#minister caudecus beetlestone

[skaald-of-the-hearth-fires]

@nyoka-gorefell

I'm going to take this opportunity to talk about Logan! Yeehaw!

I mained human so I kinda liked Logan. I've always been biased toward him. I didn't necessarily think he'd made the right decision, but I supported his right to make it. Like he said in the Dream-vision of him: you would have made the same choice, any of you, if the one you loved was in danger!

Basically, it was a bad spot all around. Lose-lose situation. He made the most of it. That was my view.

I'm planning a rewrite of Edge of Destiny (someday lol) to make it better + clearer what was going on with Logan + etc.

And I found something: the narrative in the book does not condemn or exalt either decision. Either decision would have been bad, no way around it.

One problem: that's not how books work.

The way the climactic decision-point works is that you make a personal sacrifice for the good, moral quality being extolled by the narrative. If the thing you sacrificed was, itself, considered good by the narrative, there would come a surprise twist that would mean the thing wasn't actually sacrificed, as a "reward" for making the selfless decision to uphold good and moral purity or whatever.

The problem with Logan's story is that neither option was presented as the 'moral, good' option. As Logan was leaving, Eir said "you have to do what is right," but beyond this, no indication is given to Logan which option is morally superior. You can? sorta? infer that of course the main conflict with the dragon is the preferred one. Rytlock and Eir's dialogue after Logan leaves also clarifies this.

But Logan himself was never presented with a clear moral dichotomy; he was merely given the trolley problem, which is bad however you slice it.

I bet Logan would have haters even if he'd stayed; Kryta would have fallen into disarray. The Ministry would have taken power. We'd have Caudecus in charge. Human/charr relations would heat up. We'd have the return of the White Mantle like snap, or else all-out anarchy. Humanity would be toast. Logan would get all the blame from the playerbase.

So in my rewrite of Edge of Destiny, I'm fixing the problem. I'm going to assign a clear moral status to each option, and make it clear where Logan stood on that moral issue when deciding. How did I pick which option was favored?

Easy. I look at the rest of ArenaNet's storytelling. Their centuries of lore and worldbuilding. The lessons of the other story arcs. Anet's message is consistently unity. Stand together. Stand strong. The races stand unified. The Orders stand unified. With unity, many impossible things [slaying an Elder Dragon] may be achieved.

So the preferred option, the morally good option according to the storytellers, was that Logan stay. Stand with his allies. Represent human/charr unity. Defeat an Elder Dragon.

And, somehow, Queen Jennah would survive, because love and protecting people is not morally bad. If Logan sacrificed the queen for the sake of the moral truth of the narrative, proving his selflessness and commitment to the ideal of the narrative, then the queen would survive to "reward" him for his virtuousness.

It doesn't seem in-character for Anet to write Jennah as a typical damsel-in-distress, hero-gets-the-girl type of story, BUT: he didn't. Logan DIDN'T choose the morally-good option.

Typical Corruption arc: hero begins with the ideal of the story (unity is good), then over time, some negative trait overtakes him. Greed, selfishness, over-protectiveness, whatever - and leads him to destroy everything he holds dear (Destiny's Edge; his broship with Rytlock; Snaff dying; Glint, hero of humanity, dying; Kralkatorrik surviving).

I think if the book had actually written Logan like this (with the base game of GW2 being his redemption arc), he would have a lot less hate. I think a lot of the hate comes from the fact that the Edge of Destiny narrative DIDN'T outright condemn Logan's actions. And even the base game is a bit vague.

Logan didn't get his comeuppance for his bad choices (beyond the queen ditching him a few years down the line, I suppose). That's where the hate comes from.

Because nuanced, flawed characters exist, and those are the best kind. I really like Logan's character. He's one of the most human characters in the game. I like that for him.

(Also, perhaps, some of the hate stems from the assumption that Logan was simping the whole time. I'd be fed up with him too, actually, if that were true. But the queen for sure returned his feelings. Logan was acting within the bounds of an established relationship.)

This has been

Character Study: Logan Thackeray (part II)

thank you for reading!

[dhuumy-thicc]

sooo that new outfit...

[ascalonianlightbringer]

This part of the story continues from "Thrown Off Guard", in which Tybalt and Gwen delayed Demmi Beetlestone's pursuers by sending her tracking charm off with a disguised Tybalt instead of the actual Demmi.

In the finale, "An Apple a Day," Tybalt and Gwen reunited with Demmi on the way to the Chantry of Secrets, the Order of Whispers's headquarters.

Tybalt announced that Minister Caudecus's chosen commander, Landon, was still following them, and asked Demmi if she was sure she wanted to do this. It feels a bit like we missed some part of this conversation? It's not like she could go back now.

In any case, Demmi said she'd never been more sure of anything in her life. In a sudden cinematic, she went on that she now realized they wouldn't stop hunting her until they'd killed her. The planned sanctuary with the Order would save her life, but she'd have to stay hidden and passive indefinitely, and she was tired of running.

Tybalt assured her that the Order would set her up with a new life, but Demmi was sure they'd find her then, too. Her father's spies extend even to the Black Citadel. (Presumably Charr spies if they blend in at all? The idea of any Charr selling out to Caudecus is pretty deeply unsettling tbh.)

Demmi added, "Anyway, what good would a new life be while the dragons destroy Tyria? I can't just sit idle while the world burns."

Well, good for her.

I haven't always liked her, and Gwen had her reservations about a sheltered noble directly connected with her family's suffering, but I think this genuinely impressed her. (She's quietly softened quite a bit towards Tybalt, too, but doesn't realize it.)

Gwen asked Demmi what she was going to do, and Demmi was actually pretty clear. She knew that she could hide in the Chantry or that the Order could obliterate her pursuers if they so chose, but she wanted to face her father's henchmen herself.

Gwen agreed that it was time for Demmi to stand up for herself (which I think actually fits with her having earlier doubts about her). She promised that she and Tybalt would back her up, though. After the cinematic, talking to Demmi revealed that Demmi was planning on joining the Order of Whispers herself. Gwen noted that Demmi had seen a lot and was glad she was taking a stand. I suspect this conversation was the first time Gwen sounded really approving, and Demmi now realized that she'd impressed her at last.

Demmi went on to say that her father taught her a lot and she would turn those lessons to the Order's benefit. Cool. Gwen asked, perhaps a little cautiously, if Demmi thought they could actually defeat Caudecus and save Queen Jennah and Kryta. At last, a standard response that works really well with a human PC from Kryta!

Demmi said that she hoped so because the queen is a good woman and humans are strong. I don't think Gwen ideologically cares a whole lot whether Jennah is a good person or not (she doesn't support monarchy as a system just because the current monarch happens to be personally decent), but pragmatically it makes a difference, and she does agree about the strength of their people. She might agree "We are" and give a slight, ambiguous smile before the (canonical) segue into whether Demmi was ready to face the commander.

Demmi said she'd start with Commander Landon and move onto freeing Kryta from Caudecus's influence. Gwen said, "Then the Order will stand beside you," which seems perfectly reasonable for her to say.

Gwen then had the chance to talk to Tybalt, and I'd forgotten how deeply heartwarming that conversation is. He said:

I think Gwen, to her own surprise, realized this was actually pretty true. There'd be a moment when she silently wrestled with her strong sense of her family's legacy—barely surviving the Charr conquest, her parents dying in the assaults on Ebonhawke, and her resulting desperate youth on the streets of Divinity's Reach—and her commitment to the Order and Tybalt's endearing personality. It shouldn't matter how nice he is personally, but it would be difficult even for her to carry on a grudge against him or fail to grasp that he was special.

(Meanwhile, me: I... I just have something in my eye.)

The canonical response, a professional "We work well together, Tybalt," does work pretty well for something she'd say as she processed her internal struggle.

Tybalt went on with an adorable

Tybalt undoubtedly knew her background from the time of the assignment, and specifically that she's a strong Ascalonian partisan with a deep grudge, so this may be part of the reason he was so nervous about asking in this scenario. Mostly it was just his own insecurity, though.

Gwen, meanwhile, felt a complicated mixture of gratification, uncertainty, guilt, practical approval, etc. She finished for him, "To work with you again?" In canon, she'd go on, "I'd love to," which is possibly moving a bit fast for her. But she would say something reasonably affirming. Maybe an emphatic "Certainly" and holding her hand out. Tybalt would clasp it with his paw while giving his canonically babbling response:

Oh, yeah? Really? That's great! Hey, wow. That's great of you. So, was there anything you needed to know?

So they slightly gruffly moved on (I think both of them are a bit LALALA I SAID NOTHING about exposing vulnerabilities, though Tybalt is actually a gentler personality than Gwen). Gwen, slightly amused despite herself, pointed at the apple barrels lined up in front and was like ... so how do they figure into the plan?

