Legend of Ransera

Posted: **Mon Aug 09, 2021 11:19 pm**

"...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm"

The Wee Hours of Searing 16, 121 Steel
Dornkirk Manor

"Shhh!" Brenner tried to stifle a chuckle, as he led Stefan and Eitan up the grand staircase and toward the East Wing of the stately Dornkirk Manor, where the apartments of both sons of Melchior were housed. Having sort of usurped Stefan's role as host, once his elder brother had informed him in Kathalan of the after party plans he'd hatched with Eitan, Brenner led their trio to his own chambers. He had reasons beyond the liquor supply being more diverse, which would soon come to light.

Once they'd crossed his threshold, Brenner ushered both men in with a hand to the small of the back and then shut the door behind them.

"I didn't want to mention this until I got you both alone, but..." He leaned back against the door he'd just closed and grinned absolutely devilishly, "I had a most intriguing meeting, yesterday." He gestured for Stefan to see to their drinks, whilst Brenner himself launched off of the door and paced promptly over to a desk off of which he pulled a scroll case.

"I've been rather coquettish about this subject with you, Eitan, but Stefan is aware of what I've been plotting since the pidge party quit Zaichaer. He unsnapped the bindings and opened the scroll case to remove a document, which he unrolled and laid out on the desk.

"Come and have a look, gentlemen." He held opposing corners of the parchment to keep it from rolling back up, and regarded the answer to his handiwork and, as far as he was concerned, the portal to his destiny.

He read the order aloud, with apparent pride in his baritone voice and laid his plan bare to Eitan whilst filling Stefan in on the details to which he hadn't yet been party. Finally, he read perhaps the most impressive part of the letter,

"...signed, Astrid Kelgarde, First Minister of Zaichaer." After allowing the others to regard the letter with their own eyes, he promptly rolled it back up and returned it to the safety of the scroll case.

"So, you see... We have more to celebrate than the festival tonight. The State has approved my expedition, and I would like-... Nay, I require both of you at my side as we usher in the Age of Man, and forever end the chapter of Ransera that has been blighted by sorcery at the cost of the human race."

Posted: **Tue Aug 10, 2021 12:00 am**

Stefan was more than happy to be back home, more than happy for the company which he had there as well. It was odd, new, but not bad, to have a third join the time that was usually reserved to he and Brenner alone. At least, having specifically Eitan there was felt like a nice thing.

His brother was fighting a case of giggling their parents awake, it was one of the things he'd not grown out of since they'd started sneaking about the house during the wee hours as young boys. It had earned them a thrashing more times than one but it still brought out fond memories for Stef.

They were ushered into Brenner's suite, which made sense, there was better alcohol and less half-built contraptions there than in the alternative of Stefan's own room. They could have used any one of the drawing rooms, of course, being as they were adults and allowed to stay up now, but this felt... more in line with the mood.

Brenner definitely had something up his sleeve but Stefan didn't press him for it even after he'd shut the door behind him. His brother would out with it, and more quickly for not being pestered. Stepping to the cabinet against one wall he pulled out three crystal tumblers and filled each with a generous pour of whiskey. There were other options but since he'd been relegated to service it was his choice and he felt like having more of his brother's finest.

By the time he turned to deliver the drinks Brenner already had a document of some kind unrolled over his desk. Setting the two other glasses down where they could be easily reached by the other men he put a hand on the solid wood surface and leaned down to read what was being presented with such glee.

Dark brows rising as he skimmed through the contents and then raised his eyes as Brenner read aloud what his scholar's mind had already absorbed.

"Mists alive, Brenner, the First Minister met with you?" He laughed, not in disbelief but certainly in surprise, it seemed his old adage was true, Brenner could do anything if he decided he would. The sudden knowledge that his brother would probably be Grand Marshal someday came to him. It was as if it had been building quietly in the back of his head almost his entire life and now he had turned around and looked it full in the face. It frightened him, but he resolved, as the first swallow from the tumbler in his hand burned its way down his throat, that it changed nothing. Stefan would support Brenner. There was no qualifier to the statement.

