Acquisitions for the Host Lord

[Boethiah]

-Bastion-​

​

Anja sat in the Imperial Palace on Bastion, not in the throne room but rather the library and along a meeting table. There several key elements of The Primeval Fleet waited. Executors made up the bulk but they were also escorted by their aides.

The group had just finished discussing their invasion of Mandalorian space but Anja had more pressing matters at hand. Traditionally she simply used the same equipment available to the Bleeding Sun but after her fight on Kashyyyk she realized that perhaps she needed something more specialized to her fighting style and needs. Although the agent armour is exceptional, even versatile, it lacked specialization for someone such as herself... Agile, deceptive, and ruthless.

Yet there was one key factor in play... Bastion's Phrik mines are some of the most untapped in the Galaxy. Despite having been the Imperial Capital for many decades, the Fel Empire had never truly utilized the planet other than as a fortress for their administration and government.

The Primeval, however, aren't so delicate. No zoning laws, economics, or internal factions to worry about. If they want to allocate resources for a mining operation they can do so and without any red tape. The only issues to manage are logistics which is why the Host Lord decided to invite someone new for their opinion, a warrior who recently joined their ranks and shows promise beyond most.

Until he arrived she made sure to send out a team to Obredaan in an effort to claim a Cortosis deposit. Interestingly enough the mine they were heading for was an abandoned facility they've been to once before, over six years ago.

-Obredaan-​

​

A starship entered orbit, on board were twenty-four guards, and thirty-eight personnel to deliver and operate the equipment needed to secure the facility and retrieve the precious and otherwise abandoned crates of ore.

Leading the expedition was an agent of the Bleeding Sun with a reputation for swift deliverance and quick retribution. There was likely no one more capable of such a task within their ranks and thus there were little concerns as to whether or not any complications would arise during their mission. Last time a group of pirates had been holding out in the facility and caused trouble when nearly half of The Primeval soldiers sent to secure it perished in an ambush.

The orbiting ship soon descended through the atmosphere and prepared to land on the world below.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Gods had sent him to the space of the Primeval, it had been their will and visions that had beckoned him to Wild Space and aid the marches of the fledgling barbarian horde. But the marches were over now, those battles were done for and a new centrality was being established around the[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Host[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Lord[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px], Vheissu was not a man who believed in the supremacy of mankind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But [member="Anja Aj'Rou"] was no ordinary woman, and so Ireles would follow her. At least for now, until the days that she would slip up or show weakness beyond acceptance, on that day there would be a change of leadership. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Would it be him? Would it be anyone else? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The Elementalist did not know, and neither did he particularly care. It would be in the hands of the Gods at that point and that was all that mattered for now. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Behind him others followed, strong names that were called to his banner and glory. They would enter the library; surrounded by the knowledge of ancients and present- Vheissu’s eyes found the Host Lord at a spacious meeting table.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Gesturing in intricate hand movements the two warriors, that had been following him, stayed on guard by the walls. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Ireles, Holder of the Flame, continued on without them. Large steps took him towards that table, until he finally arrived with a short inclination of his head- acknowledgment of superiority. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Host Lord, you called and mine have come.”[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja nodded to the man who entered as he offered a short inclination of his head.

"Welcome to Bastion, I trust your stay will be most content." She made sure to allow him courtesy because that is what you do when you hope to get to know someone. To understand one without understanding how they operate is an ignorant mistake and it's almost ironic when diplomats exhibit such a mistake. She was not diplomatic, she was honest, so truly she did hope he would have no misgivings with his time on Bastion. Not that she wanted to please him but that he should hold no misunderstanding of who he's found himself in the company of.

Of course getting to know him was not her only objective, she wanted to see how he'd fair if suddenly given a task. "We're preparing an operation to mine Phrik here on Bastion. I thought I'd place you in-charge." Giving someone authority without their desire to have the authority they were given is said to be a test of character; a look into their heart.

