Might as well read what the Stant's message first then the bill

>>17437135
Wow I fucked that up

Messege first and bill second

>>17437205
sounds good

You pull the message out of the tube, and begin to glance it over.

"Commander Trentz, I feel that I must first apologize for my foolishness, and what our sovereigns have forced both you and I to do. However, as the only surviving member of House Stant, I must ensure that my position is not stripped of me. And, you must ensure to do the same, in light of our true foe. It is my most... treacherous, hope, that your campaign is successful enough that our nations may recover before the Forge of New Divinity makes its move on the mainland. I learned from the bitch that my eldest brother had married, before I killed her, but sadly, not after she arranged the death of every other living Stant in hopes that rulership of the House may fall to her, not a born Stant, that the Forge gathers its forces upon the Three Sisters.

After learning that, I was sorely tempted to fly out to put an end to them that very same day. However, our nations need soldiers and leaders aware of, and prepared for the true threat all mortals face. When the time comes, know that you have an ally in house Stant.

Until then, I would suggest you continue to prepare, as myself and Lady Hernanda, who has taken over her House, are. I look forward to the day that we may meet as equals again, Commander."

At the bottom, it is signed Morwayne Stant. You stare at the parchment for quite a while, unsure what to make of it, eventually, you make a noncommittal sigh, and read over the Bill.

>>17437382
Not much we can do right now so we might as well sleep and wait till morning comes

>>17437382
Very interesting. We should think about getting Janos to verify if this is Morwaynes handwriting.

Interesting that he mentioned Lady Hernanda. I'm tempted to believe he's being genuine.

At any rate, hang on to it (minus the skins I guess) so we can get Janos' appraisal at a later date.

Should we go check on Cornelius again?

>>17437675
Still passed out

>heres the REAL Butchers bill from this battle. due to poor sorting, I grabbed the wrong one.

The next morning you awake as you usually do, surrounded by your wives. What is odd is the fact that while one is awake, Laelith, to be specific, and has not 'woken you up' yet. In fact, the elf is sitting at your desk, still naked from having crawled out of bed. While the still sleeping Vi, who was left isolated from what can best be described as the pile that your family forms while sleeping is dragging herself back to the warmpth in her sleep.

Laelith sighs, and sets the letter down "I suppose I should be glad that Morwayne is on our side... but if the TRUE forges of Cloudreach have been relit..."

You carefully climb over the pile of sleeping women, and ask "True forges?" as you begin to dress, having bathed before sleeping last night.

Laelith nods as you take a map that Janos left you and she rises to dress "Yes, while their blacksmiths are skilled, in the First Age, they were best known for their arcanasmiths in that region." she pauses as she shimmies into a dress, and Sansa stirs, squawking, as she is pinned under the once again comfortable Vi "And, that unfortunately explains the arcana their flyers are equipped with."

You sigh "I take it a counter to our repeaters has been moved into the sky?"

Laelith nods "I can show you later, but, in short they propel a stone spike at roughly the speed of a steambow, with a fire rate about half that of our repeaters. All they need is a brick loaded into the rear to fire, and enough time to siphon the mists between battles." You sigh deeply, and contemplate what to do now. At lunch you are to meet with your peers to determine the course of action for the coming campaign, so, aside from eating, and whom to eat with, you have a small amount of free time until then.

>>17437718
Check on Cornelius since it's morning

>>17437743
Seconding. And if Wulf is ready we should debrief him.

We should gather the captains and retinue and show them the letter at some time as well.

>>17437743
Yup. Good to me. Then when that's done, debriefing with Wulf.

You sigh again, and wander off to check on Cornelius, Laelith in tow, before eating. The man in question is half-asleep, half awake when you find him. He is sweating, and looks to be in more than a bit of mental pain. You say mental, because he is muttering about still being useful in his feverish sleep. "The fiver struck last night" an attendant announces "the stump either needs to be fully closed, or one of the replacements for the limb needs to be attached. I can wake him if you would like. He isnt getting any rest right now, as no elementalists are rejuvenating him."

