The Imperial city; Halegrove Inn

Looking down toward the bustling streets one could see carts shipping goods and people along the streets. The markets were bustling with activities; nobles, soldiers, commoners and serfs all shopping for wears and goods.

From on high; a third story Inn window, Titus Jade observed the scene while sitting at a table eating his breakfast.

"Titus, I'm getting a drink would you like one as well?" One of the officers accompanying Titus asked.

Titus continued to silently Stare toward the markets with a depressed look on his face. As a young noble of the Jade bloodline, his features were noble. A firm brow acting as an accent to his emerald green eyes. Dark brown long hair he wore tired back. Unlike other youth of his age at twenty-two years old he was already a tall robust young man.

"Titus?" Across the table, from the young noble a hulk of a man sat in an ebony black armour with bright green highlights within the underlays.

This man was Titus' knight attendant Knight-Captain Darius Grizwalt. More commonly known to his subordinates as Darius the Dark axe. As a Grand Master stage striker knight, Darius was no mere run of the mill knight. He rivalled most Knight commanders for strength. Though issues in the past had held him at his current rank, though nothing could set back this monster’s cultivation or training.

Titus brought his attention back to the table.

"Sorry lads I was distracted by something. What was it you were asking?"

"Sir, I'm going to get another mead would you like anything?" The officer who had addressed him before repeated himself.

"Just tea, please. As for you men drinking alcohol with your breakfast. *sigh* I'm not your caretaker but I am responsible for you once we enter the keep. So please do not make me regret allowing this to slide." Titus said, half scolding the other men.

This particular officer had caused issues in the past with being drunk before the currently seated prince of an allied nation. If he caused another scene Titus could not do anything to save him.

Darius bit off a mouth full of meat then spoke. "Titus, why do you believe General Marcus has summoned us back to the keep?"

Titus' expression turned to disgust. "Knight-Captain! Do you have no decorum? Chew before speaking, barbarian."

Darius responded with a familiar gesture with his middle finger that Titus had grown accustomed to. A gesture not so suited to a Knight addressing noble. Let alone his superior.

Titus continued, "I have no idea. We’ve been stationed at Crescent moon keep for almost six months with no issues or attacks perhaps they have new orders to finally attack those savages from Desh."

Finishing his meal Darius thought with his hand on his chin. "Doubtful they would have just sent a runner to deliver the orders not have you and your entire company return to the capitol."

Along with these five officers, the rest of the company numbered around two hundred men strong-most essence-less serfs forced to serve the empire but Titus did have about fifty capable knights both Strikers and Guardians that were all between journeymen and expert stage.

All the officers in his company however were not so simple all belonged to the Warden knights. Wardens served in the active military as the disciplinary force; once an internal issue arises a warden was dispatched to investigate.

Titus was the current Acting Warden-Commander and the prime disciple of the Warden Hall master. He would one day succeed his master and become the Hall master.

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Titus stood up excited. "Your probably right. Well, I'm curious now. Darius, you and I will go ahead. You men get the tab and see to the men. Ensure they are reequipping and resupply for whatever comes and the officer that left to get mead and hasn't returned with my tea. I'd like to see him after I meet with my elder brother." As he finished speaking he headed for the stairs leading toward the exit.

"Yes, sir we shall see it done!"

All members stood as Titus and Darius departed the table.

A moment later the two officers returned to their seats.

"That little punk left us with the tab again! I hate these self-entitled kids they make officers just cause daddy's a noble." One of the officers griped.

"Watch your mouth your new to this unit and the Wardens. So ill forgive the comment but that self-entitled noble’s son is second prince Titus Jade. His father is emperor Tiberius Jade the second. That 'Punk' as you called him is twenty-two and already a late-stage journeyman with both of his essences. I have full respect for that young master."

The other officers nearly spat out his breakfast. "That's him! I guess that explains Captain Darius’ loyalty to him."

"That's only because he also respects the boy now go find the other and get the tab."

"Ah, you’re a jackass. Sir."

