Iskal and Lesquare trodded the clean, cobbled streets of the Ruling Town at a brisk pace, overtaking ambling shoppers and tradesmen in weaving paths, separating and joining together again. They talked pleasantly of various everyday things, each sentence coming out a little breathy with the exertion of the walking. The pair turned a corner to see the high flat wall of The Palisade taking up most of the view, before slowing at the sight of a dense crowd of civilians.

  They came to a stop next the battered remains of a row of three shops, windows blown out, various items dropped or damaged on the pavement, or hanging from the charred splintered wooden frames. A thin, patchy line of Collosean soldiers stood before the crowd, slowly pushing them back with repetitive calls for 'all to disperse back to their days.' And yet, the gathering looked on, peering around the soldiers' sharp, blue-green helmets.

  'What happened here?' Asked Iskal to one of the soldiers. Lesquare looked at his chain timepiece, agitation in his movements, seeming to care little if any about the scene of destruction to his left.

  'Nothing to worry about squire.' Said the soldier, looking up and down at Iskal's civilian outfit.

  Iskal stifled his annoyance at being addressed in such a way by a low-ranked Constable Marcher, how he would accost one of his old troop if they'd spoken to him with such irreverance. But he'd learned quickly that pride had to take a backseat in the interest of maintaining the secrecy of his new work.

  'When were these shops targeted?' asked Iskal.

  The soldier sighed. 'Early this morning. Looks like they burned these ones to hide any evidence they might have dropped. They're thinking one of the gangs from the East of town. Always is with these things. Not sure which one though, too many to count these days, all with their silly names.' The soldier stopped talking at the final word, and looked around anxiously, as if worried some ganglord would overhear him and mark his name in the black book.

  'We must away.' Whispered Lesquare. Iskal thanked the soldier and the two set off again.

  'They're getting bolder, hitting businesses just a stone's throw from The Palisade.' Said Iskal.

  'Bolder or more desperate? Richer shops means bigger payout, bigger payout means they don't need to hit as many places.'

  'If it's one of the families from the east then it's not a matter of desperation, they've got plenty of ryals to spare.'

  'How do you know it's one of the families?' Returned Lesquare, cocking an eyebrow, 'More and more sorts turning to this kind of business.'

  This wasn't the first time Lesquare had steered the conversational focus from the Eastern Families. Iskal had noticed it on a few occasions now. But he'd have to ruminate on that another time - they'd arrived at The Palisade.

  The Prelacy Room hit them with its characteristic cool, scented air as they entered: dark spice and leather, with a touch of tobacco smoke. To Iskal, the smell always seemed to contrast with the feel of the room. He associated these pleasant odours with warmth, comfort rather than frigidity. The rest of the Valley Command were already seated. Iskal clocked an acrimonious smirk from the heavily-lined lips of Captain Pavani. He could feel the simmering annoyance from Lesquare that their lateness had given Pavani such easy artillery for his campaign against the Commander.

  After accepting their apologies, Valley Admiral Henney stood and put his hands to the oak and brass table, leaning forward so that the thin candlelight from above presented him before his subordinates. Iskal noticed a small tremor starting in his arms, just barely recognisable under the thick blue-green officer's cloak, but it was there. He then looked at the walking cane besides his superior, the liverspotted hands. He'd grown fond of Henney during his short time in the Command, most notably his unmovable resolve even during times of such intense work and stress. But there was no avoiding that age was quickly catching up to the Old Bull.

  'I realise a change in meeting times so close to the wire can cause disruption, so I appreciate your efforts to adjust accordingly,' Henney focused his lidded eyes on Iskal and Lesquare, before addressing the whole room again, 'but I felt the information I have for you should not be kept to wait.'

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The seated officers shuffled in their seats, adjusted their uniforms, leaned forward.

  'There was a meeting held last night in the late hours between the heads of each branch, hosted by the Prime Regent. I can't reveal all that was said there, for some details were too sensitive even for soldiers of such esteem as yourselves. However, there are matters to discuss with regard to both the Valley manoeuvres and the work Marks and Lesquare have been overseeing.' Henney waved a halfhearted hand in their direction. 'Our most senior constable soldiers have been reporting a significant uptick in general unrest amongst the masses. It's mainly localised to Embestour...' Henney pointed to the intricate map covering on the grand table, 'due to it's size, importance, and position at the edge of the Triskellion, but we're receiving falcons on the hourly telling us that the same rot is spreading to even the most eastern provinces. The only city that's showing limited criminal activity is Ezo,' Henney now pointed to the city bordering the Indam Water lake near the middle of the Triskellion Valley, tapping the map with a varnished pine pointer, 'but that's only because of the significant number of troops using it as our base of operations in the valley.'

