Matt had received a letter from Isara, regarding a possible meeting now that they'd secured Vasel and Kloden. For some reason or other, the young Cadian commander had felt the need to don his best uniform, even if Isara's letter had stated that casual clothing was good enough. Of course, he'd gone with one of their bog-standard tan BDUs instead of anything too overtly fancy. It looked like a simple set of civilian clothing to those who looked from a distance.

He looked to his left, noticing Colin walking out of his own room with a letter of his own in hand and his best uniform on. He hummed, turning to notice Matt in the doorframe of his own room. The Commissar approached, letter in hand, then said "It seems that the Princess has asked to see a member of our officer cadre. Considering your current preoccupation, sir, I've taken the liberty of going myself."

"Not taking Amy with you?" Matt smirked.

"She's currently chatting up Ace to find out what in the Emperor's name that man has been doing for the months we've been here. I asked her to write up a report... if Ace cannot." Colin quipped, arranging his cap, "I presume you will be taking one of our mobility vehicles for your trip?" and the two exited the officers' area into the courtyard, heading for the motorpool.

"I will." The man nodded, climbing onto the first 'jeep'-type unarmored vehicle used for scouting with Colin. He eyed the Church-like building that had also sprung up near the Kasr, an amalgam of Ferrocrete, stone and stained glass in the classic Gothic architectural style of the Imperium, built within a few days at the behest of the Sisters and their Preacher. The Sisters had interacted sparsely with the Guard, more-so working on inducting the newly-acquired auxiliary troops from the Darcsen. Following that, the Darcsen would be sent to train with some of the younger Whiteshields in the regiment.

The Colonel started up the vehicle, driving out through the heavily-defended main gate, past the lines of ramparts, barricades and trenches built by the Guard. In the distance, he saw watchtowers manned by the Scout Company. Driving down the old dirt road, the vehicle took a left onto the highway that led to Randgriz. A short while later, the two crested a hill, catching a sight of Fort Amaranthine.

The Gallian Military Base was a hive of activity even now, with the expansive training area currently occupied by Gallian troops and Militia that were undergoing training. Colin nudged Matt in the shoulder, then pointed at the front gate of the base, where Isara waited, wearing a modest green dress and her shoal over her shoulders. Colin gave his friend a smirk, before climbing onto the back seat of the jeep as to allow Isara to ride by Matt's side. The Colonel shifted slightly in the driver's seat, uncomfortable at the prospect for some reason.

Isara heard the trundling vehicle approach, turning to see the two Cadian kids aboard it. She smiled, the vehicle halting in front of her. She climbed aboard, then said "Hey, Matt. Hello, Commissar."

"Hey, Isara." The Colonel answered, starting up the car again, on the road to Randgriz.

"Miss Gunther." Colin nodded. "Worry not, Matias will drop me off at Randgriz Gate. From there, you two may go on your little outing alone."

"I see." She nodded, then she looked to Matt and gave him a once-over, then, while chuckling, she said "I thought I told you to come with casual clothes."

"Well..." He shrugged, his cheeks tinged slightly red, "This is as casual as it gets in the Guard."

Isara raised a brow, "Do you not have civilian clothing?" and only further aggravated Matt's bit of embarrassment. She smiled, then said "Well... As much as I disliked shopping trips as a child, I have some money from the salary earned by Militia. If you don't mind coming with me, I'll get you something more comfortable to wear off-duty." and she looked ahead.

Matt hummed, then responded "Perhaps next time? I'm not particular on changing my wardrobe currently."

"Sure." Isara nodded as the vehicle bounced along. Another half-hour later and they'd reached the gates of the city. Here, Colin disembarked, tipped his cap toward them and walked up to the Royal Guard officer present. The daughter of the Siegfried Family and chief of the Royal Guard had also waited for him with another transport with which Matt and Isara watched him depart.

"He's... Visiting the Princess?" Isara asked, looking to Matt in a bid for confirmation.