Realizing that he'd been standing there looking surprised for a moment too long he grinned, reached out and clapped his brother hard on one shoulder,

"Well done! I know I always say you can do anything if you decide to but you're really determined to prove it, aren't you?"

Posted: **Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:55 pm**

Eitan had spent a fair amount of time at the Dornkirk's abode, though their families had never been the sort to arrange play dates or sleep overs. While he would never be the lord of Angevin Manor, he wondered if this was what it would be like when Stefan inherited, still feeling as though they were pulling one over on the adults when the adults were gone for good.

He followed Brenner to the desk as he wanted an audience even as he was reading, slinging his arm around the man's shoulders so he could stand close enough to read along. While he had been given some warning, the extent of this was impressive and his eyes widened and he nodded slowly as all the clockwork in his head started chugging along.

"Thanks, Stef," he said, and picked up a tumbler to take a sip, wanting to keep his steady buzz going.

"Well, that was a secret worth keeping. And marching orders to glory. Well done, Brynn!" He squeezed the man's shoulder, using the nickname he only rarely felt able to use. Rocky adolescent relationship aside, they had put aside childish things and were becoming men of import for the future of the High City.

He flashed a smile, then turned his dark gaze back upon the careful script to make sure his eyes hadn't missed any details of import. He would have to read again when he hadn't been drinking, but he wasn't so far gone that he couldn't appreciate the scope of what was to come with this mandate from the upper echelons of political power in Zaichaer.

Lir Angevin had been so focused on keeping Melchior Dornkirk subordinate that he had missed an opportunity that the next generation might seize: true cooperation would benefit all of them, and the State, which was even more important. The future belonged to them.

"So I'll represent the Order," he mused. "And a member of the Order who is wholeheartedly behind this, sidestepping internal politics." His mind was already planning. "And the two of us represent the Corps. Stef the mental wunderkind. How big of an endeavor are you thinking...?"

Posted: **Tue Aug 10, 2021 8:13 pm**

Flanked by his brother and his brother-in-arms, both supportive in the way of true-hearted friends, Brenner's heart swelled with pride. Eitan's easy gesture of physical affection was answered in kind, as Brenner place a palm on the small of his back and the other found its way to Stefan's.

"That she did, Stef!" He said, trying his best not to sound boastful and utterly failing after the evening of boozing that preceded this moment of intimacy. "And a hard woman she is. Implacable as our mum, and straight to business like dad. I don't think I spent more than twenty minutes in her office, but apparently that was enough to get her seal of approval." Which he meant rather literally, and gestured to the corresponding stamp that marked the parchment underneath her signature.

"You have it exact, Eitan." The elder Air Commander and younger Dornkirk said with a pat to the taller man's back, before withdrawing that hand to fetch his whiskey tumbler. "I shall lead the expedition, but I want you two to be my department heads. There'll be more than enough glory to share, if all goes well. I expect the two of you to work closely, as this mission relies on an understanding of both science and sorcery and how they might marry in our quarry." He lifted the whiskey glass to his lips and took a quick gulp.

"I've been instructed to keep the team small. I'd like to keep it to twelve people or fewer. Ideally three scientists, three State mages and the rest on security detail as we brave the dangers of the Warrens. If you feel you need larger teams, we can certainly discuss it. I've only made very preliminary plans, because I want both of you to help me to develop the specifics. We have a lot more research yet to do, and a treacherous journey ahead. I don't think so much of myself to believe I can plot this out all on my own.

He gentle drew the hand that yet remained on Stefan's back down to rest just above his tailbone, as he turned to look at his older brother.

"I need you." Then his eyes shot sidelong to Eitan, "I need both of you at my side all along the way."

Posted: **Thu Aug 12, 2021 2:54 am**

The touching, friendly and intimate, combined with the joy of accomplishment and a good deal of alcohol didn't feel out of place at all. Stefan stepped into the touch, by way of returning it, not bothered when his shoulder came to rest against Eitan's hand where it lay on Brenner's shoulder.

The part of his mind that saw problems, that worried, was already being occupied with logistics; manpower, travel requirements, supplies, how to convince their parents. Number tumbled through his head before he dismissed them, they needed general ideas for planning now, costs could be calculated later.

