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"If you're sending troops back out there, I'll be glad to go wherever you need me," Ronin said. "I'm no military strategist, but I know my way around a battlefield."

Yalveni didn't know quite what to say at this point. Navar had definitely ruined any chance of him being even slightly laid back with her comment. "So...yeah, what do you need from me again, not that this meeting isn't going places of course..."

The general stared at Navariësé oddly. She spoke in an odd manner. He could safely say that it was the first time he had heard someone use but twice in a sentence so close to each other. He averted his gaze from the elf and turned to Ronin. "You would have made a fine legionary. I think you would be best placed where most of the fighting shall be. If you don't mind, I shall position you and a squad of men (which are yours to control) on the wall directly above the gate." After this, he turned to Yalveni. "If you are a mage, you may be better suited in forming the shield. If you would rather fight the orks, I am sure I could find somewhere for you to be."

"And what about me?" Navariësé asked the general. She believed he had left her out but planned on aiding the defence of the walls regardless. Although, she believed it was best to give him the illusion that she was acting under his orders first.

"I want to fight," Yalveni said almost absently. "A lot of my friends are still out there somewhere."

The general ruminated on this, his hand clasped around his stubble, stroking the coarse, brown hairs. "Yalveni, I want you to lead a squad of guardsmen and militia men to the western wall of this compound. Take Navariësé with you and be sure not to let her off her leash."

"I can handle a shortsword or a bow," Gailen volunteered reluctantly, "if you want me."

Baron Mælan spoke for the first time since his entry into the council. "I shall take him. For the duration of this battle, he can join my bodyguard. We shall support Sær Yalveni at the west wall, General." Mælan said to the general. "I trust that you will be fine with that." he looked at Gailen.

"I will require some arrows." Navariësé informed the general as she walked to behind her chair before looking at Eandire, her only friend and the elf that had saved her from her self. "Eandire, thank you for everything." She told the old sage as she extended her right hand.

"Of course," Gailen replied with a ghost of a smile, "I would be honored."

"If the nobles have bodyguards, why don't we send them to the front lines in order to boost our numbers?" Navariësé asked the council after hearing the Bann mention his bodyguards.

"I will do my best," Yalveni said, meaning it, even though the thought of bringing Navar with him made him nauseous, "Why don't we just do our jobs. Your idea of war comes straight out of a fairy tale. We'll hold the line and the bodyguards will protect the nobles. If the leadership falls, it doesn't matter how many people we save. That is the reality of war."

"Thank you very much, sir," Ronin said to the general. His own squad... the prospect made him both excited and nervous at the same time. The opportunity to command a larger unit of soldiers (as opposed to just himself) would surely make him more useful and his tactics more effective in battle, but he knew it was also a big responsibility. He believed that he would be able to handle it, though.

The Baron could not hold his contempt for Navariësé any longer. "Did you not hear what I said, you idiot? I am going to be on the wall, with my bodyguards. What more could I possibly do with them? Take on the entire orkish army myself? You know what, I believe you have a problem with authority. Well, realise this. Without authority, all manner of mortal society ceases to exist. One cannot fight a war without a higher authority, save for those who have authority over all. This is a war and while we fight this war, you shall respect my authority and the authority of all who are higher than you. And currently, that list is a very large one." Mælan said very pointedly to Navariësé. He then turned back to Gailen. "I shall see to it that you are given as good armour as any and some better weapons. Come, we have much to prepare."

"I would save your thanks until after the battle, my friend." Eändíré said, with a slight smile. "I have not saved anyone yet."

The general saluted Ronin. "The captain shall escort you to the armoury. You require something to mark your authority. He shall then show you to your squad. I would spend as much time as you have left to get to know your squad. Knowledge of your teammates is just as important as knowledge of the enemy."

And then, with a withering stare, the general turned to Navariësé. "You shall be given arrows in due course."

"If i have a problem with authority, it is because some abuse their citizens or turn a blind eye to their pleas." Navariësé told the Baron. "Eandire, you've already saved me." She told the old sage.

"Well, in that case, my saving of you will be in dire vain if we all die in this siege. Hold your thanks until we are relieved from battle." Eändíré told her once more. "And I am sure that we shall be relieved from battle. I know it. I am being both optimistic and realistic. We shall prevail. And once we have prevailed, you can thank me."

"Fine but don't you dare die on me." Navariësé told Eandire. She viewed him as a friend and was grateful for everything the old sage had done for her.

"I do not intend to, Navariësé. My mission is not yet finished, my quest remains incomplete. Only then shall I intend to die, and peacefully at that. In a nice little cottage with a bottle of brandy by my side." the mage said.

"Yes, sir." Gailen replied, following Mælan. He hadn't worn armor for an extended period of time in quite a while. He hoped he'd be able to get somewhat accustomed to it before the fight.

"I shall do my best to ensure that you achieve your intention to die peacefully." Navariësé told Eandire. "I hope to peacefully die by a lake in the middle of some forrest during the sunset." She informed him.

Mælan's Quarters

Gailen was led into a large room, adorned with very lavish furniture. Inside, there were about eleven bodyguards, armoured in iron chainmail. All of them were menagi and well-built. They were equipped with iron roundshields (light but strong and capable of being moved easily, unlike the legionaries' shields which were strong but heavy and hard to move) and metal blades. They also had arrows and longbows.

"Kælan, show our new arrival to the armoury. He is to be suited up as if he were one of your own. For the duration of the battle, he shall fight with us and die with us if the need be." the baron stated, as he disappeared into a smaller chamber to get changed into a more suitable wargear.

---

The Council

Eändíré rose an eyebrow at the first phrase and then chuckled. "Someone could mistake that for a threat."

"Thank you, sir," Ronin said to the general. He stood up, waiting for the captain to lead him to the armoury.

"This is all very romantic, really," Yalveni said, "But....." Yalveni was ready to leave and prepare.

The Council

The captain grabbed Ronin's attention with a friendly wave. "This way, my friend. This way."

The general barked an order at Navariësé. "You, go with your fellow essence elf. Hurry. We don't have much time. If you want to get your arrows before the battle, I suggest you get to the walls quickly."

Ronin nodded, and began to follow the captain.