You sigh, and reply "Wake him then. Better to be awake and rested than stuck in a nightmare."

Moments later, Cornelius jerks up in his bed, spilling the bowl the attendant had held under his nose, an oily liquid flying everywhere. Mumbling something about having Vi make the solution less potent, the man wanders off, leaving you to converse with your captain and wife in private "Good morning, Commander." Cornelius greets you looking as far from groggy as a man can as he salutes you."I suppose your he to discuss my arm, or lack of one, with me."

You nod slowly, grinning "You have two real options, as I doubt you want to leave the Legion. Either a syptionus vine, which Vi could restrain to just your arm, or, take up some dwarves on an offer that I do believe will give you a kextraetia arm."

The mans face shifts into a large grin, obliterating the morose demeanor he had had seconds ago "How long would these procedures take... and would the vine-arm even be strong enough for battle?"

>>17437998
Get the dwarves that offered the arm to explain the procedure and device to him. If Vi has the time she should be able to answer his questions about the vine better than us.

>>17438057
second this

>>17438057
Yup. Sounds good.

>>17438057
Agreed, although if it wouldn't take so long to talk to em, part me of would like to talk to the gods about healing him. And beyond his arm. Maybe they could help deal with the permanent damage done from his drug use in the past.

You shrug, unsure yourself, and have Laelith go to collect the two parties that can answer the questions. Vi is the first to arrive, and, after some prompting, informs you "we can make the vine grow to only replace just your arm, you would have sensation, slightly better, though static strength, and a regular range of motion. It would repair itself very quickly, and be quite durable... though fire would be devastating, and would likely require a re-growing of the limb. That would require us to cut open the most likely painfully burnt stump, and to place a syptionus spore on a very specific place inside your joint."

Cornelius frowns, nodding. Clearly he wishes to keep his thoughts on this matter to himself when the dwarves enter the room. After almost no prompting, they explain "We recently re-acquired all of the arcana required to create a kextraetia arm, so we are unsure how long it will take to create one, but it will be days at the worst, no more." the dwarf pauses, and begins to pull arcane arcana from the bag they brought with them "Each joint would be able to move in any direction, as it is simply a focus of the arcane mists, and, the visible arcane power can be treated to appear any color you wish. We have several large kextraitia ingots, so we can create multiple sets in the incredibly unlikely eventuality that a portion is damaged."

Cornelius nods "How strong will I be, and how would I reconnect the extra... parts, should I need them?"

The older dwarf pulls out another strange, clearly arcane device, and answers "Much stronger than most trained soldiers, and faster as well. As to reattaching, this is a newly made arcane item a member of our... company, crafted."

Cornelius nods "The price?"
>cont'd

The first dwarf grins massively "This is not a new thing, but, for several thousand years the only know set of arcana that can create kextraetia limbs have been separated from each other, and, as such, useless. So long as you send as many limbless soldiers or wealthy refugees as you can to us, we will not charge."

Cornelius shoots an apologetic look to Vi, and asks "How soon can you start?"

The dwarf grins cattily "As soon as the room is empty, if you are feeling up to it."

You smirk, and move to leave the mostly empty building. as you pass the ward where the Duchy wounded are being tended still. Vi looks to the structure, the pained moaning audible through the thick stone walls, then turns to you and asks "May we aid in the treating of the Duchy troops?"

Before you can answer, a strangely warm weight drops on your shoulder. seconds later, and after nearly being thrown from your shoulder by your jumping, Lethianas upper torso swings into view, her legs hanging onto your shoulder, hands holding a cloth-wrapped item, and asks "How affluent are you?"

>>17438392
"I would say fairly affluent although how freely I use it depends on the situation. Was there something you had in mind Lethiana? What do you have hidden in there? Vi, if the Duchy troops would allow you to help, go for it. Just don't exhaust yourself."

Also in terms of Wulf, I think we should let him rest this campaign. I know he'll want to take part but the man looks like he needs a lot of rest to recover physically and mentally.

