said. "It's like being torn apart and judged. No matter how you justify it, your mind will keep telling you there should be another way. It will be an endless battle between your conscience and your logic. Do not walk down that path if you are not ready."

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

When Jazdia counted how many people were on this team, someone interrupted. It was one of Antigone's subordinates, who for the entire duration of this meeting, seemed rather anxious to speak up.

"Can we get the guard duty as well? So we can stay here. You know, someone has to watch over your wagon or supplies."

His friend, Charles quickly added. "Don't get us wrong, we wanted to help, but I think our job's finished already after Miss Veronica reported our findings." the man tried to square his shoulder, though the vibration in his voice showed both anxiety and weariness.
"Besides, dealing with someone like Delving is a bad business and we want no part in it. Gotta say it now rather than feeling sorry later."

****

Jazdia paid the duo apprentices no heed when they spoke up about their concern. However, if one asked her, their reasoning was understandable enough.

But, she would rather let those who fancied themselves as the protector of the law do their judgment about their reluctance. With one hand holding the lantern, she studied the map, engrossing herself with remembering the important points Veronica mentioned.

"A question if you will, Veronica," she said without looking back at her. 'What is the closest distance your team managed to get to when spying on the compound?

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

"Haa, that would be very amusing if it's true." Jazdia let out an exasperated sigh before adding. "I think he is there for more important matters. Maybe to directly aid the rebels? Or To kill us perhaps?"

"I'm not sure if the idea that this is ultimately some petty act of obsessive fetish indulgence makes this situation better or worse." There comes Veronica, raising her hand to briefly pinch the bridge of her nose. "That Jonas Delving is involved, however, assures us that this is surely nothing as... 'benign' as you girls are perhaps imagining. Your brother is in very real danger, not a romantic misadventure."

Jazdia nodded and glanced at everyone present. "Indeed. His involvement makes this mission more complicated. I also personally believe it's not a mere coincidence. Either he expected us, or whatever they do now to Cedar is a very important matter it requires the mastermind himself to supervise it in person. The fact that he is the patriarch of a very influential clan also means we have to be proportional with our actions."

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

"Your brother was awarded an important status after our last mission four months ago. If you ask me, that's hardly a reason to kidnap him. There are more important individuals to kidnap if the idea was to stir up another accusation toward Meche."

Jazdia clicked her tongue, trying to sound as casual to complement her matter-of-fact way of speaking.

"Or maybe the answer lies in the simplest explanation. That Stritzel lusted after your brother. I have seen the woman herself approaching him during our last Banquet in Rascade. How he touched him and how she tried to embrace him. The eyes that hunger for intimate affection. The widespread rumor about her seemed to be consistent with that thought, apparently, not that it makes it less repulsive."

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

The arrow suddenly lost its luster, revealing a partially crystallized head that was neither sharp nor hot anymore, and she just threw it back into her quiver and had a lantern brought up to replace it.

"Thank you, Veronica." smiling, and nodding, her gesture felt mundane and pro forma.

"Thirty minutes ago, my trusted informant notified me of a very high possibility of the presence of Jonas Delving in Dutches Stritze's mansion. It was a scheduled visit, what is he doing there, he did not know. Whatever it is, Veronica's report confirmed that intel."

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

Jazdia squinted her eyes, a sensitive question, that was, but quickly she reminded herself that Veronica deserved to know.

"Diplomatic mission," she said emotionlessly. "We are going to Meche after this."

They arrived at the camp, and Jazdia immediately introduced the recon team to the rest of the group. Veronica went to the Thernous first, to give the old man a proper report.

"...though, I only acquainted with Miss Veronica." a chuckle escaped her. There were some pleasantries and more small talk exchanged before Jazdia approached Thernous. "I think we can keep the introductory short, eh? It is important for us to wrap this up quickly. We arrived at the less optimal hour, and assuming we strike sometime before or after dawn, we need to ensure everyone has enough sleep."

She then shifted her attention to freshly made stew. Cooked without fire, impressive.

"Everyone, can I have your attention?" she inhaled a deep breath and smiled." Relax, feel free to continue with your meal. This will be long, so I suggest you get comfy."

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

Bringing both sources of light with her, Jazdia walked that grassy hillside to intercept the recon party. Side by side they looked at each other until finally stopped right at the foothill.

"Jazdia Crystalspark," she regarded her teasingly.

"Well, well, well, if it's not Lady Veronica herself. Had I known you were that person in our schedule, we might only need to sit tight and wait. "

The purplish hue in her eyes dimmed as the fire on her arrow slowly retreated into the arrowhead, leaving only a smoldering crystal that emitted a faint light. With her natural eyes, Jazdia took one deep glance at the pale woman. Instinctively tried to verify, despite her mind assuredly telling herself that her presence here shouldn't be something surprising.

She simply overlooked this factor. Fred knows his assets very well.

"we really need to stop meeting solely under the shadow of crisis. A girl might get ideas about your work-life balance."

The woman extended her hand and grinned. A grin Jazdia once thought she might never get used to, but here she was now, unable to find a fault in such a cordial gesture. The elf answered that offer with a handshake and smiled bitterly at the remark. "Fate is never on my side."

Despite saying that, she found the words amusing, if not ironic. It also brought up some upsetting truths about her life lately. Dealing with a national crisis and averting it was part of her job. Her old job. Something he should stay away from, but she couldn't, for one reason or another... or was the reason simply because she couldn't let go of that 'desire'?

So much for being retired.

Jazdia shifted at another pale fellow with ember eyes, who had been glancing at the rest of the party for quite a while now. Before turning to Veronica again

"Now you mentioned it. I have not written you my reply about the canceled shipment. But let us speak about it later. We need to meet the rest of the team. Especially Thernous, I think you should report to him first."

Still holding her glowing arrows and lantern, Jazdia walked toward their camp.

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

The night was getting late, and according to her pocket watch, she was already there for an hour.

Looking at the camp, she saw no notable illuminations except a few spots of light from their lantern. To think that nobody disobeyed her order was rather surprising if not commendable, considering that some were not on the best terms with someone else, and the others were just in to have their brother rescued.

Back to the matter at hand. Another 20 minutes passed and the waiting had made her rather antsy. She activated the eyes and looked at the grounds beneath the hill, anxious if she missed a small detail. She could not hear the faintest of sounds, or perhaps recognize every bit of change on the soil or foliage, but she had eyes that see through the shadow, and if her target wasn't trying to be meticulously hidden, she would find them.

And she found them, a group of four seemingly conjured themselves out of the darkness. Two riders, no-- three. One was riding something resembling a lupine creature with more of its kind following behind. And beside the strange rider, unmounted yet capable of catching up with their pace on foot, was a familiar woman clad in black. Veronica.

The arrow she held gleamed with purplish light when she cast her magic into it and deliberately slowed down the process, turning the shaft into a signal torch that flared brightly.

She'd be damned if they did not see her.