Panta stood under a canopy, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood at the shadow's edge, looking out over the no man's land between the Republic and the Kin's border. As he stood in place, he contemplated whether what he was looking at was real, which was a reasonable uncertainty on his part.

If there was anything regarding the Kin that he had learned over the last months, it was that you could not trust the first or even second glance you took at them. Were the few miles between the wall of the Northern Fort and the one the Kin had constructed really empty? Was all of the wall real, or was part of it or the entire thing an illusion?

Questions he had no real way to answer, as he was still hesitantly attempting to maintain a cordial relationship. Probing their defenses would undermine any efforts to maintain that status. It could all also be a test to see how he would react… but Panta was putting too much thought into the matter now.

Whether the wall — illusion or not — was supposed to make him hesitant to attack or test his actions, he had little choice in his reaction. He had to make peace. Engaging with a potentially friendly faction of the Kin while another definitely hostile faction and the dark elves were skulking about would be folly, so all he could do was gaze over the land and wait.

Not for the situation to resolve itself but for the procession of legionaries and camp followers to reach him. The 14th Legion had exited the gates of the Kin wall a little less than half an hour ago and were maintaining an easy march to travel along the road to the Triad.

At their front was Legatus Kellaport, riding with his head held high, the legion standard and republic eagle on his left and right flanks, respectively. It was like he was returning from a victorious campaign that was deep in the heart of hostile lands against a great foe. Not to mean that he had nothing to be proud of.

From the reports Panta had received, the legatus made the best of a bad situation and came out of it with most of his legion intact. He won a battle, though that was more despite his efforts and from luck than real skill. The real issue was how he handled the situation coming south, and it suggested that the rumors of his personality were not exaggerated.

Putting a pleasant smile on his face, Panta stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Legatus Kellaport. I am glad that the disaster that befell the lands to the west has not been total. We can only hope that there are more like you who have managed to squeeze a little good out of such disastrous and terrible circumstances."

"Thank you for such praise," The other Legatus responded as he swung off his horse, leaving the rains with a legionary and moving forward to clasp forearms with Panta in greeting. "From what I can see, we weren't the only ones to be engaged in battle. This mighty fortress seems to have taken quite the beating. One can only wonder how it was allowed to fall into such a state."

Panta's face twitched slightly in annoyance at the comment, as there was truth to it. The only way to describe the situation was that the Triad and Southtown had been brought to their knees, though they were still alive. Half the Northern Fort's wall and part of the western was distinctly different and still not quite up to the same standard as the rest.

A point Panta couldn't gripe about, as the only reason that there was a wall at all was that everything inside the Northern and part of the Western Forts was leveled for building materials. For the first time in… he didn't know how long, the fort had rows of tents inside the walls where there should be stone buildings. And that wasn't all, as more building materials were being taken from old quarries and the ruins of Southtown to continue the work.

"Yes," Panta said, half turning to look at the walls of the fort with a fond smile, "The old girl has taken a few new scars, but despite facing foes never seen in the history of the Republic, she and her defenders are still standing strong. It is more than can be said about many places in this day and age."

"Quite right." The plump man hissed in annoyance. "It is an unparalleled achievement. Never before have I heard of the rejects of the Republic achieving such victories. Ballads and plays should be written about the achievement. However, I can't help but wonder if it was the fifteenth who were the ones to retain control of the Triad or the Ravens that were the bulwark that broke the backs of her attackers. Attackers that can turn from foe to friend at a whim even while more of their kind plunder their way through the countryside."

"The fifteenth and Southtown militia held their ground against impossible odds, and with the Kin's and Senatorial Guards' help, we enveloped the goblins, slaughtering them. It was only reasonable to use what resources were available in the most effective way possible… A fact that you should be well aware of. But where are my manners? I am sure that after the long march from your posting, you are in need of refreshments, as are your men. The camp workers of the Triad have already laid out a camp and meals for them, so feel no need to hold back from this meager fair." Turning to the side, Panta motioned to the rear of the canopy, where two chairs and a small table could be seen facing the marching troops.

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Not waiting for the other man, Panta moved and took his own seat, grabbing a cup of wine to sip on as he watched the 14th's legatus move to join him. Neither spoke, Panta watching the procession of legionaries marching by as the other picked at the refreshments. Finally, Kellaport gathered either his thoughts or his courage, speaking up, "While I appreciate the hospitality, is this position not asking for the beastkins to attack us. We are presenting a perfect opportunity for them, rendering two legions and the rest of the north without proper leadership."

