Scatterbrain
Trying really hard to stay focused
Harnald, Salvatore, and Ricardo returned to camp earlier than expected after their rendezvous with Kiyan and her forces fell through. They had camped out overnight but their contact never showed. Salvatore, a master tracker, could pick up no signs of their comings and goings so they opted to return to camp. Arriving the following evening, Seaghan looked up from the campfire as they approached, surprised to see them back so soon.
"Back already? We thought you'd be gone for days," Seaghan remarked, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected development.
"We waited and waited, but no one showed," Harnald explained, shrugging his shoulders. "No sense wasting more time there. Have you heard anything from Akthubit?"
Seaghan shook his head. "No, sir. Nothing."
"Hmm..."
During their absence, Seaghan, Yishai, and Whiliyamu had been running bilateral military exercises with Akthubit's forces. Harnald glanced around the camp, noting the activity. "How are the exercises going?" he inquired.
Seaghan, the youngest of Harnald's lieutenants, spoke up. "They're going well. It's clear we're the superior force, but I think we might pick up a few new things."
Yishai couldn't resist making a snide remark. "Superior? That's an understatement. You might learn a thing or two, greenhorn, but the rest of us we’re leagues ahead." Whiliyamu, who was standing by Yishai, nodded his head in agreement.
"There is always room for improvement, Yishai." Harnald replied.
"Yeah, even diamonds have the flaws." Ricardo chimed in. "Although calling someone of your "manner," shall we say, a diamond might be a stretch."
Yishai looked daggers at Ricardo and snarled.
As they spoke, a messenger from Akthubit approached, handing Harnald a letter marked with the royal seal. Harnald opened it and read the contents, his expression remaining calm despite the surprising news. "Following the military exercises, they’re terminating our contract," he announced. "No reason given."
Yishai's temper flared. "What? After all we’ve done for them, they just let us go?"
Harnald raised a hand to calm him. "Relax, Yishai. Getting angry won't help."
Despite his calm exterior, the abrupt termination left the Company of the Oak in a precarious situation and Harnald retreated to his tent to contemplate their next move. As he entered, Rati, who was sitting on his shoulder, began sniffing the air then pointed towards his desk. Noticing another letter sitting there, Harnald opened it and found an offer of employment from Caolin. With a sense of relief, Harnald sat down and immediately began penning a response...
Actions
1: The Company of the Oak will travel to Caolin to finalise details of their new contract. (Use both actions if necessary)
2: After a long march, allow the men some R&R before the start of their new contract.