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[Balthazar Black]

10 Vhalar 721

Balthazar listened with a notably blank expression as Rand both confirmed that the officer's training was still on the table for him and proceeded to explain what it would entail. Rand didn't mention that it looked different for each officer who went through it so Balthazar assumed his process was the same as any other despite recognizing he was a unique issue for the Elements. The idea of being given charge of a small group of Flame Trooper initiates both appealed to Balthazar and made him dread the prospect of officer's training. On the one hand he would have been glad to help three up and coming detectives hone whatever skills they had. He would be more than happy to act as a mentor for these people to turn them from what they were into an even stronger force for good. He would have enjoyed figuring each of them out- their skills, what they liked and did not like, what inspired them to do their job and what kept them going...

But was he the best person for that? He worked well in a team of two or three. He liked to think he worked even better alone but that was rarely true these trials. What if he instilled the wrong qualities in the initiates? What if he did not teach them the right values? What if he could not figure them out? He knew nothing good could come from asking himself 'what if' all trial but there were many possibly explosive resolutions to the training. What if they all happened to hate mages when they met him? He didn't know why that one popped up but it did.

The part he felt most confident about was the actual act of leading them on missions. He was sure he could succeed in that at least. All of his other concerns were rooted in the same fear that kept him from ever pursuing children in the past, but he did not linger on it because Rand asked him a question.

Where would he want to be stationed with his team? Faldrass was the easy answer. It put him closer to Elisabeth which would give him more time to visit and be a part of Haven and her life. It was a safe place. There weren't many places for crime to occur and the danger they did have to face would most likely be bound to and found in the Badlands. It gave his team access to Saoire's school more than once a season and they could learn whatever skills he determined they needed practice with from her. Combat, they could learn from him. But many of the benefits were problems in different ways. The more he focused on Elisabeth and Haven, the less he would be focused on training his team and his duty to the Elements. The lack of crime meant less opportunities for his team to gather experience and experience was where he felt they would truly learn what they needed to succeed. As much as he knew Elisabeth would hit him for not picking it, he decided that Faldrass was too safe to train a team of Flame Troopers.

Instinctively his next thought was to request Almund. It had the highest rates of crime and Balthazar was familiar enough with it that he was certain the team would grow into excellent troopers there. However Almund was also the city he was arrested in. If his reputation was going to do damage, it would probably do the most damage there... well there or in Egilrun. It was not as central as Scalvoris Town and would not give them the best position to deploy from, but it seemed to be a good option. Really, Balthazar bounced between Scalvoris Town and Almund more than any of the other outposts he knew about. What would they do on Ishallr but explore cold caves that only he would be alright in? Almund was also a closer flight to Faldrass than Scalvoris Town.

He considered requesting that they be stationed in Gunvorton. There were not many Flame Troopers there but the rumors had not escaped Balthazar's notice and that sort of mystery seemed a good one to train a team on... but that was probably a mistake. When rumors were as loud as they were coming from one place, it was probably more than initiates could handle. Gunvorton could sit for another season or two... probably less... then he'd start to pry. He made his decision, having fluttered through the last few options in his head quickly.

"I would accept and I would ultimately defer to your judgement on placement. I feel that I can't make the best decision because of the relationship I have with the people on Faldrass. I could be wrong. I want to choose something close to that island but I don't feel that island would provide the right conditions to train a team. Eliminating Faldrass based on that, I would say Almund or Scalvoris Town. I'm familiar with both and they both have good access to other parts of Scalvoris should the team be deployed elsewhere. I want to be closer to Faldrass... so between those two I'd say Almund." Though he really wanted Faldrass. He adjusted himself in his seat a little and moved along, assuming Rand didn't want his time wasted. "The last things I wanted to discuss were the events at the Rynmere Labyrinth and the case of Philip Carey's murder, when we get there." He recognized that he had now said the wrong final number of topics a few moments ago, but something about Rand's response made him a little more confident in asking what he felt he had to ask about council members.

[Avalon]

10 Vhalar, 721
Element Hall: Almund

The question hadn’t been an idle one. Rand never did anything without purpose or intent, and even though it might have seemed like a simple query, the invisible strings attached to it were there. Answers to such simple questions could determine a lot. Honestly, the Militant was confident that what he had asked would cause no minor amount of conflict in the young Trooper. Military types had to make similar decisions every trial, and Trooper Black would be no exception.

The answer was a bit surprising, though, although the expression on Rand’s face betrayed none of it. He had wanted to see what the man would say, and now, he had his answer. It had been an interesting one, to be sure. Balthazar explained his thought process, laying it out for his superior to see and understand. Usually, Rand was not one for such things, but the meeting itself was a bit unusual and involved an evaluation aspect, which was needed to make appropriate decisions.

