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Your head whirls as Sir de Ferros continues to describe what is known of the elements of the Cathagi Empire. There are a myriad of castes , each of varying degrees of import within their own place in Cathagi society. The scholars of the Athenaeum Caste, the warriors of the Stratioki Caste, the flesh peddlers of the Sàrka Caste to name but a few.
Of these castes, it is the Stratioki Caste that the Reginate network has the most up to date information on. It is the standing army of Cathagi, the only military body solely made up of natural-born citizens of that Empire. It is widely considered a highly disciplined force but marginal in size, Cathagi has historically always been primarily reliant on their sizeable mercenary armies and the militaries of pressed vassal states in times of war.
Most recent Reginate intel indicates two aspiring members of their Kyrians, a somewhat nebulous officer rank, were recently and publicly acclaimed for fulfilly a dictate issued by the Medusae Caste, elevating them to a sort of celebrity status after having being personally recognised by the Dragon. The pleasure of the Dragon at their efforts did not seem to carry with it any title, accolades or promotion, but Sir de Ferros assures you that to even be offered an audience with their living pagan God has rendered them virtually untouchable in Cathagi society. Or at the very least internally within the Stratioki.
Sir de Ferros goes so far as to identify them by name, one Militades and one Eustace. They are suspected to have some connection to the Faction, but the extent of it and the nature of the relationship is unknown. As the Stratioki and Dragon Guard are the only ones permitted to garrison the Crescent Palace, Sir de Ferros intimates that this is probably the most likely avenue of intel you could pursue without going too far out of your way. The fact that Militades was the very man who recommended you for the Dragon Guard remains and unspoken statement.
The invasion of southern Cantôn during the War of Borders took the nation, already embroiled in several ongoing and bloody conflicts, completely by surprise. It was never clear at precisely whose behest this was done, what the Cathagi hoped to gain from it or indeed how the wheels of power turned in such a way that an undertaking so great as an invasion force was mustered and deployed with little obvious change in what official diplomatic channels existed at the time. The realm of Cantôn cannot, <span class="mu-s">must</span> not, be caught unawares in such a manner ever again. A finger has to be kept on the pulse of the Empire, greying and decrepit as it is. The political situation and inner workings laid bare, the relations held with their own vassals and foreign nations determined and dissected. All are relevant and material, just the right word in the right ear could save the lives of thousands of Cantônians. Sir de Ferros wants you to know that Sir Gilbern asked that those words be relayed to you verbatim
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