Jacob
Juliana de Barbarac
High Blood Palace, Erilla

The soft creek of the heavy oak door as it swung on its iron hinges roused her from the spell the letter had cast over her. Quickly, she tucked the letter back into its envelope and turned to greet her guest, while deftly tucking the envelope beneath a stack of other documents. There was a slight flush to her face and a faint shine in her eyes, the only sign that belied her of the tears she had shed. The signs vanished quickly though as she blinked away the last remnants of her tears and plastered a serene, stoic look onto her face once more.

"Welcome, Marcus," She said, her voice impassive and methodical as always. "Let's cut to the chase, shall we? I have heard rumblings of an uprising which very much concern me, and I understand that you have ideas. I would like to hear more of your plans."
George
Marcus Thevenet
High Bloom Palace, Erilla

His boots tapped softly against the ground as he walked in, and despite the lack of room for one Marcus' steps seemed to echo in his ears as he inhaled deeply to calm himself. The smell of ink and parchment greeted him as he did so, and as he raised his eyes to meet Julianas whatever expression had been dancing across her face moments before was erased without a trace. As she welcomed him he bowed slightly, nodding as she spoke. The tension in his chest eased away as he returned to standing, and a soft smile crept onto his face now that actual conversation had begun. 

"That's a shame, I've always enjoyed smalltalk. With the way things are right now I'd imagine not much of it has found its way to your ears either." He was quick to continue and fulfill her request, his own voice dropping from jesting into a more neutral and serious tone. "With the pilgrimage being the way it is, discontent among people was to be expected. I hope that by offering something else to fill the place of fear we can quell any spark of uprising by offering safety instead."
Jacob
Juliana de Barbarac
High Bloom Palace

Her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed at his joke, finding it not amusing in the slightest. Yet she excused it because of his youth and inexperience, as well as his lineage. With time, she hoped, he would grow into the leader and professional that his father was. For now, she made a mental note to chastise him for it later, and perhaps bring it up with his father as well.

The look of disdain faded as he continued, melting into one of focus and pensiveness. Now seated at her desk, she rested her elbows on it and leaned forward, folding her hands in front of her, with her pointer fingers pointing upwards and her head resting on it. 

Her brow furrowed as she replied, "Give the people a sense of safety... While also dissuading dissidents with a show of our forces..." She nodded slightly, pausing for a moment before saying, "I like this idea, but how do you intend to do this? We can't afford to sacrifice the manpower guarding the pilgrimage right now, and our other forces are stretched rather thin as it is. I know you mentioned some of this when you first brought it to me, but I want a more detailed plan before I give my approval."
George
Marcus Thevenet
High Bloom Palace, Erilla

As the look of disapproval hit him his smile wavered for a moment, but despite that as she leaned forwards in what seemed to be focus he stepped towards her away from the entrance, closer to the center of the room. Organizing his thoughts he shoved any reamerging nerves from the failed jest aside. He finally had a chance to do something and prove his worth, a plan that he had crafted himself. He wasn't about to let a joke and frown ruin any momentum he hoped to build as he spoke. 

"Of course, guarding the pilgrimage takes priority. Guards from Bladeguarden mostly that I'm aware of, but I'm sure other cities will send their own as the people move onwards. The larger cities across Araedia will most likely manage themselves just fine, but it's the smaller towns I worry about. How many towns know nothing about the situation other than a Husband, Brother, Cousin, or Daughter got sick and now is being marched away to never return?" Marcus let the words sink in for a moment before continuing, each word he spoke building the foundations for his plan. 

"The Primes from Bladeguarden are known across Araedia. And while they may be slightly too important to waste on towns and villages, I'm sure we are both aware how high Lord Thevenet's expectations are. Not being a Prime doesn't dissuade from the fact that these men who failed to live up to expectations still received incredible military training however brief. With your permission and Lord Thevenet's blessing i'd like to gather a small force of previous candidates and send them to inspect and assist in improving order."