Orien stood hunched over the War Table in Castle Dour. Legate Rikke sat in a chair to his right, finishing a cup of wine. Tullius had returned to Cyrodiil earlier that month, on account of both the new rebellion, and the issues in the west, near Markarth. He was due to return today, and so Rikke and Orien sat around, waiting for him to return so they could figure out what they were going to do. As far as he knew, the companions had taken interest for some reason with the new rebellion in the east, and a Ranger had been sent to the west to help out the Jarl. Orien had read the report the Ranger had sent before heading out. He had apparently joined up with a band of mercenaries that the Jarl had called out for... Against the Empires wishes, but, it was alright, because a few agents made sure that the best mercs in the land would "Hear" about the call to arms. That just left the issues in the Rift that had recently started to begin. First the mysterious disappearances, and then reports that an Imperial Fort had mysteriously gone quiet. Orien sighed. "You know, I thought that after we put down the first Rebellion, that we would be able to concentrate on fighting the Dominion again, but for some reason, we can not get a break. We go from bad, to worse, to mysterious. I'm sick of it. To top that off, I have been cooped up in here for the past few months. The best fight I have had here recently was with the training dummy out in the court yard. To top that off, there is this dang bird that has it out for me for reasons unknown. I never can get him though, he just drops nuts and acorns on me from above, squawks, and then flies off. Its like he waits for me to walk outside, probably sitting on some perch. I couldn't imagine being stuck up here constantly, instead of in the field. I feel like i'm going soft." He said, then a slight grin came across his face. "Imagine how soft you would be if you just sat up here all day, everyday, not seeing much action." He muttered. There was a little coughing noise, and some sputtering to his right, and Orien grinned in satisfaction. "You think I've gone soft?" Rikke muttered as she stood from her seat. "Come on, you and me, duel." She spat out. Orien let out a chuckle.
The two legates walked outside, and Orien was almost immediately set upon by the bird, who began dive bombing him with nuts. Rikke, who was finishing up her cup of wine, sputtered out the last sip as she tried to stifle a laugh, but she couldn't. Setting her cup down, she reached for two wooden practice swords, and tossed one to Orien. Catching it, the man looked down at it, as it seemed like a dagger in his hands. Shrugging, he took up a stance across from Rikke, who was doing the same. The duel began, and Orien quickly laid a tap onto her stomach, and Rikke let out a rush of wind. Stepping back to allow her to regain her air, he took up his stance. After about twenty seconds, she did the same, and they engaged again, this duel lasting a little longer, but the outcome being the same, this time Orien landing his sword gently upon the area where her neck met her shoulder. Rikke scowled, and shoved the sword off. The two continued to duel in the court yard. Rikke hadn't landed a single blow on him. Walking up to her, Orien had a big grin on his face. "Maybe I am going soft." She said, and Orien started to chuckle, but was cut off when his legs were suddenly swept out from under him by Rikke, who had lurched forward pretty quickly. Landing on his rear, Orien started to get up, but was stopped by the tip of Rikke's wooden sword on his neck. The female Legate had a grin on her face. Removing the sword, she extended a hand down to Orien, who accepted it. Taking a deep breath, and exhaling it, Rikke laughed. "Yep. still got it." She said. Orien raised an eyebrow. "I won two out of three... Old woman." This got a chuckle out of them both. Setting down his practice sword in the rack, he picked up a towel to dab his face of sweat, but as he pulled it away, he saw General Tullius walking up the steps to the castle. "He's back." Orien called over to Rikke. They both proceeded to the war table back inside the castle, following Tullius. As the three of them settled around the table, Tullius looked at Orien. "Look, something is going on here, I know it. Command has denied sending reinforcements at the moment, not until we can get some solid intel and proof that we have a real issue." Tullius said. Orien waited for him to continue. "Orien, I am sending you to the Rift. I want you to investigate what is happening, and also what happened to our fort. You will have the Legion's full support in the investigation, and all the resources of the soldiers in the area. You leave in the morning. Get some rest." Tullius finished up. Orien nodded his head in understanding. Excusing himself from the table, he went to his quarters, closing the doors behind him after entering. He proceeded to strip down, and enter into the iron tub in his room. The water was cold, but soothing. After the bath, he entered his bed, and fell asleep, for he had an to awake early tomorrow to set out on his journey.
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It was early in the morning. The Sun hadn't risen yet, however, Orien was already up and moving. He had gotten into his armor, and had eaten a breakfast of a horker loaf, some bread, and a glass of milk. His was packed and ready to go. Placing his shield on his back, he picked up his helmet in one hand, and his small traveling sack in the other, and left his quarters, proceeding to the door, however, he was stopped short by Tullius, who said that he was going to have another person traveling with him to the Rift, and to wait for him to arrive at the stables before leaving. Orien nodded, and then exited the castle, walking down the steps, and into Solitude. Heading to the gate, he got nods and waves from the citizens of the city, as he was pretty well known to the people. Orien smiled, and continued walking, through the gate, and down the path to where the stables were. Upon arriving, Geimund, who owned the stables, walked his horse, a beautiful female paint horse named Aeris, up to him. Orien liked to saddle her himself, instead of letting others do it. She was a wild one, but Orien and her had been together since the Siege of Whiterun back in the Civil War, and they had a bond. Orien set down his sack, and put his helmet down on top of it. Giving her a hug around her neck, he began talking to her as he saddled her up. As he finished putting the saddle on, and tightening it, he then picked up his bag, pulled his mace out of it, and then tied the bag and its remaining contents to the saddle. Putting his mace in its sheath on his belt, he picked up his helmet, and put it under his arm. Petting Aeris's neck, Orien stood next to his saddled horse, waiting for whoever it was he was supposed to travel with to show up.