A New War

Bootleggers' Pier

Margrave Otho knelt in his prayers rug, bare chested, breathing in the fumes of the coal brazier that burnt slowly in a corner of his command tent. Although his eyes were closed, and the young boy was as silent as a wraith, he could sense him coming in through the flaps of the tent. He could smell the food of tray being carried and left at his table. Despite his self control Margrave could not stop his stomach growling in hunger.

At the start of the sea journey to Arcadia, him and his man had made a vow not to eat until they set foot in the new land, if the Pillars ensured none of the Flock died while crossing the ocean. Coming to Arcadia was to become a pilgrimage for years to come among the faithful, in Margrave's mind. A devotional practice that would consist of a prolonged journey towards a destination of significance. A land of heathens and magik weavers. A land in need of the light of the Pillars. A land calling for a new Inquisition.

The Purger had passed on the message to his men that tonight after their evening prayers and litanies, they were finally allowed to break their fast. He finished his final prayers to Zin, Vastad and Cambena, confession, contrition and supplication, and rose from his patterned rug. In his desk he saw a small steamed fish, with some greens and a jug of water. No spices, no salt and nothing that would disturb the natural state of the human body and mind. Nothing to exult or titillate the senses. He sat for his first meal in over a month and read the reports Sir Zane and the Duke had prepared for him.

He had already selected a few that were of interest to him, mainly those pertaining to the Creed of Slivikhi, Sentinel Island and the drug called Felfar.
He also cast his eyes over the upcoming campaign and the plans in place and was not too pleased that the Duke had made an alliance with the clans from Fang. In his eyes everyone in this lands were heathens, but if his religious mind scorned what the thought of working with their kind, his strategic mind understood the importance of allies in the upcoming months.

Margrave Otho took a piece of fish in his month, giving thanks to the Pillars, promising that soon the natives would feel the wrath of the Flock of Silence.