All the pieces [Nines Closed]

Nines had called a meeting with the four people he felt led the loyalist side of the magic council. He felt it was time he did this, someone had to step up, and no one was making the move. The first he told personally, old man Gero led R&D it only made sense for the guy to know, as Nines was still technically operating under his overarching mission. The second he had to send a letter to, Captain Mathius was off doing most likely from what Nines knew of the man, important business. The third was the easiest to contact, he informed Commander Von Argon after he had somewhat recovered after his tragic ordeal. He had never managed to guarantee that his daughter would show up, but that was okay, he was certain if Char didn't show up that the lady who led in Argon’s place would.

Nines was prepared for this meeting. It was important enough for him to call them in his own way. Currently he just had to wait for them to arrive. They were all in the camp now, so it was certain to not take long. The letter was sealed with the old royal seal itself, the only use for that would make the message urgent to Mathius, and Nines was certain the entire groups curiosity about this meeting wouldn’t be sated until it happened.

On the table he leaned over was a map, marked with red, purple, green, blue, orange, and white flags. The cities were recreated almost perfectly, building for building. The huge map was intensely detailed about Fiore.

Everything was going according to plan.

Paladin Captain Rena Thorn, the current acting head of the Magic Council, and Kai’s former second in command found Nines exactly where he’d asked to meet her. She showed up alongside Cornelius Argon, who had recently stepped down as the leader of the Magic Council. He was currently serving as an advisor, but had officially placed Rena at the top for the time being, at least. She was clad in her trademark armor, repainted white and gold and shiny as ever despite the dirt of the forest around them. “Seeker Nines,” She greeted, standing a comfortable distance to the side.

Behind her, Cornelius gave his old friend a grin. Unlike Rena, he was less formal, walking over and placing his hand firmly on Nines’ shoulder. “I see you’re planning something, as always,” he chuckled. He was never a happy man lately, with his daughter running around on her own and his son in the position he was in, but he was certainly doing better than right after the attack.

Rena took the helm for the moment as the two got into position. “Doctor Gerald and Captain Malthius are unable to make it at this time,” she informed Nines, standing at attention. In many ways she was Nines’ opposite, but she had never complained about his methods when he came up.

“The good doctor has Malthius and his men off in the forest looking for magical artifacts,” Argon clarified. “Rena promised to keep them updated.” Rena gave Argon a look. They knew one another well after years of her serving his son, and that look said she preferred for him to be more proper with guests, but contrary to popular opinion, Argon wasn’t even a little bit proper with the brother of his late wife until he had to be.

“I know” Nines replied. “I was told by a rather agitated crow from the west.” He continued. “He was rather upset that a men in armor were rummaging through his woods, disturbing the peace he said. I was rather amused” The man finished, as he did he stabbed another flag into the map. “Alot has happened Cornelious. I'm sure you’ve learned the majority of it from the good Captian here. However I’m not sure you know the full picture. So I designed this little...Picture to help.” Nines said gesturing towards the table.

“We occupy the woodsea, that much is obvious from the amount of trees i'm sure you’ve seen.” Nines pointed out the tent door. “The worst part, is now that the crusaders have cracked down on the cities, they have started combing the woods, as such we cannot afford to just sit around and watch them wage a war on their own country.” Nines continued to look at the map. “As bad as that is i'm pretty positive their leader is as smart, and clever as I am, and has the ability to manipulate the minds of the...weaker intellectuals...No offense old friend, to you or your thick headed son.” Nines bowed his head to his lord sovereign and husband to the only woman he could say he loved. “Apple did not fall far from the tree there.”

“This should be extremely worrisome, a person as smart as me could match me on this field anyday. We could wage this war for years, and years, branching into decades. Eventually I would most likely win the fight of attrition, I do not age.” Nines paused. “Alot has happened” Nines responded to Von Argons raised eyebrow at that last comment, without even looking at the king of fiore. “However that would be inefficient and dumb. We would lose more men then we gained, and that is not productive to the country I wish to protect. Fiore needs us yes, but it needs its citizens more.” Nines sighed, five days without sleep and counting. He was too busy thinking at this point. “So, to counter this, intellectual, I have realized I need to think outside the box. As such I am resigning from my official position as seeker. I no longer need to hunt those who have wronged Fiore’s citizens. For they are everywhere, all around us, even within its very borders. This is to be understandable, as the Magic Council has no say in what is right or wrong, only the general public does. Good and Evil, are just a bunch of arbitrary concepts that people use as labels.” Nines stopped and looked at the two members of the higher branches than he was. “As such I desire to be on the front lines. Rather than lead, or support, I want to fight.” He stated. “I wish to be a Paladin, without a squad mind you.” He continued. “A little unorthodox yes, but at the same time I myself can get the most damage done this way.” He turned back towards the table.

“Plus a mind manipulator cannot affect me. If what I believe Tallison is capable of, is true, than it would be best if I confronted her myself. So a move as simple, reckless, and dangerous as this, she would not understand, nor be able to predict.” Nines said leaning over the table. Tuesday, the arms cache that the crusaders were holding onto near magnolia was to move north today, it was the only logical direction. Nines removed the pin symbolizing that and moved it northward. A small garrison of Crusader guardsman where to reinforce it half way, preventing Loyalist intervention. These were the only logical and well thought out moves, the smart ones. “She would never risk herself for the citizens of Fiore, nor understand why a person would want too.” He finished. “Plus my apprentice wants to be a paladin, not a seeker”[/color]