The Winter War (storyline)/Double Duty (vignette)

The Legionnaire Captain handed Lord Legionnaire Tyavasinne Ghiran an unfolded parchment, a broken crimson wax seal clinging to the edges. She browsed the contents, pausing once to look up at her Captain, brow raised as she inquired, "Detained?" Upon reaching the end, she added, "Though, that seems the least of our worries right now."

With a solemn nod, the Legionnaire Captain stated, "We need to take action at once. Formulate and deploy teams immediately."

"Understood, Captain," Tyavasinne replied, glancing over the letter one more time before returning it.

She stepped out of the fire-warmed shelter into the blustering wind whipping through the mountains, fraught with flakes of ice and snow. The repurposed ruins were bustling with activity from a recently arrived airship, some Legionnaires disembarking while others inspected the integrity of the vessel. Others conversed animatedly in small groups throughout the base.

Tyavasinne moved to the center, by the heat of a blazing bonfire that barely combated the chill in the air, and called out, "Squires, to me." Numerous crimson-clad legionnaires trotted in her direction, standing at attention in a semicircle around the Lord Legionnaire.

"We've received numerous reports about intended attacks on the base. Additionally, a civilian student was recently detained in Icemule Trace under suspicions of espionage." She opted to leave out the injuries the student sustained while in captivity. There was no need to enflame things further. "As such, guards at the posts into the base will be doubled effective immediately."

"We will also be increasing patrols on all roads in the mountains between the base and Ta'Vaalor. That means *everyone*--" She paused and leveled a pointed gaze in a Squire's direction. He smiled tersely. "--will be performing double duty."

"You are *not* to provoke or engage in combat with any citizens or sympathizers of Icemule, unless you are attacked and unable to disable. We are not interested in starting a war. Do not cross into their territory on your patrols. This is purely a defensive move. Your only instructions are to watch, report, and check on the well-being of travelers from Ta'Vaalor."

Tyavasinne paused, sweeping her gaze over the gathered legionnaires. "See your Master Legionnaire for new shift assignments. You are dismissed." The Squires crisply struck their chests with their closed fists, then dispersed in pairs and trios, the whispers of their conversation lost to the breeze.

"You two," the Lord Legionnaire started, nodding to a pair of soldiers who had been curiously observing from nearby. "You're with me. There's a credible report that Icemule Trace is building an airship fitted for combat and we need to find the truth of the matter. I hope you are acclimated to the cold."