We mortals are both pawns and crown bestowers to the gods. Freedom is to decide whom we allow ourselves to be moved by, who to lift up, and who we resist.- Emperor Aldagera the First. Founder of the (Silidari) Imperium

The sun is shining bright in the sky, itself a vibrant shade of blue. To contrast this were clouds, thin and wispy in the sky. Flowing in long streams so high up in the air. Below this was a gently swaying plain of grass, yellow gold seas of it. Into the horizon where distant mountains could be seen as mere specks, it flowed as the wind bid it. But cut like a dirty sword slash through it was a road. Made of hardened dirt several meters across and raised a few inches into the air, a dark dividing line in the land.  In a cleared field several acres in size were many gathered carts. Arranged facing the road to an angle, some were covered by cloth over thin wooden poles while others had a tarp lashed over the contents.

Many figures were around them, some sitting on the benches either in the cart, on the sides, or the driver’s bench. Others were tidying up with the last remains of a campground, some more were in neat blocks around the area standing in wait.  Over by one wagon near the front are a few soldiers who are just finished lashing everything down. Standing around the wagon in their light armour for travel they pass each other a piece of cloth that they are using to wipe the sweat from their brows and necks.

Dressed in the elite armour of the Imperium they were a part of and with sashes that denoted their rank,they stood slightly relaxed. However look closely and it can be seen that none are vulnerable, eyes while not actively searching are prepared. Each can cover the other from their peripheral view, their short swords or daggers were belted and quick to be drawn. Even their relaxed pose was not of complete abandonment, the pose of a big cat perhaps is a good description. One that is more than ready to return to the hunt, but not yet. Walking to them however was a robed figure, with hood folded on his back but a light grey veil against the sun around his head.

Straightening somewhat they wait before figure, respectful. Look deeper and you can see slight tinges of awe and fear, carefully held back. At a nod and a waved hand they relax as their leader surveys the area. Turning to the figure among the group with a plumed helmet he asks a question. “The status of the supply train and the troops?” the voice somewhat flat yet resonant in the way it spread out asked of one of the officers. Still relaxed to a degree the officer responded “General, we are ready to begin departing the Twenty-Eight Training Battalion's first company and it’s supply train. The same for the rest of the battalion. Twenty-Ninth Training Battalion reports it will be finished shortly after. However Rimark and Corvesta regiments are still well underway. Should we proceed general?”

Their leader nodded his head while another officer spoke up. “General, should the two regiments be placed on rear guard? By the time they are ready that will be the position that will most readily be filled” A second to think and the leader speaks out again. “Very well, if that is most efficient. Return to your posts then, I will speak to the handlers to begin” A hand held to their chest in salute they depart each others company. Their leader continues his walk across the field, his hands clasped behind his back as his weapon hovers ready behind him.

Walking past the wagons to other robed figures by the road he waves at the wagons. “First through second will begin moving out as column vanguard. Third and fourth will depart after them. Rimark and Corvesta will be the rear guard” The other robed mages begin moving out to their assigned posts, the rest gather up their possessions or take out their implements to prepare. Their movement is markedly faster than that of the officers before. They bow their heads as well as they leave. Their leader continues moving on as he stops before a barded creature. A mix of cloth, leather, and metal segments it cuts an imposing appearance. Mounting the creature he then continues to survey the army before him.

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Well the end of yet another exchange here in the wild lands, why then did I get dumped with leading this large extermination patrol of freshly trained soldiers? Oh yes, because everyone else is busy and I wanted some more routine work. Making good use of my other title paid dividends in getting this post out with the hordes of feral monsters, better this then holing up in some fortress for a few months. Some may have been annoyed at such a menial position, but as I stated before some more relaxed work is often prefered. Something to be able to kill without much regard, a little creative work perhaps to...get the blood running so to speak.