Turning to look at the weak man, Panta smiled, "Yes. Yes, we are." At his grave tone, the man's face paled, and he shifted on his chair, suddenly uncomfortable.

Watching the other Legatus grow increasingly uncomfortable, Panta took another sip of his wine before looking to the legionaries passing them. "Legatus Kellaport," Panta started, the friendly tone of their early conversations gone, "I am well aware of the common perception about your… personality and history."

The man's face somehow turned so pale that he was like the dead, and then all the color came flooding back, a vein on his pudgy forehead throbbing. Holding up a hand to forestall an outburst that could not be ignored, Panta started talking, "And I don't care."

It took a few seconds, but the other legatus calmed down and settled back into his chair before finally asking the question burning in his mind. "Then why are you bringing it up. Everyone knows rumors are unfounded exaggerations the vast majority of the time. I would think bringing them up in front of polite company is below you."

"Polite company…" Panta said, tasting the words. "That's an interesting phrase. In the context most people use it, there is hardly anything polite about the company. More often than not, those individuals are the ones who spread the rumors that destroy reputations and careers, though there is often a grain of truth within them. As for you, your rank alone signifies your ambitions, and your stationing along the northern line shows your lack of skill among… polite company."

Panta watched the other man from the corner of his eye, his face flashing through a range of emotions, from outrage to irritation, and finally settling on begrudging acceptance. When Panta thought his comments had sunk in enough, he said, "I am not, 'polite company.'"

"What do you mean?" Legatus Kellaport hesitantly asked, his face gaining a calculating gleam.

"I am uncertain how much you know about my background, but a little effort will show you I have a long, successful career in the Isles. If I was willing to purge a dozen noble families, I could have consolidated my power into a high noble lineage, but I passed on the power I gathered to my successor and took a position up here. Not because I am weak but because the rebellion it would have caused would have taken decades to put down, and there would have been no guarantee of my victory. I have always done what is best for the Republic, and right now, we are facing enemies that none of us are prepared for, but we have the most experience."

"…Yes," Kellaport said, his tone thoughtful. "We are the ones with the most experience dealing with the Kin, aren't we."

"Indeed. I can assure you that while the Triad has suffered under my watch, I am far from having it taken from me… But even if I was removed, there is little chance that you would be the one who would be given the rains."

The other man's back stiffened, and he let out a huff of indignation, "There would be no one better for the position than me. I have already fought and won a battle against the Kin and have learned of the dark elves' ways."

"And yet, you are out of favor. You saved what you could, but the fact remains that you are the commander who abandoned the Eastern Forts for the first time since they were constructed. Given the circumstances, they can not strip your command, but it is more than enough for them to deny elevating you. Of course, in your stead, someone who has never set foot in the north will graciously take up the burden of defending the Triad."

"They would never do that!" Legatus Kellaport declared, enraged, "Who would be willing to end their career by coming up here… Oh, I apologize. I did not mean to insult you."

"None was taken. I did come here as an end to my career, but now, that is no longer the case. Over the last three months, the Triad, Basetown, and Cross have become the most active combat zones in the Republic. I already have a Tribune Latic assigned, and I doubt you will lack one much longer. Soon, the opinion on the Northern Line becoming a dead end for a career will be gone, assuming it hasn't changed already."

"…Yes… That makes sense. I should have thought of that."

"It's understandable that you didn't, as you had to worry about getting your legion into friendly territory. But now it is time to change your mindset. If we are to retain our positions and keep the Republic stable while fighting foes we are best equipped to confront, we will need a unified front. Everyone who comes north will seek whatever advantage they can gain, and dividing us would be an easy one." Turning, Panta looked at the younger man, trying to convey the seriousness of his words.

"I understand," Kellaport said, his back straightening as he held up his chin with a newfound sense of pride. "We are the ones at the forefront of this conflict, and no one can take that away from us."

"Yes, we are exactly that. And to ensure we hold our positions, we are going to have to take a gamble."

"What gamble?"

"We have to show progress. A victory. Both of us have suffered losses and defeats at the hands of the Kin and dark elves. But if we can make them into a new ally — and, more importantly — show what we can gain from the Redtail Faction, the opportunities will make others support us, so long as we can retain control over access to them. This is why I had us meet out here to show that we do not fear and perhaps even trust the Kin. If we are to form any relationship with them, this is the first step."

"Yes… Yes. A clever strategy if I ever heard one. So, what will I have to do?" Panta smiled at the question as he looked at the marching legionaries, mentally checking off one item on his list.

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