The canonical response is "I'll just wait and see," but I think Gwen is smart enough to realize "They look real, right?" implied they weren't real and something else was going on. She'd just lift a brow but say nothing, I expect.

As part of the preparations, Tybalt gave Demmi his rifle and assured her she'd be okay. Demmi nervously said she'd be ready. Tybalt just went:

I'm ... I'm just getting that speck out of my eye.

I think even Gwen had a lump in her throat at that. She's had to stand alone a lot; even when she had bandit friends, she couldn't really trust them. The idea of someone having her back only happened with Logan, that was only recently, and he's just one person. The idea that this isn't just Tybalt but what her life is going to be like now would just be "...oh. Oh." But she wouldn't say anything, just mysteriously had to clear her throat.

Commander Landon ruined the moment (asshole) by telling Demmi to surrender or die as several more Order agents materialized. He told her hiding on a remote island wouldn't work, she was under arrest, blah blah blah.

Demmi told him to tell her father she's not his little girl and she's free of both him and Landon. That seems kind of weirdly personal wrt Landon—it seems like there's something about their relationship we haven't been told, though maybe he's just so prestigious in her father's service that she was under his thumb for a long time. Or they're exes, who knows.

He added, "If you think a few apple barrels will stop me, you're going to be disappointed."

Tybalt's time to shine! He said that it was Landon who had some disappointments coming: Demmi wasn't going back with him and those weren't apple barrels.

*exploding barrels*

Heh. Good for him.

The fight ensued—Landon had guards with him and he himself is a champion, but the exploding barrels did a number on them and Gwen remained overpowered for level 40 missions. As Tybalt, Gwen, Demmi, and the agents were clobbering Landon, he said:

Hey, fuck off.

(I think Gwen actually felt the same way.)

I'm not surprised the Ministry Guard is ableist, tbh. But still, asshole move.

Tybalt rose to the occasion spectacularly:

a) For a moment, I was thinking "maybe you shouldn't have given your whole name and rank to a Ministry commander working for a corrupt schemer," but then realized it's not like Landon was going to live to tell anyone.

b) "that's Agent to you!" is presumably a reference to Gwen (since he's a Lightbringer, as he just said), though at this point, she was still an initiate. But he was clearly impressed by her and expected to keep working together, so he knew her acceptance was forthcoming and a matter of form. But it's nice that he stuck up for her, too :)

Demmi told Landon he'd never capture her alive and then they killed him off. Landon got a very dramatic "I die ... for Kryta." Sure, bro.

Afterwards, Demmi gratefully told Gwen and Tybalt that they'd both saved her and given her purpose. She was going to become a real operative and someday be as cool as them (not her phrasing, lol). She wanted to do what they do—save the world!!!

Well, they're working on it, anyway.

Tybalt kindly told her that she'd be a great agent someday, and for now, her information would help save people's lives. At this point, Gwen was probably thinking "people like Deborah." She wasn't about to tell Demmi that her father got Gwen's sister enslaved, but she's gone from somewhat holding it against Demmi to being like, okay, this girl is trying to save people like my sister, good on her.

Tybalt directed Demmi into the cave, where a different Lightbringer was waiting to take her into the Chantry of Secrets (a very cool name for espionage headquarters, btw). Maybe they'd meet again someday.

After that, Gwen told Tybalt that she owed him some apple cider. When he first mentioned it at the beginning of the arc, she was thinking "when hell freezes over," but at this point, her tone was just a bit dry but not sarcastic.

He was basically ... yep, you do, but the Preceptors want to see you.

Canonically, the PC asks who those are, but IIRC Ihan already explained this to her, and I think Gwen would remember (though it's understandable that the game would want to remind players how it works). So I think she just went "The Preceptors!" and was thinking, oh shit, what did I do wrong?

Tybalt:

He's too good for this world.

I think Gwen, to her own surprise, took comfort from him loping beside her, but didn't think about it too much as she tried to replay any occasion where she might have messed up badly enough to bring down the wrath of the Preceptors.

And I think I'll end there!

[houseaurum]

KRYTA v. AURUM v. SALIS

Date: 1, Zephyr, 1332 AE Case Status: CLOSED Full Name: Lord Morik Aurum, Lance-Corporal

CHARGES

As a member of the now former Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone’s Ministry Guards, Lance-Corporal Morik Aurum is hereby charged with the following crimes:

1.0 Crimes Against the Crown

1.1 High Treason against Her Royal Majesty Jennah, Queen of Kryta, Regent of Ascalon and descendant of King Doric.

1.2 Treason against the nation of Kryta and Her Royal Majesty Jennah, Queen of Kryta, Regent of Ascalon and descendant of King Doric.

1.4 Supporter of Terrorism against the nation of Kryta.

The following charges are pending on the outcome of the investigation into claims that Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma was a member of the White Mantle intent on committing crimes against the Crown on 39 Zephyr, 1330AE.

2.0 Major Crimes

2.2 Armed Assault on Lady Basma.

2.3 Assault on Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma.

2.4 Assault on Lady Basma a Krytan Noble.

2.8 Improper Use of Magic during attack on Lady Basma.

2.9 Murder of Lady Basma.

3.0 Minor Crimes

3.2 Disrupting Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma on duty on the day of 39 Zephyr, 1330AE .

3.3 Disturbing the Peace in Ossan Quarter, Divinity’s Reach on 39 Zephyr, 1330AE.

The following charges were added in 1331AE.

2.12 Escaping Detention

Accused, Morik Aurum, fled house arrest before trial. 

Arrest warrant ordered on Morik Aurum, Hahnna Aurum, Suhl Aurum.

3.6 Obstruction of Justice

PLEA: NOT GUILTY (in absentia)

PRESIDING

Shining Blade

Seraph

Priesthood of Kormir

EVIDENCE

Attached Seraph Dossier

Attached Shining Blade Dossier [CLASSIFIED]

Attached testimony of Baroness Hala Salis, nee Al Fallahin, former minister of Salma.

Exhibit 1: White Mantle paraphernalia owned by Lady Basma Salis

Attached documents pertaining to Lady Basma Salis’ allegiance to the White Mantle

VERDICT

1.1 NOT GUILTY

1.2 NOT GUILTY

1.4 NOT GUILTY

2.2 CHARGE DROPPED

2.3 CHARGE DROPPED

2.4 CHARGE DROPPED

2.8 CHARGE DROPPED

2.9 CHARGE DROPPED

2.12 GUILTY

3.2 NOT GUILTY

3.3 NOT GUILTY

3.6 GUILTY

SENTENCE

Morik Aurum’s title of lordship rescinded.

For evading house arrest, Morik Aurum is required to enter Seraph custody to serve a sentence of no less than two years and a day.

For obstructing justice and failing to appear at his trial, Morik Aurum is required to enter Seraph custody to serve a sentence of no less than a year and a day.

House Salis is required to pay all legal fees procured by Lord Morik Aurum legal defense.

House Salis is required to pay all damages accumulated during the altercation of Lady Basma Salis and Lord Morik Aurum.

The CROWN requests Lord Mahk II Aurum and Baron Ansaldo Salis form a mutually agreed upon accord no later than 1 Phoenix, 1332AE.

[kormirs-library]

Lord Beetlestone

Image Source: Hisui.6893 Location: Divinity’s Reach → Western Commons → The Busted Flagon Note: This painting depicts Lord Bettlestone, otherwise known as Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone the Wise, when he fought as a general in the War of Ascalon Independence.

Lord Beetlestone

[dhuumy-thicc]

i'll post more pics tomorrow (if i remember) but for now i will bless your feed with maid joko and maid caudecus... aka jocus

@diesvitae

[skaald-of-the-hearth-fires]

DoF:RefTE chapter 12 - Master of Puppets

Dreams of Freedom: Reforging the Edge

Chapter twelve: Master of Puppets | (AO3 link)

More reports trickle in over the next two days, while Logan strives to shore up his weaknesses as Seraph Captain. He asks Groban to teach him the intricate file system he’d made for Seraph records, which thrills the older man.

Logan spends those two days with a whirlwind of information spinning through his brain - how to figure out what documents he’s actually looking for; how to find it and why; reports about the Saryrn sisters; reports about the wellbeing of Shaemoor; how to store records, files, and reports based on whether they’ll be needed again and what kind they are and whether they pertain more to this or that part of the structure; or what they do, or did do, or will do; memorizing key people (North, the name of Shaemoor’s mayor, is burned into Logan’s memory), the residences and jurisdictions of various ministers, nobles, and public servants and officials; the details of the chain of command; what the duties are of the three different lieutenants in Shaemoor, which are different at different times of day…

All in one ear and out the other, except for the sparse details about the Saryrn sisters - the Heroes of Shaemoor - who have continued to be the talk of the village, including the Seraph stationed there.

