Central Plaza

Kaylie sprinted up the steps of the same rickety wooden podium that Naoki had previously used to inform the people of Isra that they were going to war with Goraia. She cleared her throat as Cael made it up onto the platform next to her, the hawk circling above, likely unnoticed by the people below.

"Citizens of Isra! I need your attention...motherfucker, they aren't listening!"

The woman commanded no great presence, had no talent for being heard, indeed she had spent a lifetime avoiding both of those things. Unseen and unheard, that was her. The wolf, sensing her mistress's distress, howled long and loud, drawing the attention of all in the Plaza.

"Thank you Cael," she whispered.

"Citizens of Isra! I am seeking warriors and mages to combat a new threat! With the current state of war in Goraia, Isra finds herself in need of people to aid in taking down this threat, all volunteers are welcome, please remain near the podium if you are interested!"

There, she thought, that should do. She was only in charge of this because she was the senior most Sun Marshal with nothing better to do, having earned a week of R & R following her Usque adventure with Eloria.

Ambicat walks down one of the main roads of the central plaza. As he passes by the rows of shops and vendors lining the street, he begins trying to work out what his next course of action should be.

“I should probably leave the city soon,” he mutters to himself, twiddling his mustache, “I don’t think I can afford to stay much-” At that moments the gnome’s pondering was interrupted as a loud howl from nearby caused him to jump.

“What in the world…” Ambicat exclaims as he begins to seek out the source of the noise. It doesn’t take long for him to find it, however, as Kaylie Imrahil begin making her spiel to the crowd.

“Trouble? What’s going on?” Ambicat asks, making his way through the crowd and towards the podium.

In and around the Central Plaza, and indeed the city itself, the guard is in motion. Armored columns of men jog this way and that, weapons in hand. Officers bark orders, directing their squads toward objectives. The alarms have not been raised, and the populace has not been addressed directly, but it’s clear that something is going on. Some citizens, noticing this, decide that they would like to be within their homes, and move from the plaza.

Kayile would find that at the Eastern Gate, a company of guardsmen is waiting, with instructions to follow her orders and assist with repelling the threat.

It only takes a moment for Ambicat to mull over the idea of fighting giant insect. With a nod, he says, "If people need help, then I'm in. Just one question..."

Ambicat points to himself: "When you say 'oversized,' are you talking my size," he then points to Silas , "or his size?"

Kaylie did her best to not roll her eyes at the first question, but Cael sniffed the hand for a second and then went back to keeping an eye on the crowd.

"You will be adequately compensated upon the cessation of hostilities, we did not have time to discuss exact numbers given the urgent nature of the issue. Oversized means they are large enough to pose a significant threat, but exact sizes are still being determined, time is of the essence!"

She spoke even as she pulled out her bow and led the way to where the group of guards were waiting, gathering them as well and departing to the scene.

<Exit to Eastern Bridges, where I will tag those who expressed interest once they do exit posts>

As Kaylie spoke Silas cautiously scratched Cael behind the ear and thought of getting a canine of his own.

"Fair enough." Silas followed Kaylie.

<Exit>

[The day immediately following the Seven-Day-War, at noon.]

Just before the appropriate time, Lady Naoki exits The Citadel via the unreasonably large, seldom-used gate facing the Central Plaza. None stand at her side. Today is not the day that begins any fanfare, nor the use of heralds, so Lady Naoki just proceeds down the stairs briskly, yet with the appropriate amount of grace. On this occasion, she wears a red, double-breasted jacket bearing the Sun Insignia with tall black boots. While not the outfit she wore to command any battle, it seems like one that could use for such a thing, which is the intention.

Upon reaching the platform where the podium sits, Naoki turns to one side to clear her throat and tuck a portion of her hair behind one ear before stepping up onto the rostrum, and into the effective range of the phonic-amplification runes places therein.

“People of Isra,” Naoki begins, her voice ringing out loud and clear over the plaza, as well as a good portion of the city.

“Allow me to inform you without any further preamble that the Goraian regime has been torn asunder. Annihilated.” Naoki punctuates this statement firmly, planting her fist on the surface of the podium.

Regardless of if she had planned to or not, Naoki is forced to pause her speech here. The conflict against the tyrannical Goraian regime has been framed as a necessary and righteous battle, and as such, the people of Isra are quite pleased to hear that it has been won, and have erupted in cheers. However, sprinkled among them are some murmurs of disbelief. The armies only left last week. Accounting for travel, that hardly leaves any time for fighting, much less a decisive victory. Some are suspicious, untrusting. Others, stunned, amazed by the feat.

Lady Naoki adopts a carefully practiced expression that manages to convey slightly smug patriotism and waits for a few moments before beginning to speak again.

“The battle was short and thankfully not nearly as costly as it could have been. As our forces were traveling to Medan, Goraian command figures deserted their posts to flee, leaving a headless army which promptly surrendered. At this moment, The First Legion is occupying New Brimiarde, and The Second Legion, Stonevale. The Gorarian army in both locations has been disarmed, and very little blood has been shed. While some of their leaders may still be at large, Medan is free.”

Another round of cheers, though not quite as loud as the first. While none can deny that the victory is cause for celebration, the idea that those responsible have eluded justice is a discomforting thought.

"However, our work in Medan is not yet complete. Though we have disbanded the majority of its army, we must be thorough, eliminate all remaining Goraian forces, and take all assets of theirs to ensure that they do not return. Further, we must establish a new government in Medan, and protect the people of Medan during this time of transition. As such, the Legion will remain deployed for some time yet to keep the peace, as Medan is still very much in a state of martial law. News regarding this matter will follow in the coming months in the form of announcements delivered here in the plaza. Consider the state closed to tourism until otherwise indicated. Thank you."

With this, Lady Naoki raises one hand, displaying her palm to the crowd and waving a bit, before turning about and heading back up the stairs, and into The Citadel.

Roxanne walked through the plaza, curious to see what was going on. She'd heard that there was a quest to be announced, whatever that meant. What could the Empress possibly want? Roxanne usually didn't bother keeping up with what the Empress was up to, but figured that she may as well see what this quest was all about. After all, quests from important people usually paid pretty well. As she waited for the speech, she sucked on one of her favorite cherry lollipops. Chocolate was nice, but it never lasted as long as hard candies. She'd never known how her cousin Roy could possibly carry enough chocolate to feed his habit all day long.