>>17438452
second this

>>17438392
"Affluent enough to buy a Dragon Keep. I take it you have found something interesting?"

>>17438392
"I'd say I'm fairly well off thanks to the fortunes of war, though I leave most at home that isn't part of my funding. What do you have in mind?"

I think you're all missing the most important response bit...

"DRAGON PISS ON A STICK!"

also, no matter what add "Though, I'm not very used to having conversations with people sitting on my shoulder."

>>17438392

also, in response to Vi: "If the surgeons will accept your aid, give all the help you wish, dear."

You smirk, repressing the urge to scream obscenities and reply "Well off enough to buy a Dragon Keep, why do you ask?" you pause, and nod your leave to Vi, before you sigh, adding "And, I must admit that it is rather... odd to converse with someone who is riding my shoulder."

She shrugs "You will get used too. Have probably conversed with others riding you." before pulling a small clay sphere with a blast emerald halfway buried in it. she proceeds to hurl the thing at a wall sown a clean, albeit abandoned alleyway. It breaks apart, and promptly explodes, spreading fire everywhere for a few brief seconds. As the flames, bereft of fuel putter out, she adds "50 dragoons of pitch. 200 for emerald. Lowest quality materials that work."

"Fucking dragoncocks..." Laelith absentmindedly responds as Vi freezes along her path to the dwarven medicae to turn and gawk.

>>17438814
Smile. Just smile.

"If you were provided more resources, do you think you could make something larger to breach walls? Does the reaction work when the clay is broken? If so, can you use thinner clay around the blast emerald and pitch? If so, we could bury the spheres and place sharp rocks on them that could hopefully penetrate the spheres when a unit of Uurlanth infantry march over them."

>>17438814
TOTALLY WANT.

Also, how much do we have left in our warchest? We shall call these sunbombs, and we will start every counter-charge with firery rape.

>>17438814
I recommend getting ten (2500 gold) to try them out. We don't want too many because a lucky hit could set off our ammo dump mid-battle.

Also, someone in IRC suggested having our life elementalists train the Duchy life elementalists in the medicae, with their approval of course.

Time to see Wulf?

>Have probably conversed with others riding you.
She wants a piece of the Trentz. Harem +1

>>17438933
Second

You smile, a big one "Make sure that we have 10 prepared for each battle. They may not always be used, but I very much like them." you begin to reply as you adjust your gait to accomodate the child-sized engineer on your shoulder "Also, would higher quality materiels improve the weapon?"

Lethiana nods cheerily "Noticeably, though price becomes less than optimal at certain point." before slinking off of your back and walking off "Need sleep now." she explains over her shoulder.

You enter Wulfs room, well, Lenas room, but the point is really moot. Both are awake and dressed, as they eat, all of the windows open. Your proteges eyes havent changed, though the bags are gone, as is the bloodshot nature of his eyes. He still looks thin, but is eating quite healthily "Good morning commander. I take it you want to know what happened during my mission?" he greets you through bites of food ravenously consumed.

>>17439151
"Finish your breakfast first, Wulf. We've waited this long for you to return. I think I can wait a bit longer."

>>17439151
"You assume correctly. But first, I want to say something. I asked you to do a hard thing, Wulf, and I am disgusted that it even had to be asked at all. I will understand if you think of quitting my service."

>>17439201
This

>>17438933
>Also, someone in IRC suggested having our life elementalists train the Duchy life elementalists in the medicae, with their approval of course.

to clarify:
We basically do an apprenticeship/residency system to speed up the training of the new healing life elementalists, which should benefit the whole force as we move into uurlanthi lands. the groups wouldn't all be in our medicae tent, but spread as evenly as possible through all of the medicaes with healers participating

>>17439151
"I would be very interested to hear what happened. From the reports I have received you seem to have done well in disrupting the Uurlanthian power structure. The king himself had to leave the front and return to Truthshaven to deal with your disappearance. It's good to have you back."

