Once they had the thief detained properly at the Thruf garrison, they made their way through to the Hall of Nobles. It was a two story building, almost as large as the garrison when you included it's pointed roof, though much more ornate in design with incredibly detailed carvings along every beam.

Zebulon and Tecovis made their way inside. Many of the nobility visited or kept offices here, hence the name. As such, they passed by many people with too many buttons on overly starched coats. The various perfumes from them mixed together into a toxic cacophony that assaulted Tecovis's nostrils. He could almost taste lavender oil.

That looks miserable to wear all day. So impractical. At least my armor protects me.

Because of their nature as guards, nobody questioned them as they made their way through the building to Jormund Skov's office.

“Hey Zeb, what's your strategy if the statements don't convince him?”

Zeb sighed. “I've been trying to avoid saying anything about it, but I'm going to bring up the low levy collection.”

“Wait, all these years of trying to get extra help and you never once brought up the levies? I know you don't like them any more than they do but that just doesn't seem reasonable.”

“Did you not hear me say I've been trying to avoid it!? They're outrageous! Nobody can pay that on their own, let alone refugees who aren't allowed to work or trade! They need mercy, not taxes!”

Zeb's sudden outburst caught Tecovis by surprise. It was rare for him to lose his composure. Zeb looked around and sighed with relief when nobody was staring back.

“Apologies, I didn't mean to speak so loud. I can't stand watching them scrounge through dirt for coin they don't have. I didn’t want to send the wrong message to the touched by getting the tax men involved. We're supposed to protect the people, not gouge them for every string they own.”

“I think I get it.”

“When we get in there, don't speak unless spoken to directly.  I've made a lot of attempts at this over the years. He may not say it, but he'll no doubt remember what I've already tried to convince him with.”

“And anything I say can and will be used against me, I understand.”

They arrived to find the door closed and a baggy eyed Commander Phurin standing outside it with his arms crossed. Zeb and Tecovis came to a stop before him and saluted.

“Good afternoon Commander.”

“Good? The pit it's good, Lieutenant.” He shook his head and extended the frown on his permanent scowl.

“If you're here to see the Buruzagi, he's busy. I've been here almost an hour.”

Tecovis asked, “Who's he talking to that's taking so long?”

“Doesn't matter, recruit.”

“I'm just saying it's unlike him to leave you of all people waiting.”

“You don't know him very well if you think that. And as I said, it doesn't matter. Drop it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Tecovis looked over to Zeb. He seemed completely unsurprised at the commander's response. 

After a moment of awkwardly standing, Tecovis asked, “Do you want to review the statements while we wait, Zeb?

“Yes, I would. It'll give me time to expand my argument, if necessary.”

Tecovis handed Zeb his work journal. Zeb pulled his own out and began to compare the statements to some of his own notes.

“He won't do it Lieutenant.”

“That's not going to stop me from trying Commander. I can't stop doing my job because someone else doesn't understand how the world works.”

To Tecovis's surprise, Commander Phurin smiled at his response.

“I taught you well.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The Commander looked over to Tecovis and his smile disappeared back into its normal shape.

“Quit gawkin’ recruit!”

Tecovis closed his gaping mouth without a word.

A few moments after the three of them went silent, Tecovis started to make out some of what was being said in Jormund’s office. A voice that Tecovis didn't recognize was speaking. 

“-going to come here eventually, and then what will you do?”

Another voice responded to it, which he knew from speeches he was required to sit through during training.

“You and your allies will keep them from coming this far, Just as they have for the past eight summers. There's nothing we can supply that you don't already have.”

“You have manpower, something we desperately need!”

“There's no need to lose your temper, representative Aingerua. I'm simply stating a fact.”

“You've been talking in circles for almost half an hour! If you don't take this seriously and bring this to your Jaunari's attention the Krundílites are going to level your entire city! They could already be here undermining your infrastructure and-”

“Representative Aingerua all of the Stricken are banished from this city by order of the Jaunari. We have checkpoints along every road and there's not a single way past our patrols.”

Unless you're a child apparently.

Both Phurin and Zeb also appeared to be listening in on the discussion. He imagined they were all thinking along the same lines.

“They are more sly than you realize. I saw how many there were outside your city, any number of them could be inciting an uprising against Thruf as we speak!”

“As if they could possibly stand against our might.”

Commander Phurin scoffed.

“And they're too cowardly to even think of such a thing”

Followed shortly after by Zeb.

“I've seen just one Krundílite take down two dozen men in less than twelve seconds. There could be hundreds in that camp and you'd never know until they killed you!”

The three guardsmen all looked at eachother, Commander Phurin shook his head and made his way over to the door. Zeb handed Tecovis his journal as they both stood up to follow.

“Your fear mongering isn't going to get you anywhere representative.”

“Talking to you is hopeless. I'm going to find someone who has some sense.

“You won't have to go far for that,” said Commander Phurin as he opened Jormund's office door.

“Commander Phurin, you know it's rude to eavesdrop.” {describe Jormund Skov and representative Aingerua}

“Protecting my city isn't about manners, Buruzagi, It's about the people.”

