>>5284424“Servant.” You calmly say.
“Yes, your majesty ?” One of the entourage steps forwards, kowtowing before you.
“Invite <span class="mu-i">Megas doux</span> (Megaduke) Mundus to meet us here, tell him that we desire to know of their strategy and means for the upcoming war.” Not withdrawing your eyes from the newest line of your speech, you say.
“Right away, your majesty.” The sounds of the person scurrying away becomes ever distant until it disappears.
With a wince, you scratch out the line and try to think up of something better.
A tired yawn does put a smile on your face. As you watch Pistis underneath your feat stretch. It had only been a few months, but the direwolf pup is growing at an incredible pace. And he is devouring meat at an even faster rate as well. No wonder there are so few of these powerful creatures out in the wilds, anymore, and there wouldn’t be any wilds left.
You scratch Pistis behind the ear, his soft fur feels nice to the touch. He whimpers, then growls as his legs start twitching. It seems that he’s having a dream.
Rising back up, you continue your efforts of making yourself sound vaguely charismatic, until finally, the servant returns.
“Your majesty, <span class="mu-i">Megas doux</span> (Megaduke) Mundus has arrived as you had commanded.” The servant says.
Looking over, as the servant said, your admiral is before you and bowing.
“<span class="mu-i">Megas doux</span> (Megaduke). We believe this may be the first time we actually converse. Come, sit.”
“Thank you, your majesty.” Mundus’ subdued voice, barely masking its power, replies.
Only now are you actually able to look him over. Black clothing, with a bright blue sash going around, an athletic build, focused more on speed rather than pure strength, short cut brown hair, a face that had not been shaven for a week or two. And then there are his hazelnut brown eyes, avoiding your gaze, as is polite, but still staring, investigating, measuring.
“Enjoy.” You say gesturing towards the food on the table.
“Your generosity knows no bounds, your majesty.” He says, gladly taking a couple of pastries.
“Tell us, how are the war preparations ongoing upon your end ?”
“For now, your majesty, I still have to take a look at the new ships and their captains, in order to get an idea of what I can use and where.”
“And of the terrain ?”
“What do you mean, your majesty ?”
“Whirlpools, rocks just beneath the waves. I’ve read about such things and their impacts upon naval battles.”
“I see, well, the isles had always been part of the imperial heartlands, we are intimately familiar with the areas around us. Though the fact that most of the force will be made up of mercenaries and foreigners, it could cause issues, which is why I must inspect the new forces immediately.”
“And do you have a battleplan in mind ?”
