Enatic Clans

Honestly, this is the first time that I hear General Clyden's backstory. I do know he is from Lamentine? Spidelblaü? But somewhere in the Inglovian supercontinent, not the Empire of Inglovia itself. I always thought that he got his commission through schooling in the University of Inglovian Occidental - Military Academy. That's an amazing feat in and of itself! I guess I haven't known him well. Well, yeah, actually, I guess so. Hmmmm… ?

"Marshal, about Międzyboży?"

"What about him? That's a long time ago. For him, serve him right. Such a scum, he is."

"I thought I might ask, General."

"Turned into a ragdoll, right? Tossed around and rolled over. As Durgat waved him around like a piece of mushy bag then bounced towards the walls, on the ground, and spun that asshole like a lazzo."

"Yeah, I think Durgat overdid it. And he's sorry about that incident too." he's either sympathizes with the guy who humiliated him or is concerned about the orc champion's welfare about that misdeed, as I read the tone of his voice. It's out of character to think General Clyden to be this sarcastic.

"Any news from Lord Ameniah's lieutenant?"

"Zechary? No, Marshal. But I have heard he is away from the kingdom, milord."

Ah, for goodness' sake. Lady Wellicia, give me strength. How ironic. When people are experiencing deep panic and stress we turn to religion. Lady Wellicia here, Lady Wellicia there, Lady everywhere. I'm stumped. And I'm spent as well.

"Do you have any recommendations, Lieutenant?"

"Recommendations of what?"

"So, how's your scout handling these days? What's his name again?" I ask Clyden's personal lieutenant.

"Are you referring to Svetlana? Well, actually, I do have two lieutenants. Svetlana is my lieutenant for intelligence. Andrada is my lieutenant for operations." as he clarifies.

"Who, Andrada? Of course, I am." I blow in a purse lips, "I wouldn't be the Marshal of Kehina, if I didn't know my men, especially that homegrown grassroot lad." I then explain about my side of the discourse. Andrada is a good young man, I saw him grow.

"Well, Svetlana is rather another Inglovian, you see milord. But she is a good kid!"

"Oh yeah, Svetlana." I realize, what I am talking about is a 'she', still I don't know whom Clyden is referring to nor what in the Kigal her semblance would be, "That gal. Where is she from?" I then screen her background implicitly from Clyden's sources.

"Same empire as mine growing up - Lamentine. Though, different jurisdictions." so, I am that close about my prior recollection, huh? I did say he is from Lamentine - the Empire of Lamentine.

"I am from-..."

I insert myself, saying: "Yeah, I know where you from, Clyden - West Burgraviate. Now, where is this young lady hailed?" as I revert the question back to the ones whom I am scrutinizing.

"Kingdom of Supralærÿnen. North proximity of my homeland. Also, a fresh grad herself at the University of Inglovian Occidental. Though, in Arcana Scholastica Academia branch." he replies with a distinct smirk on his face.

"Oh, really? From Supralærÿnen, Lamentine. Same as you as a Lamentinite? Lamentiniot? Lamentinian? Lamentinese?" asking for the demonym of the people in the Empire of Lamentine.

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"Lamentine, Marshal. Demonym, adjectival, and name itself." he replies, as he gives generous corrections while pandering my question.

"Well yeah, but you're from West Burgraviate. And an alumnus to the same school - University of Inglovian Occidental, right? However, she's educated in the Arcana Scholastica Academia while you're in the Military Academy." then I go back to business by asking: "What kind of idiosyncrasy did she voyeur to?" let's see if we can have some talented people embark on this kingdom. I don't care who, just provide me someone - adventurers, veterans, attachés, or foreign exiled officers.

"Like who? Anyone?" he asks, as I nod in response.

He grabs his chin, on his pensive look, "His name is Talbetter Avante O'Silverpelt de Alcanzantré." as he either remembers who that guy is or just throws random names at me.

"What?!? An Inglovian, huh? What's he doing here? How did he come here in the first place?"

"Came pre-war then stuck indefinitely."

