27th of Brzeszczny, 6E219

The Arsenal, Caer Markesia, Markesian Commonwealth

~11:00

Wearing a white cape, trimmed in azure blue and held to the outfit by carved steel epaulets over a dark blue gambeson, gray pants, and high leather boots, Lord Markosoran Layamalore was the image of authority in the Arsenal. The Arsenal itself was a massive fortified ward outside the city proper. Massive canals and snaked through the Arsenal, ending in various inlets, where ships were under construction. Surrounding these inlets were workshops, bunkhouses, mess halls, and warehouses. Within the Arsenal was the means to build and arm a ship from the first planks all the way to the point it was commissioned. Lord Markosoran Layamalore was present today to inspect the construction and process of the newest of the Honorable-Class Light Assault Ships, the MRS Valorous. At present, the 130 meter long ship was no more than the wooden hull and the interior was all but empty except for the mechanical housing for much of its armament. Workers rushed about, to and fro, on scaffolds and along the incomplete deck of the ship, skillfully doing their various assigned jobs, while others ran supplies from the warehouse to the various stations that needed a resupply. One building, a fortified workshop, had glowing, arcane light coming from the windows, and it was heavily guarded. Only specific workers were admitted into the building.

"At present, we appear to be on schedule to commission her in four months, as planned, sir." The master builder informs, going over reports as he walked with Lord Layamalore.

"Very good. What about budget?" Lord Layamalore inquires, looking at the master builder, who almost has to stifle a chuckle.

"Well, sir, with the budget you give us, we're technically under budget. But, by the standard of this class, yeah, about right on budget." The master builder informs, to which Lord Layamalore nods.

"Better to have too much money than not enough, Master Eadon. Such a policy is how we managed to build the greatest fleet the empire has seen. Such a standard of quality and performance is not achieved by cutting corners." Lord Layamalore comments calmly as he observes the transferal of large steel rods to the fortified workshop.

"Of course, sir. I am simply saying, that the budget is not one to worry about." Eadon replies.

"Any issues with the Catalytic Steel?" Lord Layamalore inquires.

"Not as of yet, sir. Though, we are running low on ley crystals. We could use another shipment sooner rather than later." Eadon informs.

"Consider it already ordered, Master Eadon." Lord Layamalore affirms.

"Thank you, sir." Eadon bows his head gratefully.

"Keep up the good work." Lord Layamalore says as he turns and heads on to inspect other projects.

2nd of Gornow, 6E219

The skies, Goethel Province, Konig Region

~09:00

Yukari raised her arms out to either side and felt the wind race against her body as her mount, a dull green Southern Highlander Drake named Bromley, raced over the trees and rivers of the land below. The day was promising to be warm and sunny with mild winds. She let a gleeful laugh out as she basked in the freedom of flying. The sharp roar of a drake to her left grabs her attention. She looks over to see her comrade, Liamme Grau, watching her from the back of his mount, a Desert Sand Drake by the name of Sphynx. He nods to her softly and returns his attention forward. She grins and looks to her right, where Witold Morwynzki was burning the sights into his eyes from the back of his Island Fruit Drake, a small framed dragon characterized by its almost entirely meat free diet. She looked forward to seeing what he painted from the sights he saw today.

After a few moments, Yukari raised her whistle to her lips and blows into it, grabbing the attention of her comrades. They look to her and she makes a rapid forward hand gesture. Her comrades nod, and she and they put on their goggles and suddenly drive their mounts to accelerate. Yukari then gives a soft tug on the reins of her mount, and her mount begins ascending higher into the sky. She draws the fur collar of her coat closer to her neck, and she tightens her scarf.

She levels out her mount just below the clouds and looks around to make sure her comrades are still with her. They nods to her and give her thumbs up. She proceeds to sign to them, 'Shall we continue, or should we head back?' Witold signs back that he wishes to keep going, Liamme signs that he is fine with returning. Yukari nods and decides to continue. She steers her mount onward, and her comrades race to keep up.

6th of Gornow, 26E219

Bay of Dalatar, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa

~15:00

Matou chews his lip and watches as their ship pulls into harbor. The Alliance contingent stood on deck, taking in the sight of the massive city before them. There was an unmistakable sense of wondrous surprise in their eyes. No doubt, the appearance of a new faction was surprising enough, but one that was fully established and not a small city state or order was something else. The various representatives talked quietly among themselves. Leonhard walks over to him.

"Well, they certainly seem stunned." Leonhard comments as he watches the contingent.

"No doubt they are talking about how to secure us as an ally. No doubt they would hope to use us in their war against the Horde." Matou replies.

"Aye. No doubt Ol' Endarius has sent an envoy to the Horde as well already." Leonhard states.

"Doubt they will like that. I also have a feeling neither side will like us as a neutral player. We're going to end up involved at some point." Matou observes.

"Pessimistic observation." Leonhard looks at Matou, who seemed as indifferent as ever.

"While I doubt either faction's industrial capacity is as high as ours, based on the books, they are both clearly strong enough to cause us an issue. Pair that with the fact that Canda and Noveia have no doubt sent their own diplomats to the various factions by now… well, both factions will realize that any of us would provide a sizable benefit to them, and a major threat if one of us sided with the enemy. It's simple power play dynamics. We can't play it neutral because we can't guarantee Candan and Noveian neutrality and to play things neutral would be too much a benefit to the enemy in the eyes of both sides." Matou explains as the ship pulls in to dock.

"Yeah… it's still frustrating." Leonhard comments, scratching his head.

"Just diplomacy." Matou responds plainly, hopping off the deck and onto the dock below before the gang plank had gone down.

Leonhard shakes his head and sighs.