The Eagle fretted for a while at the thought of delay (for he was not quite used to it) but Asha's calm, almost soothing, manner as she made that point had soothed him to some extent. The point was also sound; he'd do well not to engender divisions just days before his march.

Besides, so many things could be performed in three days. Private talks with each of his would-be lieutenants thus came next in his agenda.

To that end, first, he looked for Kalasnir. By that time he was well aware of the whispers accusing said person--rightly--of having had the audacity to shoot him down.

Let it not cause bad blood between us later...

Indeed, Kalasnir showed considerable hesitation as he was ushered into his former target's presence. Urdin opted to welcome him in while standing, to somewhat break the ice.

"Take a seat, will you, soldier."

"Sir. By your leave."

The Eagle sat down himself, noting his visitor's quivering fingers, and surmised he was itching still for some way to clear his records.

"You might be aware there are still rumors circulating about us two," Urdin began.

Kalasnir dared not meet his gaze. "A thousand apologies, sir. That was... very thoughtless of me. I even had the sense, while waiting on your wounded person during the first few hours after the calamity, that the mayoress might have wished it to have been me instead. I feel I deserve it!"

"Hold yourself together, man," came the emotionless reply. "Whatever punishment Asha would've meted on you, had been cancelled, it seems. Instead you have been transferred to my service, to fight another day."

"For that I am truly and deeply grateful, sir... though your reputation in strictness precedes you."

Urdin exhaled while leaning back in his seat. "I live among soldiers; be not strict, and I might not have gotten as far as I do. Is discipline here of different sorts, Kalasnir?"

"I would not say that, sir. However, if I may speak freely..." he gulped, flushing.

"Go on."

"Our discipline under Madam Mayor Ashara is as good as it would have been under the management of any man, sir, if not slightly better. Although we have had no battles worth mentioning, she kept us polished and fit to serve... and now we'll finally put the drills into actual practice! Oh, Sir Urdin, how I look forward to the day of our first march!"

"Hold on," the former general squinted. "No battles, did you say? How about during the reign of Asha's husband? Claiming princedom from a sovereign empire ought to have caused at least some tussle..."

"Ah, that was during my father's time, sir, and he only spoke of border guard duties. He recalled allowing two Skandian envoys past this city's gates, but that was pretty much it."

"What sort of adversaries have you been trained to handle, then?"

"Mainly Men, afoot or ahorse. For the latter, a well-placed arrow is as decent as any spear, held or thrown."

"Even in the face of thundering horses, with their riders' swords and maces drawn and pointed at you?"

Kalasnir sat straighter. "We have been trained also at feigned retreats, sir."

"Indeed?"

"It's a bit difficult to prove now, but--"

"And yet you managed to shoot me down. Was that in your training as well?"

"More of instinct, sir. To bring down hostiles in the air, you would of course have to aim higher, and release together. The braziers also were helpful to us, in somewhat lighting the quarry. It... might also aid that your focus was not completely on us."

"Everyone has their moments of inattention, and that was one of mine. Either way, we should now plan ahead."

Kalasnir's expression brightened. "I am at your service, sir. Employ me as you see fit."

Urdin stood. "Your father had been facing Men of the Skandian Empire, at least some of them--or, so he said. Well, this time it shall be different: you shall come across mixed forces of Men and vampires, while fighting as infantry. Think you can do that while keeping our left flank in line?"

There was a brief pause as the new realization sank in.

"A lifetime's experience, sir! Thank you for this rare honor!" Kalasnir looked fit to go to one knee once again, had he not caught the slight indication not to.

"Thank you for your attendance," Urdin closed. "Be there in our next war council, eh?"

"When will that be, sir?"

"In three days' time, with The Infinite One's Grace. For the moment, if you have nothing more to add, you may take your leave."

"Thank you for allowing me this audience, Sir Urdin! I promise to serve you well."

***

Flushed from this success at mending the small gap with Kalasnir, Urdin decided to press on. Next he sent summons to Shirsa and Arys all at once. The mayoress' son made his entry first, all bows and smiles.

"Sir Urdin. You seem to have improved quite a bit after that previous council."

"Thank you for noticing. Sit. You as well, Shirsa, you're not some attendant here."

"Sir," the conscripted archer replied, and sat. "How may we be of service?"

"By listening." Ingeras' brother took a good look at them, one after the other. "Arys--you've been by my side for so long, it'd be an insult not to be direct. Lead our right flank, and try to keep it intact. I'll be at the center. As for you, Shirsa..."

"Sir."

"Command the archers."

Urdin's interlocutor looked as if he'd been bid to slap the mayoress in the face with a rotten fish.

"With all due respect, I am but a former poacher, sir. Who would listen even for ten seconds to someone of such a background, not to mention in the heat of battle?"

"What's that? Do you feel it's too much to ask for a few grown men to launch some volleys?"

