Sit, Kerag. She sat and after he did, she took a deep breath and folded her hands.
I've talked with the Commander. He'll be dealing with...personal issues and taking a slightly more minor role in the guard. But he raised to me a concern I think you should hear. He feels as though the Guard does not respect him. Which...I feel...is accurate. She paused.
It's just as much my fault as it is you and Venom's. I'm sure you can think of numerous instances were we've blown him off or disregarded him. And while we are a small guard, and there's something to be said for being friendly between us, there's also something to be said for the chain of command.
Kerag took a seat and patently heard her out, opening his mouth once or twice to say something, then restraining himself until she finished.
"I've noticed. And though you may have a point or two, I feel he perhaps has taken the notion and blow it out of proportion. If I may speak freely, I feel that if the 'Commander' is taking a more minor role than his Captain, than perhaps the chain of command needs to be rearranged? Don't get me wrong Margrett, It's not that I don't respect the man, by the war gods, I helped patch him up after Renquist, but he has failed to show respect and acknowledgment in return. It appears every action I take is ridiculed, despite the benefits and successes I've brought to the Guard.
"It's as if I cannot appease his 'superior' moral judgment, that he looks down on some of us for our methods. I'm an older grown orc, and I do what I think is right at the time. Sure I'm unorthodox, but I get results. What good is the chain of command if it unfairly subjects it's hard working guards through nonsense? I do not mind following his orders, but I often find them questionable, and his attitude less than desirable."
Kerag took a deep breath.
"I mean no disrespect however. As I've said before, he is a great guy who means well, but I think you can do a better job with the Guard than he can. What is a wild man doing trying to run a Guard anyways?"
She was silent a moment, and chose her words diplomatically.
I have....some of the same thoughts. Some. But regardless, he is the leader, and we need to strike a medium between friendly banter and respect. He was the one who constructed the guard from nothing, and for that, he deserves what we can give him. Until such time as he steps down. And if he does, I would ask that the same respect given to me.
"As long as he takes the appropriate steps to meet us in the middle, I have no problem with affording the man the respect he wants. I appreciate your honesty, and honestly, I'd never have an issue giving you that respect were he to step down and you assumed command. You have my word."
Kerag relaxed.
"If that's all, I'd like to inform you of a recent development. Venom and I found a merchant swindled into buying a golem he can't communicate with. We took it off his hands thinking it might be useful for either the Guard or Wistvale, and it'll follow us, but we must take it to Highever where we can find the appropriate help. I trust it isn't a problem for us to go figure it out?"
She seemed satisfied they'd cleared the air, at least somewhat.
Highever's a ways away. But a golem can be a powerful thing in the right hands... She tapped the table, thinking.
I think me and Tallia can watch the town for a week or so. But no longer. I know I've taken a few....breaks in the past, but we'll have to do a better job coordinating in the future.
Kerag woke as the dull orange orb broke the horizon, it illuminated the shack and he forcibly rose to his feet, fighting the temptation to sleep more. He gathered his things and locked his personal journal in the safe, locking the shack door behind him.
"A new day."
His nostrils flared, taking in the morning air. Venom and Marble should be on their way any minute. He looked forward to seeing how his brother fared with the golem.
Venom had walked straight to the tavern, where he still resided on the second floor, talking to Marble all the time. Although she never responded and maybe didn't understand him, Venom continued trating her as a real person. It was akward when he got to his room and opened the door, turning around to look at her. Some people may have taken that invite the wrong way, and it looked even worse since she was a gargoyle. He shook his head, wondering if Kerag was laughing at home just picturing him and the gargoyle together. When they entered the room, Venom took off his gear only and felt weird being watched upon nonstop. He blew out the candle and tried to fall asleep after saying goodnight to Marble. It was uneasy just feeling her presence and knowing she was still watching him.
The next morning they met up with Kerag where they had agreed upon to set off on their journey and Venom looked like a mess. It was obvious he had little sleep the night before. His baggy eyes and messed up hair were evidence of that.
Kerag was in good spirits, starkly contrasting with his brother. He tried to fight the laughter building in his gut, and managed a few words before busting over and laughing till he wiped tears from his eye.
"Marble kept you up all night huh? I knew you insisted on treating her like a real person, but I didn't think you'd...I mean, was it good?"
The orc waved his hand apologetically, even as he continued to laugh. Sometime later he found his composure and smirked.
"To Highever, come we've wasted enough time as it is."
Kerag began walking towards the outskirts of town, and towards the forest that lay ahead.
Last Edit: Oct 24, 2011 18:16:30 GMT -5 by Sir Kerag
Venom kept rubbing his eyes, trying to stay awake. Never again would he allow a gargoyle in his bedroom. It was just too disturbing. He walked next to Kerag, chatting as much as he could to make the journey a little more exciting.
I wonder what Captain Mikael would have done with Marble, if she were in our position?
Morning light broke through the canopy of trees above them, and the soft steady flow of a river wasn't far. Kerag shrugged, the faintest of smiles playing on his lips.
"Depends."
The orc's armor clanked, disrupting the relative silence. A few birds chirped above them, and wildlife kept clear of their path.
"She'd sleep with it or set it to tasks a mortal guard wouldn't be capable of doing for long periods of time. Constant patrols, keep guard of locations of interest..."
Kerag glanced at Marble.
"Think about it Brother, no need for sleep or food, it'd be an excellent tool no?"
His eyebrow arched.
"Of course communication is the biggest barrier. I doubt she'd pursue a different course of action than us considering our current predicament."