“What petty matter has convinced you that it's okay to interrupt my meeting?”

“A spirit of the elements is in the city Jormund.”

“The spirits of the elements are mere stories made up by the ukitu to make themselves feel special.”

“I have five dead Guards and three frostbitten civilians who would testify otherwise.”

Civilians too? Maker preserve me.

“Commander, they aren’t the only one in the area.”

Commander Phurin and Tecovis both looked at Zeb with shock.

“Another one just arrived yesterday in the Ukitu refugee camp, he aided me in a missing person's case not more than an hour ago. He’s looking for others that he referred to as “poachers” and he believes there's at least a dozen here. It's possible that your ice-man is one of those poachers he's hunting.”

Representative Aingerua’s face lit up, “pardon my interest guardsman. But this spirit ukitu that you met, he wouldn't happen to have gravelly shoulders and pepper gray hair?”

“I take it that you know him?”

“I do, he's well known back in my homeland. He aided some of Zindro's allies during a famine ten years ago, and I've kept in contact with him over the years. I should have known he'd come this way eventually.”

“So he's under your jurisdiction then?”

“No, he's merely well traveled. But don't worry, I would trust him with my life.”

Commander Phurin's brow furrowed further than usual. “He may have helped you, but their presence only expands my issue. There's two confirmed empowered stricken, and potentially a dozen more, each with abilities that far outmatch our own. We need to start giving our men eminite, otherwise we're not going to be able to deal with the increased threat they pose.”

Tecovis recognized the name of the mineral. But before he could think about where from, Zeb shouted to the Commander, “Are you insane!? Phurin, do you have any idea wh-”

“QUIET LIEUTENANT! THAT'S AN ORDER!”

The entire room went silent. Tecovis saw the muscles in Zeb's jaw clench. Both the Buruzagi and the representative stared at commander Phurin with timidity in their eyes, though they tried to hide it.

“I know what the risks of eminite are. I know how new it is. But I also know what the benefits are, and they outweigh the costs.”

Tecovis could see Zeb fighting it with every fiber of his being, though he kept his composure as ordered.

“I'll be the one who decides that Commander. Unlike you, I'm not keen to sit here writing waivers all day, nor do I think the Jaunari would appreciate me draining his coffers dry for a mere fistfull. Now if that will be all, I bid you good day.”

Commander Phurin and Representative Aingerua both made their way out of the room, the commander clearly furious and exhausted. Tecovis and Zeb however stayed where they stood. Out of the corner of his eye, Tecovis noticed the representative start whispering to Commander Phurin as the door closed behind them. It didn't take long for Jormund to notice the two remaining guardsmen. 

“You still have business Lieutenant?”

“Yes sir, I came to make a troop requisition.”

“For what purpose?”

“I need more men to help me along my route. I am not enough to keep the peace and also bring justice to those in my charge.”

“And your route is…?”

“The North East river.”

“Didn’t you request someone for that area recently?”

“I have, it's still not enough.”

“Mmm. Perhaps you should consider spending more time on the route instead of standing around here. Maybe then you'd get something done.”

Does he hear himself? Has he ever gone to see how big the camp is!? How Zeb even went this long without a major incident is a miracle 

Zeb looked over to Tecovis who quickly broke the eye contact and crossed his arms with a repressed huff.

Yeah, yeah I knew this was coming. Still stupid.

“With all due respect to one of such honor and status-”

The Buruzagi grinned at the remark

“-I would like to bring to your attention the numbers. We have had only myself in this position for the past few years and the camp has grown to a staggering 7,800 tents since I first volunteered for the position.”

“You are more than enough to deal with the chaff out there. The stricken know their place, and they're too weak to overcome one of such elite status as yourself.”

Tecovis's jaw clenched briefly.

“You bless me with your praise, Buruzagi. However, I'd like to point out that one man cannot possibly protect such a large area on his own. Especially considering some of the more recent developments. Recruit Tecovis?”

Tecovis opened his work journal to the first of the statements he'd taken and offered it to Zeb, who then offered it to the Buruzagi.

Clearly disinterested, Jormund began skimming through the pages. When he reached a blank page, he closed it and tossed it to the end of the Desk where Zeb was standing. 

“I see nothing in there that isn't within your level of skill.”

“Sir, these all are from today alone.”

“You are our most capable investigator Lieutenant, I know you can handle it. Though it still baffles me that you're even trying to help those monsters.”

Tecovis looked at one of the bookshelves to one side. Beside him he heard Zeb sigh.

“Buruzagi, I thank you for your faith in me, however I can't complete these investigations and enforce the levy in the tent cities on my own.”

The Buruzagi paused his writing and met Zeb's gaze.

“I'm sure in your wisdom you've noted that the sum of the collections has gone down in recent months, and yet the population of the ukitu camp continues to increase every week. It's entirely possible that our missing persons may have contributed to these losses.”

“Are you suggesting that the missing stricken are tax evaders?”