"At her behest, nonetheless." The Colonel chuckled, driving the vehicle forward and into the city of hundreds of small buildings and hab-blocks. He told her "Let me know which direction we should take." before turning onto the city's main boulevard. Isara had started guiding him from there. Second left from where they were, a right and another right through the somewhat-crowded and car-riddled streets of Randgriz had brought the two in front of a massive building built in an Art-Nouveau style. A beautiful facade, with arched, round windows and beautiful sculptures greeted them on their arrival, with statues depicting ancient heroes flanking the main doors.

"Where're we?" He asked, looking to the Darcsen girl.

"Well, since I found out you like reading, I figured I'd take you to the biggest library we have. This is the Randgriz Royal Library and we're currently in the Cultural District, just so you know." Isara smiled, "There's plenty to visit, including the National Museum of Arts, the Royal Academy of Science, which also doubles as a library and, of course, the Randgriz City Cinema."

She had pointed out each building in the relatively-large and well-travelled district while enumerating them. Most buildings here were in an Art-Nouveau style(Matt'd taken some time to read the Schola Progenium's vast libraries, indeed), with the National Museum of Arts resembling more of a gothic style that felt close to home. He hummed, then said "Well, this should be an interesting trip. A bit of culture never hurt anyone."

"That's the spirit. C'mon, I know a section of the library I'm sure you'll love!" The girl giddily got off the vehicle, followed by Matt inside the massive building. Rows upon rows of bookshelves occupied three floors of the massive library, whose central area had a massive dome-shaped skylight that allowed the sun to peer into the center, where the reading area was. Isara approached the main desk, sliding the woman at the desk her library card.

The elderly woman smiled, then said "Ah, Isara! It's been a while since your last visit, midear. Here for more engineering books?" And she immediately noticed the young man behind Isara. She smirked, coyly asking "Oh, my, but who's this handsome young gentleman behind you? I hadn't thought you'd find someone so quickly in the Militia." as she stamped the library card Isara had handed her.

Isara blushed furiously, as did Matt, at the implications, with the latter averting the gaze of the elderly librarian. The young Darcsen girl whispered "Miss Amber, please..."

The woman chuckled, "Ah, youth these days. Anyways, greetings to you, young man. I am Diane Amber, one of the Library's few honored Keepers and librarians. I and miss Gunther know each-other through her brother, who had once brought her here for a visit in hopes of acquiring a certain set of books. In regards to your arrival with the kind young woman here, I must ask you your name."

"Matias Telos, ma'am. A pleasure." The boy smiled slightly as the blush finally subsided.

The woman paused for a moment, her snark, joyful demeanor replaced with surprise. She picked up a paper, presumably a newspaper going by the designs, and looked between the boy and it. A smile then crept its way onto her face as she said "So you are the leader of those newcomers, the 'Cadians'... An honor to make your acquaintance, young man."

"That, I am." He declared proudly, "Though I am admittedly off-duty, currently. At Isara's behest."

Miss Amber smiled widely once more, then declared "Any friend of Isara's is welcome into the Library. Doubly so for those who so thoughtfully threw their lot in with us to assist in ousting the Eastern Imperial forces from our land."

"My thanks." Matt nodded. Isara smiled at the woman, who simply nodded to them to bid goodbye. The elderly librarian watched as Isara dragged Matt into a different section of the place than she had expected. More specifically, the Military History area. She chuckled, turning back to managing the files on her desk and wondering just how far those two were gonna get with their relationship. The boy was a Colonel of a foreign army, after all...

Randgriz Palace

Colin found himself being lead up the stairs by the daughter of the Siegfried family and one of the Royal Guard's finest officers. He was thankful for the welcome, considering a dozen other guards also came in greeting. He was also thankful none of them questioned why the second-in-command was sent instead of the Colonel, but he would assume that that question would come up the moment he met the Princess and the regent again.

Walking into the massive, blue-tinted halls that were lined with Valkyrian iconography, down the literal red carpet in the midst of the central ballroom and up the short stairwell leading to the cathedral-sized, intricately decorated throne room, the Commissar saw the Princess at a table, tending to a creature in a small cage. A bird, to be exact. The Lieutenant of the Royal Guard cleared her throat and announced to the Princess, "Your Highness, the officer of the Cadian 13th you sent for has arrived."