You nod "Finish eating, then we can debrief."

Wulf nods, slowly "I havent had much food lately, so dont wait about for me. On the wall, perhaps?" You nod, and set off to eat your own meal.

"I dont know what happened to the boy, but it cant have been good." Laelith observes as you leave his room. You simply nod, and sigh as you walk to the nearest shop.

-----CQ-----

It is nearly an hour later when Wulf meets you on the wall, overlooking the scorched blasted battlefield. "It has been a long few months." he observes neutrally, prompting you to lead the conversation.

You take a deep breath, and release a larger sigh before replying "Before we go any further, I have to ask you something in light of what you just returned from doing." you pause, and take a steadying breath, the boy has been like a son to you, and that it is about to come to this... does not sit well with you, to put it lightly "If you feel that you must leave my service, and that of the Legion after what you have done, I will accept your decision, and... support it."
>cont'd

Wulf shoots you an offended glare "By no means will I do such a thing. This-" he gestures towards wehre your forces are quartered "is my family. All of them, I share the same outlook as you. My brothers and sisters, the woman I plan to mary, my damned father and his wives." He takes a steadying breath, and closes his eyes as he smooths his expression back to one more controlled. "Dont tell her, I havent made my move yet. I did not carve into my arm a wound that will even mark me as one of the Legion when I am naught but bones for no reason, Coimmander, and I will not ever leave Deganrs service. Had I wanted to, there were FAR more fortuitous times to do that over these past few months." he forces a laugh "I could have been the husband of some desert lords younger sister, a dark skinned exotic beauty that would have never inherited. Lived out my life as far from Degnar as possible, getting fat and getting fucked. I am a child of Deganr and servant of the Legion first and foremost now and until time ends. Now, I know that Daeseu told you of Wendyl, and you know that my travels were vast, so where should I start? The woman, the shadow war, or the mission after I dismissed your blade?"

Smile and say "That's exactly the answer I knew I'd hear. It's good to have you back. Start wherever you feel like."

>>17439537
"I think you've earned the right to tell the tale in the order you choose"

>>17439572
seconding

>>17439537
"A chronological order would work best, I think."

>>17439577
>>17439597
I suppose chronological order is too much to ask? This is still a debriefing, not story-time.

You smile as let out a relieved breath, and ruffle the young mans hair. He has a regal bearing about him now, not surprising, but you feel the urge to throw it off as you show the bit of affection "I knew you would say that, and am glad to have you back. You can start wherever you would like."

Wulf nods, and thinks for a while. Eventually he starts "The Forge of New Divinity is deep in the Uulanthi power structure, but none of their ranking Uurlanthi were ranking cult members."

"Were?" you prompt the young man.

Its in his voice too, you realize as he continues to calm down, replying "I made sure that every house I destabilized, be they a landed knights brood in some city, or true Noble Houses, that the cult members were always among the dead. All I learned was that they have their Lords gathered, and are simply preparing their battlefield, which, as you know, is the entire world."

A thought crosses your mind "And house Stant?"

Wulf shakes his head "I was not able to get north in time for that Cult Slaughtering. the House was the source of Forge corruption in Uurlanth. Now that Morwayne is finished making the Heirs tradition of flensing the mark from the cultists skin as Uurlanthi a tradition as it is Degnarian, the Stants are the only ones I can guarantee are uncorrupted."

You raise an eyebrow "Morwayne?"

Wulf chuckles "One does not become so influential as to force the King to his throne to micromanage a manhunt for a ghost after his faked death without making a few friends in high places." the young manleans against the parapet "He only struck at us because he was doing his part in that hunt and selling his arcanasmiths newest device... on the surface. I would not doubt that delivering a message of allegiance to you, and hunting stray Cultists was part of his true reason for being this far coming this far from his troubled Houses seat."

Not sure where to direct the debriefing. Ask about official business first. Wendel last.

>>17439754
"While it is reassuring to have a potential ally in Uurlanth, I can't say I'm pleased if all their elite will have similar arcane weapons soon."

