The meeting of the General Staff was a dull event. A large auditorium filled with brutish soldiers, who would far rather face an opponent across a battle field than by a diplomatic resolution, and stuffy scribes who are more occupied with their own status, resulting from whom they served, than accurately taking notes. Although the meeting was already half completed, Legion Commander Septon had yet to make an appearance. Not that this worried any of the other captains – they were used to Septon's absence and were contented to carry on with out him. Probably more so than if he actually attended the staff meetings.

The auditorium was a round building with tiered seating around it's perimeter with exception to the two entrances directly opposite to each other running north to south. The seats extended into the building to create a circle in the centre of the room where the senior officers sat. The front row was reserved for the higher ranking captains and the seats directly behind them for their personal scribes. It was in one of these seats that Falco sat with Torin behind him resenting his friend for inflicting such a chore on him.

Torin sat in his uncomfortable seat diligently taking notes when the double doors on the north wall opened when a fanfare of legionnaires, with burnished breastplates and tall plumes marched in, escorting the Grand Duke's brother to his seat at the head of the table in the middle of the central circle, along with some advisers, scribes and Mortin. Septon was dressed in his usual pale green mantle, and coasted along to his position while the assembly watched on with bated breath. Captain Galkyus, who had the floor, had stopped speaking and stood respectfully until the Commander was seated. Once Septon had settled himself Captain Galkyus looked to Mortin for permission to speak again.

"The Captain has been delivering his report on the current situation in Maragor, my lord." Mortin explained to Septon. "Please continue" he then added to Galkyus.

"As I was saying there is something unusual about these bandits. They appear too organised and too well equipped. I suspect that they are receiving aid from somewhere…"

"Preposterous!" Septon snapped. "They are nothing that a few score rabble picking the stream beds for free gold."

"Begging your pardon, my lord, but I believe that the Captain had the floor" Mortin interjected diplomatically.

"Besides, commander" drawled Galkyus mockingly, "They are more than a few score. More like a few hundred, possibly more, and they are well armed and trained."

"Bah, nothing can stand up to the might of a Tolnedran legion. I here by dispatch the 1st division of the 9th Imperial Legion to remove this menace by whatever means necessary."

"My lord!" Galkyus exclaimed. "The meeting of the General Staff is not yet adjourned. No decision can be made until all have said their piece!"

"My brother made me Commander of this Legion, not you Galkyus. The order stands, Mortin dispatch the troops. If Galkyus is so cautious of these peasants than let him command the expedition. Disband the assembly wouldn't you Mortin?" Septon asked, while collecting his mantle and heading for the exit, the clatter of steel against stone as his bodyguards followed him in tight regimental fashion. Once the northern doors were closed once more the assembly erupted with outrage, and it was some time before Mortin managed to quieten them down.

"Are you going to allow this Mortin" demanded Galkyus angrily.

"And what are you proposing I do about it Galkyus. I can't countermand his orders, and even though it doesn't seem like it a lot of the time he is the legion commander. I suggest you all go about your business and carry out your orders."

"That's just not good enough" demanded Galkyus, until Falco stood up and crossed the room to his friend.

"Just let it go Galkyus. It's not worth your career."

"It just infuriates me, that incompetent!" Galkyus growled and stomped out of the auditorium.

"Is he going to be alright?" asked Torin, coming up behind Falco.

"Probably, he just needs to calm down, get some sleep or alternatively get drunk."

"You think so? A man in his state of rage might get himself into some trouble when intoxicated."

"You know I think your right" Falco said, catching on to Torin's plan. "Maybe we should go with him, just to keep him out of trouble?"

"Maybe? How can you say maybe? What kind of friend are you? It is our duty, nay obligation to ensure that nothing foul befalls our comrade"

"Perhaps we should see what we can do about that then, friend" Falco smirked and he and Torin left the auditorium quickly after Galkyus, leaving the remainder of the general assembly to vent their anger to each other.

The only problem with a large quantity of drink is the additional effect the following morning, and the only known cure is more of what caused the problem in the first place. It was with these thoughts in mind that Torin, Falco and Galkyus sat soaking in a bath house, consuming cool ale and hot steam in equal amounts.

"Perhaps I should just stick my sword in Septon, and then they would kill me. Two birds with one stone" groaned Galkyus, as he poured himself some more ale. "Sometimes it hardly seems worthwhile being a legionnaire."

Somewhere towards the other end of the pool, the much hotter end, Falco groaned his agreement.

"If you two are quite finished feeling sorry for your selves you might remember that we, or more specifically Galkyus, has to lodge his battle plan for approvable by this afternoon, ready for deployment in two days." Said Torin calmly, since he had not had nearly as much to drink as the other two the night before, and felt much better in comparison. Falco's head emerged from the water, and he looked Torin in the eye.

