-Magnus Chalearii, leader of the 4 orders of Ensis and Septen Eres, Mes Conatus Canes, I, Meridio Ensis Callis Nomene, report for duty.- Callis stood in the middle of the room with both hands crossed behind his back, his back straight, and his eyes forward, in a display of stern military discipline.

He didn’t even seem to recognize Conatus calling him cousin.

-Cousin, please at ease, take a seat.- Conatus invited Callis to sit down with a gesture of his hand. -How is life as an Ensis treating you, better than a city guard right?-

Callis didn’t budge.

-Excuse me, Magnus Chalearii, leader of the 4 orders of Ensis and Septen Eres, Mes Conatus Canes, but I cannot use an informal tone with you, it would be against the rules of my station as an Ensis and it would only bring dishonor to my family and the Kingdom.- He was unyielding with his convictions.

-Meridio Ensis Callis Nomene, as your superior officer, leader of the 4 orders of Ensis I order you to be at ease.- Conatus always forgot how stubbornly Callis stuck to the rules, head-scratchingly so, at least for a man as pragmatic as himself.

Callis finally relaxed his stance, dropping the tension on his shoulders ever so slightly. He still looked ready to act if anything happened. Unlike other Ensis, he didn’t carry a single long blade, but two short and thick ones, on each side of his waist. -Yes, Mes Canes.- Callis was using “Mes” a very archaic word, even among the traditionalist faction, he was, at least to him, part of. -What do you require of me, Mes Canes?- He asked, still refusing to take a seat.

Conatus contained his desire to sigh. -Well, Callis…- The prime minister was annoyed by Callis, and as much as he wanted to keep a good relation with Callis for a myriad of reasons too complex to explain right, he couldn’t avoid using his first name with emphasis, just to see if that would upset his unflappable cousin by breaking the rules of protocol. -I need your skills for an assignment.-

-Thank you for considering me for this task, Mes Canes, I hope my humble skills can be of use for the Kingdom.- Callis performed the perfect courtly bow, unnervingly perfect, at least to Sagitta, who for the first time was paying attention to Callis, more than just a passing glance and he was realizing the reason for some of the nicknames he gained over the years.

Sagitta was a trained warrior, but when he saw Callis he didn’t see somebody like him, he saw something else, something that contrasted against the serious and stoic appearance of Callis. 

-What will be my assignment, Mes Canes?- Callis asked in the same soft and serene voice as before.

-You will be the personal bodyguard of a new addition to the court.- Conatus carefully grabbed some of the documents, perfectly aligned, on his desk and passed them to Callis. 

-Is there any members of the Noble Houses that need protection?- He asked while taking the papers and started reading.

-I will dedicate myself to the task with all my mi…- For the first time since entering the room Callis’ voice wavered, upon reading who he was supposed to protect.

-Is there any problem, Callis?- Conatus couldn’t avoid smiling, finally managing to break his cousin’s stoic personality. -Should I assign another Ensis to this task?- The prime minister could almost see the inner struggle of Callis as clearly as if he was inside his head.

The half-blooded Ensis was a formidable warrior and impossible inflexible when it came to rules and regulations, but that narrow-minded focus that made him so effective was also one of his greatest weaknesses.

-I will take this assignment and fulfill it with all my might if that is what the Kingdom needs.- It didn’t take long for Callis to regain his composure. That was enough to kill Conatus’ smile.   

-Novus Igneus will be arriving soon, please try to keep him out of trouble.- Conatus then shifted to a more laid-back tone.

-And please, send my regards to your grandfather, tell him that I will repay the bottle of Aestus he sent for the festival of the Last Snow.- 

Callis silently nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him. Sagitta sighed with relief. -So that’s Callis Nomene, I understand why people say he is hard to talk to.- 

Conatus couldn’t avoid chuckling. -If you know him talking to him could not be easier. People dislike talking to him because of…- His tone grew more serious. -His condition.- 

-I understand what he can go through, me being a half-blood myself, but why is he more isolated than me?- Sagitta couldn’t understand why people had it for Callis more than him, but he was misunderstanding an important distinction between them and the meaning of the epithet they shared.

-You are mistaken brother.- Conatus stood up, turning his back to Sagitta. -You were busy in the academy during the previous years, so you don’t know everything about Callis, is almost an open secret but most try to avoid speaking it out loud, fearing my granduncle’s wrath.-

Conatus sighed, turning around to face his half-brother. -Callis is half-blooded, but his father isn’t Lowborn like your mother.- 

Sagitta stared at Conatus, confused. -Then his father is from another Kingdom?- He thought for a second and added. -If he is such a superlative warrior, does that mean his father is a Morbani?- 

Conatus shook his head. -No, his ancestors aren’t from Morbis, or Urbis, in fact, his ancestors used to live in Via.-

Sagitta took a step back in utter shock.

-You do realize what that means, right brother?-

-His father is a Saevus!?- Sagitta uttered a bit too loud. Conatus’ stern look made him realize his mistake and he continued in a, still loud, whisper. -That is impossible, how is he still alive?- 

-Granduncle has too much influence and he has protected his only grandchild.- Conatus leaned against his desk.

-Ironically most of the members of the Conservative faction he is part of want him dead, but they cannot risk harming him, because they need uncle Liovetus’ votes in the council.- 

Sagitta looked at the door. -I’m impressed brother, you really played well your cards.-

-I did not get to be Prime Minister by luck brother.- Conatus smiled, the first step of his plan was already in motion.