The woman turned, her dark-blue eyes locking onto Colin. She tried(and failed) to suppress the flush of her cheeks as she turned to greet the man. Donning a bright blue uniform, lined with decorations befitting of someone in a royal position and with her strands of silver hair running free, the Princess approached the officer. The Royal Guard officer saluted her and was saluted back in return, then dismissed.

"Greetings." Cordelia bowed her head, "Thank you for joining me."

"To you as well, Your Highness." The Commissar bowed, "And 'tis no problem. Forgive me if you were expecting the Colonel, however... He is currently a bit... Distracted." And he stifled a chuckle as his mind wandered to the Colonel's own 'date'.

The Princess smiled, then nodded "I understand. Please, walk with me."

He agreed, marching on her right as the two traversed the throne room, taking a right past the spiral motif columns that held up the western balcony. As they walked past paintings of old battles and of the old Archdukes, Cordelia began "I understand it is thanks to the actions of your and the Militia's Regiments that Vasel is currently in the hands of the Army and the Imperials' supply chain in the South was disrupted, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am. Under guidance from Colonel Telos and Captain Varrot, we made incredible headway in both battles... Add to that the more unorthodox actions of one Lieutenant Welkin Gunther, of Squad 7 and... Well..." The Commissar laughed, "We've assured victories in half the time frame we thought we'd have them. Although, by all means, we've also encountered a new threat."

"So I've heard from reports. An Army in mirror to your own regiment and carrying the same armaments." The girl spoke, sighing, "The Severan Dominate."

"Yes. We've sent reports and warnings in regards to dealing with these Traitors to your generals." Colin remarked as the two entered a dining room where a few women in maids' outfits waited. The Princess motioned to a seat next to her, which the Major graciously took. He continued, "The Guard forces are ready to respond to any imminent threat that they may prove to be. Believe me, Your Highness, if there is one thing we hate more than pretenders, it is traitors."

She smiled brightly, causing the Commissar's heart to skip a beat. Something that stopped him for a moment, so he could process it. With a sigh and a shake of his head, he watched the Princess wave the maids over to bring food, thanking them as they set the platters down between the two dining partners. The Princess then looked to Colin and said "I appreciate the help your people have brought us. Gallia's upper half still lay within the hands of the Empire and our people are suffering, but you and the young Militia of Regiment 3 have brought hope to us all. I cannot thank you enough for that."

"We only do our duty for our fellow man." Colin replied, settling himself in and trying to remember proper dinner etiquette when faced with a Royal Family member. They'd taught a lot at the Schola Progenium about interacting with loyalty. He spoke, "So the Emperor wills of us. And we are His instrument."

"Your kin's religion seems almost incredible to hear about." Remarked the Princess, "I've heard of the arrival of your Priest or Preacher and his escort of... Surprisingly enough, armed Nuns." She chuckled, "You should have seen the Cardian of the Yggdist church sweating bullets upon hearing of them." and then she saw an actual smile form on the Commissar's face. The girl added calmly, "I take it your faith would clash with Yggdism?"

"By sheer existence, yes." The man nodded, "I believe we've talked with some locals in regards to this. Darcsens telling us how, thanks to Yggdism, their lives are endangered and they're seen as more expendable, due to just their hair and eyes and clothing choices." And he stared Cordelia in her eyes. The woman flinched, averting her gaze while he spoke on, "One of the Lieutenants of our scout company is one of the most vehement in disregarding the faith and the Darcsens' self-imposed pacifism... And thankfully, it seems to be working."

"Oh?" She replied, raising a brow, "How so?"

"We've just received a complement of Darcsen volunteers from one of the villages up near the northern unoccupied area." He stated, garnering a look of surprise out of her, her eyes glimmering with hope. He hummed, "The Colonel is considering turning them into permanent auxiliaries in our Regiment, to assist when any of our major companies and battalions are out of action."