The expression of need caught him off guard in the middle of these thoughts and he blinked, eyes moving slowly between Brenner's eyes and his whiskey-wetted mouth before he could speak, perhaps too earnestly,

"I'm yours, always." Clearing his throat, not sure if he should be embarrassed, he took another swallow of his own drink, before beginning to go over the plan.

"So, let us say we plan to leave the first of Ash, we can change the date later as needed, but using that as a jumping-off point would leave me time to dive deeper into the studies I've been touching on since you came up with the idea. I will begin making inquiries into fellow scholars with the expertise we will need, leaving finding the magical aid we need to you, Eitan, and the fighting men to you Brenner?"

Slipping his arm around his brother for a brief side hug he slipped out of the touch to lean back against the desk facing the other two men.

"I'm not supposed to be talking about it, strictly speaking, but since the entirety of what we say in this room is classified I imagine it won't make much difference. I've been working on a new ship prototype, Stealth Class." It wasn't currently a class designation in the ZADC, but it would soon be so and he doubted it wasn't already being whispered about among the officers.

"She isn't finished yet but we're well on our way into the production, I'm calling her Nachtherr. The Brass might change that once she is in their hands, but, technically, she still belongs to the Windworks until we hand her over. I could put the paperwork through for a 'Test flight'. It's a small ship, compliment of 20 at most, but that'll be of value to us where we're going, I think. Depending on where we enter the Warrens we could take her in."

There were certainly parts of the Warrens that nothing bigger than a single person could pass through but if they took the ship they'd have a mobile base and could set out into the narrower places from there if such was required.

"I'd also ask that," A look of mild chagrin at having to ask made its way over his face but it wasn't sharp, not in this company, "the both of you, assist me in sharpening my combat skills. I remember how to shoot and the Academy training, of course, but unlikely those in active duty," He gestured almost playfully in front of him,

"I brush up course would be appreciated if either of you can be spared from your official duties long enough."

Posted: **Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:41 pm**

"You have me, of course, old sport."

Eitan smiled and raised his glass. Their compact made, he began to ruminate on the plans Brenner laid out such as they were.

"Yes, yes," he said slowly as Stefan added his own thoughts to the mix. "So, to enumerate my tasks for the season: first, a shortlist of like-minded Watchers and Minders from the Order; second, a cache of aura glass and abjinurium materiel; third, working Stef out so he's back in fighting trim." The last he said with an affable grin. "Of course, I can help with blades and firearms, but if I recall, you know how to throw a punch better than I do, so you might have to help me train as well. And I'd love a sneak peek at a new airship design. Mists, I'd even sit down and take notes like a good student to better understand some of the engineering going into it. And biology for this endeavor... I could also share unclassified information about aether and magic with the both of you. It might behoove us to have some overlap in understanding and shared language and context so we are better able to perform as a unit when the time comes.

"And... stealth... I wonder if I could ward against sight..." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. There was no further training offered to him by the Order unless he "needed" it. But his instructors had gotten him to the point where he was capable. They said the rest came with time, training, and the extent of his imagination. Perhaps this would be a challenge that would make his imagination perform as well.

This was turning out to be the best season in memory. Already he had been promoted to the XO of a prestigious airship. Now he was in cahoots with old friends to perform a heroic task for the High City. Shared glory, indeed! Admiral Angevin might even be suitably impressed if things went well.

Posted: **Thu Aug 12, 2021 6:16 pm**

"And I, yours." Brenner replied, letting the fingers splayed across Stefan's broad back drawn together in a gentle, reassuring caress.

"We have until the end of Ash, so yes- I'd like to leave by that first week at the latest. The final week of Searing would be better, given the deadline and the distance, but I think it's more important we be prepared for what awaits us. The dread dangers that lurk within the Warrens are, perhaps, the only thing that frightens me more than a strict deadline from the Home Office." He conceded, following the thought up with a sip of whiskey.

The hand that had been upon Stefan's back slid down, as he took a few backwards steps and then turned to saunter toward the sitting area nigh of the windows overlooking the High City of the North.

"Nachtherr..." He rolled the name around his mouth, and found it paired quite nicely with whiskey. "Nightlord." He translated the Kathalan to Common. "That's got music to it, Stef, well done" He noted, as he plopped down into the biggest and more throne-like of the armchairs.