Heroes are just more interesting than files and paperwork, even if those heroes are just running half-a-dozen errands for frazzled villagers trying to recover their lives, or doing chores for shaken farmers, or calming frightened children. But even bandit activity is suspiciously down in the area. While officially, Lieutenant Francis puts it down to centaurs and bandits fighting it out with each other, he winks and mouths ‘Heroes of Shaemoor’ to Logan between meetings.

Logan does not like leaving Seraph responsibilities to civilians, but Francis is scrambling to keep up with things as it is, and Logan can’t delegate any more soldiers to his command. (Francis is somehow doing his paperwork properly, though…)

Logan also has multiple conferences with Jennah - both formal and informal - giving a fuller report to the queen and discussing the battle and its implications in greater detail than when he’d first awoken.

Logan keeps coming back to the civilians in Shaemoor. He bursts out once, lying in the queen’s chambers with his head in Jennah’s lap and letting her play with his hair, “it was so stupid. I shouldn’t have let forgetting North unbalance me like that! I shouldn’t have told them all was well.”

“Logan, Logan,” Jennah murmurs. “I know how important their support and our union is to you. You made a mistake - as well all do - and you paid for it. There is no need for guilt and shame now.”

“Have I paid for it, though?”

Jennah’s hand in his hair pauses. “That’s the big question, isn’t it? Only you can tell. Can we really pay for anything in this life?” Her hand resumes its movement, twining shoulder-length hair around her fingers.

Logan doesn’t speak for a long moment. Eventually he says, slowly, “no. Not this, anyway. Not when it was life and death. Just as Snaff’s death has weighed on my conscience these five years, so these deaths must.”

Jennah tilts her head, raven hair falling around her olive complexion and framing her thoughtful frown. “And is that different from the deaths of Seraph under your command? And what of Glint?”

Logan shudders. “I can’t even think about Glint. The oracle of the Flameseeker Prophecies… dead. But was it because of me? I’m… less sure of that. She may have died regardless. I spoke to Eir about it once - Glint died in the sky, torn apart by Kralkatorrik himself. And she would have faced that battle had Destiny’s Edge never arrived. It was her fight above ours. Her death grieves me, but my duty was to protect Snaff, and I failed. So did Eir, Caithe, and Zojja, but… I wasn’t even there.”

“Again, you did so because of your love and loyalty and devotion to me,” Jennah reminds him encouragingly, and Logan sighs.

But then, she looks away, hair falling over her face, and murmurs, almost whispering, “I don’t know that you should have. The death of Kralkatorrik would have been worth the loss of - well, of many more soldiers than died that day defending me. I would even have borne the responsibility of the civilians of Ebonhawke falling if it meant an Elder Dragon were not alive to terrorize Tyria.”

Logan frowns, resisting the urge to sit up. “How can you say that? So much has happened because of that - the ceasefire with the charr, long though it took, may not have happened otherwise. And Kralkatorrik has hardly terrorized Tyria since. I mean, the charr have had quite a handful with the dragon’s minions, but I have no love lost for them - nor for Rytlock.”

Jennah smiles. “True. But with the information you had that day? I would have preferred you to choose to stay where you could do the most good. Kryta would have survived.”

Logan does sit up, now, and puts his arm around her. “Not if you had died, my queen.” For once, the title is not a term of endearment - he means it in its fullest capacity. “The Chamber of Ministers would be in charge again, with Caudecus at the helm. Last time, before you came of age, he passed that restriction that so crippled the Shaemoor battle, and this time… if you died… with no heir… no doubt he would have continued to do such things. He’d never settle for peace with the charr, and he seems to have it out for anyone with a real concern for the people of Kryta - you, myself, Anise… half the Ministers of the Chamber… ”

“You could not have known I would die! Still cannot!”

“You said you were in danger,” Logan says simply.

~oOoOo~

“Captain?” Groban is standing in front of Logan’s desk. “I’ve received the reports from the scouts.”

Logan looks up irritably from piles of parchments, trying (and failing) yet again to decipher the inane system Groban had set up.

Sometimes he just can’t stand the man. Logan impatiently gestures for him to continue.

“It seems the centaurs came through the Shire of Beetletun and Queen’s Forest.”

Logan frowns. “The Ministry Guard patrol that area… “

Groban grimaces. “I know. Our men spoke to one of their captains and he confirmed it.”

“How did the centaurs get to Beetletun? Beetletun’s nearly surrounded by mountain!”

“I don’t know, Captain. Ministry Captain Lange, uh,” Groban flips open the report, “’wasn’t very open’ and he didn’t want Seraph scouting his territory. He apologized for the oversight and promised it wouldn’t happen again.”

“Of course,” Logan mutters. “Minister Caudecus can interfere with Seraph operations all he wants, but the minute I need intel for national security, the Ministry Guard is a closed book. By Kormir!”

“Here’s the scout’s report.” Groban hands it over and then salutes and heads to his desk.

Logan had often suspected the Ministry of treachery, but there had never been any proof and Logan could never do anything about it. Even now, he seems to be grasping at straws.

Logan drags a parchment and a quill over anyway.

Zephyr 6th, 1325 Minister Caudecus, The battle in Shaemoor whose fate was nearly decided by your pedantic technicalities apparently came about by centaurs that came through your territory. Your attempt to dictate Seraph tactics has resulted in massive loss of both Seraph and civilian life. Do you have anything to say for yourself? — Captain Logan Thackeray, Commander of the Seraph

Logan stares at the letter for a long moment, and then, with a thought and a spark of magic, annihilates it, blue fire bursting over his desk. Logan leans back, placing a hand over his face.

Groban glances up at the flare of heat and light, then goes back to his work.

Logan grumbles to himself and then leaves the office, heading toward the throne room.

“Ah, Captain Thackeray,” Jennah beams. She glances around at the occupants of the throne room; various civilians, courtiers, nobles, ministers, and foreign dignitaries are conversing or waiting their turn to speak to the queen. Her greeting to Logan carries to all ears. “The victor of our latest military skirmish.”

She has to put a positive spin on it publicly, of course. It’s not like anybody here will really listen to what a villager has to say. It sickens him a little, honestly.

Logan bows, then proceeds to the throne itself. “My queen,” he greets her, staring into the depths of her eyes. He could get lost in her eyes for hours. “May I borrow your lady-in-waiting for a discreet mission?”

“But of course, Captain,” Jennah smiles.

Logan nods and casts a glance at Countess Anise, who follows quickly.

Logan walks out to the Palace Gardens. ‘Discreet mission,’ of course, means ‘picking her brain for intel.’ At least, any she’s willing to share. “Can you ensure our privacy?”

“I can, Captain.” Anise’s scepter glows purple for a brief moment. “It is done. What ails you?”

Logan continues walking, hands clasped behind his back, tracing old paths through the gardens. “We both know what happened during the Battle of Shaemoor. I need to know why.”

Anise looks at him, considering. “You mean about our beloved Legate Minister.”

“Precisely.”

“I believe we all know that Caudecus is a conniving, traitorous scoundrel, Captain. For example, it is quite clear that he was working with the centaurs, and that he was primarily aiming for your death. In that, you thwarted him quite heroically, so congratulations.”

Logan glances at her. He is a valuable target - the Seraph are a valuable support to control. He hadn’t thought Caudecus would go to such lengths just for him, though. “Agreed. He would not benefit from Divinity’s Reach being overrun. Sending reinforcements only after I’d fallen would be a good plan to remove me. But do we have any proof of his misdeeds?”

Anise sighs. “Only at the expense of much deeper plots of the Shining Blade, I’m afraid.”

“Such as what?” Logan exclaims in frustration. Divinity’s Reach had been nearly overrun! He’d almost died!

“Why, that’s classified, Captain.”

“Divinity’s Reach itself was in danger! Is still, as long as he’s at large!”

“No.” Anise stops and looks Logan square in the eye - no easy feat at her height. “You were in danger. The moment you fell, the Minister would have been only too glad to allow an overwhelming wave of force to march out against the centaur invasion. Divinity’s Reach was never at risk.” She lets that sink in for a moment before proceeding onward, Logan reluctantly keeping pace.

Logan remains silent. He grasps the implications.

Anise spells it out anyway. “Tragic as your death might be, and the losses to the Seraph, that is quite different from Divinity’s Reach itself being in danger. Certainly not worth showing my hand to Kryta’s enemies just to remove a politician who will do nothing openly, and who has as much stake in the continued existence of our kingdom as does the queen.”

It’s simply hard to wrap his mind around that. Logan had spent hours - felt like years - worrying about the safety of his men, civilians, Divinity’s Reach, Kryta, and Jennah, all in the midst of a high-energy, high-stress, high-risk environment.