Yeah, let's leave what happened with the woman last.

>>17439784
>>17439827
Seconding both of these

You sigh "While I am glad to have a potential ally in Uurlanth, the arcane items the Stants will be providing Uurlanth for these closing months of the war will prove to be most problematic. Speaking of the Uurlanthi, how did your mission go?"

Wulf sighs "Well enough. Everything south of Truthshaven is truly worthy of our wrath. Or, at least the portions that still stand. The Swamp Lord of Belges and his bannerbearers in the southern farmlands clamor for the genocide or integration of the Kharynchek." he pauses, frowning "Not in my mission, but potentially useful to make Uurlanth more enemies should this campaign fail to break Uurlanths will to make war. If stuck much harder than what they have grown used too, the plains WILL strike back, and with a vengeance."

You sigh "I take it that is another thing that-"

Wulf cuts you up, more than a little sadness in his voice "She knows, and has already forgiven me. I had to become a monster to succeed, a monster to survive. Lena has decided to tear off the new growths that mark me as one, and nurse me back to health in the light, not the shadows I have learned to work in."

He pauses, as if mentally debating something, before continuing "But that is neither here nor there. The Desert Lords have become introverts, fearing Degnars wrath now that the Duchy will strike with us, and allow us to strike through them. The IronCoast Lords, I have torn open old wounds and dug up grudges... sometimes literally in the form of one particular mace that was burried for its value as an icon."
>cont'd

You smile "How bad is the damage you did there?"

Wulf grins toothily "Lord Hastten would only be able to have the armies of Erlonas ride out to willingly aid him or do his bidding. Force would be required for the other two Houses, and all three lesser houses are on the verge of war with each other."

Your face swiftly shifts to match Wulfs own grin "That, Wulf, makes things immensely easier for us, and may actually make this coming campaign somewhat enjoyable."

Wulf nods, though his face shifts back to a more reserved look "And the area that plays host to those who would hope to call themselves Greyrun Lords has been stripped of notable men. Any men of worth followed Lord Wolf as members of his Nomad Order... a broken, scattered thing now." he adds, not bothering to hide his sadness, or guilt.

>>17440082
I guess we should ask about Wendyl next.

>>17440153
I do too but I can't think of a good way to segue

>>17440082
"How deep are the grudges between the Iron Coast Lords? Janos told me they were an honourable sort and I doubt they'd stand aside and let a Degnar army do what it wants. Any news on how the knight orders are reacting to them? And I want to say I regret forcing you into such a position that you had to betray people you likely befriended. There's nothing I can say to make up for it or to make you feel better. All you can do is overcome the pain on your own time and take solace in Lena and the fact your actions will save numerous lives."

>>17440174
Actually I'm seconding this

>>17440174
Good with me too.

>>17440174
This works for me as well.

It's clear Wulf has taken some emotional wounds from his time with the Uurlanth and he needs a real break from combat. I was thinking we could keep him with us as we campaign but I'm pretty sure he'll demand we let him fight alongside his family. Which is why I think we should leave him and Lena behind in the city while we march during our campaign. Yes. it'll be a damn painful loss to lose both Wulf and Lena but at this point we need Wulf to recover and not end up tormented by his guilt or PTSD. Lena will be pretty important for his recovery as well I believe. A maniple is being left behind to defend this place IIRC, so we could have him stick with them or have them sent back to Dragonsreach if people think that is necessary.

>>17440283
I think we should either take him with us and leave him in reserve, or if everyone wants to leave him and lena behind, send them to dragonsreach where they'll be farther away from the war and have desau to keep an eye out for them

>>17440283
Leaving him behind while the rest of his family fights will only make him feel guilty and cause him more psychological strain. He has been through hell and he needs the support of his friends and family, not just Lena, to help him recover and the maniple obviously can't stay behind with him. If we leave him behind he will only get a bad case of survivors guilt when we return after having lost men during the campaign.

>>17440283
Plenty of Uurlanthi want Wulf dead by now. The safest place for him and Lena is with our maniple.