"That was rude" he complained

"Can't we leave it til tomorrow or perhaps die" Galkyus added.

"Okay you need to stop speaking about dieing, friend. No body is dieing here"

"Are you sure" Galkyus replied as he hopped out of the hot section of water he was sitting in, ran and dived head on into the freezing water in another pool nearby.

"Besides, he gave us the first division. That's only one hundred men. Also of which you and I are not apart of, I think you'll find" Falco said, standing up so that only his bottom half was emersed in water. That was something Torin hadn't yet realised. He had assumed that he and Falco would be going with Galkyus and the first division, when in reality they only would be if the third division was dispatched also.

"Surely we can do something about that. Speak to Mortin and get the third division attached to the first for this assignment. Surely he will realise that one hundred men is not enough for this task.

"That may work. Galkyus and I will see Morin as soon as possible. He is likely to be busy about now anyways, so we have some time. You get some rest. How many days off do you get anyway?"

"Not many with you as a commander" he smirked. A confused look came over Torin's face. "Busy? Mortin is usually out for his morning exercise about now, and he will be back at his house very soon."

"Did I say Mortin is busy? Oh I'm sorry I meant to say, there is no way bar the intervention of Nedra that I am getting out of this pool anytime soon." Falco said, his torso shivering, so he decided to dive back into the pool.

"I agree" yelled Galkyus emerging from the cold pool a bluish shade. He then proceeded to drink half a gallon of ale in succession and dive back into the hottest part of the first pool.

"Yes, well when you two finish pulling your self together; remember that you have work to do."

"Torin don't take this personally, but go away" Falco demanded.

"Okay, but is this all really necessary?"

"I'll think you'll find it is" Galkyus answered

"It is a matter of necessity" Falco added

Latter that evening Torin sat in his living room by the fire reading a book of Arendish poetry, when there was a knock on his door. Sighing, he put down the book and went over to his door, and opened it. Falco and Galkyus, along with another man, were on his doorstep, still looking rather pale but at least they were mobile, a big improvement from this morning.

"Don't suppose you would consider letting us in" Galkyus said impatiently.

"Oh, by all means" Torin replied extravagantly, bowing mocking to his guests.

"So glad you could oblige" Galkyus replied dryly, as he entered, Falco not far behind with his companion, chuckling to himself. Once they were all seated by the fire, Torin fetched a bottle of wine from a rack on the wall and some glasses. He went to pour when simultaneously Galkyus and Falco held up their hands.

"Are you sure? It's a good year."

"Quite sure" Falco replied

"Emphatically" Galkyus added.

Torin put two glasses back on the shelf and poured himself and the stranger a glass, then re-seated himself next to his book.

"Surely you don't read that rubbish" Galkyus asked disbelievingly

"Oh yes he does, and probably a lot worse too. I once caught him with an Alorn romance. Have you ever read Alorn fiction? Utterly tactless, lacking all subtleties a real work requires." Falco explained.

"I imagine you came here with a purpose other than to critique my literary tastes?" Torin said coolly.

"Calm down, don't get excited. We spoke to Mortin, and he was most sympathetic. He has agreed to dispatch the second and third divisions in addition to the first." Falco said

"Well that's more than we could have hoped for." Torin said, toasting his guests, and taking a drink.

"Are you familiar with Captain Horus, Torin?" Galkyus asked

"No, but I get the feeling that I am about to be"

Falco and Galkyus's unknown companion stretched out his hand. "Pleased to meet you, I am Horus, Captain of the second division." Torin took his hand and shook it.

"I am curious" Horus continued "as to how a Sargent, such as yourself, is mixed up in such complicated affairs. I would never allow such a low ranking officer to participate in such a meeting."

"Torin is my second, Horus, and privy to all matters concerning the third division. If you have a problem with his presence lets get it over with sooner rather than latter." Falco replied.

"You would send him away at my request?"

"No, but if I'm going to have to tell you that he stays and to deal with it, I would rather do it now than during an emergency."

"I see. Well under such circumstances, how can I refuse this man's attendance? I will bow to your discretion, Falco, and I hope that he is everything you hold him to be."

"Excellent. Now that that is sorted, we can get down to business. I propose that we march on the bandit's main camp and simply slaughter the inhabitants, taking their leader alive for public execution. Any disagreements?" Galkyus asked.

"Not I" replied Horus.

"How do we know where the bandit's camp is? Maragor isn't exactly small and we could walk around there for months before we locate it."

"My scouts have located it already. It is but a weeks march from the Tolnedran - Marag border."

"Okay fine plan. We can get maps and plot a march tomorrow, during office hours. Mortin doesn't expect them until then; he postponed the original dead line. In the mean time, I believe you mentioned that wine was a good year" Falco said, the fire reflecting in his eyes.

Torin laughed openly, and rose to get another glass, looked back at Galkyus, then took two.