Tresalia Unversed (working title)

3 - Commanding The Room

   Arriving at the Jun Academy of Chivalry, Sol slowed his pace, hesitant to enter. "What's wrong? What happened to that enthusiasm for righting wrongs and stopping evil you kept going on about on the way over," asked Conjurer. "Well, my Commanding Officer is a bit... brash." Conjurer smirked a bit and placed a hand on Sol's shoulder. "My favorite," he said, his smirk growing. The two entered the through the front gate, revealing the sizable building that housed the future of Jun's military. "I'd forgotten how massive this building actually is. We'd best make our way to your Commanding Officer's office if we're going to find it by nightfall," joked Conjurer. "No need!" Both Sol and Conjurer whipped their heads around, trying to locate the source of the voice. "Up here, you morons!" Looking up, a figure clad in worn copper armor jumped from a balcony. Landing about thirty feet in front of them, the figure rose to reveal a woman of pale silver skin, eyes the color of orchids, and a ferocity behind them that matched her intensity. "Sol! Where have you been?! You were supposed to clean both yours and your rival squad's bedrooms! That was the agreement since you lost the last training skirmish. And since when do y-" Cutting herself off, and noticing Conjurer for the first time, she turned her attention toward Conjurer saying, "And who are you? Last time I checked, I don't have anyone your size in my group of students." Laughing heartily, Conjurer responded, "You can call me 'Conjurer.' Sol and I were actually on our way to talk to you." 

   "Well, let's go to my office. No point in talking in the courtyard, for everyone to hear. Hustle, now. I've got other duties to perform today." Smirking, Conjurer quickened his pace behind Sol's commanding officer, curious as to what had her in such a hurry. Moments later, they reached her office. "Please, have a seat." Looking down at the stool in front of him and then back up, Conjurer chuckled. "I usually like to know who I have the pleasure of addressing before I get... comfortable." Laughing to herself, the Commanding Officer stood up from behind her desk, saying, "I am Lieutenant-Commander Yushira Falam, Commanding Officer of the Jun Academy of Chivalry." Conjurer raised an eyebrow, extending his hand in greeting. "Falam? That's one of the older Elvish names." Shaking Conjurer's hand, Yushira looked him in the eyes hard, not flinching. "Yes, it is. And we'll leave it at that." Releasing the hand, she walked around to behind her desk, shuffling through papers. "So, what do you need from me and Sol, Conjurer," asked Yushira, leaning back in her chair and putting her feet up on her desk. "Well, I was hoping Sol here could accompany me in finding someone of interest to me." Sol, knowing full well who they were searching for, shuffled in place. "Something to add, KIT?" Conjurer, again, raised his eyebrows. "KIT," he asked? "Knight In Training, sir," replied Sol. "Ahh, I see." Yushira stood up, locking eyes with Sol. "If you have something to add, do so now." Taking a deep breath, Sol searched his mind for the right words to explain what was going on without giving too much away. It was obvious that she wasn't going to send him off with someone she just met to locate and do who knows what to the leader of the most dangerous cult in recent history.

   "Conjurer needs an escort to Movayis and the temple beyond." Unconvinced, Yushira scanning over their faces. "Movayis, huh? That's not too far. About two and a half days ride from here. If you get a good pace going, only two. Why would you need an escort?" "The forest along the road are rife with wolves, thieves, and other undesirables. I am but one man, so a little help would be preferred. On top of that, I always try to travel with a... companion, I guess you could say. It does get lonely after a while on your own." Conjurer eyed the stool in front of him again, looking more comfortable the more he thought about his past travels. Yushira noticed the weariness in his eyes and said, "Well, give me a moment." As she shuffled through papers, writing a few things down here and there, she laid them out in a particular order. After arranging them, rearranging them, and then putting them back in the order she began with, she nodded. "Yup. It works out. Sol, if you're up for it, you can escort Conjurer to Movayis." Startled, Sol replied, "Really? What about my duties and training drills? My group was already falling behind as it is an-" Yushira raised a hand, stopping Sol's objections to a halt. "I will personally be watching your group to make sure everything that needs doing is done. Now, if there's nothing else, head down to the Quartermaster and take what you need. If they have any objections, tell them I sent you and show them this." Sol was handed a small piece of green wood, whittled in the shape of an owl. He looked up at his Commanding Officer, confused. Chuckling, Yushira said, "Don't worry. He'll know what it means. But, when you return, you'll have a slew of extra assignments to do. Understand?!" Sol stood at attention, saluting. "Yes, sir!" "Dismissed!" Sol marched out of the room, heading down the hall. "I guess I'll go too," muttered Conjurer. "Wait." As if hitting a wall, Conjurer stopped, turning on his heel to face the intimidating Elf. Rising from her seat, she looked Conjurer right in the eyes. "Close the door." With a wave of his hand, Conjurer shut the door, quiet enough that nobody would notice.

   "I know what you are. And I know Sol knows what you are. He's always been the brightest and sharpest of his group." Conjurer, feeling what direction the conversation was going, interjected, "I have no plans that would lead the boy to any harm. He's quite protected." "If he's as protected as you say, why bring him along? You could easily do whatever you're actually going to do on your own, without endangering one of my best pupils. Why him?" Conjurer thought for a moment. "There isn't any single reason. There are many. He knew what I was. He knew of my people, not just our name. And I told him a story, to which he absorbed every word. That, Lieutenant-Commander, is exactly the kind of person I need with me. Someone to pick up what I miss." He let his explanation hang in the air for a moment, then continued. "As I said, nothing bad with happen to the boy. You have my word. Now, since I answered your question, answer one of mine. Why did you leave behind such a beautiful hidden kingdom, Princess of Sabasach?" A chill ran down Yushira's spine. "...How? How do you know that? That's impossible." Conjurer smiled, a little more sinisterly they usual. "I'll return your KIT unharmed, your highness. Good day." Bowing low, Conjurer opened the door behind him with a flick of his wrist and walked out backward, still bowing to the Lieutenant-Commander. As he began to walk down the hallway, a loud crash and yelling could be heard coming from Yushira's office. Still smiling, Conjurer continued on. "Now, to see a man about a horse."