"Ah, an Inglovian, though," I breathe in-between my teeth, "I don't know about him. Do you think he's trustyworthy, lieutenant?"

"As far as I could tell. Yes. He seems so worried about going home."

"Why is it?" I continue to press, even for the pettiest details whether personal or transactional.

"That lad has a family to feed, Marshal. Three or four children, I don't know - I can't seem to recall what he said. As far as my intel assessed, that lad is pretty worthy of trusting himself."

"A feline überleben? Is he a gátes?" I shoot.

"Well, yes, Marshal."

"I could tell…"

"Well, for a liaison, he might be a good fit for training our troops."

Really? What could this Talbetter-guy offer to our causes? He's an Inglovian. Maybe he's a spy. It makes my forehead dribble a liquid hearing his name, despite the chilly wind of this pleasant evening. Durgat is usually hands-on type of guy, but his skills aren't compatible in raising a troop of his own. Should I gamble on this gátes guy? After I make up my mind, basking in the head-on wind, I decide: 'Yes.' Maybe I ought to need some help for a while.

"Does he need anything? What did he ask for, Clyden?" I try to reason what the gátes guy would be asking in return.

"Just a sail back home. That's it." he smacks his lips, "And actually, he is a veteran himself. Outside, he seems like a pretty good guy himself." wrinkling his brows.

"Summon this Talbetter-guy that you're discussing. I need to verify him myself."

"Well, actually,..." he clears his throat, "He is underway polishing the volunteers and levies and as such on my behalf, Marshal." nonchalantly he speaks. What?

"Oh really, right now? When did this happen?" the shock on my face is palpable. I don't know if I am going to be frustrated with him for this. Even, risking it for our royal security.

"I was secretly working with him in accommodating the greens for a week. Some of the levies showed potential and some of them displayed results out of our expectations. Overall, the conditioning of these greens is in good preparation." I can't believe he did that, without my approval?

The corruption within the ranks alone is a massive pain in the ass. Et tu, Clydene? That's insubordination… ! Oh, the seven heavens! Oh, Lady Wellicia! I implore you all to give me fortitude under this ramping pain. This makes me want to cry.

"You know, lieutenant." I sigh, continuing: "Bypassing without my prior authorization has definite grievous consequences." as I give him a death stare for his conduct.

"Treason, Marshal?" as he audaciously pops as if it's for nothing.

General Clyden adds, "Lord Aisla, I'm aware. But, you seem stressed out recently hence I did some improvisation of the paradigm. All while still sticking to the plan. I just saw a chance then I took it." then reverts back to his usual stoic demeanor.

"Fret not, milord. Fret not. If he chooses to flip on us, a voyage back to Inglovia is impossible. He ain't going anywhere, anyways. So, sit back." he finishes the argument. He makes quite a good point.

"Yes, perhaps, lieutenant. But you're not a maverick. Nor a mercenary, Clyden. You're a general of the Kehinan Army." I keep on reminding him, as I exhale quite deep, and he seems to agree while he's bopping his head.

And it's time for me to break the ice, initiating: "By the way, I want to meet this lieutenant of yours." referring to Svetlana.

"You're meeting who, Marshal?" he responds back with the confusion smeared on his face, curling his brows and squinting his eyes.

"This Lamentine gal. A Lamentine like you. Your fellow compatriot, that is." I say, where he straightens his look after realization.

"Oh, Svetlana. Duly noted, milord." he smiles.

Meanwhile, a figure appears before us on the table. A lady who wears a thick grade of binocle, sports a curly brunette, a fan hoisting on her left hand, and on the bigger size - I mean the bosom part of hers.

"Milord, this is Svetlana." he introduces me to his lieutenant, specifically his intel officer.

"Subaltern Svetlana, this Lord Aisla - the Marshal of Kehina. My superior officer. And one of the queen's consorts." Clyden then turns to his lieutenant, as this Svetlana-gal bows at me while I try to give her a concise smile. She is rather prim and reserved. But, oh! By the looks of it, I guess she is this aloof and ominous.