"I see. Do your men require armament, weapons, food? Are our requisition units providing enough?" She asked, "We'd like to keep our allies as fed and ready as we can."

"The stock of supplies of all types. including food, water and medical, is maintained thoroughly thanks to the Third Regiment. Captain Varrot always ensures they have extras to send our way when completing her req forms. Meanwhile, spare parts for our vehicles and equipment are being built, although... Slowly, I'll admit." He leaned forward, to start eating the food after it'd cooled down. A steak of some kind with mashed potatoes, peas and a warm coffee. Beat any officer's meal he'd had in the Guard... "We're lacking in the raw materiel department. Whatever we can salvage from vehicles and equipment, both allied and enemy, we do."

"I will see if I cannot get my Chiefs of Staff and the Minister of Resources to divert at least minor supply trains your way." The Princess replied, turning to her own food, "Extra materiel gathered from the mines in the South... Although, until we can liberate a large swathe of the Diebal Mountains and then Fouzen, our stock is limited even for us."

Colin nodded, "My thanks... You surprise me pleasantly, Your Highness."

She jumped, blushing, then asked "How so?"

"You are well-versed in the goings-on of your nation, including the situation on the Front, as far as I can tell. You will make a reliable archduchess, one that your people will be able to count on." Colin remarked, trusting his own judgement of character. The young woman had the skill and mind. She just needed the chance, but that was two years away, sadly.

"Oh..." She got flustered, fiddling with her fingers below the table and looking down, "My thanks, Commissar."

"You can call me Colin, if you prefer."

The man turned to his food, delicately eating each bite and ensuring he showed whatever bit of proper etiquette he remembered. As time passed, the girl had asked him to regale her with tales of heroes from the Imperium. Colin was keen, smiling at the suggestion. He began speaking of the great heroes, such as Lord Solar Macharius, the man who commanded the greatest Crusade the Imperium had ever seen since the Great Crusade itself, and Ciaphas Cain, the man who'd earned the title of Hero of the Imperium through his exploits of wit, luck and skill. Finally, he finished with a man he knew was still alive and fighting by his people's side:Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt. From the battle of Tanith itself, to Vervunhive, to the assault on Hagia, he spoke of the man as if he was a Saint.

Cordelia listened on, enticed by the young man's storytelling abilities. She noticed he'd spent a lot of time speaking of the First and Only. She noticed a lot of things and asked questions, finding out the young man and the Kasrkin commander both came from Tanith originally, being refugees who were taken from the place before it was burned and winding up on Cadia and being raised as their own kids, wholesomely enough... Even if it meant being trained for war. He then asked her to tell him of Gallia, of its history and people, of the Darcsen and she'd happily obliged, going into detail about everything, including their customs.

Once it rang for 6 in the evening and they'd finished the meal and their small story time, the Commissar had realized he had to leave, so Cordelia escorted him to the door of the palace. She stopped him before he exited and said "Perhaps you may visit again, Colin. We still have many things to discuss... And I would like to be kept appraised of the situation on the Front Line by someone who fights."

He nodded, "It would be my honor, Your Highness."

"I am happy to hear that." She said, "And Colin?"

"Yes?" He raised a brow.

"You may call me Cordelia, if you so wish." She smiled. He smiled back, bowed curtly, then excused himself. The moment the door shut behind her, the girl finally allowed herself to breathe, her face burning red. The chief of the Royal Guard chuckled, approaching her and watching the young girl's mind racing.

"Come, Your Highness..." She chuckled to her good friend, then quipped proudly "I'll get you some water, I can tell you're thirsty."

Cordelia screamed internally at that, glaring at the Siegfried girl. With friends like these...

Cultural District

Around the same time.

Isara and Matt left the Cinema, laughing and conversing about the movie they'd just finished watching together. A silent comedy by some fellow from Edinburgh that was very popular among the western Federation countries. The trip had been a wonderful one inside the city's Cultural District. Gallia was a very distinct country, being the literal crossroads of Empires across time.

