6th of Gornow, 26E219
Ivory Palace, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~16:00
"Pursuant of Edict 42-17/W3S, Governess Frigisdottir of Sensfjord Prefecture has requested an inspection team to be sent to her Prefecture for re-evaluation for further investment into the iron in-" The bureaucrat speaking before Endarius was interrupted by a raised hand.
"Hold that thought for a moment, Master Norikata." Endarius speaks up, putting down his hand. The sound of footsteps can be heard as a robed figure entered the throne chamber. Their entire body was clad in leather robes. A leather hood, paired with a carved mask, depicting a rather ornate wolf face, conceals the mysterious figure's face. They enter the chamber confidently, paying no heed to the onlooking bureaucrats, who have all fallen hushed. The person takes the center of the chamber, not bowing, kneeling, or saluting Endarius as they look up at him.
"I was summoned, Imperial King?" The person speaks, their voice as androgynous and unrevealing of their person as their apparel.
"Yes. Thank you for answering it, Proud Guardian Wolf. I was wondering if you'd be so inclined as to once again lend us your support. I have a task for you that may provide some measure of interest for you, being that you so passionately pursue the scent of potential equals to test yourself against." Endarius responds, clarifying the purpose as to his summoning them.
The person stares up at Endarius, meeting his eyes with their own, golden, predatory eyes. They remain silent for what seems like an eternity.
"Very well. What task have you that one such as me is called to fulfill?" They speak up finally, not breaking eye contact for a moment. "An assassination? Albeit, I assume one of your agents would be better suited to that. Perhaps my Taerus' protege, Matou?" They continue, their voice as bored and disengaged as ever.
"Hardly, and you'd be true. Matou is a superb assassin and had I need of removing a figure of significance from the world of the living, he would be closer to a preferred choice. However, what I need is a strong and capable, semi-independent person such as you to travel to this new continent in the west. I'm willing to grant you plenipotentiary powers in the off chance that you end up needing to cut a deal with any organization there." He elaborates calmly.
"Sounds like a job more suited to one of the others of the Five Seats. Valfried or Arthur for example." They respond pointedly, cocking their head curiously, as if trying to read Endarius.
Endarius nods in agreement before he speaks up. "True, that would be the case if I wanted someone there to act in an official dignitary manner. But I have that already. That is not what I am looking for however. What I need is someone who can operate in a non-official capacity. You provide that unique capacity, someone that can represent me where needed while officially operating as a third party."
"So I presume then that my job will be to, in effect, travel to this continent and do as I see fit, while serving as an unofficial ambassador plenipotentiary where I see value in the name of Endaria?" They ask.
"Correct. Consider it a vacation if you so please." Endarius confirms, smiling in amusement. The mysterious character chuckles and nods.
"Very well. I will depart immediately. I'll be sorely disappointed if you are wrong about there being no one interesting to challenge me." They speak up after a moment.
"Thank you, Wolf. Safe travels and good fortune to you." Endarius responds gratefully. The Wolf simply turns and leaves without another expression or word, their footsteps fading away down the hall.
"You're not worried that the Wolf will be too aggressive, your majesty?" Norikata speaks up inquiringly, once the Wolf was gone.
"The Wolf is violent and loves a good fight, but they are no fool. You don't become one of the great primordial guardians by being an incompetent meathead." Endarius responds reassuringly. "Now, where were we? A request from Governess Frigisdottir, correct?" He continues, redirecting the topic back to where it had been earlier.
"Ah yes, in regards to the investments into the Sensfjord iron industry, she requests the dispatch of an inspection team." Norikata replies, stepping forward with a stack of documents for Endarius to look over.
6th of Gornow, 26E219
Bay of Dalatar, Caer Endaris, Royal Rejionowa
~17:00
The Wolf approached the harbor. Their mask was slightly raised, exposing just their chin and mouth. They had a set of wicked incisors as well as a second set of lesser incisors, allowing them to tear into the cut of raw steak that they were now eating as they walked. They paid no heed to the people that stole glances at them and their savage eating habits. They instead simply continued to tear off chunks of the steak with their mouth, eating violently as they contemplated their plan for after making landfall in this new continent known as the "Eastern Kingdoms".
By the time they had finished eating, the Wolf was standing at the end of a pier. The sun was still relatively young in the sky, being summer. Its light cast across the ocean like liquid gold. The Wolf sighs and gets on all fours. In an instant, their form was that of a wolf the size of a merchant's wagon. Runes appeared on the pads of all four paws and with a sudden lunge, the Wolf jumps through the air, landing on the water and running on top of it at speeds exceeding that of even the fastest desert cats. They dodge, weave, and jump over the boats and ships in the harbor and pass between the forts guarding the entrance to the harbor, breaking out into the open ocean within moments.
Making a beeline west, the Wolf wasted no time in their journey, running along a path of sun blazed ocean.
6th of Gornow, 26E219
ACS Circe, High Seas, Due West of Konig
~2100
Graham sat in his cabin, a luxurious suite befitting a member of the Ashcroft family. He was writing at his desk, a white crystal in a metal fixture glowed brightly overhead, providing lighting by which to see. He was penning some potential initial trade offers for future dignitaries of this "Horde" he was dispatched to establish a line with. Two maids stood quietly at the sides of the door in and out of the cabin. They silently stood at attention, clad in simple black aketons and dark gray pants. They had sabers at their hips, indicating they were more than just ordinary servants, but bodyguards as well.
"You know, you don't have to stand over there in silence. You can go tend to your own affairs. I doubt anyone is stowing away to assassinate the last born son of the Ashcroft family." Graham speaks up as he finishes one document and dips his quill, moving on to a new document.
"Thank you, Master Graham, but we were assigned by Master Henry to serve you loyally and faithfully. It would dishonor our training to slack off." The maid on the right, a tall woman with red hair and a scar tracing the left side of her jaw, responds.
"Yeah, but just standing there is making it rather awkward. I feel scrutinized." Graham replies with a tired sigh.
"Forgive us, sir." The maid on the left speaks up. Her hair, cut short, is black. She's shorter and stockier than the redhead, her green eyes have a worldliness to them.
"Forgive you for what? Bloody hell…" Graham grumbles, rubbing his eyes. "I'm not mad, You've served me fine. You continue to serve me fine. I've had to stand at attention for extended periods too. I just feel bad having you two stand there. At the very least, take a seat." He continues. The two women look at each other and finally sit at the table in the corner of the cabin. Graham glances over his shoulder at them.
"Ah, much better. Now I don't feel as guilty." He says, chuckling. He returns his attention to his writing, sipping his tea. The redhead keeps an eye on the cup of tea, calculating the time before she would need to go and prepare another batch for him. The black haired maid meanwhile keeps an eye on the door, in case anyone came by.
Of course being assigned personal servants was an honor in the Ashcroft family, and Graham had freshly been a recipient of this honor. But he was fast finding it tedious, rather than a pleasant convenience, he thought to himself as he wrote. It felt like he had spectators in his life. It's not like he was incapably of any of the services the maids provided. He could cook, clean, fight, and write just fine, and he had no desire to engage in any steamy affairs like some of his cousins and brothers had bragged about. He found himself lost in thought on the various inconveniences of personal maids and butlers when he raised his cup of tea to his lips to find it empty.
"Hm?" He hums to himself as he looks at the empty cup. He looks over to find a freshly made pot to his right. He refills his cup and returns to writing.
"Thanks." He speaks up finally, begrudgingly accepting that it was nice to have fresh tea at hand so readily.