5281 Not babd, given slow morning.

Claudius said. “Everything is looking good. As expected they are arming, but expecting nothing more then what we gave last time. They truly see that faint is victory. It will serve us well, As are the slaves we gained. I can not believe they bought our mages running that easy. Keeping up the small pushes each year further convinces them we see them as the stronger force.” He chucked. “It will be delightfully to break them, and show them just who is in charge. I am sure we can find some value in them. They do have some fight to them, which is more then hoped.”

The other man’s gruff vice answered. “That it is, and it will be good for the men to get a taste of a fight. It is nice for them to face something that doesn’t just roll over. We might just be able to get a descent class of slaves out of them, giving how well they fight. Given the past I do not expect them to run or roll even when they realize we are not toying this time. Like you said brother, it should be fun for all. Even the stock should get something from it. They are surprising. I truly didn’t expect much from them, they seemed to hide bound. It is starting that some knew how to take the years, but it was good for the kids to lose them. They will be far less sloppy now. Like wise the underlings will remember that bows and blades kill. I cannot believe they went out there expecting honor from filth. The seeming though is troubling. There has been no further sign of them, but it was real. Likely attached to one of the hired units, but still could be a problem. It would not do to discount it. We had best have some ready to deal with them, should there be a few more. For all it is unlikely they will appear, given how they avoid the week ones. Such silly ideas they have, leaving them instead of using them as is meant.”

Claudius nodded. “Yes it will be best to be ready. I saw the images as well and agree the care is needed. Yet it is time to move. If it was not just a lost one, then they know we are here, if it is then we can use it to test with. Either way striking now is the best move. It is the time that was decreed for victory.”

The other nodded. “But we must be prepared should they like wise be ready. Yes this will be a worthy test. They are going to be keeping the main forces to the east, but are sending some to watch the lands we want, but mostly trusting it to hired troops, thinking we won’t go that way again. All the better for us,. It will insure that the boys are playing with those that know to fight, and they will be a good reward as well.” He laughed. “Telling them that will see they are motivated. Now then this is what I have in mind. Let’s see how it meets with your plans.”

Over the next hour it became clear to the listeners that they would be facing a real force this time. The empire was going to bring its full force to bare. They were done playing. The numbers alone would let them win if more help was not found. Lucky the help was there, but getting Crater to agree to using it might be hard. However it it was in place they would accept it once they saw what they were facing. However that would not be until after the battle gad started, as the empire wanted a fight not a roll over. They wanted the men to see what combat was as well as wanting to test the sprit of the new slaves before they were brought to heal. Charity killed the spell not wanting to know what they planed for captives. What they knew already was more then sickening enough.

Misa spoke though the link to Jabari. ‘I will have the army waiting for the gate. But a team and extra mages will meet one of at Selvain Plain in a months time. You just say you brought a second Mercenary company with you as they were bored. They will fight under the Olive Tree. None of Crater will know it. If the others do all the better they get a pause. Half the mages will stay with Kanelo, who will be leading the Company, the other half will be under the two of you. There are already a few coming to join De on their own. One of you needs to meet the group on the plains. It will look better, and De will trust them more that way. You can just tell her Jabari’s old Company wants in if you think it best she not know it is an advanced guard.’

Charity frowned. ‘The help will be most welcome, of course. However it might be best to let us speak to De and make sure she aggress before sending them. It is not right to spring it on her already done.’

It was not Mias who answered but one of the elders from the hill. ‘The warrior will fight and stomp. Yell about rash invites. But she will agree to let you do it. Some of ours will be with one, so a gate for us can be made at the right time. They will follow your lead as to weather you want them fighter or mage, young Lords. They will be at your command. Yes Charity there will be a servant among them just for you. Asaim will need help once you are home the older words will be louder. Not only that but it is past time you had one to see to you. It is expected of you, as I can wait no longer. You will need one watching. For all you knew not you did show a true from to them in that battle. They will be looking for you. As I said you did right, or we would have stopped you then. However it does mean they will be looking for you.’

Mias said. ‘Good, and thank you. It will help that you send one Old friend. She will not scare away one you send so easily. I was trying to come up with another stubborn enough to stay with her. Daughter he is right, your good captain will agree. By getting them started to you know you shouldn’t be to delayed by picking them up. I do not want you going there without them. Thy will be waiting on the Plain in a month.’

Charity shook her head, but was smiling, knowing she had lost. But at least she had put it off for a few years. Yet another thing she was going to have to explain. She was just surprised that he had let her wait this long. ‘Yes Sehiam, it shall be as you say. I will take who you send. I do hope the servant will not mind the lighter hand out here. I will try and let it do its job, but I am not good at that. I will see someone is there to meet you in a month. Now we had best go see De.’

