Office of the Minister of Primary Industry

Robert shook his head, sighing.

"I'm terribly sorry, but I can't help you there. I was forced to leave Ozmodias in a hurry, after I was attacked in my own home. The house was destroyed, and I had to lie low for a little while. I've got no idea where this Shaun is, and I don't believe I've ever seen him before. I wish I could be of more help, but that's all I can give you. What sort of rumors did you hear? Quite a lot of things happened there before I left, and any number of those things could be considered rumors."

Ms. Booker, the assistant, listened closely. Robert rarely spoke of his time in Ozmodias.

Robert nodded. The man seemed dependable and able to follow directions, which was just what he needed. He wasn't going to send an unprepared group out into the wilds, especially after what happened to the last one.

"Have you heard of the exploratory expeditions to the southern jungles, Mr. Saedonis? We've been sending them out to gather information on ancient ruins, as well as to search for gemstones and precious metals. Four of the expeditions have been rousing successes, returning to Isra with maps to forgotten temples and diamond deposits. However, the fifth expedition struck tragedy. We don't know what happened to them, but we lost contact last week. Only one of their carrier pigeons has returned, with blood on its wings and no message. Not one of the messenger beetles we've sent has come back either. We're sending a group after them, to find out what happened and to rescue them if at all possible. That's where you come in, Mr. Saedonis. You and your soldiers are to protect the expedition at all costs. I'm not losing another group out there, and your job is to make sure of that."

He held out his hand, and his assistant handed him a rolled piece of paper. He unfolded it, revealing it to be a map of the southern jungles. Much of it was still blank, and there was a red x at the very edge of the drawn area.

"Thank you, Hazel. This X is where they were when we got their last message. It's in a valley known as the Blessed Valley, although it's unknown exactly who it's blessed by. As you can see, they were at the very edge of uncharted territory. It's extremely likely that you'll be venturing into the unknown land, which is why I'm sending researchers and explorers as well. I've chosen experienced adventurers as well as some of the finest minds of Isra. The leader of the expedition is Mr. Lawrence Mullingham, a researcher of ancient and primitive civilizations. He led the second expedition, so you'll be in good hands. However, as the leader of the soldiers, you'll be second in command. Got that?"

He took a deep breath. If anything happened to Mr. Mullingham, Adriel would be in charge, as the next highest-ranking member of the group...but he prayed that it wouldn't come to that.

"This group had to be the best that we could gather, so I only chose the most reliable people. They won't do anything dumb, so all you need to do is make sure nothing eats them. There could be vicious savages in there. Cannibals, even. The animals in the southern jungles are extremely aggressive as well, from what I've been told. Keep the group safe and find the fifth expedition. You leave in two day's time, from the main port here in Silverion. The empire is counting on you. Any questions?"

Robert's eyes widened with recognition as he remembered what they were talking about. He had had a bit of a dragon issue at his house, and had gotten rather upset over it. It was very expensive to repair, after all, and the repairs had barely been completed before the house was destroyed again.

"Oh! Yes, there was a dragon at my house for a little while. Caused quite a bit of damage. I wasn't home at the time, and only heard about it from my staff. Awful thing, just showed up for a few hours and nearly burned my house down. I'm not very fond of dragons at all, especially not after that incident. I didn't hear that he ate anyone, though...I'm terribly sorry to hear that."

Robert thought hard. Had there been anything left behind? It was a long time ago, and had been a very stressful time of his life. Lots of things had been lost when he'd had to run away from Ozmodias. Still, he had a box of things from his old house that he'd managed to salvage. Perhaps there was something there? He vaguely remembered the staff giving him something after the dragon attack, but couldn't for the life of him recall what it was. Perhaps he'd brought it back.

"I don't want to get your hopes up, but there's a small chance that I might have something from this Shaun person. If there is anything, though, it would be at my house. Come with me, we'll go back and take a look. I've got a box of things from that time, and if there's anything remaining at all, it would be in that box. Come along, Hazel. Follow me, you three."

Getting up, Robert headed out the door. Hazel the assistant followed him, adjusting her blouse. It seemed to have been buttoned incorrectly, as though she had been in a hurry when putting it on.

[Exit to 192 Sapphire Way]

Robert shook his head. Of course, the soldier would want more forces. That's what they all wanted, wasn't it? To be put in command of a larger force? More men would make things easier, but life just wasn't always that easy.