The officers paid their tab and quickly carried out the orders given by their commander.

Jadestone keep.

Within the massive keep, Titus and Darius strolled along the halls. Young nobles of the next generations were training in the courtyards. Training their bodies in martial techniques and channelling essence.

'It's been a long time since I've been back in this place. I have not come home to visit since brother Tiberius was exiled.' Titus thought.

As he recalled the details of Tiberius being exiled, he recalled that his younger brother had only just turned sixteen when general Marcus had thrown him out and labelled him as trash. All according to the emperor’s orders.

Titus weighed his options and Concluded asking Darius was the best option. "Darius do you know what became of young brother Tiberius?"

"General Marcus cast the boy out because he was unfit for service in the military and not fit to wear the name Jade." Darius looked away as he spoke.

Titus joking laughed "I see. I'd like you to look into where he was sent. I'd like to check up on the little brat."

Darius turned toward Titus stopping in his steps. "Young master I know where he is but I was sworn to not tell you or your siblings where the boy is."

"I see then I shall ask Kronos."

Titus turned down a corridor toward one of the house halls. The Hall of the spectre. Above the entrance was a massive mosaic depicting a three-eyed skeletal being two eyes black and hollow. The third-placed in the center of the forehead of the figure was a deep green colour. This was the crest of the spectre.

The Specter hall severed as the branch of the military that saw all. Knew all. These individuals were ones that showed exceptional talent in commanding forces and communicated well. Therefore, the spectre hall handled all deployment tasks and mission briefings.

Within the hall, A middle aged noble sat at a long mahogany table which was carved from one sold tree. The whole hall was dressed extravagantly with massive chandeliers made of jewels and gold and tinted and stained glass in the windows.

Titus entered cupped his hands and bowed.

"Major Titus Jade of the Warden hall greets acting Hall master Kronos."

"Well met brother please enter and have a seat. We have an issue I must ask your assistance with."

Kronos waved Titus over to his side. Kronos was the eldest of the emperor’s children. At thirty years old he was already in the upper end of the Expert stage in his wind essence and was an extremely skilled combatant with all forms of combat. He was also the first disciple of the revered General Marcus. He was a tall robust man with long scarlet red hair that was tied back and hung in a single long braid down his back. Along with the other members of the emperors’ offspring he also possessed the same emerald green eyes.

Titus sat with Darius next to Kronos

"So brother what's the issue?" Titus asked curiously

Kronos rolled open a scroll, "Titus I need you and your knights to investigate a shipment of medical and cultivation pills that happened to vanish from a secure location in a port city to the far East."

"It's just vanished? That's not possible. Someone must have stolen it." Titus said, his eyes examined the details of the shipment on the scroll.

"My thought exactly but the only group that would dare to steal from the empire claims they don't know anything about it. So I'm dispatching you and your men to the port city of Scarlet cove. Find the thieves. Clear their den, then bring the pills to their destination; Blackridge Fortress."

"Yes, brother I shall crush these would-be thieves and return the pills to our garrison."

Titus recalled scarlet cove was the home of the Guardian Hall, the Hall master was his uncle Julius. 'Perhaps I'll visit my uncle while I'm in town.’ Titus thought.

Kronos handed Titus all the mission details on a scroll. The two sat and chat a while longer before Titus stood and took his leave as to not waste too much of his time.

The trip to the east coast would take more than a week.

Titus stopped at the Hall doors, “Brother? would you happen to know the whereabouts of younger brother Tiberius?”

Kronos sat up in his chair at the question. “If I’m not mistaken Tiberius is no longer our brother, though if you must know he was recently living with uncle Julius in Scarlet cove. Though I doubt he’s lasted living with that man. Don’t get your hopes up for some reunion.”

“understood. Stay strong brother I’ll send a runner with my report once I reach Scarlet Cove.” Titus said, waving as he left the Hall.

After Darius and Titus had left Kronos relaxed into his seat. “Hopefully that runt has gone somewhere and disappeared he will only be trouble in the future.”