"Introduce a little of your history. My intelligence reports are out of sync as they are supposed to be your replacements.” Aureus smiled as he gestured towards Calvus and Denter.

Calvus spoke up, “We both reported to Consul Kendal in the past. During that period, we specialized in anti raiding operations. Having various degrees of success in repelling the other two superpowers when they came raiding across the borders in the core realm. In particular, the Reich Dynasty forces.”

“Calvus… Calvus…I think I remember now, you are the one they call, Lion of the Agrin plains are you not?” Tarin interjected.

“An old moniker, my lord.” Murmured Calvus as he inclined his head towards Tarin.

“Yes, I remember now. Feted for outstanding achievements in the field and being feared by the Reich Dynasty forces on the Agrin plains in the Kendal army. You know, Consul Triem noted your achievements and wanted to direct a personnel transfer but you were still a Primus and was not yet eligible for a Tribune position.” Tarin continued.

“It is an honor to learn of this after so many years,” Calvus cupped his hands towards Tarin, “Long have we at the Kendal army, heard of the name of Augustus Tarin of the Triem army too.”

“Pardon me, Tribune Calvus, Primus Denter, Why are the two of you in the outer realm and not in the Kendal army?” Johan questioned as he looked at the two frontier officers in puzzlement.

An awkward silence hung in the air after Johan’s query.

“Highness, I was offered an earlier Tribune position by Consul Kendal.Consul Kendal judged that there would be no openings in the Tribune spots in his army hence his offering of an earlier promotion.” Calvus ventured after a moment of silence. “One of the tours of duty in the Tribune position was a stint in the outer realm.”

“Gaius, worry not. His highness Aureus is well aware of what kind of rat race is under progression at the Kendal army. It cannot be helped as Crown Prince Leo is attached to the army. It is a rank climbing heaven there now. The main reason why the Kendal army had no spots available for a man of your caliber is due to your background not being enough. Over at the Triem army, we hold little truck with background. After all, when blades cross in the battlefield, your background is not worth a single cent.” Tarin spoke up.

“It is worth every single cent off the battlefield though.” Calvus was smiling as he replied.

“Aye, I’ve nothing to retort towards that.” Tarin chuckled as he replied.

“Denter, what about you? I am sure an officer such as you would not have any issues remaining in the Kendal army if you so wished.” Aureus said as he turned his attention towards Denter.

“Calvus and I were a good team from the start. It made no sense for me to break up a winning combination. I requested to transfer along with Calvus after he was posted out of the Kendal army. I believe that Consul Kendal had something to do with my successful transfer.” Denter replied.

“The Dynasty raiders feared us in equal measures. As for meeting upon the battlefield, I believe the raiders feared meeting Denter upon the field far more than they feared meeting me.” Calvus added after Denter.

“Of that there is no doubts, three to one odds against class 3 beasts and no teleportations amongst the ranks. Not many can replicate such a feat.” Johan added.

“No need to practice humility now, little Johan. You are one of those not many that you speak of.” Tarin laughed as he looked over Johan.

Both Calvus and Denter raised an eyebrow at that. Unable to bear his curiosity , Denter asked “Sir Johan, may I know your age?”

“Please, Johan will do. I am not of the nobility. I am twenty-five this year,” Johan replied. “It is I who should address you as sir , I just made first Centurion.”

“Impressive, at your age, both of us were still Decurions.” Calvus said in an impressed tone.

Turning towards Aureus, Calvus asked “Highness, I have something in mind since I saw your retinue. May I inquire if this is the entire size of your inner council?”

“You are correct,” Aureus nodded. “You are wondering why is it so small, am I right?”

“Yes, I had expected a greater amount of officers at least.” Calvus replied.

“The short version is that I disbanded my entire inner council and persuaded many of them not to follow me into the Outer realm as they could accomplish far more by remaining with the Triem army.”

“These two are the two officers I could not pull strings, cajole or threaten away from me. Hence I am stuck with them for the foreseeable future.” Aureus said is a manner of mock-gravity.

Despite the description by Aureus, Tarin and Johan looked proud of themselves in an inexplicable manner.“I understand your concerns, with the beast tides gaining intensity, manpower is at a premium,” Aureus continued on “I prepared various counter-measures regarding it. I would like everyone’s opinion.”

“First, we will recall all workers from the far-flung holdings in our domain. In addition, we will send ambassadors to the various villages out in the wild to convince the various villagers to journey to Everdawn. The reasoning shall be an expected increase in the beast tides. If they continue to increase at this rate, all settlements at the perimeter of our domain will be wiped out, this is not unique to just our holdings.”

“Second, we will build various temporary settlements at the southern corner of Everdawn and cordon off the area with wooden walls. Since the south is in the direction of the sea, the probability of beast tide attacks via that direction is reduced.”

“Third, we will increase the incentives for militia training and wage rates for the militia. The training focus will be on archery and the wage rate increases will be targeted at those seeking employment with the militia. Implement this program as soon as possible to iron out any issues before more of population arrives at Everdawn.”

“Highness, I wish to take charge of the militia initiative.” Johan volunteered.

Calvus looked at Tarin who made an after you gesture.

“Highness, Denter and I will arrange for ambassadors and their escorts to the various settlements in the Empire’s holdings.” Calvus said.

“The southern settlement will be coordinated by me then.” Tarin finished.

“In addition, Tarin, please start securing a stockpile of lumber. I may have a plan that requires a large stockpile of lumber.”

Aureus then looked around the chamber before nodding and dismissing the meeting.

—

As they left the study and headed towards the officer’s barracks , Calvus and Denter began conversing.

“Romulus, what do you think of his highness?”

“He appears to be in the same league as the Crown Prince. Gaius, what do you think?”

“I agree with your assessment. The level he is operating on. It reminds me of Crown Prince Leo conducting court. They are both quick on the uptake and decisive.”

“The Crown Prince is more authoritarian though. Appears more decisive and resolute compared to Prince Aureus’s inclusive approach. Must be why the old guard all taken a shine to the Crown Prince.”

“Do you think subordinates on the level of Tarin and Johan needs appearances to motivate them to perform?”

“Of course not, even if the sky were to collapse, they would be there with his highness holding up the roof.”

“That Johan is interesting though. Triem army is famed for only letting those with merit pass. He made first centurion at that age in the Triem army. I wonder what is his story.”

“Being from a common background to boot yet he speaks far better than many scions of the nobility.”

“At least it appears that his highness took both his right and left arm with him during this posting. Though we were expecting more to share the burden, but this is not too bad either.”

“Less people, less potential for friction,”

“In return, his highness appears to expect high standards. Look how fast Pictor was excluded. That has got to be record time, isn’t it?”

“To be fair, Pictor would never have been able to keep up in the prior council. It is a mercy instead to send him off to other functions.”

“I heard Pictor tried to welcome his highness in the open with civilians earlier on. Is that true?”

“Yeah. I nearly had a stroke when I heard he wanted to do that. If you weren’t on patrol in the vicinity, I was considering pushing the issue with my military authority.”

“Any ideas on how to convince the perimeter settlements to migrate to Everdawn?”

“Remember all those image crystals we took of battle damages? Have the ambassadors carry those image crystals of the various villages already overrun by the beast tides. Those images should provide a strong level of motivation for them to seek protection.