ASHEN GHOST.
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Five years ago.
Jean-Christophe was standing atop a tower, his hands resting on the stone battlement. The sun was setting as he was admiring the view in front of him. The fortress of Kophendorst and its strong walls, nested among the surrounding mountains, shone in the orange light. He was considering the fortifications through his teachings, but he had not found a single flaw so far. The castle had been built in a perfect natural location, for it left attackers with only two choices: find themselves funneled through a rocky ridge towards its gates, or climb vertiginous cliffs before even facing the ramparts.
"General." A male voice came from behind him.
"Lord Chaffaud." Jean greeted him, before pausing as he noticed the second figure. "My apologies, I do not recognize your companion. I believe we have not been properly introduced, sir?"
"He is only my aide. Don't trouble yourself." The nobleman waved off his question.
Next to the ostentatiously dressed and stern-looking councilman, stood a rather unremarkable individual. The contrast between the two was striking. He wore a long brown coat matching his chestnut hair and hiding most of his features. The man gave Jean a bow of acknowledgment, seemingly unphased by his master's remark.
"Truly magnificent, is it not?" The Lord exclaimed as he joined him at the crenelations. Jean nodded his agreement.
"I believe you understand how necessary this alliance was, now that you see the castle's might firsthand." He continued.
"Yes indeed. The Empire could throw every last one of its levies against these walls, and it would still remain standing." Jean marveled, pulling his gaze back to the view.
"Surely an exaggeration. Though you could be right, you are far more versed in military matters than most." Jean bowed slightly in response to the compliment. "Your absence has been noted at the festivities, if I may add." The Lord said after a while.
"These kind of distractions are not catching my interest anymore." The general responded without looking.
"One would think that such things should, as a member of the celebrating houses." Jean ignored the observation. "Are you going to congratulate the bride? She has been looking for you, If I recall."
"Spare me the false concern." He shot back acidly. Chaffaud raised an eyebrow at the outburst. "You already received your payment, while I have been awaiting results for months. This whole enterprise could prove itself costly if you failed."
"I have been looking for you for this exact reason. You will forgive the delay, such matters can be complicated to organize. But I can now tell you the preparations are complete, everything should be over within a few weeks." Chaffaud informed him, seeming satisfied.
"Very well." He nodded. "However, I am still pondering the motives of your... underworld king." Jean nearly spat the word.
"And I am perfectly content to keep them to myself." Behind the Lord, the brown-coated servant rolled his eyes. The general frowned at the gesture. "Do not fret about such matters, general. You should focus on the fact that, if you succeed, you will be the first to realize an old dream of the Empire." The councilman reminded him.
"Bringing down the Eastern Kingdoms." Jean finished for him.
"I'll take my leave for an early bed, Gravelroy is quite a journey away after all. But before I bid you good night, I must ask you to reconsider my request." Chaffaud spoke, after some time.
"And I will say my farewells to you councilman, but do not think that I will oblige." Jean straightened up, taking his hands off the battlement.
"I would hate to insist, but the Lady was looking quite sad. A shame for such a beauty, really. She used to be a lot livelier, or so I heard." The Lord said with a smirk.
"I wish you a good night, and safe travels." He shot back dryly.
Lord Chaffaud bowed his goodbyes, imitated by his servant. Jean-Christophe kept his gaze on them until they left, before returning to his considerations.
"She used to be lively indeed." He mused out loud.