Meanhile on Obredaan the starship continued to fly through the atmosphere before diving below the clouds. There it maintained its course until they found an opening within the facility itself. As it landed the pilots noticed a rustling on their scanners, there was something taking up residence inside the facility. Whatever it was did not seem to be coordinated so they doubted that any sentients were there... Perhaps during the Netherworld crisis something new took up residence.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A short inclination of the head was more than anyone ever received from one such as Vheissu Ireles, only the Gods deserve praise and no matter how powerful the Host Lord was… she wasn’t a Goddess. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Vheissu simply nodded at her question, not giving a real answer, simply because… he didn’t have any expectations for this visit. He was a simple man, who lives in a small cabin out in the wilds, palaces, beauty and splendor were lost to him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Only the flame matters, m’Lady.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“For what purpose?” Vheis finally replied in his low rumbling voice, and it became clear immediately that while Vheissu Ireles was many things… but he was no diplomat and while he was not stupid, possessing the wit and sharpness of a predator, Ireles did not believe that things happened ‘[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]just because’.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Whilst some would have accepted the position without question.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]I deserve this![/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]This is what I have wanted![/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A small stepping stone to [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]more.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Vheissu was not one to think like that, a warrior’s mind, a warrior’s physique, he was not a man who would usually be assigned to a mining operation. A skirmish to vanquish the heretics? Plausible. Burning down a city, because nobody else has the stomach? Most definitely. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But not this. [/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja did not dodge questions and she wasn't going to dance around either.

"Because I want to see you do it. I want to see what you will do in such a position. Whether you succeed or fail is up to you and it will be my responsibility, of course." That much was true. Even if he didn't have any idea it wasn't such a difficult task, you just told the miners what they needed to do and the rest would fall into place. Did that mean it was easy, though? Not at all -- it was one thing to say "mine this place" but another to actually coordinate men, equipment, and answer every damn concern with a straight-forward answer and confidently.

So she wasn't going to like and say something like she thought he'd be a good mine manager. No; she just wanted to see someone do something out of place. It was curiosity, really, and although one could call it childish all the greatest advancements are because of 'what if' scenarios. How did anyone discover that a fish cannot breath out of water whilst a frog did? How did we discover what plants were poisonous and which were spices to be added to soup? So many sacrifices were made, yet so many seemingly pointless tasks were necessary to even get anywhere.

Back on Obredaan this scenario was in the work... What if.

The starship had landed and already soldiers unloaded and patrolled the entrance, a few stayed back to defend the personnel as they began to unload equipment and head off towards the mine. The soil was soft, making the unloading a bit slower than they had liked but those in service to The Primeval did not complain; they worked as they always have. The other buildings surrounding them were derelict, centuries old at least and every now and then piece-by-piece they eroded.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Then we shall see how good a [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]mining manager[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] I could be.” the Warrior replied with something of mirth apparent in his tones, and yet it was strange what kind of two words he had used. Almost as if something of her thoughts had been heard and picked up on by a mind far more complex than it had any right to be, but perhaps that was a conversation for a different time. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Mining on Bastion meant phrik, Bastion hadn’t ever experienced a full-scale mining operation like any other planet in the Galaxy. It had been too far away, too well protected and under control of an Imperial Movement which didn’t have a clue what they were actually sitting on.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Vheissu was not sure why he knew this kind of information, why it was flooding his mind by the only mention of context and association, but here they were now and if Ireles was anything it was a practical soul.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Surely this was a sign from the Gods, that he was in their favor, another boon to help him on his journey and execute their will.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja smirked at his comment. Most people would complain... She didn't like complaining, in fact -- complaining was something that lacked in all virtues. Surely the Gods would turn their heads away from anyone who complained in their presence and we're always in their presence. "Good."

With that she did not expect much more, "Then let's be off... I wish to observe." Of course should she be directly in their presence it would make no point of her goals; they'd work hard. She wanted to see how they were under the command of someone who they did not know nor understand. Someone who hadn't the experience in their field but also did not yet have their respect. She wanted to see how he gained the loyalty of those lesser than them.

She didn't wait for an answer before turning and walking, the path she followed lead to a private shuttle of sorts in a hangar other than the one where the mining crew was. She intended to observe from a canyon just above the site and listen carefully through commlink transmissions.

