A secret meeting

[Jakob Klein]

Near the outskirts of Rota, surrounded by old walls and an old forest, sat a small building, surrounded by a small army of tents.  Under the moon, several shadows ghosted their way into the building, and into a hidden chamber where a wine cellar had once been, in days of yore. The figures, cloaked in green and grey, came to stand around a table, to discuss the goings on of the kingdom, and of the world.

The figure at the head of the table leaned forward and pulled back his hood, revealing a shock of cyan hair which was the mark of the Ranger's Second in Command; Jakob Klein. "Our illustrious leader," Jakob grinned, showing he meant the man no ill will from the jibe, "will not be joining us today. Therefore, as leader by default, I'll be opening this year's Sharing." Jakob's face became grim, an unusual occurrence, which none present took lightly. "There is much to update everyone on, but the first piece to discuss requires retelling old tales. I don't think i need to remind any of you that what is said in this room, is not to leave this room, save in emergency, and even then only to other Rangers. The young swordsman paused to gather his thoughts.

"As you all know, six years ago, we failed. We are sworn to protect King and Country, and our King was assassinated within our own border. His killer is still at large, and we have found no hints as to where he may be." Many present nodded, remembering the dark time themselves. "No less than a month ago, we failed again. The princess has vanished, and right from under our noses." There was a clammer as the cloaked figures began asking questions at once. Jakob raised his hand for silence, and passed a small folder around.

"This is the file on what happened, and as you can see; we don't know much. We're not even sure if she was kidnapped, or left of her own accord. All we know for certain is the night she left, there was a fire pokemon in the woods." Jakob fell silent, allowing the folder to make its rounds. When it got back to him, he waited a moment before continuing. "Finding the princess is currently our top priority. Regardless of whether or not you receive an actual assignment related to her, keep your eyes vigilant for any clues to her whereabouts...Now, does anyone have anything else to share on the goings-on in the kingdom? It doesn't matter how small it seams in comparison, we can't fail in our day-to-day duties because we're worried about things beyond our control." Jakob stopped leaning on the table and stood strait, waiting for another to speak...

[♠spade♠]

The young man listened intently as everything was happening around him. The princess was missing. Of course she was. Her personality was way too stubborn and outgoing for her own good. She was going to get herself into big trouble one day. He glanced up at the ceiling passively, thinking about what to say. He had already passed on the folder and was now waiting for the SinC to finish speaking.

He heard a couple people speak about little things like robbers attacking, or slaves running off. Nothing was new. He thought about what was going on in his area of things. Something interesting… Something different. Something he wasn't sure about and doubted he knew enough to talk about it. There wasn't much evidence working toward it and he wondered whether he should share his findings or not. It could be a heads up kind of thing, but he wasn't sure how to go about it. After awhile he completely stopped listening to the assembly and fell into the trance of his own thoughts. Like always.

"Rustlan… Rustlan? Do you have any… Hey! Rustlan!"

He shook his head at the voice, bewildered and very embarrassed that he had let himself drift off like that. He looked around and saw that everyone was staring at him. Quick! he thought. Hide your expression so they don't know you have anything important to say! Though he was pretty sure, as one of the youngest, newest full-fledged rangers, Rustlan was pretty easily read. Especially by the older Rangers.

"Nothing too interesting. Just some diplomates who decided that our castle was a good place to steal from…" He mumbled irritated with the situation, even though that wasn't the whole story.

[Jakob Klein]

Jakob almost choked. "Just some diplomats who decided what?" The room sat in stunned silence as they tried to follow the young ranger's train of thought. "I'm sorry!?! Diplomats from where?" Normally the ranger's prided themselves on being quick thinkers, but the carelessness in Rustlan's voice, the offhandedness of the comment, had ground all thought to a halt in the small building.

"You had best start from the beginning, Rustlan. And don't leave anything out, you here?"

[♠spade♠]

Instantly the boy realized his mistake and he bit his lip in annoyance. Stupid… Look what you did… Now you gotta explain yourself. He glanced at everyone except Jakob, who's expression would be the hardest to face. It took him merely a second to collect his thoughts and he spoke carefully this time. Trying to make up for lost time and respect.

"Oookay… That was not the best beginning I guess." He glanced at his former mentor who raised a suspicious eye at the young man. Clearing his throat he responded with his interesting story. 

