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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cerebral Paladin" data-source="post: 1736471" data-attributes="member: 3448">Session 15 (cont'd):Meanwhile, Melania searches for a new flat.  She thinks that either prices have gone up or she is missing the best deals, but she finds a room in a tenement in the Docks District at a reasonable rate.  The place isn't great, but the apartment is in a neighborhood that is somewhat nicer because it's near the Merchants District.  In any event, the price is acceptable, and it has the perks of a live-in landlord and a decent looking tavern and eatery down the street.  She settles in, unpacks, and heads to the tavern to get some food and catch up on the gossip.She first shares a drink with a stranger and gossips about much the same news as Lhovrik and Ginara heard from their mother, although with a slightly different emphasis.  Her drinking partner is quick to imply that if she's Vergdunian, she should stay away from priests of any religion if she wants to stay safe, and is rather more excited about the prospects of a festival with free beer at the governor's installation than about the larger political issues.  Melania notes with interest the military background of the new governor.  Maybe Sister Aurora was right to think that war with Nusaybia is coming.After a while in the tavern, a reasonably well-dressed, portly middle-aged man approaches her table.  "Mind if I join you?"Melania gestures at the seat.  "Everyone's welcome in a public tavern, last I checked.  Suit yourself." She looks him over.  He's better dressed than most of the people in the tavern, wearing clothes similar in quality to her own.  But if he's a legitimate merchant, he's slumming for a meal.  "What's your name, stranger?""The name's Lathan." He comes straight to the point.  "I hear you know some people who might be interested in buying some magics, Melania.""Maybe.  What sorts of magics?""Oh, I've got all kinds of things.  Some wands, some scrolls, a few specialty items.  I can probably also get specific things, if you know of buyers for them.""These wouldn't be stolen, would they?"Lathan feigns shock.  "Of course not.  All of these are perfectly legitimate.  And don't worry, they're fully paid up." Melania isn't quite sure what to make of the last comment, but she's pretty sure that the only question about Lathan is whether he's a fence or a smuggler.  "Anyway, it's a good time to buy.  The new governor has a lot of cronies who like having magics that provide some kick in a fight, if you know what I mean, and I could get you some wands they might be interested in buying later.""I'll think about it, and let you know if I find anyone who's interested.  How could I find you, Lathan?""I stop in here a time or two most days.  You could probably meet me that way."Across town, the Second Dro Sanek Lancers practice their maneuvers in one of the training fields.  A block of cavalry carefully wheels, then charges, then wheels again.  Ensign Vannser cath Elbesar is posted at the front left corner, while his superior, Lieutenant Devon cath Nortis rides at the right front and commands the detachment.  After they finish up their drills, the men are sent to water and feed their horses.  The officers hand their horses off to aides, and at the behest of one of the other horsemen head to see their captain.  As they enter the captain's command center, he looks up and smiles.  "I have a message for the two of you." He hands across a piece of parchment, creased shut, with a wax seal showing a symbol similar to the arms of the city.Lieutenant cath Nortis obviously recognizes the seal.  Before breaking it, he pulls out a gold coin and taps it against the wax.  When he does, a small illusion of the seal appears, floating above the wax and vividly green.  The lieutenant shrugs apologetically at the captain, who just smiles in response."Excuse me, sir.  May I ask....""The Lieutenant was verifying the message's authenticity."The lieutenant smiles in response to the writing in the parchment and passes it over to Vannser.  The message inside is brief and to the point:    Lieutenant Devon cath Nortis    Ensign Vannser cath Elbesar    His Lordship the Commander of the Garrison of Dro Sanek requests and     requires that you report to him for duty at daybreak tomorrow, the 26th day of     Fifmonth.  You are to report to service on his staff until you receive further     orders. The Captain smiles at them.  "I have been informed separately of your new assignment.  Congratulations to both of you."The officers shake hands with their now former commander and head out.Devon turns to Vannser.  "I know you've been hoping for your lieutenancy, but this is a great opportunity for both of us.  No better way to get a promotion than to be on the Commander's staff, and they often assign staff officers out for special tasks that are a great place to win glory and promotion.  This is a fine thing for both of us."Vannser smiles in return.  It is good news, but it's a much bigger opportunity for Devon.  After all, company commands are rare indeed; many lieutenants never get promoted.  On the other hand, Vannser's promotion is starting to be a little overdue.  He's not yet behind the average ensign, but if he were on a fast track he would have been promoted a few years ago.  Devon is only four years older than Vannser, but he has seven years of seniority as a lieutenant.</blockquote>

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