As the two continued to talk, walking toward the vehicle they'd left parked nearby, the Colonel soon realized that Colin must've been waiting out by the steps of the castle for a while now. The two hurried along to the vehicle, loading up some bags full of some of the stuff they bought, including memorabilia and some of the books that Matt had elected for reading later today.

Six men approached them, one of them saying "Hey, kid. There's no Darkies allowed here."

Oh, great... One thing to ruin a great day. Matt turned toward the leader of the six men, one with black hair, then asked "Is there no way to solve this without someone winding up with a black eye?" as he clenched his fist. The men all chuckled, with one holding a monologue about Darcsen while Isara hid behind Matt, holding onto his shoulder. He looked to her and nodded to her, showing her to calm down, before turning toward an alleyway, to see a blonde figure standing there, a wooden bat of some kind in one hand. The figure nodded to him, a faint silhouette of a grin visible...

"Well, there's a fee..." Smirked the leader of the gang, "She has to pay it, though."

Oh, great. Those kinds of assholes. He stepped up in front of Isara, then said "You know, I meant it with the black eye, my friend..." The man laughed at the comment, before waking up with Matias's hardened fist right in his eye socket, feeling bone and a squishy substance underneath as blood started to pour out of the wounded eye. Following up, the blonde, a short girl who wore a leather jacket and a few piercings in her ears, slammed the bat into the knee of another man, following up with a direct strike over the top of the next one's head.

She winked to Matt and the girl, then said "Git! I got the fuckers!"

"You certain?" Matt asked. The girl gave him a quick nod.

"Nice punch, by the way! Now, go!" She quipped, then winked at them.

The two didn't hesitate, climbing onto the vehicle and turning it on, before they rolled on out of there at best speed. The girl, with an orange streak running through her hair, smirked and demanded out of the spooked four that remained, "Alright, boys'n'soon-to-be gals! Who's next out of you!?"

The two youngsters of the Cadian and Gallian variety, meanwhile, were thankful they got out of that mess whole. Matt looked to Isara, then said "Are you well?" to which the shaken girl nodded. She smiled warmly at him, causing the boy's face to get flushed. Sighing, the young man placed a hand on her shoulder as they drove toward the Palace. They saw Colin hanging out at the base of the stairs, wearing a relaxed smile.

They stopped, picked him up and travelled on, telling each-other of how their day went. Matt had smirked when he heard that the man and Cordelia had gotten talking, as well as the fact that she asked him to come around again. Isara chuckled too... But the good times seemed to halt when Matt had mentioned the situation with the six individuals when they were about to leave.

The Commissar, to his credit, took it calmly, though he remarked that he 'wouldn't know how her brother would react to it'. Isara noted that she'd tell him, since he's really at ease. Plus, he'd probably appreciate that the Colonel helped her. The trip to Amaranthine was short, but it still caught them with their leave day about to end. Isara dismounted, thanked Matt for a wonderful day, then left for the Barracks.

Matt remarked, "Today was eventful..."

"You can say that again, old friend..." Chuckled Colin, "But it eased us into the reality of life in this nation."

"Heh... Remember hearing of Woadia?" Matt asked, leaning back into the vehicle's leather seat, "Whatever happened to the Guardsmen from there?"

"Last I heard, still serving around the Sabbat worlds." The Commissar remarked, leaning forward and watching as the Kasr came into view, few of its lights and torches lit. The Guardsmen inside the base's outer defenses greeted them with waves and salutes. They probably belonged to Ace's company, seeing their uniforms and the patches on the sides of their helmets...

... Somewhere else, deep in the Barious Deserts, a desert storm struck a Severan Dominate Outpost. Following it, the patrol sent to check upon a sudden radio blackout found every man and woman in the camp dead, their throats slit and sand covering their corpses and their broken tents. A single dagger remained behind, stuck in the throat of the base's commanding officer.

... A dagger with a parchment piece tied around its intricate, detailed lion-shaped cross-guard.