"We had some visitors within the castle city about a week ago. A couple who said that they came from the Olivae Kingdom and needed a place to stay for the night. The Duke…" Who he did not appreciate at all, because he didn't help in the situation, rather he made it even worse, "He had allowed them to stay willingly. Giving them a room for the night. They told him that they were traveling to the capital city to meet with the king and discuss a trade. A trade for a special stone. Or so the Duke mentioned they had said. They didn't have anyone else with them and were dressed in the appropriate clothes of diplomates from Olivae, so the Duke saw no harm. 

He pursed his lips and looked down at the table in deep thought. This was the tricky part. "Well… As I said before, the next morning when the duke awoke there were several things that had been taken during the night and the visitors were already out of the city. I finally found out about a day later while meeting up with one of the groups of soldiers out looking for them. In fact I had noticed a couple riding on Rapidashes calmly through the woods just that evening. I had followed them for awhile to see who they were and nothing happened. They had… Slipped into Ardan's area by then." 

He glanced at the man he had mentioned and noticed his face becoming hard. So the boy quickly moved on in the story. "Well I realized who they had been when I ran into the soldier company and I went after them. It took me about three days to find them. It was an older man and a younger girl, maybe about 19 years old. Both of them had fairly dark skin. I mean I know that the Olivae kingdom live in a snowy world, but i thought they were paler then that. Anyway. It was difficult for me to obtain them both. They were fairly good fighters." 

He stopped for a moment and thought about his report. Was there anything he was missing out on before he continued? Not really. 

"It wasn't easy, but I was able to take them both down. Currently they are both within the castle of the Duke under lock and key with a execution hanging over their heads. They're lucky the Duke is considering selling them as slaves…"

[Jakob Klein]

As the young ranger spoke, Jakob thought through the events, building a mental image. As Rustlan finished speaking, the leader noticed a missing piece of the story. "...and did these travelers have the missing items? What did they appear to have stolen? Did they say what they were planning on trading for this stone, or anything about it at all? Jakob could tell his barrage of questions was putting the youth under duress, and decided to hold his remaining questions for afterwards, but gave a meaningful look to one of the others:

dark skin? were they from the desert province? why would that place have diplomats coming to see the young king?

[♠spade♠]

The young man shifted under the Co-captain's gaze, feeling like a child once again, but he seemed rather fine with the questions. He expected them. In fact, he had been wondering if he had forgotten anything in the first place. He narrowed his eyes at the table for a second before answering. 

"Actually… It seemed as though they had stolen some clothes, food, and just plain money. And to be honest, I don't think that anything they had with them were actually theirs. It all looked stolen because they didn't have much more then what they had on and what they had stolen. They had no stone, which meant that their story was probably made up so they could get into the castle. It was actually… kinda… ridiculous…"

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. Truth be told, they shouldn't have even been in the castle in the first place. The Duke should have been more perceptive and the military should have told their Duke the situation directly. But there was nothing he could do now except warn the Duke and the military for next time. 

The man on the right of the table sitting in the middle of the row, noticed the Commander's glance and understood instantly. Now that the boy had answered the questions, he wondered what anyone from the Desert Provence would be doing in the Crystal Kingdom. Being from the DP, they could possibly be dangerous. Rustlan had found the fight difficult, but were they fighting at full force? He flicked his head softly at the young ranger with his eyes on Jakob, indicating that it should probably be investigated by someone more experienced before they were executed or sold into slavery. Maybe there were more.

[Jakob Klein]

Jakob gave a small nod, and turned back to the young ranger. "Very well. At least you reacted with more tact than you speak. The Co-commander examined his mental checklist, and mentally nodded. I'll be able to answer everything myself, once i get to Rustlan's fife.

The rest of the meeting was mostly uneventful, with one of the apprentices getting their silver oakleaf, and an elder member retiring with his golden one. The meeting was adjourned, with a single ranger assigned to actively seek clues to the location of the missing princess, and Jakob himself to travel with Rustlan to interrogate the 'diplomats' at the fife. The next day, as the son rose in the sky, Jakob and Rustlan began the ride back. Jakob knew riding with the SC of the Corps would probably not be very comfortable for the younger ranger, and differed to Rustlan's lead, motioning down the road.

"Lead the way, Rustlan." Destiny, walking at two Ponytas' side, shared a look with Guts, Jakob's Ponyta. This is going to be a long trip...