And I seriously doubt that he would consent to leaving now.

You sigh "I realize that you most likely had to betray people whom you had befriended, whom you trusted... things that cannot be falsified, at least on the basic level, and aside from my most heartfelt apologies and support, there is nothing I can do to mend those wounds." you pause, and pat the young man on his back "That, and suggest that you not rush the process of healing your soul, and taking solace in Lena. Now, just how deep are the rifts between the Ironcoast Lords?"

Wulf slowly pulls his face back to a more neutral expression before he responds "The current lesser lords would kill each other, if given the chance. Stout least of all, though he is most likely to ride out to his peers aid, as he wishes the honor of taking their lives to be his own. For Lords Mern and Jaeger, it is simply a manner of ancestral feuds rekindled. They will be slow to respond, and prove more worried about the cities protection than saving the nobility from the blade or prison." Wulf pauses, clearly thinking back before continuing "Lord Hastten is furious at his bearers for not heeding his orders, and allowing such matters to arise during a time of war. He most likely has men posted in Erlonas to support Lord Mern. The others, if they ask for aid, know that any forces deployed will be as much punitive as protective after the battle is finished, and will endeavor to not require aid from their lord." he looks to you, awaiting further questions. You however, are considering having him stay behind, but highly doubt that he would do such a thing. You supress a chuckle, as you realize that you would not at all be suprised if the young man who had grown up a wandering vagabond and hunter, who had just spent several months sneaking about, would wake you up in your tent some day with information, or a reprimand for thinking he would _actually_ stay behind.

>>17440388
I guess he has no info on the knight orders then and how they;re reacting to the bickering going on in their lands. Can't think of anything else to ask so I guess we move on to the last topic.

>>17440419
second

>>17440388
We should ask if he has any specifics on house Stants production of the arcana and about Wendyl. Besides that I can think of nothing else to ask at the moment.

>>17440445
Third.

You nod, slowly and ask "You seem to have known Morwane Stant quite well. Do you know what his ability to produce arcana is?"

Wulf shakes his head "No, that is one thing that the man never once shared, was his true arcana production capacity is. Apologies, commander."

You shake your head, and sigh "It is of no matter, the fact that I know of them, and expect to deal with their threat is enough." you pause, and steady yourself before continuing "And now, the officially least important manner, but what I do not doubt is at the forefront of your mind and heart of your guilt, Wendyl. Daeseu said that the two of you had been inseparable."

Wulf pauses for several minutes, collecting his thoughts, before pulling a flask from his tunic, taking a drink and replying "I didnt deserve her... not in the end." he forces a laugh and closes the flask, just as its strong odor reaches you "I even set things to perhaps place the blame on her when I began fleeing in earnest after she died. She was coming with me before that..." he trails off.

You however, vehemently shake your head "No, dont say that. If you treated her anything like you do Lena-"

Wulf shakes his head, cutting you off, then, when it is quiet, he responds "I did, later. Daeseu saw me acting much like you, and her and my friendship much like yours and Sansas before you became intimate. My false personality, much like hers, had lost his family to our raids of the Greyrun Lords lands. I was hurting, so was she, though the reason for me was not the same, as she had thought." he pauses, and makes a notable effort to rest his hands on the wall, and not go for another drink. "At that point, and after, I had been befriending Uurlanthi like one does a dog, dear to you, trusted, liked... but if it becomes rabid you have no qualms with killing it."

"Wulf, you did not treat her like an animal, I assure you that." you interject to the silence.
>cont'd

He sighs "I may as well have. She knew me well enough, and certain things were true for both Lord Wolf, and myself, the emotional pain from my loneliness was one of them. She was lonely too, and most likely, thanks to how you taught me to treat women, thought it was love." Wulf takes a long pause "I wasnt even thinking of her when I took her virginity. She was making sweet love to the man she loved, I had my eyes closed, her build perfect for letting me imagine it was Lena. When she asked me why my eyes had stayed shut almost the whole time, I lied, told her she was that good for me."