To have all that invalidated is… hard… but unavoidable; Anise is right. Regardless, Logan felt what he felt; his worry, while misplaced, was no less real. And he can use it to make himself a better Seraph Captain.

Anise continues gravely; “and as valuable as you are to the queen, Captain - personally, politically, and militarily - you are not worth that risk either.” She pauses, tilts her head at him, and a slight grin flashes across her face. “Besides, as you’ve proven, you are capable of weathering any storms Caudecus tries to throw at you regardless.”

No doubt she and Jennah had been giggling about him behind his back again. Logan sighs. Sometimes there are drawbacks to being a legendary hero.

~oOoOo~ Zephyr the 6th, 1325 Minister Caudecus, As I’m sure you’re aware, a large warband of centaurs attacked the Village of Shaemoor and laid siege to the Shaemoor Garrison, nearly threatening the capitol itself. Scouts following their tracks after the battle suggest that they marched directly through lands under your jurisdiction - along a patrol route assigned to the Ministry Guard, according to Captain Lange. Lives were lost in that attack, Minister. I must respectfully ask that you either whip your Ministry Guard into shape or get them out of my way. — Captain Logan Thackeray, Commander of the Seraph

Logan sighs. Caudecus has no reason to respond to his empty demands. Logan has no leverage with the Legate Minister, and any threats he could make would be empty.

There is nothing Logan can do about the Legate Minister.

He can only focus on what he can do - be the best Seraph Captain he can be for Jennah and her people.

He’d paid visits to all the civilian families who had lost loved ones in the defense of Shaemoor. He’d also visited the homes of those who had survived the battle, expressing his most heartfelt thanks for their selfless aid.

Now there are only a few awards left to bestow.

[skaald-of-the-hearth-fires]

DoF:RefTE chapter 2 - Champion of the Queen

Dreams of Freedom: Reforging the Edge

Chapter two: Champion of the Queen | (AO3 link)

On the way out of Jennah’s throne room, Logan nearly runs into Caudecus. Sorry, the Lord Legate Minister Caudecus Beetlestone the Wise. Him. More importantly than his pompous litany of titles, he is Jennah’s biggest political opponent… and the reason Logan and Jennah can’t formalize their relationship. (Jennah is being overly cautious about him in Logan’s opinion, but he isn’t about to question her decision.) Logan gives him a polite smile. Caudecus smiles back at him surprisingly warmly before passing on towards the throne room.

Logan stops and stares at Caudecus' back, chills running down his spine. As the doors to the throne room close on the Legate Minister, Logan almost turns to go after him. But - there's a battle on. Logan doesn't have the time to supervise Caudecus while he presents whatever matter is troubling him this time. Logan hates the thought of Caudecus in the same room with the queen - especially with that disturbing smile - the man is plotting something. He won't do anything in the open, Logan is sure of that, but Logan likes to keep his own physical eyes on problems. Maybe he can post some extra Seraph in the throne room...

Concern yourself first with the centaurs at the gate, Captain, and leave me to handle our... internal affairs.

Anise has her job, and Logan has his. With an effort, Logan turns away from the queen's doors and heads back to Seraph Headquarters.

He can't spare any men from the fight in Shaemoor, especially Logan will be joining them and unable to oversee administrative matters from HQ. Nevertheless, he sends an aide to summon two Seraph - qualified and vetted by Logan himself for such tasks in the past - who can provide an extra eye in the queen's throne room until Caudecus leaves. Or, ideally, until the centaur attack is over and the danger passed entirely...

The aide salutes and dashes out the door, passing Lieutenant Groban on his way in. Logan turns to him and raises an eyebrow, inviting his report.

“Captain, none of the Seraph at Krytan Freeholds heard any word of centaur movement in the area. Their scouts had reported in not half an hour previously at shift change - the centaur camps they’re watching are still there. Captain Tervelan himself assured me no centaurs had come toward Divinity’s Reach - from the south or the east.”

Logan frowns. That's good, but he is still uneasy about the situation. He makes light of it in the presence of his men, though, relaxing his shoulders and putting some relief in his voice. “Well, that must simply mean the force at Shaemoor is quite light! Hm, possibly a diversion of some sort… Did you issue any additional instructions to Tervelan’s command?” Light force or no, the centaurs know their shift changes somehow, and the garrison is hard pressed without reinforcements. Logan will have to tread very cautiously.

“No, Captain. Do you think we should take precautions there and at other locations?”

Logan frowns for a moment, considering it - but there is not much to be helped if other attacks spring up. “No. Our garrisons and outposts are well-manned and prepared for attack. Tervelan’s command will be on their guard already, knowing we are seeing unusual centaur activity, and otherwise the attack on Shaemoor doesn’t hinder our efforts on the battlefields further out. At the request of the queen, I’m going to the garrison to coordinate the defense. You stay here and forward me any relevant reports. I was going to arrange for supplemental forces from inside Divinity’s Reach to exchange with some of the newer soldiers - I’m giving you that task. The forces at the garrison are underequipped to deal with the attack. We will also require additional forces to fully man the garrison for all shifts plus some standby. Also, the centaurs have displayed a knowledge of our shift changes. There may be an information leak, so be aware of that." Logan would mention Caudecus, but all he has is an odd smile and an uneasy feeling - plus, the minister has a history of unproven allegations, suspicions, and rumors that universally slide off Caudecus and his reputation like water off snake scales, and Logan doesn't want to wade into politics with his men right now.

“I’ll handle it, Captain.” Groban salutes.

“Good.” This is the real reason the man never gets field experience anymore… he loves paperwork. And I prefer the field work.

Logan turns and heads out the door of Seraph Headquarters - small in comparison to the doors to the throne room right next to it - with a view of the elegant Palace Gardens occupying the center of the city of Divinity’s Reach, slowly lightning up as dusk sinks into night and the city's magical lights come out. Logan glances toward the throne room; Caudecus is likely still in there, too. If Jennah's hurt... but no. Jennah is depending on him to protect her city, to prevent the centaurs from even coming close. The whole kingdom of Kryta depends on it. Jennah depends on it.

Fresh determination rises within him, and Logan strides with purpose toward the edge of the Palace Gardens, where a waypoint - an iron-wrought sigil with a blue glow floating high above the ground - glitters in the city’s magical lights.

Standing beneath it, Logan calls to mind the image of the waypoint in Shaemoor, at the intersection of the village’s main roads. Magical blue dust - the same hue as the waypoint’s glow - fills his vision, and when it fades, he is standing at the crossroads in Shaemoor. To the north, up the road, he can see the massive gates of the city - good, physical distance between here and Jennah. Westward, on Logan's left, lie the Shaemoor Fields, rich farmland upon which Divinity’s Reach depends; and, to the east, the road to Shaemoor Garrison.

The Shaemoor Inn stands right across the town square, and a Seraph sergeant standing in the doorway turns to him and salutes, fist to chest. “Captain Thackeray!”

"Name and rank, soldier."

"Sergeant Walters, sir! I report to Lieutenant Francis."

Logan nods. “At ease, Sergeant. Report on Seraph numbers and disposition.”

“I’ve set up a perimeter around the village, Captain - mostly with the recent graduates of the Academy. The more seasoned Seraph are at the garrison.”

Logan nods. “Good. Where is Lieutenant Francis?”

“At the garrison, sir," Sergeant Walters answers promptly. "He left me in charge here at the village."

Just then, another man - a middle-aged civilian - comes out of the inn. “Captain Thackeray! Are we in danger?”

The sergeant sighs. “I’ve told you, Mr North - “

Logan holds up a hand to silence the soldier. The civilian needs to hear it from the living legend himself, Logan Thackeray of Destiny's Edge. His fame might have gone sour in the last few years since he became Seraph Captain, but already a crowd had started gathering.

“Sir,” North says, straightening and meeting Logan’s eye with only a trace of trepidation, “are my people in danger?”

“Your people?” Logan asks, a sinking in his stomach.

“I am the Mayor of Shaemoor, Captain,” North says, almost snapping, eyes darting to the gathered people.

“My apologies, Mr North.” Logan feels slightly sick. Shaemoor is inside his jurisdiction, he should have known who North is. He should have asked his aide about that when gathering his information on the region. What a way to gain the confidence of the people, not knowing who their mayor is... he needs the confidence of the people. Without that, there's no hope of he and Jennah formalizing their relationship... and he'd just insulted their entire village.

North glances back toward his people, clearly worried that if he doesn't have the respect of the Logan Thackeray, he'd just lost the respect of his people - but Logan knows better. The people will back their own, local, elected mayor above a national, distant hero they'd never met and to whom they can - and often do - attribute any incompetencies, failings, or insufficiencies of the Seraph, from poor legal resources to inadequate peacekeeping... He hurriedly moves on to consider North's initial question about danger.

