Fate Weaver's convergence

C71 Winter's story

The air within the keep was fairly warm compared to the frigid evening breeze. The crackle of the fireplace added as evening approached, and regardless of heat, the fire would be needed to light the room. The sound of servants and guards moving about outside could be heard, albeit muffled by the door. On the far end of the room sat the Baron of this keep. Frederick Cranton, distant relative to the current emperor to the west, and lord of Brenton, the largest and Easternmost city in Damus. Opposite of him was a Goblin, Graf, who sat awkwardly in a chair much too large for him. Next to Graf, sat the Elf, Lorn, and to his opposite side, the Paladin that had just joined them, Stannis. And lastly, to either side of the Baron, sat Sophia and Cressida, set back unto their coils.

"It is truly amazing how this city's population swelled the way it has in the past few weeks. Bringing us engineers, farmers, mages, and skilled laborers from all around to enrich its culture and structure."

The Baron spoke over the crackle of the fire. His scratchy voice Illumina to his age and temperature.

"But of all things to alarm me, it's not an onset of crime, nor homelessness, nor the competition with my peoples for professional employ."

The Baron Cranton leaned forward in his chair, settling an elbow on one of his knees.

"It is the worrying incline in officers of my distant cousin's legions."

Baron Cranton stared intensely at Graf. Given his position and location, he took great care to not appear detached from the labors of his people, nor sheltered in nature. With the light of the fire hitting the right side of his face, you could just barely see his hair with streaks of gray lining it. His face was adorned with a trimmed goatee. And all topping it off, were the color of his yellow eyes that accentuated his tan complexion.

"Why is there a Praefectus and Centurion I'm my presence at once."

The Baron's gaze shifted to Sophia, causing the Lamia to shrink slightly.

"I'll talk freely as I always do, given seniority by age. If you don't mind that is, Fred?"

Lorn interrupted in what would be considered an almost insane manner to the others in the room, save the fact that she'd been with the city since its founding.

"Say as you will, Lorn."

The Baron motioned for Lorn to continue, yielding control of the conversation to the Elf.

"On our own investigation, it was determined that similar albeit separate instances led to our little Imperial reunion. Aside from either of their accounts-"

Lorn nodded to Sophia and gestured to Graf with one of her hands.

"We have managed to confirm that Marcus, otherwise known as 'Graf', hasn't been lying. In fact, that makes it safe to assume why he took up a false alias to begin with. Desertion."

Lorn placed a stack of papers on a coffee table centered between them all, during the stack towards the Baron.

"I was able to confirm myself. However, the issue with that is, whether you'd trust my word or not, sir."

Sophia added, regaining her posture as she did.

"I mean not to disparage your integrity, Mrs. Halkias. It is simply the natural suspicion I have of my cousins to the west. Their will is ever-changing. They could simply send a Centuria here with as little of a whim. That's why the Empire is already crumbling. That as it is, any conflict can bring lasting damage, or worse, turmoil in the political environment."