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Turning my head I watch as my subordinates will the horses back into readiness off their low mana mode. The sharp noise of the clacking of bones fill the air. This batch of replacements that have been finished is also woken up into moving order while those that have not finished are stuck back in the carts for later, indeed the works of a necromancer in the Imperium military. These are regular army forces, not the harsh and disciplined Imperial Legions. They can be lax in manner but it is acceptable, corners can be cut in minor social concerns.  

My fame should suffice for ensuring that there will be no petty matters to take care of though. To bother a superior of rank with matters should be a discouraged habit. Once this self imposed term of service is over it's back to my good quarters at the academy doing research, and maybe taking on a position as teacher to have a few classes to teach the young ones. Thrashing the young ones into shape is always enjoyable, and if they act up I have a source of entertainment. Something to pick apart and reshape as the Imperium wishes. Remove the impurities, show the paths that can be taken. Allow them to go out, to fall and rise again.

Hopefully the politicking has calmed down back at the capital by the time this deployment is over, letting the regency candidates murder each other at a safe distance is well appreciated. As they stand, the Imperial family having left three siblings of the old emperor and no recognized heir is a recipe for disaster. And despite my elevated position in the end I am new nobility, in my generation was the house established and as it is I doubt I will be having a child any time soon. While quite egalitarian, the Imperium still has its quirks. It would not be appreciated if I make my presence known, still I left contingency plans in place. The insanity that occurs as a possible position for power is left in the open, one should work to the standards they have already set and keep to it. If they grow to be able to improve solidly then do so, to break upward so heavily and cause chaos... Responsibility has its bounds and limits.

It can be so annoying having to fight in the army but that's what I get for my research grants and privileges in the Imperium, besides war has it benefits. Visceral, open yet complex, the ability to feel... There are only so many ways to destress that do not end in narcotic, sexual, or other material ways. And my mental state with killing, well I have been told worse. Right now it is a time of peace however with a lack of aggressive campaigns so actual fighting is minimal but that just makes things boring if it drags on. So of course dammed people have to find something to do and I do not want to spend my days on warding off intrigue. The chance of the emperor having actually dieing of assassination is high.

Of course I also have to justify my title of nobility to a degree as this is ongoing but really who can try to unseat me politically? My history of service is more than long enough along with current contributions to stop anyone who feels ambitious. Any serious attempt to participate in the succession crisis however is different. The young one back home may but not me. I kept my hands off my territory after making sure I appointed proper caretakers to only need the occasional peek to ensure that things run smoothly and slap a few naughty hands. The young one was doing fine for overseeing the territory in my stead, the experience from managing it will pay dividends in the future. He should still be gathering forces for his cause.

Well this is just the musings of an old mage and soldier out on patrol right now with no exciting work on my hands. The lesser of evils compared to what is bad work such as getting pulled too heavily into infighting. I have had enough of politics for a lifetime, things will hopefully be sorted out in the year or two I am gone on a tour of the border defenses while thinning the numbers of the monsters. My thoughts are interrupted however when my assigned aide steps to my side and indicates that we are departing. My mount begins surging forward at my command as my assigned guards gather around on their horses. Yes the last leg of the journey before we arrive at the fort and exchange posts. Rimark stays behind and I am off with the entirety of the Twenty-Eighth Battalion(Training) and Corvesta Regiment to thin the numbers in the forests by the foot of the Tamari Mountain Range. The yield of parts for the undead terror units should account for two or three more companies to add to the Western Range’s strategic reserves.

As the first and second company finished arranging themselves to depart on the road I gave out the signal. With the clack of hoof, talon, and boot upon the ground a swath of black, crimson, and silver departed. While the sun certainly beat down on everyone the troops were relatively content. No particularly dangerous events, food was palatable and there was clean water. Their armour provided protection against the sun. With the pace and breadth of the column it should be only a day until we reach the fortress. With the group diminished it should be another two days worth of travel to the forests. A nice bit of time to kill monsters, killing is often like a chore. Sometimes fun, sometimes annoying. Still necessary. Out here on patrol unless you are an utterly ascetic monk or a hardened agent you can’t help but start thinking about random things or reminiscing on your life. When one grows in age they should find something to pass the time....