Safety procedures, of course, dictate the village should go on lockdown. Curfew, rather, this late in the evening. Logan eyes the inn the mayor had come out of. It's sturdier than other buildings; has a good vantage point on the road the garrison and second-story windows to shoot from if necessary. The inn could probably hold most of the village for a night; in fact that'd be safest. Not to mention the people would all be in one place to evacuate to the city if things get out of hand.

But Logan feels the stares of the civilians on his back - civilians who would be out of home and possessions if 'things get out of hand' - and North is still radiating a bit of self-righteous indignation. Logan needs the support of the people. He stiffens in determination. The only way to solve this disaster is through helping them with their disaster. Luckily enough, fighting centaurs is something Logan excels at. “You and your people may be assured there are no concerns at present, Mr North. The centaurs are few and far from any other effort on their side of the war; this is probably a foolish attempt by one of their officers to do something great for recognition among their own people." Logan glances around and sees relief on their faces - they're buying it. They trust him, despite the offense. "The queen has commanded me to personally see to this battle - be assured it will be handled safely and quickly. You have no need to worry - I'll be sure to keep the centaurs out of Shaemoor.” Logan pauses, then adds to North, “if you do feel unsafe, feel free to tell your people to stay indoors; leave the fighting to the Seraph.”

The crowd raises a light cheer, and North's stance relaxes immediately. "Thank you, Captai," the mayor says, looking greatly relieved. No doubt he also appreciates the delegated authority; Logan had done that on purpose to assuage the sting of Logan's earlier disrespect.

Just to reinforce it, though, Logan falls into the performance of a high-ranking, competent, and qualified military officer, and makes a solid salute, fist thumping his chest, to North. "I have to be getting to the garrison, Mayor North. I'll see to the defense of your village."

Sergeant Walters gives him a funny look - that is not the proper context for a military-grade salute - but it underscores Logan's point to the civilians quite effectively.

Logan knows quite well how to perform for an audience - he is now perceived as a public servant of the people, and a nationally recognized and therefore competent one, too. Logan even turns square to Sergeant Walters and gives her a salute. "Keep an eye on our civilians, Sergeant." There, a possessive thrown in. They love that. If the women in this village hadn't been swooning for the dashingly handsome captain of the queen's court already, they will now, tormented by the knowledge that he is good and taken. Then, he spins on his heel and marches with perfect form through the square. The civilians scatter, staring, whispering among themselves. Logan catches admiring tones, giggles, a mention of Champion of the Queen, and even a reference to Destiny's Edge.

That last puts a bit of a damper on Logan's otherwise cheerful mood, but he ignores the whispers with military focus and marches down the road toward the garrison, a watermelon patch to his right, and doesn't relax until he is too far from the square to be made out distinctly. Then he drops the rigid march and huries along at a quicker pace toward the battle, albeit with a smile on his face.

Shaemoor is a village that won't forget Logan Thackeray any time soon, or his heroics; Logan wishes he could make such an impression on every village in Kryta. With the support of the people, he and Jennah could conceivable defy tradition - and Caudecus, and all the nobles and ministers - and formalize their relationship.

However, despite Logan's battle prowess, his poor skill at managing the civil side of the Seraph's duties - peacekeeping, judiciary, prison management and maintenance, non-criminal affairs, finances and taxes, paperwork - often earns him distrust and resentment, especially when clearly demonstrated as he just had with North - and Logan had worried. A captain without the support and trust of the people - regardless of his actual accomplishments - would find himself working against the people rather than with them, and such a captain would, if he didn't lose his job, have to be banished to the front lines of the war and replaced. (Groban probably has North's name and office memorized.) Logan would probably be happier on the front lines, doing the parts of the job he enjoys and is unanimously acclaimed for his prowess at, but that would mean being away from Jennah for many weeks at a time.

And, while uncustomary, it is still within reason - just barely - for Jennah to marry her left hand and top Seraph Captain; less conceivable a mere high-ranking officer, away past Guardian's Pass. Logan is merely a commoner in Kryta, and that's all there is to it. If Ascalon were still a human nation, where the Thackeray name carried its full weight, then their marriage could be spun as a political union - but, alas, it is not so. As Logan is a hero in his own right, such considerations could be waived - if not for the opposition of Caudecus and the people in the name of tradition - but the more Logan looks like an incompetent Seraph Captain, on top of the hierarchy chain and more bureaucrat than soldier, the less friendly the people would be to a match so far outside custom.

But clearly, Logan had been worrying too much - something he tends to do when it comes to Jennah - if the reception in Shaemoor is anything to go by. Clearly his military prowess is enough to offset the civil damages done by his otherwise lackluster performance of his domestic duties. The people took his word for everything and went joyously about their evening, certain that the legendary Logan Thackeray of Destiny's Edge would handle everything. It was a little risky, telling them to go about life as usual, but Logan is sure he can handle the centaurs, given his personal presence on the upcoming battlefield. His military renown isn't for nothing, after all, and it is on his accomplishments with Destiny's Edge that he'd attained his position, and those skills on which he keeps it.

Logan has passed the watermelon patch, and now the road runs along the top of a high embankment, the Altar Brook (more of a river at this point) running far below. Ahead, the island in the middle of the river - connected to both banks by bridges and the only way into Shaemoor and Divinity's Reach - is home to Shaemoor Garrison, currently under attack by centaurs.

Logan enters Shaemoor Garrison to the organized chaos of the back lines of a battle; aides rushing back and forth, officers shouting, armor clanging, and men on the walls showering insults and arrowheads at their opponents on the other side. Logan breathes deeply, forgetting his worries. This is his element. This is his place. These are his people, and this is his war. This is where he shines.

“Lieutenant Francis!” Logan calls. Heads turn at the sound of his voice, and the activity moves, if possible, a little faster.

Logan fights for Queen Jennah of Kryta; for her safety, for her country, and for her love.

[skaald-of-the-hearth-fires]

DoF:RefTE chapter six - Reinforcements

Dreams of Freedom: Reforging the Edge

Chapter six: Reinforcements | (AO3 link)

A centaur falls to the rain-soaked ground, and Logan moves to the next. This centaur holds its blade defensively and blocks Logan’s first blow. They stand, swords locked, staring at each other for a moment through the rain. Logan’s magic had been slowly regenerating, but he’d been fighting without it for a while and he is exhausted. He can’t spare much energy at this point. He isn’t a warrior - his adrenal glands can’t take too much magical overstimulation. Stop thinking negatively.

Logan spins and ducks to the left, under the centaur’s sword. He dodges away from the centaur to bring his own sword free. The centaur turns to face him.

Another Seraph soldier flanks from the right and sinks a blade into the centaur’s side. He pauses, breathing heavily.

Logan capitalizes on the centaur’s distraction. He leaps forward, thrusting his sword into the centaur’s chest. It falls.

The soldier gives him a weary salute and lifts his eyes reluctantly to the next foe. Logan turns with him to face the next threat together.

But another centaur comes from the right. The Seraph soldier turns too slow and takes a heavy blow to his sword-arm. Logan jumps in front of him and catches the centaur’s next swing on his own sword and twists it out of the enemy’s grip. He sinks his blade into the centaur’s chest.

His men are exhausted. Logan had trained extensively in energy manipulation, but his men don’t all have the same luxury.

Already another centaur is approaching the man. Logan can tell that the soldier doesn’t have it in him to keep going, even if he’d had a functional sword-arm. “Get to the back and find a healer!” Logan tells him, pushing past to engage the centaur.

Logan should be able to heal him. That is one of his men, a loyal soldier and a brave one, on the front lines in this battle. But he has to save his magic, and the man isn’t dying yet. Cradling his arm, the soldier sprints back toward the northern gate, where the healers work as far from the battle as possible.

That’s another soldier out of commission. Logan fights on. A thudding boom comes from behind them. The northern gate had closed.

“Captain,” Lieutenant Francis calls, and Logan gladly disengages with the fight to hear his report. It's a risky business, stopping to rest, but a necessary one. Logan heads over to him.

“Lieutenant Hines arrived with a few extra men from HQ - she’s taken over the fight at the north gate. Centaurs from Shaemoor won’t be able to slip past her group with the gate closed - she wants you to know you can focus on the south gate.”

Logan appreciates it; he does need the space. Good woman, Logan thinks. What Francis had left unspoken hovers in the air between them. The gates of the garrison don’t open from the outside - Hines and her men are stuck outside unless someone inside opens them. “We all fight for Kryta,” Logan says solemnly.