[♠spade♠]

Oh that was just great. Now he was headed back to his own fife on his own Ponyta, Faust, shifting positions ever so often because the Second in Command was staring at his back. As if he didn't have enough problems already to deal with. But he swallowed his pride, quickly before it began and nodded to his commander calmly. With that he nudged the Ponyta to ride and they started the journey to the lower fife. It was at least an hour of awkward silence before Rustlan got up the courage to ask the question that had been driving him nuts since he had noticed the secret look passed between Jakob and one of the older rangers. 

He slowed his ponyta down so that he could talk to Jakob without the wind rushing around them. They weren't in a hurry were they? 

"Sir… What is the significance of their dark skin? And… Why did you come along yourself rather then sending someone of lower rank?"

[Jakob Klein]

Jakob paused a moment, glad to finally have a subject to talk about, and break the ice. the commander relaxed, falling into the comfort of talking strategy, one of his fortes.

"Call me Jakob, please." Jakob paused for barely a moment, then moved on. "In Olivae, there is a province referred to as 'the desert province' which was once it's own kingdom. The people from that province have dark skin, and frequently have prominent noses. But ever since Olivae took it over, there has been lawlessness and poverty all across the land. They are at best second-class citizens, and at worst little more than serfs: non-citizens. the province has almost no actual governing body, or any such structure, and it's people almost never reach above the waste they live in.

The odds of such people reaching the station of diplomats is highly unlikely, and even pretending to be would seem strange. they would be better served pretending to be refugees, especially if they only had enough to get by like you said. Diplomats from foreign powers stand out, and that's bad for a thief." Jakob paused, not wanting to talk the young ranger's ear off, and to devote some thought to the final question. As he waited, he came up alongside the subordinate so they could talk face to face.

"As for why I'm coming in person, it's a matter or resource management. As you know, the Corps prefers to keep our numbers down, preferring skilled unites to numbers. Normally we only keep a couple more members than we have fifes to keep an eye on. This means if we have a job that needs doing, we don't have the numbers to send many people, so the people we do send have to be the best we can muster.

As you saw, Ardan was assigned to track the missing princess: he is our best tracker right now. As for interrogating foreign dignitaries, even fake ones, we need someone familiar with the upper class and how they interact, especially with such foreign powers. we also need someone who cuts an intimidating figure; within the borders, the cloak is usually enough to unnerve even hardened warriors, but foreigners aren't familiar with the Ranger's reputation, so the person has to be particularly built. But interrogating also means the person has to have determination and a certain amount of stubbornness, because it can take a long time to break someone.

So when you look at the Corps, you need someone who's from nobility, is less wiry and more muscled than the rest, and has a reputation for being stubborn. Who would you pick, Rustlan?" Jakob raised a single eyebrow, waiting for Rustlan's response.

[♠spade♠]

Rustlan looked away from the ranger commander with a blank expression. The obvious answer was Jakob. But the question was, why? Thinking quickly he came to a conclusion. "Although Arden would have been good for the diplomatic and stubbornness he carries everywhere with him, he wouldn't be play the part for foreigners, like you already stated. Also he might not know to treat them or respond to them correctly due to his temper. Desmond, although smaller then even Arden, would be good to talk with foreigners because his Fife is so near to the olivae borderline and he is very used to talking with royalty. However, I don't see him to be a very effective interrogator with his calm personality. He would end up going in circles with these guys, probably getting no where."

He paused and thought about the other Rangers. Some he knew, others he hardly knew their names. The ones he did know, didn't fit the description Jakob had offered him. "Well I guess the only obvious answer would be you." He said with an amused glint in his eye, although it didn't last as long as he would like. The situation was already awkward without him actively trying to make it even worse. He was quiet for another moment before speaking again. "Desmond was a good teacher. Though I've always wondered if he wasn't a bit on the soft side, even to slaves. I was just thinking that this trip with you might be good for me to learn more about what it means to be a ranger."

[Jakob Klein]

Jakob pulled his head back and looked down the road in surprise. He had picked up that the younger ranger was intimidated by him, but he hadn't expected that. "...Well, I appreciate that you think of me as a role model, but I'm not really a good example of what it means to 'be a ranger' as you put it." Jakob motioned at Rustlan, then at himself "I mean, how old are you again? 17, right? I'm only 5 years your elder, and honestly I'd be willing to bet you've been a member of the Corps longer than I have; I started late, and was already your age before I became an apprentice..."

Jakob thought about his own experiences as a ranger apprentice, and how he had risen so quickly through the ranks, and realized he should have expected he would become a role model for other rangers, possibly even his elders. Jakob mentally shuddered at the thought.

