It was quiet. Too quiet for Culter’s liking. After crashing down the gate he’d expected the Ministry's goons to come pouring out of the woodwork, but instead it was strangely silent. The battlements were empty. The streets were deserted. Not even the city’s population of cats were roaming about, much to his dismay. The entire city was barren, leaving the back of Culter’s hands to itch like mad. Cities weren’t meant to be quiet. It was dishonest. Alien. A sign that something was horribly, horribly wrong.

“I don’t like this,” Civis said, always the first to voice his opinions. He and the other Tribunes stood around the city’s toll gate, talking stratagems and tactics, something that always seemed to bore Culter. He sat on one of the benches, close enough to be within ear shot, watching as the guardsmen marched into the city, their eyes scanning over the horizon for even an inkling of trouble.

They’d find nothing for now, Culter mused. He had the best senses when it came to danger and right now he was bored out of his skull. He pulled the stiletto from his sheath and twirled the thin blade in the air, little flecks of white dancing across the surface. It was such a strange thing. No matter how much sunlight there was, the darker parts of the metal never seemed to catch any of it. Not even a glow. Instead the dagger's surface seemed to drink in the sun's radiance, becoming as dark and nebulous as the night sky. 

“What a peculiar thing you are,” Culter murmured to himself.  “A shame you were used in the pointless task of killing me. Such wasted potential.”

“You see something?” Civis called out. 

Culter sheathed the stiletto and gave a meager shrug. “Nah.”

The man snorted and turned back to the group. “I’m telling you, something doesn't feel right about this place. Where are the guards? The people? Byzantia is home to thousands. Tens of thousands even. It shouldn’t be this quiet.” Culter couldn’t help but smile at that. The lord of nothing in particular may have been an arrogant son of a bitch, but at least he wasn’t completely clueless.

“Does it really matter?” Libro retorted. He was still holding onto the Vangen standard, flag rolled up and bound in twine, dainty hands clutched tight  around the pole. “We still need to reach the palace. The Empress’ security should be our first priority.”

Culter snorted. Of course he’d suggest that, the little bootlicker. “Keep that up and maybe one day you’ll be promoted to the position of footstool,” he murmured, low enough so no one else could hear him.

“Excellent points, the both of you,” Dux said. “Naturally, we should assume the Ministry knows we’re here. No doubt they’ve pulled back to regroup. That should make it easier for us to assemble our forces in the city, but we should still proceed with caution. Marching headlong towards the palace would be foolish right now. There’s still a lot we don’t know.”

“What about the Custodia?” Regis asked. “Have we recieved any news from her?”

Dux shook his head, a fat bead of sweat trickling down one brow. “None, so far. ”

The Northman growled out a curse and spat on the ground. “I don’t like this. This city is full of treacherous filth. How do we know she isn’t inline with the Ministry?” 

Culter smiled. Despite his oafish looks, the Danic prince was smarter than he let on. Always asking the right questions. 

“We don’t,” Dux said. “But if she’s as honorbound and dutiful as she’s known for, she’ll have chosen the right side of the conflict. As I said, there’s still a lot we don’t know. We’ll erre on the side of caution for now.” 

Nox gave an approving grunt. 

Dux paused to wipe his scalp with a handkerchief. “Now, let’s get to some actual planning while we still have daylight to burn. Culter! Get over here!”

Culter pursed his lips at the sound of his name being called. He stepped away from the bench and joined the others, fingers drumming at his sides, hoping that whatever plans Dux had for him, they’d at least be interesting.

“Now, while securing the palace is paramount over anything else, our first priority should be establishing contact with Custodia and forming a baseline.” Dux unfurled a map and jabbed at a specific point with his finger. “We’re to meet at the Securitas Administrata which is right up here through the Forum of Constants.” He emphasized his words with a drag of his finger over the fat white line that ran right through the city. “From there we can gather more intel and figure out how best to reach the palace.”

“You really think it will be that easy?” Civis asked, his face twisted in a disapproving frown. “The Forum stretches over a lot of open ground. Crossing it would leave us open to an attack by the Ministry.” A valid point, Culter thought. While the little lord was next to useless on most days, he had to admit that there were still some redeemable qualities the Legate possessed.

“It’s the only option we have right now given the size of our forces,” Dux pointed out. “If we take the side streets or alleyways we risk being surrounded. If we take the Forum, the road is large enough that we can still escape if we're attacked.” Culter’s lip gave the tiniest hint of a smile. The Captain was always one step ahead when it came to planning. 

“What should we do if we got seperated?” Libro asked. 

"I would assume you’d simply lay down and die. For all that you’re good for", Culter thought. 

“If we get seperated,” Dux began to say. “Then you're to rendezvous directly at the palace. Use the towers as guidance.” Dux pointed up towards the center of the city. Even with the tall buildings surrounding them, the great, glittering towers of the palace loomed ever higher. Fashioned from alabaster stone, they rose like the rigid fingers of a skeleton, domed roofs glittering in gold and silver. At their very tops, surrounded by iridescent glass, were massive round jewels, each sparkling a different hue of prismatic color. For some, their beauty was easily recognizable. For Culter, it was all rather gaudy. 

“Libro,” Dux said, pointing at the lad. “I want you and Culter in front with the first half of the Centums. Magus and Regis, you two will take the back with the second half. Civis, Nox and I will take middle with the Greenhorns and the Medicae. Any objections?”

Culter looked around. By the looks on everyone’s faces there were many objections to be had. Libro stood in abject terror while Regis stared at the magician with unmasked disgust. Magus looked like he’d fallen asleep again. Only Nox seemed to agree and Culter didn’t give two shits either way. He already had his own plan in mind. One that involved a certain cousin and a certain stiletto. All he needed was the right time to slip away.

“Very well then,” Dux said as he rolled up the map. “Let’s get started."