Francis straightens and thumps his fist to his chest in a salute. Logan returns it. The two of them stay at attention for a long moment in honor of those Seraph who risk their lives.

Logan sighs. “Did Hines bring any update from the office?”

“Just that Lieutenant Groban is having difficulty gathering Seraph from the city to send to our aid. Not many are out at this time of night, and there’s red tape - regulations the Ministry pushed through ages ago about off-duty public servants and not making people work overtime. Flimsy excuse, of course, but Minister Beetlestone is insisting that troops need to be kept in the city in case you, ah, fail. For the protection of the queen."

Logan stares. "By all Six Gods! Balthazar curse him! Dwayna have sweet mercy! Grenth by just to his soul when I get done with him! What!"

Francis coughs. "Groban has apparently been going head-to-head with Minister Beetlestone himself for the last hour.”

“Good for him,” Logan growls. Truth be told, Logan would probably have punched Caudecus Beetlestone right in the face after five minutes. I hope he’s finally left behind something incriminating after all this. He turns back towards the centaurs, anger burning in his veins. Civilians are dying. Lieutenant Hines is leading a suicide mission, or as good as. His men are dying. And Caudecus is standing there, an oily smile on his face, spreading his hands innocently and claiming to have the best interests of Kryta at heart while poisoning her from the inside. “I have to punch some centaurs,” Logan announces to Francis.

Francis nods and draws his sword. “As do I.”

The night drags on. The rain pours down. Logan is exhausted. Even his training hadn’t taught him how to make do when he has no energy. His men are worse off. He takes injuries. His swordsmanship suffers. He continues holding his sword up against the centaurs simply because he must, because there is no other option. Because if he leaves, the garrison falls, and if the garrison falls, Divinity’s Reach comes under a siege that can only end one way.

And yet, despite Hines’ huge risk to protect the garrison’s northern flank, and despite the home advantage, and all the desperation and ferocity of being backed into a corner, the Seraph are losing. The centaurs keep pressing them back across the courtyard of the garrison as the rain continues to come down in torrents. Logan has no energy to spare for casting spells. Even so there are injured and dying. More fall each moment. The medics can’t keep up with the healing - they are as exhausted as Logan himself is. Even the ones that don’t need physical energy to cast spells are flagging.

Logan ducks a battleaxe. He counters with a swordstroke. Weariness rests in his bones. I wish I could’ve done right by the civilians all along… they've been suffering from lawlessness and banditry just because I gave up on managing the civil side of the Seraph’s duties… now I’ll never…

Logan narrowly avoids the sharp side of a centaur’s blade. This may have been his last day. He is not done yet, by a long shot, but the centaurs show no sign of letting up any time soon. It’s only a matter of time.

Logan rejects that idea. I cannot fall. Not here, not now! I am needed - there are soldiers and civilians both depending on me. I am the Champion of the Queen. I did not fight her foes on distant battlefields only to fail when they are at her doorstep! I will defend Jennah.

Another heavy breath, another close call.

…I won’t let all the sacrifices be in vain. Snaff, Glint… Destiny’s Edge.

But Logan struggles to lift his sword. He struggles to breath. He is at his limit. Nothing can overcome the simple fact that he is long past exhausted. His magic pool isn’t much use if he has no energy to turn into heat or light or healing. Nevertheless, the renewed determination holds Logan in place. He won’t give in to despair. He won’t fall. He will keep fighting and he will overcome. He has to.

And then there is a moment when there are no centaurs; Logan meets Francis’ gaze across the battlefield with only the glimmerings of understanding in his eyes. The bridge rumbles from hoofbeats. The centaurs charge across the courtyard. Logan is back to fighting his tired body to lift his sword against the enemy threatening Kryta… Divinity’s Reach… Jennah… the queen of his heart.

The momentary break had allowed the Seraph to advance a few feet. For Jennah, he whispers to himself as the battle commences. His muscles screaming in agony as he forces them into motion again. For Jennah, as the pain dulls to nothing in the overwhelm of the clash and combat of battle. For Jennah, as he shouts empty words of encouragement. Centaurs fall. Tired Seraph fall. Logan’s body feels big and bulky and moves sluggishly.

A centaur looms over him, sword rising high.

Logan tries to lift his own sword to block. His arms refuse to move. Logan looks dully up at the blade arcing down at him, and wonders if this is it, if he had failed, and he will be struck down in a moment and Kryta will finally succumb, if he had failed Jennah, failed Snaff, failed everyone…

And then he moves with a jerk and blocks the blade. The shock jolts through him. He slashes at the centaur and it falls with a yell. Logan fights and destroys the foes that threaten his everything - his country, his people, his queen, and now his own life.

He tries to block a blade and fails. The weight of a centaur sword crashes down on his pauldrons. A jolt lances down his arm, leaving it tingly and numb. He manages to duck the next swing. He blocks the one after that. The centaur rears back and kicks him. Logan crashes to the ground, head spinning, a sharp pain in his chest. Above him, two centaurs raise two blades high. Then there is one centaur, one blade. Two again.

Logan shakes his head. The world spins. He tries to crawl backward. The sword arcs downward. A Seraph soldier leaps over him and crashes into the centaur, flailing with two axes.

Logan slowly, painstakingly, hauls himself to his feet. He picks up his sword where it had fallen. His savior had beaten the centaur and its body lies with those of its brethren.

“Alright, Captain?”

“Good work, soldier.”

Logan steps forward to the battle again.

Logan’s late brother had once said he fought like a charr - which mean he was a brutish, dirty fighter, concerned more with practicality and ruthless victory than etiquette. But Logan had taken it as a compliment; his best friend Rytlock had been a charr. Charr are skilled, ruthless, and graceful even in the face of death. And nobody can say they don’t get results.

But here in the garrison, long past midnight, tired and soaked to the bone, Logan could not be said to fight like a charr; here he fights like an animal cornered, desperate and fearful.

Logan is half-aware as he stumbles through the forms of battle. He earns himself many cuts, scrapes, and injuries. Blood trickles down his face. The pain in his chest had not gone away. One pauldron is missing and the other dented. Smaller cuts and scrapes had healed quickly due to his natural affinity for protection and healing magic, but the larger injuries remain.

There is another break in the onrush of centaurs, Logan can’t appreciate it - he barely registers Lieutenant Francis shouting. The lieutenant is ordering the northern gates open. If there are any men left on the other side, they are needed. It takes a moment for Logan to register that this won’t help. It will only expose them to centaurs from the village.

But there is an exclamation. A weak cheer rises from the men on either side of him. Logan brightens. Sergeant Walters must have sent reinforcements. The extra men will help tide them over until Groban can send real aid. Logan forces firmness and confidence into his voice, although it feels like a voice not his own. “For Queen and Kryta!”

But it isn’t Seraph soldiers who join the fight. A double handful of villagers from Shaemoor, wielding all manner of old, rusty weapons - or items not designed for combat at all - rush into the garrison. The cheer dies. Logan’s heart plummets. These are reinforcements? Untrained? Civilians? Despair creeps over him. Exhaustion settles into his bones. He finds he cannot find the will to lift his sword. There’s no hope.

Nonsense. Logan can do this - he CAN because he MUST - because Snaff had died so Logan could protect Jennah once. Logan can’t let her down now. If he fails here, Snaff’s sacrifice was in vain. Logan would have achieved nothing for it. Rytlock would have been right to condemn him a faithless coward. Logan would have the blood of not just Snaff on his hands, but also of Jennah and all of Kryta. He cannot fail here. The civilians have come, and the civilians will fight. Logan cannot lay down the sword while anyone still fights, much less do so and let civilians do his work for him.

Yet the shame of turning to civilians for help - civilians whom Logan should have been protecting - is still present, if overwhelmed by sheer exhaustion and desperation. The garrison is in no position for Logan to turn away willing aid. All are standing against the destruction of Kryta. Logan turns and trudges toward the civilians, sheathing his sword tiredly. He is met by a young woman - dressed for combat in leather armor, with a quiver and longbow slung over her back. A big brown bear paces by her side. Well, a ranger and her companion might have more than just passing skill…

Word must be spreading. Maybe Groban had found a loophole. But she is no Seraph. “Civilian, can you and the others fight?” The question sickens him. Civilians dying at enemy hands is one thing, even if I did leave them unprotected… having them actively participating in battle… But he has no choice.

“Some of us can, but not all,” she replies. “Some of them have healing and reinforcement magic, but other than that only my sister, my companion, and I have been in a serious fight.” It goes unsaid that all will fight and do their best regardless.

Logan nods - that is about what he’d expected. This pair and the sister might be quite capable fighters, but three is a far cry from ‘reinforcements.’ Logan wishes he had more - even of civilians. He suppresses a sigh - it’ll have to do. “We have many injured. Send those healers to the back of the garrison - we have several medics there already who could use a hand. Tend first to those who have been there longest - they’ll be most rested.”

