Tavi of Calderon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
student_of_impossibility) wrote2010-09-06 07:13 pm
student_of_impossibility) wrote2010-09-06 07:13 pm
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[OOM: Elinarch] On the successful persuasion of commanders
“…will be over-all more cost efficient,” Tavi summed up.
The First Lord’s expression was thoughtful. “They’re not versed in Legion protocol,” he commented. “And bringing any kind of Marat force into the Vale will make a lot of the local holders nervous.”
Nodding soberly, Tavi admitted, “I know. But they’ll be helping us protect those holders from something far more frightening. Also, as I said, it wouldn’t be more than an alae or two—they’d be heavily out-numbered by our infantry and not our only source of cavalry, and we have a heavy complement of Knights Aeris, led by Antillus Crassus. As for learning protocol—well.” He smiled faintly. “They’re by no means slow; it’ll make life interesting for a while, at least.
Gaius Sextus waved a little in acknowledgment, although there was a trace of sardonic amusement on his face at Tavi’s attitude. “Can they integrate into life, though, and will the men be able to function?”
Tavi took a breath. “I believe so, sire. It may take some time, but by the time they get here, should we take the step,” he added hastily, “they should be fairly used to the Ambassador’s presence, which will ease the transition. She’s fully aware of the diplomatic potential of the alliance, and can explain it to any of them who don’t,” possibly physically.
“Indeed.” Gaius’ expression was measuring, and Tavi realized he was smiling a little and tried to keep it from being too obvious. “I was surprised to learn of her presence with the Legion.”
“It was a shock to all of us,” Tavi said ruefully—and completely honestly.
“And she plans to remain where she is?”
Tavi replied carefully, “I believe she’ll make that decision independently of any input from me.” Or anyone else.
Gaius eyed him for another few moments before snorting softly. “Naturally,” he murmured. “I take it this idea was hers?”
Honesty with his liege lord was the best policy, here. “She helped scout—she noted she was more helpful because she can see in the dark when we can’t. Frankly, sire, we could use the help, and Hashat won’t exactly need much in the way of persuasion to spare a herd or two. Their unfamiliarity with standard Legion strategy and tactics will leave us more able to test out new maneuvers,” the young captain added.
The wave this time was half acknowledging, half almost dismissive. “Yes, yes,” he said a little impatiently. Tavi winced. However, the look he received was piercing rather than irritated. “And they’ll acknowledge your authority?”
Tavi straightened and raised his chin a little—not rebelliously, but merely with conviction. “Aye, sire,” he said with the same confidence he showed to his men. He met the First Lord’s eyes unwaveringly. “They will.”
I think.
After a long moment, Gaius Sextus nodded. “I’d like to see the calculations you’ve run on this.”
“I’ve already drawn it up,” Tavi said, hoping he didn’t sound too presumptive, “and a sketch of a proposal for the Senate, if you want to see it.”
Tavi couldn’t quite tell if the First Lord looked more startled, resigned, or amused—or what the other emotion it might have been was. He couldn’t quite identify it. It looked like a faint smile, though. “Of course. I’ll send someone to retrieve them. You have permission to proceed—have a message for Doroga and Hashat ready when the messenger arrives as well.”
“I will.” Beat, and then he added tentatively, “I… did have a question, sire.”
An eyebrow went up. For a moment, Tavi couldn’t help but wonder again how much of his mind had gone, considering that he possibly shouldn’t be quite so bold in making requests of the First Lord. It wasn’t exactly something one did—but he needed Ehren. The imperious expression should have made him consider backing down, or simply trusting Gaius’ judgment to know that Ehren was best left where he was. He could even just phrase it as simply hopefully confirming that Ehren wouldn’t be reassigned elsewhere.
Yes, I lost my mind.
With another deep breath, he said as impassively as he could, “I’ve been hoping that Sir Ehren would remain assigned to the area.” When Gaius’ expression didn’t change, he forged ahead. “His information proved invaluable at the Elinarch, and he has the contacts established here already. He knows the command staff and how the First Aleran operates—and he can get behind enemy lines. He could be vital to our efforts.”
There was a moment of silence. Tavi suspected that Gaius correctly interpreted ‘how the First Aleran operates’ as ‘what kinds of things I want to know,’ and ‘can get behind enemy lines’ as ‘get into the places I want intelligence on.’ Tavi met Gaius' thoughtful, measuring, and possibly mildly amused expression with his best attempt to keep a flush off his cheeks. “You’re aware his skills could be as powerful elsewhere.”
Tavi nodded. “Yes—but respectfully, sire, anyone else would have to reestablish trust in a highly unstable area, as well as credibility with the rest of the command staff.” He valiantly ignored the more open amusement at the phrase ‘command staff.’ “He might be useful elsewhere, but I don’t think anyone else could do his job here.”
Another moment, and then Gaius smiled a little more. “Very well. Sir Ehren will have instructions to report in to you regularly. You may return to your duties, captain.”
Tavi bowed with no little relief. “Thank you, your majesty.”
“And remember what I said about the Ambassador, lad, and keep your duties in mind. Should there be any other correspondence you find necessary, I dare say the messenger will be able to handle that as well.” Before Tavi could react, the First Lord’s image sank back into the water.
Tavi couldn’t help the explosive sigh. He decided, after a moment, that he should be grateful that he didn’t have to have another discussion about his and Kitai’s relationship. As he resolutely pushed Gaius’ continuing concerns (suspicions?) over it to the back of his mind, though, a victorious and somewhat smug grin began to form. Got it, he thought with no little delight. As he turned back towards the camp, he realized that Gaius had all but given him permission to write to his family. Stepping lightly and smiling broadly, the captain of the First Aleran returned to where his horse—and Kitai—were waiting.