On Obredaan the soldiers had begun their sweep of the facility entrance, so far there were no signs of what the sensors picked up but they remained cautious. The room was dark and save for the Umbarans in their squads the soldiers had to rely on night vision to see properly. Empty crates, belts with unrefined ores, and relics of a time when this facility was up and running were all that remained. Remnants of plant matter was scattered across the floor. Clearly something or someone had gone outside recently.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A grunt as acknowledgment, before gesturing over his shoulder to the warriors assembled. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]They would file out of the room and make way for the coming of their leaders and [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Prophet[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]. After a few moments he would allow Anja to pass him, before following in her own stead. But in the meanwhile the warrior thought about battles waged and the upcoming war against those [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Mandoa. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]In the grand scheme of things Vheissu was not a man who enjoyed wearing armor, in his belief it blunted the connection he shared with the Gods Above and that was the last thing he wanted to do. And yet… if the tales were right these Mandalorians did not fight with simple blades and were not reliant on the Flame of the Fathers to win their wars.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Guns, unbreakable armor and a warmachine that had been battle-tested in many a war.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]What could one Warlord without proper protection do against such a thing? A quick murmur was send above through his connection, a question [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]asked[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] and with hope for an answer from the Gods. What did they wish of him?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]What did they need from him?[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] [/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja's shuttle took off and headed for their destination, she didn't have much to think about on the way but her curiosity was yet to be sated. She wished to truly see what a man such as him was capable of and above that she had hoped they could come to more lucrative agreements in the future, ones that didn't involve mining. He had skill, power, and tenacity -- all things that a leader should have and eventually he would rise to become one of the pillars of The Primeval. A zealot and a warrior, such an effective combination.

Obredaan was not going exactly as planned. a Firefight between their soldiers and some sort of cat-like animals broke out. It was difficult to see in the dark, even with their night vision. Only the Umbaran members of their crew were able to truly see in the dark and with that edge they managed to hold off the attack by the time the rest of them arrived. Now inside the facility the personnel moved large hover dollies which would lift and carry the crates back to their ship.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]He did not speak to her, his back leaned relaxed against the leather of the chair and his eyes were closed, dreaming the dreams of power. Seeing visions of his other lives flashing before his eyes without understanding what they meant, but they were the ones that gave him the ambition to move forward at the beginning and the end of the day.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]They have the right to start up an individual enterprise, as much as I have the right to persuade them from staying individual for too long.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Why did those words flash before his eyes, what did they even mean? Was this another test given to him by the Gods or was there something else in play? But before Vheissu could ponder for it too long the shuttle shuddered slightly in anticipation for what was to come, it made him open his eyes and look around the spacious place.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Such splendor for the Host Lord.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Not soon before long they had arrived at the particular mining site that would be one of the primary suppliers for their phrik arrangements, for a while Vheissu pondered if he would be able to pull this off to a success.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Leading a warband is not the same as coordinating a mining operation, is it?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]In the end though, this was the one thing about a Zealot. He puts his trust in the Gods and let them do the thinking for him, it was because of this that no true fears or worries were made apparent in Vheis’ mind, the Gods would do as the Gods wished.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja made her path to where she could not be witnessed by the miners. She'd leave the rest on Bastion to him.

On Obredaan the soldiers had finally killed off the creatures that attacked them, for good. There was nothing left in the facility except them and the crew had found their way into the room where the derelict crates were kept. Many were empty, yet some were full of the precious ore they sought. Taking what crates they could the dollies were loaded and just as they entered they began to leave.

The soldiers made sure to double-check the nooks for any survivors of their attackers before heading out to escort them back to the ship.

There was much to be done from there on out but for now they have gotten what they came for.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]There wasn’t anything else to say really.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Vheissu left the shuttle with two of his men trailing behind him, and they walked over to the facility that came up in front of them. It was a modern-piece of work, perhaps a representation of what Bastion had been used to before the Primeval had come and conquered the system. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A beacon of imperialism surrounded by hordes of zealots and monsters. Ireles studied the facility with a practiced eye, but his practice wasn’t about efficiency or beauty- it was about how easy it would be to burn this place down.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]How difficult it would be to scale those walls, duck behind cover against the incoming turret fire and come out alive. Where the blind spots were of the observatory poles. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The thing a warrior would be interested in, in lieu of the interests of a businessman. But something at the back of his head nagged at him, told him to look [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]further [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]than that and what Vheis saw strangely pleased him. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Walls of brushed durasteel beaming in the rays of the sun, workers filling in and out of the gates towards their proposed destinations and a general uplift in work ethic. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It seemed that the Primeval knew how to motivate their workers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A lone man was waiting at the gate, scruffy, his eyes digged deep back into his skull and black shadows hung underneath them, it was the visage of a tired man who was doing the best he could. But as that lone man’s eyes settled themselves upon Ireles?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]There was steel in them and that was something Vheis could work with.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