"No offense, sir, but they might as well direct said volleys at me instead... Please name another for this post, and I'd happily serve under him, or her."

"He's got a point, sir," Arys joined.

Urdin growled. "If you think none would listen to a male poacher, the thinking goes, why would they even look at any female officer I might appoint, supposing there is any? Hmm?"

"Sir, your words--"

"--Are not law. Not here. Recall, they hardly know me if not for Asha. So, Shirsa, you are really refusing this post then?"

"With a heavy heart, I do..." the former poacher lowered his gaze, ashamed.

"You could not be persuaded otherwise?"

"Sir, please understand..."

"Sir Urdin," Arys tried again, "pardons for interrupting, but while merit is important in decisions for a post-holder, the feelings of the men need also to be considered. If you are trying to get someone appointed to some key post just because you've seen them for a few hours, then with due respect, that would indeed be a peculiar way of recruitment."

"Mayhaps you can suggest another name?"

"I'll need to retire, sir, with your permission."

"How long?"

"Might take the rest of today, but I'll do my best to be swifter."

"Fine. Tomorrow at the latest. Clear?"

"Sir."

"Dismissed, both of you."

***

Thus left alone once again, the former general's thoughts returned to the possible state of his adversary.

"By this time Vlos might be trying to rally strength from the West... No, not him in person, to be sure, but some of his aide..."

He halted.

His aide..? Whoever could that be? Well, I know he wouldn't have been expelled from Elbar just with his mother, but still...

...That's not really something I need to concern myself very much right now. Besides, it's not like Asha could be expected to stretch her webs any further than she already had.

Urdin stood, and--for once feeling fed up with years upon years of poring on maps, plans and briefings--felt the urge to use his wings again outside. This new city's got to have gardens, libraries, flowers, fountains... and new people he could make acquaintance with, beyond the purpose of making recruits out of them.

For now, he made his way to one of the Estreon Keep's five round towers. Once outside, he breathed in the midday air, taking in the sight of the bustling city below. Markets, alleys, parks, rows upon rows of wood-and-brick houses...

Someday, he recalled with some melancholy, I might regret not to have seen those for myself when I had had the chance.

Regardless of the new banners fluttering on the citadel's parapets, Urdin was part of a city now. He was living in it. Suddenly the idea of asking Vestra out on a casual, semi-guided stroll was not very out-of-place at all, or mayhaps her brother would volunteer. Or Asha... though that would in all honesty give them the appearance of a married couple.

Urdin looked up with a sudden delightful realization.

How long has it been again since I last saw Tiana's family?

"Now then, let's see if I can get that slim Lioness to get me another more public outfit..."

***

Such a request, for all its abruptness, gained flash approval from Asha. So it was that the Eagle got to step out of the mayoral residence wearing a satin fur-trimmed grass-green doublet, a sable cloak, and fingerless gloves with a streak of red. Dust-colored trousers and the usual black marching boots completed his attire.

However, even in those, some were bound to recognize the former general. There was no mistaking his grim-looking face lines even when he put on a smile; his fine shoulder-length silvery hair; broad shoulders; or his overall pale complexion, distinctive to vampires. Not to mention with the fair-haired, fair-skinned and violet-eyed Vestra trying to show him the way.

Before long, the common folks were moving out of the pair's way in respect or silent admiration, interspersed with whispers--mostly from mothers and other girls--on how lucky Vestra must have been to have found herself a "veritable protector".

Overall, however, this sudden trip in which Urdin took in the sights and some pleasures of his city was relatively tranquil. Until...

"Sir Urdin! Way to get dressed!"

A child's voice split the air.

"Mind exchanging that simple cloak for this one, sir?"

The pair, by now laden with quite a few souvenirs mostly given away at crazily discounted prices, halted and looked on as the crowds on both sides fixed their gazes on to a widely-grinning Dazna, proffering his mother's trademark merchandise with both hands: the leaf-green cloak of House Hospodia.

"You," Vestra remarked, eyes wide. "How on earth--"

"Put. It. On!" the child yelled, his eyes twinkling. The nearest in the crowds joined him, and soon nearly the whole of Estreon's eastern market district was either clamoring for it or rushing to get a clue about what was happening, before joining in the chant as well.

The chant burst into a gigantic roar when Urdin did put it on, immediately followed by droves of people rushing to Tiana's stand to get the cloaks for thrice its normal price, egged on by her eldest child. By sunset that day he was still helping his mother noting future consignments.

As he cheerfully went home, Dazna recalled his promise to Urdin, made amidst the tumult in the wake of this landslide commercial triumph:

'My family is doubly indebted to you, sir. I shall prove myself worthy of your service in the future.'

For this, the Eagle had patted him on the head. 'Make your father proud.'

By sunset, too, Arys was ready with his list for Urdin to ponder over.