"I'm afraid thirty is what you'll have, Mr. Saedonis. This is an emergency rescue expedition, and I've been given permission to mobilize thirty soldiers. It would be excellent to put a permanent camp there someday, with armed guards and supply chains. Unfortunately, that would take months of planning and meetings. Each layer of bureaucracy takes longer to get through than the last, and every day we waste is another day that the fifth expedition is out there alone. You'll guard the expedition with the soldiers you're given, and no more or less. This is not a military operation, Mr. Saedonis. You're simply there to protect the expedition, that's all. You'll be looking after researchers, explorers, porters, and pack animals. You'll be given enough supplies for a two-week expedition. If you need an extension, there is a supply cache left by the third expedition that should keep you fed for another week. After that, you are to return home, and we'll mount another expedition if necessary."

He rubbed his head, sighing. This was a rushed party, for sure, but time was running short. For all he knew, the fifth expedition was sitting in a cage somewhere, held captive by vicious cannibals.

"Don't worry too much, Mr. Saedonis. After all, you'll be in command of soldiers of the Isran Empire. The finest, most modernized fighting force in the world. Anybody you'll run into out there will be primitive savages, they won't stand a chance against you."

Robert nodded, dismissing the soldier with a wave.

"Go, then. Get some rest, prepare for the expedition, do whatever it is you have to do. Bring back the fifth expedition if at all possible. If not...well, at least find out what happened so we can tell their families. Make sure your party doesn't suffer the same fate. Good luck, Mr. Saedonis."

He prayed that the expedition would be a success. After all, if it failed, it was unlikely that he'd be allowed to mount a seventh. There was so much wealth in those jungles, just waiting to be extracted, but he'd never be able to set up the operations if it was so dangerous. A permanent, guarded camp would be ideal, just like the soldier had said. However, there simply wasn't enough time for that. This expedition was the best he could do. Once Adriel had left, he turned to his assistant.

"Hazel, send out messages to the rest of the expedition members. Tell them that it's confirmed, and to be prepared to leave in two days time."

Robert sat in his office, writing a letter. A painting sat in the corner, wrapped up in brown paper. He'd recently commissioned it at great expense, but if this all worked out, it would be worth every penny. With a flourish of his pen, he signed the letter, which he addressed to Duke Nicolas Soult and handed off to Ms. Booker to send off.

Hello, Duke Soult,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I would like to discuss something with you in person, an offer that would be of great benefit to both of our respective families. If you could meet with me at my office in Port Silverion at your earliest convenience, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, please let me know when and where you'd like to meet. It's a matter best discussed in person. Of course, it's all legitimate matters, but simply more difficult to describe through letters. I hope to see you soon.

-Robert Fletcher
Minister of Primary Industry

Ms. Booker protested, getting up from her desk, but stopped when she saw the letter. The door opened at Soult's knock, and Robert peered out. He smiled at Soult, stepping aside for the man to enter. Ms. Booker followed the duke inside, snagging a pen and paper off her desk as she did so. Robert grinned, offering the duke a seat in front of his desk and offering a hand to shake.

"Welcome, Duke Soult. I've been expecting you. Please, make yourself comfortable. How have you been? Is everything going well, for you and your family? Would you like some coffee, or some tea?"

The part about expecting the duke had bee a lie, although Robert was good at hiding it. He had actually been expecting a delivery boy, with a hot meat pie and some fried tomatoes for his lunch.

Robert nodded, and Ms. Booker laid a mug of coffee on the desk in front of Soult. She smiled, and took her place beside her boss behind the desk. Robert chuckled when the duke mentioned his family, which was indeed rather unreasonably large.

"They're all well, as far as I've heard. In fact, that's part of the reason I've called you over here today. I have a proposition for you, Duke Soult. Not quite business, but something that would benefit both of our families. Hazel, please show him."

Ms. Booker rose, and walked over to the paper-covered painting. She pulled the wrapper off, revealing a large portrait of Roxanne Fletcher. It was quite finely done, with careful attention being paid to her long white hair. At Robert's request, the artist had taken a bit of creative liberty around Roxanne's bust, but otherwise it was quite accurate.

"This is my cousin Roxanne, Duke Soult. Have you met her? She's currently unmarried, living with our uncle in Isra. I think it would be good for her to settle down with somebody...and I also believe a union of our two houses would be of great benefit to both families. I've received permission from our grandmother, the head of the family, to attempt to find her a husband...and that's why I've contacted you. So...would this be something you're interested in?"

He tapped his fingers against his desk nervously.