Time to start getting the real work done.
The First Lord’s expression was thoughtful. “They’re not versed in Legion protocol,” he commented. “And bringing any kind of Marat force into the Vale will make a lot of the local holders nervous.”
Nodding soberly, Tavi admitted, “I know. But they’ll be helping us protect those holders from something far more frightening. Also, as I said, it wouldn’t be more than an alae or two—they’d be heavily out-numbered by our infantry and not our only source of cavalry, and we have a heavy complement of Knights Aeris, led by Antillus Crassus. As for learning protocol—well.” He smiled faintly. “They’re by no means slow; it’ll make life interesting for a while, at least.
Gaius Sextus waved a little in acknowledgment, although there was a trace of sardonic amusement on his face at Tavi’s attitude. “Can they integrate into life, though, and will the men be able to function?”
Tavi took a breath. “I believe so, sire. It may take some time, but by the time they get here, should we take the step,” he added hastily, “they should be fairly used to the Ambassador’s presence, which will ease the transition. She’s fully aware of the diplomatic potential of the alliance, and can explain it to any of them who don’t,” possibly physically.
“Indeed.” Gaius’ expression was measuring, and Tavi realized he was smiling a little and tried to keep it from being too obvious. “I was surprised to learn of her presence with the Legion.”
“It was a shock to all of us,” Tavi said ruefully—and completely honestly.
“And she plans to remain where she is?”
Tavi replied carefully, “I believe she’ll make that decision independently of any input from me.” Or anyone else.
Gaius eyed him for another few moments before snorting softly. “Naturally,” he murmured. “I take it this idea was hers?”
Honesty with his liege lord was the best policy, here. “She helped scout—she noted she was more helpful because she can see in the dark when we can’t. Frankly, sire, we could use the help, and Hashat won’t exactly need much in the way of persuasion to spare a herd or two. Their unfamiliarity with standard Legion strategy and tactics will leave us more able to test out new maneuvers,” the young captain added.
The wave this time was half acknowledging, half almost dismissive. “Yes, yes,” he said a little impatiently. Tavi winced. However, the look he received was piercing rather than irritated. “And they’ll acknowledge your authority?”
Tavi straightened and raised his chin a little—not rebelliously, but merely with conviction. “Aye, sire,” he said with the same confidence he showed to his men. He met the First Lord’s eyes unwaveringly. “They will.”
I think.
After a long moment, Gaius Sextus nodded. “I’d like to see the calculations you’ve run on this.”
“I’ve already drawn it up,” Tavi said, hoping he didn’t sound too presumptive, “and a sketch of a proposal for the Senate, if you want to see it.”
Tavi couldn’t quite tell if the First Lord looked more startled, resigned, or amused—or what the other emotion it might have been was. He couldn’t quite identify it. It looked like a faint smile, though. “Of course. I’ll send someone to retrieve them. You have permission to proceed—have a message for Doroga and Hashat ready when the messenger arrives as well.”
“I will.” Beat, and then he added tentatively, “I… did have a question, sire.”
An eyebrow went up. For a moment, Tavi couldn’t help but wonder again how much of his mind had gone, considering that he possibly shouldn’t be quite so bold in making requests of the First Lord. It wasn’t exactly something one did—but he needed Ehren. The imperious expression should have made him consider backing down, or simply trusting Gaius’ judgment to know that Ehren was best left where he was. He could even just phrase it as simply hopefully confirming that Ehren wouldn’t be reassigned elsewhere.
Yes, I lost my mind.
With another deep breath, he said as impassively as he could, “I’ve been hoping that Sir Ehren would remain assigned to the area.” When Gaius’ expression didn’t change, he forged ahead. “His information proved invaluable at the Elinarch, and he has the contacts established here already. He knows the command staff and how the First Aleran operates—and he can get behind enemy lines. He could be vital to our efforts.”
There was a moment of silence. Tavi suspected that Gaius correctly interpreted ‘how the First Aleran operates’ as ‘what kinds of things I want to know,’ and ‘can get behind enemy lines’ as ‘get into the places I want intelligence on.’ Tavi met Gaius' thoughtful, measuring, and possibly mildly amused expression with his best attempt to keep a flush off his cheeks. “You’re aware his skills could be as powerful elsewhere.”
Tavi nodded. “Yes—but respectfully, sire, anyone else would have to reestablish trust in a highly unstable area, as well as credibility with the rest of the command staff.” He valiantly ignored the more open amusement at the phrase ‘command staff.’ “He might be useful elsewhere, but I don’t think anyone else could do his job here.”
Another moment, and then Gaius smiled a little more. “Very well. Sir Ehren will have instructions to report in to you regularly. You may return to your duties, captain.”
Tavi bowed with no little relief. “Thank you, your majesty.”
“And remember what I said about the Ambassador, lad, and keep your duties in mind. Should there be any other correspondence you find necessary, I dare say the messenger will be able to handle that as well.” Before Tavi could react, the First Lord’s image sank back into the water.
Tavi couldn’t help the explosive sigh. He decided, after a moment, that he should be grateful that he didn’t have to have another discussion about his and Kitai’s relationship. As he resolutely pushed Gaius’ continuing concerns (suspicions?) over it to the back of his mind, though, a victorious and somewhat smug grin began to form. Got it, he thought with no little delight. As he turned back towards the camp, he realized that Gaius had all but given him permission to write to his family. Stepping lightly and smiling broadly, the captain of the First Aleran returned to where his horse—and Kitai—were waiting.
Time to start getting the real work done.