"But tell you what. If you promise to be a good student, I'll do my best to be a good teacher." Jakob held out a hand, as if making a deal, while also signalling Guts to slow down some more so it was easier for the two riders to actually shake hands.

[Rustlan (Lion)]

A Secret Meeting

Rustlan did not expect the reaction he got from his commander. For a moment he thought he had said something wrong to make the Ranger upset, and he was about to apologize when the man answered, in an interesting tone. As he listened to the man’s modest comment Rustlan couldn’t help but think, Pft, you are the Second in Command. For a ranger who came to the corps late you sure did out do even us “longer” people. But he didn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure if it was even his place.

Anyway, he didn’t even really NEED the best of teachers in the world. He would like to learn as much as he could about anything there was to know about… Except science. That seemed kind of boring.

When Jakob offered his hand to Rustlan, the teen smiled calmly and slowed Prince so that he could shake the man’s hand. Then said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be a good student. No pressure.” He still wasn’t sure about this man. He knew that the two of them would be no match. Although Rustlan was a pretty good swordsman and Ranger, being fast enough to take down those Arabians, he would be snapped like a twig if he went against Jakob. He had high hopes that he could learn, not only some Political techniques, but also some ways of fighting, even though they had two different styles.

It is not 'strength' to try to take everything upon oneself.

credit Delusional, Tags, Jakob Klein

[Jakob Klein]

The two continued through the forest uneventfully, to the castle where the 'delegates' were being held. Upon arrival, the rangers paid their respects to the duke, and went below to the cells, and began preparing the torture room for the 'guests'.

"So, you said there was a man and a woman, Rustlan? Which do you think will be the better to start with? I'd normally begin with the man, because he'd probably know more, but I haven't tracked them across the countryside and fought them down."

OOC: Not sure if you're ok with the time skip, but I felt everything that needed to be said had. If you disagree, let me know and I'll backtrack.

[Rustlan (Lion)]

A Secret Meeting

It had been awhile since they first started riding. When they got to his fief Rustlan frowned and scanned the area. He didn't like being away for so long. Especially after what had happened. After a moment he had noticed that he had completely stopped and Jakob was looking at him a little funny. Rustlan shoved it off and they continued on. 

After putting their Rapidashes away and telling the duke that they were there to talk to the prisoners they set off for the dungeon. Rustlan shivered. This was not going to be a fun experience and it was definitely not going to be a GOOD experience either. He frowned and furrowed his eyebrows while biting his lip to keep himself from saying anything stupid. They had to get information.

When they got into the dungeon and stepped into the torture room Rustlan took one look and knew that this wasn't going to be his thing. For some reason they never had any experiences with the torture room when he was with Desmond. He wasn't sorry about it either, but now he was getting slapped in the face. Karma was a bitch. 

"The man was in the lead. Seemed to be in charge. He may know more then the girl. Heck, she might only be a part of the thievery because of the man. But I'm not sure. She was a pretty vicious fighter."

It is not 'strength' to try to take everything upon oneself.

credit Delusional, Tags, Jakob Klein

[Jakob Klein]

Jakob noticed how the young man's eyes lingered on some of the tools. Rustlan was new to this. It would be good for him to get some experience, but at the same time it would be bad on him. Jakob frowned to himself as he checked and double checked the various implements. He didn't enjoy this, and he didn't like that he had to do it. But they couldn't risk it, with The Corps past failures, they couldn't go easy. Jakob took a slow breath, and tried to put the kind part of himself aside. He wasn't as good as some, but he would have to do.

"Ok, then. We'll start out polite. For all we know, they actually are delegates who have only stolen from the duke. bad, but not worth torturing over. If they are unresponsive, or if what they say doesn't check out, or match up for that matter, then we'll move in here and start with the bad part. I won't lie, I hope that they come clean from the get go; I don't enjoy this kind of work. But they aren't the usual thieves, and we need to know why. We can't take the chance they know something important." Satisfied that everything was ready, Jakob turned, steely eyed, and began walking down the hallway to the cell, motioning for Destiny to stay back in the central room on guard. Jakob didn't bother checking if Rustlan followed, trusting the silence was a signal of the Ranger's skill, and not a sign of hesitance.

Upon entering the cell, Jakob sized up the man, his face cold and immobile. Thank god someone had the intelligence to keep them in separate cells. They haven't had the chance to collaborate stories yet.