  'Civil unrest is often to be expected in times of conflict.' Interjected Pavani, his jowels shaking with each word.

  'Not always, history tells us that war can stoke a true unity amongst the populus. What makes the difference is the attitudes towards the justification for the war itself.'

  'Perhaps they see us as the oppressor rather than the oppressed.' Said Lesquare. A few of the officers around the table looked at him as if he'd just wiped his nose on the Collosean flag.

  Henney simply chuckled though. 'Perhaps. We do face a problem of appearances. The Prime Regent's... or should I say Deputy Regent Tarilius' reasoning-' a murmur of discontent circled around the table, 'for the escalation is the concern over the Haemonine's monopoly on the Undara moss. I also learned last night that they grow more and more weary of a potential collaboration between the Haemonines and the Ruskelites, although the intelligence coming out of Ruskel is, as usual, vague at best. Our problem, sirs, is that we cannot admit to the public that we have these concerns regarding the undara, for it would indicate weakness. Our Propeganderists have tried to sow anti-Haemonine rhetoric in the streets, but have failed to have much of an impact. The financial consequences from the lack of trade and costs of war are only worsening things. There's only so much the people will tolerate when their kids are missing two of the three meals.'

  'Wasn't this unrest predicted by the Prime Regent though?' Inquired Iskal.

  'Yes, but it's increasing at a far faster rate than anticipated. We've attempted to curtail this not only through propaganda but also via strict discipline and curfews, but it seems this has worstened matters. Businesses are being pillaged en masse, constables assaulted with no instigation, and have you not seen an increase in the cultist activity from your investigations?'

  Lesquare nodded and leaned forward a little. 'We've seen a ten fold increase in badge graffiti for The New Becoming, The Broken Headstones, The Silk Moths, The Commitants, and even The Feather Saints.' A few laughs sang out from the table after the final name was reeled out by Lesquare.

  'They should all be considered with utmost import!' Snapped Henney, and the laughs were promptly snuffed.

  'We've also been seeing an increase in movement from the Archet Alley Bruisers.' Offered Pavani.

  This suddenly flashed within Iskal the memory of the fight in Old Tolph's embroidery shop, where he was saved by the timely hand of Lesquare. Some parts of him still hurt from that fight, including a few cracked ribs. Although he wasn't sure if it was the brawl with the Alley bruisers or the battle with the New Becoming Cultists in the woods that caused them. A dull ache arose in his side and he shifted his position out of the chair.

  'The cults are our primary concern.' Said Henney to Pavani. 'The East Embestour families can cut the skin of Embestour, but it is the underground sects that necrotise the flesh.'

  Lesquare nodded. 'Unfortunately, myself and Chieftain Marks have found some... difficulty in cracking down on them. We've uncovered one or two low-level hideouts, but little else, particularly when it comes to the New Becoming, which I feel pose the greatest threat.' Lesquare looked at Iskal now, with an expression which Iskal struggled to identify. He still felt watched in this place, in this job. Even after all these weeks of close work, could Lesquare still have doubts about his loyalty or his motives? Then again, any effort to discuss these concerns might only stoke the suspicions. Iskal sensed acid rising in his gut.

  'Yes I know', said Henney to Lesquare, 'Which is why I wish for you to start getting in touch with your less... frequented contacts.'

  'Who might those be?' Asked Pavani.

  'Your old wetnurses.' Smirked Lesquare. 'It's none of your concern who they may be. Focus on fumbling your own tasks.'

  'In the meanwhile,' cut in Henney, 'and I must reiterate this does NOT leave this room, but, despite Deputy Regent Tarilius complaints over the matter, Prime Regent Leynsham is considering a truce with the Haemonines. She's asked me to draw up some hypothetical, I repeat, hypothetical, plans for a potential parlay with Chancellor Gilethe on the Floating Quay out on the Undirheima. It seems she might be starting to think she overplayed her hand by sending half the Collosean troops into the Valley. Make no mistake, soldiers, the risk of mutiny in the streets cannot be ruled out here. We have to manage the next few weeks with the utmost diligence.'