The ranger glances at her companion. “I have no healing magic myself, sir. Beorn - my companion - does, but that’s specifically a companion thing.”

Logan blinks. Most rangers have quite good healing and support magic. “No matter, I want you on the battlefield anyway.”

She nods. Logan wonders what he did to obtain such trust and loyalty from his civilians. Certainly it wasn’t by good civil management, he thinks ruefully, and not without a touch of regret. He is seeing more and more that it was unacceptable for him to leave the civil, domestic side of Seraph affairs to rot while he gloried in his battles and victories. He'd tried to sit through Groban's lectures on legal codes and penal and appellate systems and non-criminal disputes... he really had. But he'd had a duty and a responsibility to set up a system that would work instead of just abandoning it, and he'd abdicated responsibility because he was lazy, and good enough in other areas to get away with it.

He blinks, scans the battlefield again, and sighs. “You and those who are willing to fight - speak to Lieutenant Francis about equipment - armor and weapons. Once you join the battle, focus on reinforcing the center - it’ll be hit hardest once the next wave of centaurs comes.” Logan grimaces, guilt squeezing his chest. “I’m sorry to put you in the thick of the fighting like that, but my men are about to collapse. Get in there and do your best. Today you defend Kryta and her queen.”

The civilian comes to attention and salutes, one hand behind her back, but instead of thumping her chest with her fist, she brings her index and middle fingers to her temple. “Yes sir!”

That is… disorienting and rather odd, but she spins on her heel and marches back to the group of civilians, shouting instructions at them. Logan catches Francis’ eye across the courtyard and nods toward the civilians, then rejoins the line.

The next wave of centaurs arrives. The ranger and another woman join the ranks, helping a little to fill in the gaps in the line where Seraph had been injured. The line falters at the centaur onslaught, wavers, steps back. Other civilians join the line over the next few minutes. Miraculously, the line holds. Barely. Not for long. The unskilled civilians fall quickly, doing nothing so much as providing a distraction for the centaurs and an opportunity for Seraph soldiers to finish the centaurs off. His stomach churning, Logan focuses on his own fight and tries to block out the civilian screaming. He had failed again. Those are his people - people he had sworn to protect. He had betrayed every oath of protection of the people he had taken when he joined the Seraph - all in one night.

But there is nothing he can do. His oath to protect the queen and her kingdom is set over them all.

[ascalonianlightbringer]

Last time in the Order of Whispers story line, Gwen and Tybalt questioned the villagers about the disappearance of Demmi Beetlestone, daughter of the same Minister Caudecus whose actions got Gwen's sister sold into slavery for around a year.

With some allowances for Gwen's personality along the way, our intrepid duo discovered that Demmi had reached the village but vanished just before a bunch of Ministry Guards arrived. Gwen snuck into the Ministry commander's room while Tybalt spooked dolyaks, and found a letter from pirates, demanding a ransom for Demmi. Gwen and Tybalt promptly decided to embark on a tricky stealth/rescue mission to get Demmi (and her information on her father) back.

This time, they went downstairs and Gwen calmed down the innkeeper by smoothly lying about the dolyak distraction (the charm option). Very her!

Next up in the story line: the rescue mission, in which Gwen and Tybalt went undercover as pirates.

Somewhat predictably, Gwen's pirate outfit looked less like the cool coats that most in-game pirates wear than some Halloween sexy pirate costume:

Tybalt admired Gwen's outfit (...) and then went over the plan—Gwen would distract the pirates while Tybalt searched the camp. She was surprised and rather indignant about being the distraction. Tybalt insisted that she'd be great at misleading pirates and, once again, told her to trust him.

Gwen's (canonical!) response: "You worry me, Tybalt..." True enough, and she might be unbending just enough to actually say so. But Gwen actually is pretty suited to misleading people, so it's not like he was wrong.

Tybalt went up to the pirates and in the most pirate-y pirate talk imaginable, challenged them to a drinking competition with Gwen. She was basically "wtf?" and, again, he told her to trust him. He was perfectly pleasant about it, but he repeats it so often that I feel like it's got to be a hang-up of his, especially considering my dim memory of [redacted]. He's trusted enough to be a Lightbringer, but maybe part of him can't really accept it or something.

Anyway! Tybalt's pseudonym was Two-Tibs A'whisker (lmao) and Gwen's was long but shortened to Blackjack. Tybalt challenged the pirates' second mate to a drinking contest at the wager of two gold. The second mate was actually pretty enthusiastic.

I won't get too into the actual mechanics of the drinking competition, which are a bit involved. But Gwen went up against the pirates' "favorite cheap date", One-Drink Drake, who morosely said "I hate you guys." She easily beat him. Then she beat Kiplr the Tippler. Lastly, she (suitably enough!) went up against a Charr, Grana Guzzlemaw. Grana was actually a decent challenge, and when Gwen won, she mumbled "wise one ... teach me ... your ways."

Gwen: .........

The pirates conceded victory to Gwen, and Tybalt showed up in time to demand their winnings from Second Mate Khebril. He (Khebril) left to fetch the gold, and Tybalt quickly caught Gwen up on his search—Demmi was under heavy guard across the water.

Gwen dryly replied, "So there was a plan after all—beyond getting me sloshed, I mean." It actually fits their early-stage dynamic pretty well.

Tybalt:

Yeah, he's definitely fixated on that.

Tybalt and Gwen snuck across the water (presumably after collecting their gold) and tried to talk their way past the guards, but Tybalt's pirate talk failed him and they immediately realized Tybalt and Gwen were intruders. The fight wasn't difficult, though, and from inside, Demmi exclaimed that she'd help if she could get a sword.

After the battle, Demmi went, "Aren't you a little sober to be a pirate?"

That's got to be a Star Wars shout-out, yeah? In any case, Gwen coming off as sober after drinking three pirates under the table affirms my belief that she'd have an iron stomach. Gwen told her that they were there from the Order of Whispers to get her out, Demmi admitted that she'd started to wonder if the order forgot her, and asked about the plan.

Gwen: "Sort of. The idea starts with "run for it" and generally goes downhill from there."

Ha!

So the three of them ran off, fighting pirates along the way, and in the meanwhile, Demmi said, "Some rescue. No wonder you're called the Order of Whispers—nobody would brag about this."

Yeah, definitely a SW reference. Also, don't talk to Tybalt like that >:(

Tybalt: "Watch it, princess."

Good for him.

(Even Gwen might feel reasonably sympathetic there, given her baseline distaste for aristocratic arrogance. She's setting aside a lot of personal feelings to prove herself here.)

After fighting all the pirates, Tybalt said he'd escort Demmi the rest of the way, and Gwen set out to rendezvous with them in Lion's Arch.

[dhuumy-thicc]

1, 5, 9, 13 for Guild Wars 2 fandom

1. which character do you relate to the most from your fandom?

this one is tough. i’d like to say mindset wise maybe ankka which is really strange to hear i’m sure but when you break down her character she can be easy to relate to hahaha

5. who is your favorite character (and maybe why?)

aww man i have so many!! but probably joon, i really like how they wrote her, she’s an absolute girlboss but also a genuinely good person! also shes hot.

9. what is your favorite fanfic for this fandom?

ok i have read too many to pick out specific ones but i really like @brax-was-here ‘s works, (although i’m behind on them :p) and i’m also a fan of all the crack ship fics that my friends make!! ( @solvevi ‘s minister li x caudecus beetlestone is an ever so great example)

13. If you could be in the universe of the characters what would you do first?

i’m not creative enough for this question tbh, but honestly i think the first thing i would do is wonder how the hell i ended up in tyria lol

thanks for the ask!!

[houseaurum]

Seraph File: Kryta v. Lord Morik Aurum

DOSSIER OF LORD MORIK OF THE AURUMS OF KRYTA

Lord Morik Aurum is the third child born to Lord Suhl and Lady Hahnna of House Aurum. Lord Suhl works for the Ministry as a government official in forecasting the agricultural needs of Divinity’s Reach and the surrounding area. The Aurums were staunch and open supporters of former Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone’s polices. Since the confirmation that Caudecus is a Confessor of the White Mantle they have remained silent on the matter.  

There are only two other noteworthy family members to add to this file: Ms. Manizeh Aurumstan and Lord Hawan Aurum, I.

Ms. Aurumstan, the eldest daughter of Lord Suhl and Lady Hahnna, has been publicly disowned by the household as of 1 Zephyr, 1330AE citing family issues. She currently resides in Lion’s Arch. 

Attached newspaper clipping

Lord Hawan I was younger brother to Lord Suhl and Morik’s uncle. Lord Hawan was a Ministry Guardsman who was publicly declared K.I.A. in 1324AE.