“Sir I would never be so bold as to suggest something so heinous. However, without men to find the victims of these disappearances, how can I be sure? It's a possibility that I am unable to explore.”

Jormund squinted his eyes and stared down the blackstone wall that was Zeb's expression. After a moment of this, the Buruzagi leaned back in his chair.

“Our men are spread thin as it is with the refugees in the city limits, let alone Commander Phurin's latest escapade. How do you propose we remedy this?”

Tecovis cleared his throat. Zeb understood his signal. 

“We have an entire platoon's worth of men who are right at the end of their training. Some of them show promising aptitude for investigation. If I may, I would suggest that the Buruzagi allow me the opportunity to take this platoon under my jurisdiction to aid me in this low stakes search. If for no other reason than to test their skills in the field. As their graduation is supposed to be next week, they have yet to be assigned duties and thus would prove to not hinder anyone else by their absence. It would also give them much needed experience for the truly important work that goes into protecting our fair city.”

“A whole platoon? And you’d have me take them from their most important week? We have a tradition to uphold, we must complete it to the full.”

“I would consider this an excellent test of their skills to see if their training has stuck as well as we like to think it has. Tecovis here is a shining example of this very platoon. Top of his class. Commander Lions will testify to his skill.”

At the mention of his name, Tecovis snapped to full attention and locked himself in place.

“And if I recall my own training correctly, this last week is less about training and more about the fanfare of completion. To the recruits, it will be nothing but annoying speeches from people who don't want to be there to people who'd rather be doing their jobs. Sending them right into the action will boost the morale of these excited prospects. High morale means highly motivated, and high motivation means a greater chance at catching these poachers. Or tax evaders.”

“Would you say that his words are true, recruit?”

Tecovis gave a quick salute before speaking.

“Sir, my squad and I are very eager to do our civic duty. The sooner we can get to supporting our fair city, the better.”

Jormund took a few moments to think. Tecovis didn't know the Buruzagi all that well, only having seen him during his public appearances. As such, Tecovis found him almost impossible to read. He resisted the urge to shuffle in place. Zeb glanced at Tecovis and nodded.

“7,800… That would mean… Yes… Yes.”

Jormund grabbed a new sheet of paper

I can't give you a whole platoon's worth of troops Lieutenant, we need them in other places more. However, I will allow you three squads from it to be activated immediately. With your… foreign helper, that should be more than sufficient. If he's as competent as you say he is.”

Grabbing Tecovis's work journal from the desk, Zeb smiled and nodded at Jormund.

“Thank you Buruzagi.”

“Fetch me an inkwell before you leave Lieutenant, I'm running low and have letters to write.”

“Yes sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Both Zeb and Tecovis gave one more salute before a synchronized about-face toward the door. Zeb went out first and Tecovis closed the door behind them. Once they were away from the door, Zeb's countenance dropped and he sighed heavily.

“I hope I haven't damned them with that.”

“What do you mean? We've got three squads helping you now, and a Spirit of the Elements too? That's way more than you've been able to get for years!”

“But at what cost Teco? They're going to be watching the levy collection more closely to see if it changes positively. The missing ukitu aren't impacting the numbers at all, the refugees just can't pay it.”

He shook his head before looking up with tears in his eyes.

“Maker, please show your mercy to me, and to the refugees I've just put under scrutiny.”

Tecovis grabbed his mentor's shoulder and brought him to a halt.

“Zeb, you did what you had to. You said what needed saying to get help for those in your care. That's all anyone could ask of you. I'm sure The Maker understands.”

After a moment of comforting silence, Zeb chuckled.

“What?”

“I remember the day I found you on the road, covered in mud and scratches, wearing only a tattered pair of pants. Who knew then that I'd see him become such a wise man.”

Tecovis felt a warmth rise that manifested a smile on his face. He pulled Zeb into a hug. Zeb reciprocated. 

“I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.”

They released each other from the other's embrace and continued toward the supply room. Tecovis 

“So you met a Spirit of the Elements on the way to the fishing spot? What was he like? Did he scare you?”

“He was very straightforward, and surprisingly knowledgeable on the subject of these missing ukitu. He suggested things I never would have suspected. His skills baffled me. I watched him take the entire site and turn it from mud into solid rock, almost every footstep was perfectly preserved! He was able to mark and isolate paths, determined the number of people based on the depth of the imprints... He practically recreated the whole crime scene.”

“Do you trust him?”

Zeb's lips curled and he stroked his beard.

“That man from Stogh may have put in a good word for him, but honestly? I'm not sure. It's too good to be true, and yet all evidence says it is. In any case, he'”

“Well, I trust you Zeb. If you're okay with working alongside this spirit guy, so am I. If you're not, I'll cuff him myself.”

Zeb smiled. "I must say, confidence is a good look on you. I'll need to let our new ukitu friend know about our incoming assistance. Would you be willing to finish up on my behalf here? Jormond may ask you to deliver the letter, and if he does you need to make sure Commander Lions gets it.

“I'll take care of it. You can count on me.”

“Have them meet me at the river checkpoint tomorrow at the fourth hour. I'll rendezvous with you there again.”