((Closed to those I invited))
Viola paced in her office as she looked at the reports in her hand, the soft paper rubbing against her skin and making a creaking noise. She looked to charts and diagrams, as well as numbers, crunching several in her head as she processed information and stacked it in her mind with previous notifications and events that pertained to her current thought process. She closed her eyes, mentally checked a few numbers and looked to the paper again. She flicked the black hair out of her eye, mentally chastising herself for not putting it into a pony tail like she usually did, and rechecked the numbers. The paper did not lie, but she was pleased to note her first guess was grossly wrong.
With a sigh she tossed the papers onto her hard wood desk, a mighty centerpiece to her office as she rested her hip against the lacquered oak imported from Concordia Forest. She looked down to her paperwork scattered throughout the large surface, and pulled up a few and wrote using her fountain pen a few lines and numbers, before coming up with one forgone conclusion.
As the Active Chief Counselor of Emprea and the woman who controlled the mighty arms of the nation’s military, she felt it was her duty to ensure that it was fully stocked, fully funded, and fully equipped. The nation had been nicely located near the edge of a mountain range that was very rich in deposits of minerals and metals mostly sought out for by other nations all around the world. This meant that the treasury could budget a generous portion to the people, the kingdom, and to the army. With full funding, Viola had felt that it was her duty to actually take into her own hands to remedy the one thing she could influence.
Recruitment.
And, according to her numbers, it was at an all time low. This concerned her, considering that the nation of Carthage had been breathing down the smaller nation’s neck for several years now. It was all Chancellor Freya could do to keep the Bloodstained Kingdom from marching, and Viola wanted to ensure her army was at peak performance and on call. She was afraid the army would invade at any moment, but thankfully the winter season came much swifter than this area of Althanas was used to, and so while the conditions were favorable for peace time, Viola wanted to take advantage to show their blood lust neighbors that if they did intend to march, it was against an army anyone would be proud to lead.
Of course, Viola constantly had to remind herself this was all a worst case scenario. Carthage had shown a miraculous breakthrough in negotiations when they agreed to a diplomatic trade of minerals and wealth in exchange for war horses. If they could be reasoned with, and better yet, an ally to the Emprean nation, than a new age of prosperity would swiftly take Emprea.
“As if,” Viola muttered loudly to nobody but her herself. The woman let her hands wrap around her chest just under breasts, looking to the door of her room. She was expecting people any moment, and was looking forward to it. Her monthly staff meeting was fast approaching, where she would talk with people she could count on. Those people were the Heroes of Emprea, a group of close comrades and friends who personified the tenants of Emprea’s martial discipline. Each one was a facet of their own, a powerful warrior who many had looked up to. In the trials to come, they would the pillars of stability to see the people of the nation she loved through.
There was a soft rap of knuckles upon her portal, before it creaked open and the sound of heeled boots clicked upon the stone floor before they were muffled by the luxurious Fallien carpet imported by the last Chief Counselor of Emprea. It was sort of a tradition, Viola had guessed looking over to her chair and desk. Everything in the office was very personable to the current Active Chief counselor, as each one had only ever used the wealth of Emprea for personal flair for a single purchase.
Moving behind her desk Viola loving touched the leather revolving chair she had masterworked in Corone when she was first imported. A comfortable chair was a luxury she allowed herself, since she spent so many hours sitting in this office. Her eyes softly looked to the intruder in her room, her lips pursing into a smile as Viola gave the newcomer a favored nod.
“Hello, Commander,” A timid voice spoke. “As you have requested, I made sure to get seven hundred of these fliers ready to be distributed by carriers at the end of the day. Now, as your personal adjutant and more importantly your best friend I’d like to know exactly what the hell is going on.” Viola let out a silent breath of mirth, a whimsical look on her face as she leaned back in her chair, feeling the padding move to comfort her aching bones.
Natalie Boros, Captain ranked, and personal Secretary to the Chief Counselor of Emprea was perhaps the only friend Viola admitted to having. She was a fiery red head, and naturally beautiful and was oft talked about in the hallways of the castle. In public, she was a very reserved model example of a dedicated officer. In private, she was just as prone to squealing in a high pitched voice and giggling about boys. Her latest infatuation, resident pretty boy David King, was one of the few boyfriends that had stayed in a long while. It probably helped David was also a Hero of Emprea, and Captain of the Royal Guard.
“I said,” Natalie spoke a bit louder, her eyebrows raising as she bent over to slam the sheet of paper on Viola’s desk. “Why am I making fliers to promote the Tantalum Troupe performing at this year’s winter ball? I mean, don’t get me wrong,” She said haphazardly, lifting herself up quickly as she paced around the front of Viola’s desk like a private detective, complete with stroking chin. “They are a world reknown hit for their several productions in Scara Brae, not to mention their airship is a traveling theatre.”
“Was,” Viola cut her off, her tone neutral as she looked to the flier and nodded, starting to file one into the six folders on her desk along with other stacks of papers for the meeting. “I do not think it flies anymore. But I could be wrong.”
“That didn’t answer my question!” Natalie moved towards Viola, eyes filled with curiosity. “Tell me!” Viola lifted a hand to her friends face, putting it on her forehead, and shoving her back as she stood, grabbing the stack of folders.
“It is nothing hard to contemplate. I called upon the Tantalum to perform in Emprea to help boost recruitment. I’ll explain it later in the meeting, come before we are late.” Natalie looked to her in confusion, before shrugging her shoulders and nodding.
“As you wish, Commander.”