Wulf pauses, ashamed "I'm very good at lying now, and was then as well." For your part, you are speechless, and the silence hangs for quite some time before your protege continues "And she stayed at my side after that night, just like Lena always had from the start. Before long, my self loathing got worse, closing my eyes didnt work, all I could see was Lenas face, disappointed, or, even worse... and infinitely more disturbing when one considers what I was doing, yours doubly so."

Wulf sighs, taking another long pause, before adding "So, I let her in. Of the countless dozens upon dozens that I kept outside, never truly attaching myself to in more than the least passing of manners, she managed to stick just close enough to where my facade and true self where the same, my loneliness, my emotional pain, that I couldnt keep her at arms length. It took a long time, and many deep, ambiguous talks until she was to the point where she would follow me over past the Bleak Coast. Around her, I was the true me, the one she thought was who I was with the pain of loss not driving me onwards. She agreed to defect to Degnar with me the very same night I told her the truth, the very same night I faked my death and made to return home."

>>17440775
"But something happened after you faked your death. What happened?"

>>17440775
"But something went wrong and the plan fell apart. What happened?"

>>17440865
second

You sigh, there are quite literally no words you could say to Wulf. Nothing could appease his conscience for sins he had willingly and knowingly committed against a woman he came to love, nor could any soothe the pain of her death. So, you take the only real direction available, save fleeing the young mans presence, though, that is no true choice "What happened during your escape then?"

Wulf sighs "At first, it went splendidly, the two of us on the run, bearing northwest, hoping to meet up with Lennis and his Ghorat. A few lies to shield the truth and we would be home free. One of the members of the Nomad Order, which I had arranged to have smashed to pieces by a man who would be obvious, and know enough to set them against the Forge of New Divinity, whom I already had my knights after the cult, my death, and the death of the woman they all assumed I would marry at the cults hands was perfect. A crime not committed, placing the blame on an organization known for covering its tracks well and secrecy, with only a handful of men alive to take on the herculean hunt." he pauses, taking a deep breath, and finishes "One of them got lucky, saw Wendyl in a crowd in some border village. He was smart, and realized that she was a cultist, the very same one that had killed me, and some other poor girl to cover her tracks by mutilating the corpse. He confronted her, and, I was too far away to make up for her mistake. _She hesitated_ the man had already blamed her, condemned her to her just punishment. She still saw her friend, a man she drank with, fought with, ate with, had trusted with her life almost from the beginning, and couldn't bring herself to do the necessary thing, to strike first, and strike to kill."

"What happened next?" you prompt, almost afraid of your proteges response.
>cont'd

Wulf turns for the first time for nearly an hour to look at you, eyes confident, and determined, easily shouldering the obvious burden "I killed the rabid dog that I had already let live too long. All of them are rabid now, because any one of them could ruin it all, prolong the war by revealing the truth. And if that happens the war will last so long that there can be no doubt that when the Forge moves, we will be unprepared."

"Justinian, its, its time for the commanders to meet on the coming campaign." Sansa timidly cuts in, looking ready to rush over to wrap up Wulf in a hug. But she is your aide, and it is her duty to be at the meeting with you.

"I will return to Lena and my room until needed then... and I would appreciate that you not tell Lena the worst of that story, I haven't told her yet." he interjects, before leaping from the wall, landing unharmed, and beginning the walk for his stated destination.

>gonna call it here for tonight
>soneone archive please
>I'll be back sunday at 9pm server time

>>17440865
>>17440874

Seconding.

-After- Wulf tells this next part of the story, if you can fit this in our dialogue:
"I don't remember the play's name, but I remember this line from it: 'man is born into this world crying, and once he has shed enough tears, he dies.' But tears can be of sorrow or joy, and there are more for you to shed."

>>17441014
Fuck, I was way too late.

>>17441014
Save it for next time we talk to him. Thread has been archived. Make sure to vote.

>>17441014
Damn. That was a good line, too.