"And I hope she's built for speed, as well as stealth?" He placed his tumbler down on the small table beside his chair, and opened the cigar box that served as its centrepiece.

"Of course, Stef. The three of us should meet as often as possible to train and share information. Please," He gestured to the box, "Help yourselves." He withdrew a cigar and a cutter from the box, preparing one for himself. He rolled the cylinder between his fingers as he spoke on,

"We all of us have skills and knowledge which could aid the others. I've been researching our quarry the longest, but Stefan has a better grasp on the scientific implications of the entities. Eitan, once you've been properly briefed, I expect you'll be able to enlighten us a bit more about their preternatural qualities..." He trailed off, as he drew the cigar to his lips and then tipped his head to the side to put the other end into one of the flames of the nearest candelabra. He took a few puffs, until the orange glow rounded the whole tip of the cigar. Smoke billowed from his lips as he addressed:

"Eitan." His eyes darted to his fellow Air Commander, and he began to speak in Kathalan. Even if the Dornkirk estate brooked the service of some disloyal scullery maid who was listening at the door, she'd have been at a loss with the exotic tongue.

"We are seeking out a being that devours aether. The more I research it, the more I am convinced that it is more akin to a bacterium than an animal. Small enough that an individual specimen would be invisible to the naked eye, but in great number their colonies emit a bluish glow as they consume magical aether." He took another drag of cigar smoke into his mouth, then slowly parted his lips to let the pungent plumes pour forth.

"So, as you are considering your recruitment strategy, consider that we will require some means of detecting and locating magical energy. Since no one in living memory is known to have come across these creatures, I don't know any means to divining their location, but we can seek out their food source." He paused, "It is a pity that Dreyfus fellow is of such..." He paused and swirled his cigar in the air as he mused over the proper term, "...dubious character. The collateral boon of his affliction could serve as a means to find aetheric energy, but for reasons I'm sure I need not enucleate, I believe he would be far too great a liability to brook as a member of our party."

Posted: **Thu Aug 12, 2021 8:43 pm**

Stefan didn't blush in pride under his brother's praise, but it was a close thing.

"Indeed," He answered the question about his new ship design, "The intention is to get in and out with information on troop deployment and movements without being detected and back with enough time to make it immediately useful. I'm hoping to have a small fleet of them in the air before things come to a head with the pidge empire. The first one I am pulling out all the stops on, of course, then we'll let the Brass decide which features they want on all of them."

In truth, the craft he was building was a combination of his knowledge of both military technology and luxury yacht building. Her lines were sleek but dark, her engine the most efficient he'd ever put together with his own cutting-edge technology for speed and silence. She did not reflect light, a feature which he was particularly proud of.

"I would be happy to host you both at the Windworks in a more official capacity to look her over and make suggestions." He gestured to Eitan, thinking he would be the more likely to offer these. "I ask only that you both send glowing recommendations when we unveil her to the ZADC."

His rare teasing tone was slipping out as he relaxed farther into the company. Seeing Brenner settle he made his way over, glass still in his left hand, and, after his brother had started it off, leaned down and plucked the lit cigar from his mouth. He didn't want a whole one of his own, smoking was a pleasure he enjoyed only in small doses, but he wanted the flavor Brenner offered.

Once he'd had his mouth full he offered it, somewhat cheekily, to Eitan. The younger commander could have his own if he wanted, of course, but Stefan was offering to let him in on the camaraderie teasing the brothers had, heretofore, never offered included another in. At least, Stefan never had, Brenner had developed similar relationships with others, seemingly Eitan included.

"If you two get me copies of your duty schedules I'll have my man draw us up a calendar of when we can get together to discuss our findings or train our physiques."

Settling himself on the arm of the huge chair Brenner prefered he placed the hand that had previously held the cigar on his brother's neck and began absently working out the knots that were becoming ever-present. The alcohol helped, of course, so it was a good time to do it. He'd have to make sure they both drank enough water not to feel as though dead come morning. Glancing over at Eitan he amended his thought. He would have to make sure all three of them drank enough.