The ones on Obredaan were working their way back to the starship when once again things did not go as according to plan.

An ambush!?

Several speeders flew out of the treeline in the swamps and began to attack, a pair of blaster bolts managed to destroy one of the dollies and another set killed three guards in a concentrated impact. Now only twenty-one of the twenty-four soldiers remained and they began to take up a defensive formation, firing back and killing at least two of the five speeders that attacked. Just as soon as they came they vanished but their race did not end their. At least two dozen warriors rushed out of the treeline, armed with blasters and makeshift melee weapons.

Blaster fodder, mostly, but a few managed to strike the line and killed more than a few of The Primeval's soldiers. The fight ensued to a bitter end where only seventeen soldiers remained. On their guard, they slowly made their way to the ship -- careful of another attack.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It was as clear as day that nobody was looking forward towards having to manage an overseer who had no idea what he was doing, who literally shouldn’t be here in the first place and would only stand in the way of an efficient operation. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]With this in mind Drago, the overseer with the scruffy patch of hair on his otherwise bald head, was already working himself up towards a long winded speech. A speech he had worked on for the entirety of the morning and would basically imply that they had everything well in hand. That the Vheissu Ireles had come for nothing and it would be best if he returned to the Host Lord, report that everything was proceeding as planned.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]All in the most beautiful prose and calmness, of course. Ireles might not have been around for as many years as Anja herself, but in the relatively short time he had proven himself to be a fierce warrior with hot blood running through his veins.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Insulting a man such as that would have been suicide, plain and simple.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But Ireles had a different plan in mind, something was guiding him, something he didn’t even know he possessed. An uncharacteristical pleasant grin occupied those predatory expressions and any word Drago might have had, died on those lips immediately.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“Overseer, let’s not dally here.” Ireles would simply say, when he had walked the distance between himself and the Drago. “We have a long day of work together, give me a report on what has been happening, is happening and what your plans are to execute the Host Lord’s Will.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]A pointed look.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]“I am more at home on the battlefield, so please. Speak slowly and use as many short words you need to bring me up to [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]speed.[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Uncharacteristical indeed.[/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

The party on Obredaan was soon over...

The dollies had managed to retreat to the starship where they began to load themselves onto the ship with the goods. One last valiant effort by the locals who began attacking came through from all sides, it was a particular situation where the soldiers encircled the ship as the last dollies were loaded.

The battle was vicious. When the enemy got in close they were all forced into melee combat, it was bloody and bones were shattered. Some of the soliders were dragged off and when the last dolly was loaded only ten of them managed to retreat back onto the ship and take off.

Heading back to Bastion was enough Cortosis for a few dozen dozens and maybe half a dozen suits of armour. Nothing more. The smiths required to actually forge the ore into something useful were being relocated to Bastion from Dubrillion. They're men from a small company whose expertise is in refining and shaping rare metals such as Phrik, a few also knew well how to weave cortosis into an energy-resistant material capable of blocking a lightsaber strike.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]And so Drago would explain him everything that the facility was currently up to, how it had come into being and what the plan was to reach a certain quota in the production values. It was all done in kindergarten terms, of course, and Ireles took all of it in strides. There was a difference between a man who was stuck in his ways- not able to adapt and trying to bring everything back to a more understandable tone for him [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]and[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] a man who knew that sometimes… it was better to listen to those who were more knowledgeable about certain facts.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It was the difference between a Warlord and a simple blooded Warrior. One followed and the other needed to push forward into new territories to protect the interests of all, and that was what Vheissu was doing right now. Attempting to understand and come to terms with an operation he hadn’t ever thought about before this day.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Eventually they would reach the refinery facility inside the overarching building, it was here that the mined ores would be refined, before being shipped off to the smelteries where they would be processed further into useful portions. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Vheissu kept listening on calmly and eventually simply told what needed to happen, what the wishes were of the Host Lord and what his own wishes were. Because that was the entire thing about leadership, someone young and someone green? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]They would have tried to assume direct control, creating an aura of unpleasantness and strife. But those who [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]knew[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] what leadership was truly about? They knew that they needed to use Drago, tell him what needed to be done and let [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]him[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] handle the execution of it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Because Drago wouldn’t have been here if he wasn’t at least remotely capable and proficient. [/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