At the time of arrest, Lord Morik was a Lance-Corporal in the Ministry Guard. He has no arrest file before the events of 39 Zephyr, 1330AE nor any blemishes on his Ministry Guard record.

TIMELINE OF NOTABLE EVENTS

1328AE

Morik Aurum transferred from the Queen’s Seraph to the Ministry Guard under the rank of Private.

1329AE

Morik Aurum was promoted from Private to Lance-Corporal by his superiors.

1330AE

39 Zephyr

Lance-Corporal Morik Aurum killed fellow Guardsman Lady Basma of House Salis while on patrol of Ossan Quarter, Divinity’s Reach. Lance-Corporal Aurum claims the murder was in self-defence and that Lady Basma was a White Mantle supporter on her way to join her fellow conspirators attacking the Palace and Upper City.

Attached witness report

40 Zephyr

Lance-Corporal Aurum began his term of house arrest to be administered by the Seraph.

79 Zephyr

In accordance with his legal rights as a Krytan nobleman, Lance-Corporal Aurum was granted permission to travel under Seraph escort, and accompanied by his mother Lady Hahnna Aurum, to the law offices of Lord Elessar Volundir in Salma District, Divinity’s Reach.

CHARGES

As a member of the now former Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone’s Ministry Guards, Lance-Corporal Morik Aurum is hereby charged with the following crimes:

1.0 Crimes Against the Crown

1.1 High Treason against Her Royal Majesty Jennah, Queen of Kryta, Regent of Ascalon and descendant of King Doric.

1.2 Treason against the nation of Kryta and Her Royal Majesty Jennah, Queen of Kryta, Regent of Ascalon and descendant of King Doric.

1.4 Supporter of Terrorism against the nation of Kryta.

Any further charges regarding the death of Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma Salis are pending on the outcome of the Shining Blade investigation into claims that Lady Basma was a member of the White Mantle.

[houseaurum]

An Open Letter to the People of Kryta

People of Kryta, it is I, your faithful servant, Lord Minister Caudecus Beetlestone. I know the queen has said terrible, nasty things about me, and I must assure you; I am here to return Krtya to its former glory! It is true, I am the supreme leader of the White Mantle. What is not true are the lies and slander the royal family and their lackeys have spread about our noble organization. I intend to set the records straight!

Generations ago, it was the White Mantle who protected Kryta from the charr. Your queen wishes to sell you out to them! Is that the sort of leadership you want? Someone whose weak policies on the charr have opened our streets to their kind? Think of your families! Join me, join the White Mantle, and together we will close the borders to those beasts, and all other nonhumans! We will make Kryta strong; we will make humanity strong! We shall return to the glory days, when man, not beast, not floppy-eared pseudointellectuals or plant beasts or brainless giants, ruled Tyria!

My brothers and sisters from Ascalon, you know my history. I fought with you against the charr! I bled with you, I wept with you as the once-great country was consumed by the ravenous beasts. And this is not the first time the White Mantle aided Ascalon in their fight with the charr. Generations ago, Zain the Merciful brought food and clothing for your countrymen. What did the Shining Blade send? Assassins, who your king had hanged from Ascalon City! Join me, and the White Mantle will reclaim your home from the charr, and we shall form a grand human empire the likes of which has never been seen before!

My fellow humans, do you remember the tales of the Titans? The false gods of the charr, who ravaged Tyria centuries ago? What the Shining Blade refused to tell you is that it was we, the White Mantle, who kept the beasts at bay, and it was the agents of the Shining Blade who released them! The refugees from Ascalon, still weakened and tired from their trek across the Shiverpeaks but beginning to enjoy life under the wise and just leadership of the White Mantle, nearly burned due to the Shining Blade's psychotic decision to open the Door of Komalie! The history you know is false! Join me, and I will protect you from all those who would harm you!

See how the Shining Blade hunts down all who question their false queen? See how they hold you with no trial, with no shred of justice? While I was legate minister, Kryta was a land of laws! It saddens me greatly to watch the tyranny of Queen Jennah from afar! It is clear I have no choice but to liberate Kryta from the royal bloodline who fails Kryta from one generation to the next! Fear not, Kryta, for your day of salvation is imminent! Blood will be shed, and for that, I weep. But we shall return Kryta to the honorable, just, and lawful rule of the White Mantle, with me as your supreme leader! Soon, your suffering will end, and together we will return Kryta, nay, all of Tyria to the glory days!

[houseaurum]

DOSSIER OF LORD MORIK OF THE AURUMS OF KRYTA

Lord Morik Aurum is the third child born to Lord Suhl and Lady Hahnna of House Aurum. Lord Suhl works for the Ministry as a government official in forecasting the agricultural needs of Divinity’s Reach and the surrounding area. The Aurums were staunch and open supporters of former Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone’s polices. Since the confirmation that Caudecus is a Confessor of the White Mantle they have remained silent on the matter. 

There are only two other noteworthy family members to add to this file: Ms. Manizeh Aurumstan and Lord Hawan Aurum, I.

Ms. Aurumstan, the eldest daughter of Lord Suhl and Lady Hahnna, has been publicly disowned by the household as of 1 Zephyr, 1330AE citing family issues. She currently resides in Lion’s Arch. 

Attached newspaper clipping

Lord Hawan I was younger brother to Lord Suhl and Morik’s uncle. Lord Hawan was a Ministry Guardsman who was publicly declared K.I.A. However, the true record shows Lord Hawan I was an Exemplar with the Shining Blade and declared M.I.A when all contact was lost in 1324AE. Subsequently while the peace treaty and ceasefire between Ebonhawke and the Black Citadel was being forged in Ascalon.

At the time of arrest, Lord Morik was a Lance-Corporal in the Ministry Guard. He has no arrest file before the events of 39 Zephyr, 1330AE nor any blemishes on his Ministry Guard record. Morik Aurum is a most unremarkable man and is by all accounts possessing a reserved, bordering on shy, personality. 

TIMELINE OF NOTABLE EVENTS

1328AE

Morik Aurum transferred from the Queen’s Seraph to the Ministry Guard under the rank of Private.

1329AE

Morik Aurum was promoted from Private to Lance-Corporal by his superiors on the basis of a letter from the retired Ministry Guard Captain Lord Cecil Athos Saville.

Attached letter

86 Zephyr, 1329AE

Lance-Corporal Aurum aided in the securing of Eastern Ossan Quarter with Seraph Corporal Noyami as a fire broke out and led  citizen volunteers in the repair of Grenth’s Spoke thereby restoring water pressure to the District’s central well.

Attached newspaper clipping

Attached Ministry Guard report

1330AE

39 Zephyr

Lance-Corporal Morik Aurum killed fellow Guardsman Lady Basma of House Salis while on patrol of Ossan Quarter, Divinity’s Reach. Lance-Corporal Aurum claims the murder was in self-defence and that Lady Basma was a White Mantle supporter on her way to join her fellow conspirators attacking the Palace and Upper City.

Attached medical report on Lance-Corporal Aurum

Attached autopsy report

Attached witness report

40 Zephyr

Lance-Corporal Aurum began his term of house arrest to be administered by the Seraph.

79 Zephyr

In accordance with his legal rights as a Krytan nobleman, Lance-Corporal Aurum was granted permission to travel under Seraph escort, and accompanied by his mother Lady Hahnna Aurum, to the law offices of Lord Elessar Volundir in Salma District, Divinity’s Reach.

CHARGES

As a member of the now former Legate Minister Lord Caudecus Beetlestone’s Ministry Guards, Lance-Corporal Morik Aurum is hereby charged with the following crimes:

1.0 Crimes Against the Crown

1.1 High Treason against Her Royal Majesty Jennah, Queen of Kryta, Regent of Ascalon and descendant of King Doric.

1.2 Treason against the nation of Kryta and Her Royal Majesty Jennah, Queen of Kryta, Regent of Ascalon and descendant of King Doric.

1.4 Supporter of Terrorism against the nation of Kryta.

The following charges are pending on the outcome of the investigation into claims that Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma was a member of the White Mantle intent on committing crimes against the Crown on 39 Zephyr, 1330AE.

2.0 Major Crimes

2.2 Armed Assault on Lady Basma.

2.3 Assault on Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma.

2.4 Assault on Lady Basma a Krytan Noble.

2.8 Improper Use of Magic during attack on Lady Basma.

2.9 Murder of Lady Basma.

3.0 Minor Crimes

3.2 Disrupting Ministry Guardsman Lady Basma on duty on the day of 39 Zephyr, 1330AE .

3.3 Disturbing the Peace in Ossan Quarter, Divinity’s Reach on 39 Zephyr, 1330AE.