Posted: **Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:26 am**

"Nachtherr," he murmured, liking the sound of it. Eitan had elected to learn Kathalan from his early tutors, thinking it a bridge between him and Brenner, the closest thing he had had to a friend. While their mother had never approved of his accent, he was quite fluent at this point. Sometimes he hoped for a diplomatic post in the Galerian Imperium to round out his resume, but that would have to wait. There were important things afoot.

He was listening, of course, and quite attentively. Following Brenner's lead, he found himself a seat. With a dubious smile at Stefan, he accepted the cigar and puffed appreciatively, then offered it to Brenner with an even more dubious smile. He had shared drinks and such with the man before, but he supposed it completed a symbolic circle between them. Perhaps he would have one of his own in a moment, but the entire conversation slipped into the foreign tongue and so he paid closer attention.

"If I cannot find us a trustworthy Seer, we will at least have a cache of aura glass through which we can observe aetheric flows without subjecting ourselves to a scar upon our souls." After all, one was quite enough for him. He nodded, having only experienced one evening in Monteliyet's company. His grandmother had plenty not to say about the family, and her silences were pointed. He had thoughts about the family, but they had no bearing on this matter or anything else, really, so he put them out of mind.

To Stefan, "I'll have our patrol schedule forwarded to your office so you know when I am definitely not available. And I would be happy to recommend your new model to whatever brass asks me. Perhaps Brenner could use this writ to engage us in some way so Captain Merovech will be more inclined to give me leeway when we are in Zaichaer? Or must we... keep everything quite quiet? Perhaps I ought to note that, while I know it would be distasteful, I can task a ward against sound, giving us security against listeners, though spies might still read lips."

He looked between the brothers, curious where all of this would lead.

Posted: **Fri Aug 13, 2021 12:51 pm**

"If all goes to plan," Brenner smirked, "Such a fleet could be instrumental in delivering the parasites to Kalzasi and beyond. They wouldn't even know what hit them, until a full-blown plague was tearing through their magic-using population." This was all entirely theoretical of course, but Brenner's tipsy mind delighted in the flight of fancy upon which the notion took him.

Brenner chuckled,

"Well, maybe if we succeed in this, the House of Dornkirk will finally be due our fair share of nepotism." A lot of the older houses still grumbled about their meteoric rise, but it would certainly be a treat to share in some of the privileges the younger house had been denied since its inception.

He nodded to Stefan,

"I'll get you my schedule for the next two weeks, but after that I will be taking leave to devote myself wholly to this mission." He had already drafted a letter to his captain that would be in the official record, which made no mention of an expedition or a secret mission. The First Minister had made it clear that the State needed to be able to disavow any involvement in this mission if it were to fail, and so a paper trail leading to Her Excellency's office would be an unsound move on the patriotic Air Commander's part. He trusted his captain and, in private, he would explain that he was on a classified mission, but he wouldn't leave any proof thereof.

Brenner absently hooked his finger over Stefan's belt, when he sat on the arm of the chair. The weight of his arm tugged down upon the belt, and he felt his cool index finger warmed by soft, tender flesh.

"I would recommend that both of you taper off from your normal duties over the next few months and devote yourselves to this cause. Eitan, I'm certain I can have leave approved for you, whenever you're ready and, Stefan? Well. Our parents may be a greater obstacle than the Warrens, but I think the gravity of the gambit will ultimately sway them to our cause. But, of course, much of your preparatory work is to be done at the Windworks anyway..." Eitan had some catching up to do with the research, as he was just learning the details now. Stefan had enjoyed a head start.

Brenner accepted his cigar and took a puff, as Eitan spoke.

"Mm. Yes, both of you please let me know if there are resources you'd like to requisition. I've been afforded a budget from the State." As the rich, pungent smoke rolled from his lips they curled upward.

"What we are discussing here, gentlemen, is upending the way of this world. I think it wise to exploit all possible precautions- distasteful or otherwise." He clamped the cigar between his teeth, so the hand that wasn't warming itself on Stefan's backside could more easily fetch his tumbler.

Legend of Ransera

...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)

Re: ...But Gather Together to Greet the Storm (Eitan & Stefan)