And so their resources would return to Bastion where they belonged.

Anja observed the man as he commanded the miners to get her the Phrik they needed. Of course she'd share in the bounty with the man she tasked to mine it, that was only a just reward. What he'd make with it was up to him but for the Host Lord she had many plans... Many ideas.

Phrik was a very strong metal, perhaps not as durable as Beskar but it was lighter which to her was better.

Cortosis could form great armour and great weapons alike, what she decided to do with it was a little more lucrative than most would with such a rare and valuable material. That was for another time, however, what mattered was that she acquired what she needed. Before the smiths could get to work she would have to have measurements done to be sure the design complimented her physical strengths as well as amplified them. Until then the task of finding the richest ores of the bunch was at hand, the highest quality possible was required by the Host Lord.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]In the end Vheissu Ireles was not a man who enjoyed wearing armor, but it was clear that the Gods were giving him a sign that sometimes… a man needed to bend, before he was broken and swept away into the tides of change. This was no different from things like that, the war with the Mandalorians would be soon upon them and the old tactics would be far less effective with them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Armor would need to be worn to survive against the onslaught of fire they would try and bring upon him and his. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]This was as clear as day to the Warlord.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]But sometimes the Gods wished more for you, they would send a boon for the services given to the Heavens Above and today was to be that day, because as he was conversating with the Overseer a message was sent from the miners to the overseers of the Prime. [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It seemed that the slaves had found [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]something[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] in those tight corridors were only the earth slept, to be awakened by men of ambitions. Vheissu felt the slight tug he always felt when fate was showing him the way and so he gestured to Drago.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]They would go and see what the slaves had uncovered deep beneath the earth, entombed in rock, dirt and the wombs of fire. Perhaps it was nothing, or perhaps it was [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]everything[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] and would give Ireles an answer to his questions. [/SIZE]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja noticed the commotion from afar, she was curious to see what had been found but knew not to interfere. Instead she awaited the news from the man himself.

Should they have struck Phrik, that would be a very good development -- a rather quick development -- which would prove that unless they were extremely lucky, that Bastion had a much greater abundance of the resource than previously thought.

Regardless, Phrik was necessary for a growing army and to protect its leaders.

The value of the find would not only reward them but it would impress Anja with what he could do with an authority that was not desired by him nor suited for him.

[member="Vheissu Ireles"]

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Vheissu Ireles and the Overseer approached the slaves that were huddled in a bunch, waiting for their Masters to come so they could give a report of their find. It took them a while to gain the courage to speak, but eventually one of them would come forward- perhaps one of the more braver souls and after a few more seconds passed… he gave a deep bow and started speaking.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]It seemed that the slaves had found [/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px]two[/SIZE][SIZE=10.6666666666667px] things in the ground, and both finds were a happy revelation. A revelation that would turn Bastion’s importance into more than a Fortress World that was almost impossible to conquer with sheer might alone.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Economical prosperity gained from the riches in the ground.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Because the first discovery was a rich vein of Phrik, not even that far away into the ground and it was just as the Host Lord pondered. If the find was so quickly gained? What else could there be in the ground, if deeper digs would be approved? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]Perhaps it was just a lucky shot or perhaps… there was a lot more where that came from. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]The second vine was slightly more curious, at least for Vheissu. It was a tomb, encased in solid phrik and housed deep within the bowels of the ground, and the slaves were already trying to breach the phrik to see what was inside.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.6666666666667px]What treasures could be found within the tomb? What had the Gods send this time to help his path along?[/SIZE]