He said. ‘The years have taught you much. It is good that you are not fighting it this time Student. Neither of you can hide, for all you would like to. We need you to much. So that means you need them. Call if you need us sooner, or learn more. We will pass on what we see as well. This is going to be messy and costly.’

Charity looked at Jabari and smiled. “So how do we tell De? Where do you want to say the troops are from Love? With Asaim so insistent on bowing she already knows you are a bit more then you let on.”

Jabari said. “With them sending troops and the battle that is forming it is going to all come out. I think it will be best if we just tell them.  I do wonder how this will go over. Your brother was a bit upset when he learned just what our bracelets mean.”

Charity nodded. “It is going to interesting. I can always ask him how he plans to keep his hands off Mike around Father if it gets too much. That should give him a new worry. They have not tried to hide for some time, and truly they are not going to be able to.”

Jabari laughed, got up and dressed. “Bet he hadn’t even thought of that. Come on let’s go let them know you told me so they don’t have to hide any more. Then we can tell them the rest of it. They are in De’s office, debating about sending for me. You would think that by now they would know I will hear them.”

Charity smiled. “I think they do know, but choice to act like they don’t dear. “ She stood up. “The soon done the sooner it will be old news. They need to know what we will be walking into anyway. If we tell that first De might be a bit less upset that we invited others to join us.”

He started for the door and said. “Asaim will just bring breakfast for every one to De’s office. He will have word of Stive for you then. He knows he made it to the wagons, but has not yet heard from the man he left to watch them.” Charity shook her head. “Come on you had to know he would have someone watching, after you made it clear you wanted him to stay out of trouble.”

She nodded as they moved out into the hall and started to the boss’s office. “I should have, but didn’t stop to think about it. I am so used to them following me when I go into town I forget they are there. Which I am sure they are pleased about.”

This early the camp was fairly quite breakfast would not be hitting the tables for another thirty minutes and as it was the off season folks would be slow about getting up. Therefore Chairty never considered that Jab was leading her into a full staff meating. However when he opened the door to the large room that De used that was what she found. De’s office always reminded her more of a living room then an office, for all it held racks of maps and a desk pilled full of papers. There was few in the company that hadn’t stopped by just for a cup of coffee, and a bit of chat. It was a friendly and as open as De was. Charity shook her head. “Jeb you could have said there was a meeting going on. Sorry folks, don’t mean to intrude.”

Warren moved over a bit. “Char as I tell you at least three time a week you are an officer now and belong here. Only reason I didn’t pull you in when I was is that I knew Ja had gotten in late and so thought you would be busy. Now get over here and sit. I trust it wasn’t use that got you out of bed, So what did? I expected him to keep you there for another hour yet.” Charity shook her head and took a place next to Warren with Jabari setting in on her other side. Which was where she usually found herself any more. Warren leaned over and kissed her lightly. “I mean it I truly did think he would manage to drag you back in bed. So what is up?”

Jabari said. “Asaim will be by in a bit with breakfast, as I said we might be a bit late. As I was seeing she ate hers she told me of the job offer, as you hoped she would. It will be interesting to see where she lived. It will be good to have a chance to tell Beth how glad I am she took care of her, and I will say nothing of the rest of it to the employer. Dose that work for you all?”

De looked at them and shook her head. Still amazed at how easy they were with each other. And to think she had been worried those first days that Charity was going to be hurt when her brother went to another bed for all she had been the one to say he would be. This strange relationship he had was not something she could ever have foreseen, yet it worked for all of them. Then to Charity was good at surprising people. She took naturally to command but kept insisting it wasn’t her place. “Now I know you are up to something. Yes that will do,”

Jabrai said. “Now what makes you think I am up to anything? So when do we head out?”

Charity punched him lightly. “Dear you know just why they think you are up to something. De might not have been there but she has heard the tale a dozen times over. No he is not happy with it, but dealing with the Tower is more important and Craters boarders are the best place to stop them this side of Gangies After I told him we went and looked in on the Tower. We were there at the right time though I wish we went. Claudius and the other big guy were having a planning meeting. We managed to get it monitored by a truth spell. They are not going to hold back this time.” That got there attention. “They said that the last time we were there was a faint just like the little pushes since then. However we surprised them and put up a real fight. Which will make it all the enjoyable to crush us. They are looking forward to it,. The fight as well as braking the people after they win. Sure they will find some with more spirit so then what they have to play with now."