shiningsloth13
Rock on.
~~~Knights of Unova~~~
RP - SU
Ernst
The sky was dark - a huge gap in the night betrayed the position of the new moon, which cast a long shadow across the earth. The darkness was lit only by a dull orange flame, which was contained within a brass lantern, which itself was seated on an oak table, situated in the center of a small clearing in the woods. Gathered round this table was a group of cloaked figures. The figures seemed to be arguing amongst themselves - one individual in particular seemed extremely aggravated. Unlike the others, his cloak was not dark in color - it was a brilliant white, pure like snow, and it seemed to radiate brightly even in the darkness.
The figure slammed his fist down on the table, causing the lantern to shudder and the others to jump in surprise or fear, possibly both. "I don't like this," the white-cloaked figure growled. It was a man's voice, a low baritone. "Not one bit."
One of the other figures hesitantly raised his voice. "But my lord, we have no choice. We simply must have the crops grown in the farmland of the Eastern Province. We are barely two months into this war, and already we run low on supplies and our troops grow hungry."
The white-cloaked man threw back his hood, revealing a pair of icy blue eyes that stared hard at the man who had spoken up. "Do you think me a fool?" he snarled.
The other man put his hands in the air defensively. "Of course not, Prince Ernst! Perish the thought! I was merely attempting to -"
"Silence," Ernst ordered, and the man shut up immediately. Ernst began to pace. The other figures - advisors, generals, wise men - glanced at each other worriedly. The prince only paced when he was angry, and when he was angry, things didn't usually go well for them.
"I am perfectly aware of our need for more supplies," Ernst said. "However, I am also aware that my brother, as much as I may hate to admit it, is not an idiot. He wouldn't just leave the farmland unprotected, he's too clever for that. No, he is plotting something." He ceased his pacing, and began to scratch his chin thoughtfully.
He pointed into the assemblage. "General Warumo!" he demanded. "You are present, I presume?"
In response, one of the figures, much larger than the others, pulled his hood back, revealing jovial features and a magnificent Walrein moustache. "My lord!" he said, bowing at the waist, as was the custom of his ancestors - men from the Far East, exotic peoples from the land of Kanto.
Ernst waved a hand impatiently, and Warumo ceased his bowing. "Tell me, General, what would you do?"
Warumo stroked his moustache, considering the question. "Well, milord, were it me, I would assemble a small force to visit some of the villages in the Eastern Province. Investigate the surrounding areas for ambush locations, listen for news of troop movements, et cetera. Also, it would be wise to scout out the locals to see what they think of the war - whether they are sympathetic to us, or towards your brother. " Warumo stroked his moustache again before nodding firmly. "Yes. That is what I would do."
Ernst smiled broadly. "I was thinking the same thing," he proclaimed. He thought about it a minute more, then clapped his hands. "Excellent," he said. "That's what we'll do then." He turned back to the General. "Warumo, tomorrow morning, before the Sun God's rays have yet touched the earth, I want you to assemble a team and send them out."
Warumo bowed again as Ernst waved a dismissal to all the others. The assembled advisors filed out of the clearing back towards the main encampment, talking softly to each other. Ernst maintained his large smile as everyone departed. Yes, the look said, things were on the up and up.
As soon as he was alone, however, the smile disappeared. Sighing, he leaned over the wooden table. He rapped his knuckles on it a few times as he lost himself in thought.
His reverie was interrupted, however, by a great rustling from the forest behind him. He didn't even turn around. "How'd I do?" he asked.
A snort - it conveyed amusement, but also irritation.
Ernst scoffed. "Easy for you to say. People don't work the same way you do. We can only take truth in bits and pieces, not all at once. It makes us..." He waved a hand vaguely. "Unpredictable. Uncertain."
A snort again, followed by a huffing sound, and then huge yet graceful footsteps walking away. Ernst turned just in time to see a great white flank, as bright as sunlight, disappearing into the forest.
He rapped his knuckles on the table again, and allowed himself to be consumed by his thoughts once more.
---
"Alright, soldiers!" General Warumo hollered out. "I need volunteers for a special mission! The prince himself is looking for brave Knights to scout out the forests and farmlands of the Eastern Province for enemy movements!" Warumo eyeballed the men and women who stood before him. Some were young and eager, some were aged and battle-scarred - all were completely loyal to the prince, and would do anything for him.
"If you are interested," he continued, "gather at the eastern fortifications before dawn!" He nodded. "I will be awaiting you there." With that, he dismissed the assembled soldiers, and made his departure.
---
And so it begins! If people would kindly wait for Ysavvryl to make her first story post as Aleksandr, we'll start! Those who are interested in aiding Warumo in his special mission should, of course, head to the eastern fortifications of the Ernstian camp! I hope everyone has fun!
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