Tensions Escalate!

[Setsuko_ 308]

*The following is a story, only known to those who are told in RP*

 

Alexander sat at the table, looking blankly at it. His eyes were wide, his mouth covered by his clasped together hands as his elbows rested on the table. A few of the Rhein's guards stood in the room at attention. Alexander's voice was low and harsh. "I want them all."

 

Ames sat next to Alexander, who sat at the head of the table. He worryingly looked over his younger brother, frowning. "Don't say that."

 

Alexander did not move a muscle. "It is my job to make sure my people are Safe." 

 

Ames nodded, laying a hand on Alexander's arm. Alexander brushed it away, clearly almost to his breaking point. "You don't know if he's dead or not."

 

Alexander burst from his seat, tossing the glass of Whiskey he had made. It shattered on the stone wall. "The hell I don't!" He looked to Ames, who had not even flinched. He slowly forced his breathing to slow before sitting down again. "I was ISA once, remember? I know it. My citizen never left their custody. You know Oren, any chance at a legal case and they are buzzing. It's been nothing but quiet on that front."

 

Ames raises and then drops his arms in exasperation. "What do you want to do? Bust down the door to the Bastion and look?"

 

Alexander looks to the table again, grim. "If that is what it takes."

 

Ames frowns, looking Alexander over with his good eye. He purses his lips. He knows Alex blames himself more than anyone, and the fact he let anything happen is killing him.

 

"Guards." Alexander did not look up from the table as one of the guards in the room stepped forward. "As of now, any member of the Imperial State Army found within my borders is to be arrested on sight. If they refuse, take them by force." 

 

Ames' eye widens. He looks sternly to his brother, who's eyes lock with his own. "Do you know what you are doing? What you can set into motion with this?"

 

Alexander looks back to the tabletop, hesitating before nodding. "Protecting my own." He rises from his seat, sliding on his coat. "I'm going to talk to the Trade King, and then the other vassals."

 

Ames turns in his chair as Alexander heads for the door. "Why?"

 

Alexander stops, looking back to his brother. "I'm a politician now, remember? I'm going to do this right." With that he heads out the door, leaving Ames to curse under his breath before rising to follow.

the following is posted in Rhein in all public areas
By Order of Baron du Casse,

Any and all members of the Imperial State Army of Oren found in the borders of The Barony of the Rhein are to be apprehended, under the charge of Class B Kidnapping. Any found aiding or harboring a member of the Imperial State Army of Oren is to face a Class C Obstruction charge.

 

Any information regarding the missing man Viktor Bishop is to be brought to Baron du Casse for the possibility of a Mina reward.