The Tower

Tyrus would hide the orbs away and sleep. He'd seek Ildesias or Andraste tomorrow.

The former Knight-Commander of the Citadel Guard sat behind his desk, filing away some paperwork as he waited for his... guest to come in. Despite his current appointment as general of the Second Legion, he still retained the knight-commander's office as the High General himself had taken over co-ordination of the defence, a decision that, despite the general's tactical prowess and admittedly usefulness in battle, Brannen agreed with. Since the battle at the Land Tillers' border, Cyronin had never been quite the same. He had only heard the vaguest details of what went down through gossip in the officers' barracks, but he surmised that it had not been pleasant. 

He had only briefly known the former Prime Minister, and had found him to be a relatively pleasant man, if not more concerned with the intricacies of diplomacy than the importance of the city's defence, however Brannen doubted his capacity to be a functioning officer in his legion, or any for that matter. However, that must be what he was here for, as the general of a legion did not handle admittance of basic soldiers. 

"Mr. Sephiran, please, come in." He called out to Tyrus through the closed door of the office, waiting for him to enter the room and take a seat opposite to him at the desk. 

Brannen looked at the former Prime Minister from across his desk. "I'm going to cut this short, Tyrus. The first thing I need you to do is explain to me why I need to give you a position as an officer in my legion. Imagine we've never met before. I don't know your name, your skills, your merits or otherwise. Convince me that you deserve a commission as an officer." Brannen let the matter lie, laying down his quill, before speaking again. "As an aside, either Sir Brannen or General Celtigar would be the acceptable forms of address, and, if you are to be an officer, correct forms of address are key."

Lady Naoki leans back in her seat, her chin resting in her palm as she observes the object on the table before her. It is, simply put, a crystal ball, a device attuned to divination and scrying magics, which can display visions of the future or show distant lands. At present, it shows a pair of dragons, one orange, one blue, flying above what would seem to be a somewhat mountainous region, and is, in reality, a portion of Central Meridian.

The scryer operating the orb, a diminutive hooded Encalve mage of perhaps ninety, sits opposite Naoki, humming slightly as he maintains the image. Ringed around the table, warriors and officers of varying ranks and disciplines stand in a loose circle, having been summoned, but not having received any further instructions.

Naoki, for her part, seems less than pleased. Her free hand rests on the arm of her chair, and the sound of her two fingers tapping seems to be the loudest noise in the room. Though it is partially obscured by her other hand, her expression is a scowl, as she stares at the dragon in the ball, unblinking. Though generally a rather compassionate and understanding sort, Naoki has not a smithereen of forgiveness for those who she believes to have wronged her, but especially those close to her. And this orange dragon, Trogdor, has done exactly that.

Years ago, before Naoki possessed the means to do much about it, this dragon entered the city of Isra and happened across Kate Green. In the course of an interaction Naoki did not witness or receive the details about, he came quite close to harming Kate, and likely would have done so, if not for the timely intervention of a particular clothier and the subsequent efforts of Grandma, who was Isra’s Head of the Justice Department at the time.

After Grandma’s very clear instructions not to return to Isra, the dragon did not, and though Naoki was quite upset at the time, she was willing to leave it be and go on living her life and such. But now, the dragon dares to return. Now, of all times, that it is well within Naoki’s power to have it destroyed.

Yet, it is associating with the blue one, Jarkoopi. Once a dubiously useful component of The Free City’s government. Then a member of the Goraian regime. Now, he is an enemy of the state. His lair remains in Meridian, and he has slumbered within. It hasn’t been viable to attack the dragon in its lair, and seeing as how he has not been bothering anyone, Naoki was willing to watch him slumber, and perhaps deal with him later.

Now, according to reports from earlier in the day, the two are working together, and this does not bode well. As two male dragons, Naoki thinks it unlikely that their association is anything as benign as mating. (Not that she would mind or hold it against them if it were.) No, there must be something at play. Some manner of dragon business, a reason for the two to be cooperating, instead of fighting for the other’s hoard.

They aren’t flying in the direction of Isra, or anything else of particular importance; there isn’t any reason to waste lives in unnecessary conflict if all they’re looking to do is leave. But regardless, this is cause enough to take other actions, preparatory measures. Naoki’s earring begins to simmer in the dimly lit room as she issues instructions. Those standing around her start to disperse as they receive their orders, and before long, Naoki sits alone with the old mage, still drumming her fingers, scowling at the crystal ball.

As Calgary enters the room, one ear atop Lady Naoki’s head turns toward him and listens as he speaks, but otherwise, she remains as she is, focused on the image displayed before her.

“No,” she says. Raising one hand, she points to the orb.

“Look. They leave, to the east. … There is no need - not yet.” Admittedly, the direction in which the dragons are flying isn’t immediately obvious to the observer, given that no landmarks or points of reference are visible, but presumably the scryer is aware of such things.

“We will stay our hand for now. The news that these two seem to be working together is significant, and a hasty action on our part now would do little good. For now, we will watch and wait; increase patrols and warn the people. The threat of two dragons is significant, and though I mean no slight against your riders, I won’t order their blood spilled needlessly.”

Raising one arm, Naoki opens her mouth as if to speak, but pauses mid-motion, before uttering a syllable, and considers for a moment. Lowering her arm, she turns in her seat, shifting the focus of her attention from the orb to Calgary, establishing and maintaining eye contact. Calmly, and in a virtually an expressionless tone she asks, “What are you doing tonight?”

Brandishing a finger at him, Naoki responds, “I would like to speak with you. Over a meal, perhaps.”

After pausing for effect, she continues, “What say you, you meet me tonight at the Moonlight Eclipse for dinner?” Quirking an eyebrow, she studies Calgary’s face for his response.

“Casual,” she states.

“I intend to gain a more thorough and personal understanding of you as an individual before signing off on your promotion, and it is my intention to do so over a light meal.”

As she speaks, Naoki rises from her seat, to stand facing Calgary, one hand on the back of the chair.

Turning one palm toward the ceiling, Lady Naoki shrugs, glancing off to one side to consider for a moment.

“... Dinner time. ... Seven. Until then.”

With a nod, Naoki indicates that was the extent of what she had to say, and Calgary is free to excuse himself at his leisure.