After Trooper Black concluded, Rand sat silent for a few moments. He didn’t mind if it made other people uncomfortable – their comfort wasn’t paramount. More important was that he considered all matters before making decisions, and there were quite a few in the current topic.

“Then Almund it is. For the time being, you and your team will be based here. You will be given your recruits in a few trials, and the work can begin. You will be responsible for your team’s training and assignments. There are senior officers on-site to assist with your officer training, should you have questions or concerns.”

With that settled, Trooper Black brought up two more matters. The first was easy enough to manage. He had been apprised on all the available information of that particular mess, and the people involved. “Rynmere? That’s right. I’d prefer if you’d prepare a report and submit it to me, so I can go over it and follow up with the appropriate people, if necessary.” The second matter was a bit more complicated, at least if Rand had understood the situation correctly from what he knew. “The Watch? Continue please..”

The Militant had to admit that he was curious as to what information Balthazar had, and waited patiently for him to begin.

[Balthazar Black]

10 Vhalar 721

The silence that followed Balthazar's explanation might have been intended to discomfort him but it was a sort of silence Balthazar was familiar with and often the cause of. Rand was thinking in some form or another. That much was clear but what was unclear was exactly what the Militant was thinking about. Did he approve or disapprove? It didn't matter. Balthazar was only looking for mechanical approval, not personal approval. While the Militant thought about his answer, Balthazar thought about Rynmere and the murder of the Watchman. On the first he intended to provide information but on the second was a complete cluster he hoped he did not ruin.

The Militant spoke again and determined that he would go with the location Balthazar had chosen. The trooper wasn't sure if that was a relief or not but it was what he had asked for and that was the best he could get. Almund. Maybe if they were good enough, they might put a dent in that crime rate. It all seemed more real as the Militant briefly explained what would follow and Balthazar couldn't help but think he might have been making a mistake. Maybe... but it was his to make. He would be given recruits and be responsible for their training and assignments. He needed to figure out how he was going to train them before he met them. He knew that at the very least the relationship he established in the first meeting would prevail for the rest of their time working together. At least he still had other officers he could ask questions.

It seemed the matter was settled and in a few trials time his officer training would begin. Rand moved onto the next topic that the trooper had brought up, the Rynmere incident. He wanted a report and Balthazar was already half way through one but he had not brought it with him. He was struggling with how to word it in a neutral way while harboring negative feelings towards the Council member who left them to die. He knew which parts were important based on the questions he'd heard in the Council meeting, but when did it get to a point of having too much detail? It didn't matter. Rand preferred the report to the conversation so Balthazar would respect that, but he felt something needed to be said. "I will finish my report on the Labyrinth and submit it to you. I will keep it factual and include my concerns on a separate page. I know I am not the only one who has dealt with one before, but any hive mind concerns me greatly."

And so they came to the last topic. The Watch and the murder of Philip Carey. Balthazar had investigated it earlier in the season with Jacien and come to the conclusion that the killer was a Rupture mage who had flayed the watchman. That was the only conclusion that they had really come to which Balthazar was aware of. They could theorize that he would strike again based on their knowledge of flaying but they had not found or apprehended a suspect. Rand knew those things. He would know that they had made almost no progress in the investigation since Ymiden but Balthazar never liked loose ends. He liked the idea of a killer mage out in the wind even less. "We have yet to apprehend or identify a suspect for the murder and as far as we can tell the killer has not been active since, despite our theory that the thirst would compel them to kill again." He needed to blow past the part he expected Rand knew but he had to mention it incase Rand did not have the memory he did, "I was wondering if the Elements had any record of the mages or hired killers who have passed through Scalvoris in the last two arcs and if they do, I was hoping I could have access to it. I would only need the last two. I would like to compare it to the people I've met and see if any names are familiar. Then I could question them and ideally find leads." He did not expect much success with this request because he was sure it was a step Jacien would have already taken- checking secret records, but Jacien did not know the people Balthazar did and Jacien was not a mage. More specifically, he was not initiated Rupturing and Attunement. One magic which the killer had and the other which let you track things that you could find in your own frequency... like sparks. With names to work off of, 'usual suspects' so to speak, he might be able to figure something out when he tugged on the more magical threads.

[Avalon]

10 Vhalar, 721
Element Hall: Almund

Rand nodded as Balthazar responded to the request for a report on the Rynmere situation. It had been a few seasons since that time. Accounts and information were still coming in regarding the people involved and areas affected, and Rand knew it would take time to sort through everything. Rynmere was incredibly concerning, as more and more details came to light, so he was eager to see what Trooper Black had to say about the matter. Different perspectives were always helpful.

As Balthazar quickly brought him to the question posed, the Militant considered the options. His gaze was contemplative as he leaned back in the chair, but it didn’t take long before he addressed the Element again. “There are no mage registration laws here in Scalvoris, so that’s not an option. The best I can offer is access to the records of mages and killers the Elements have come across in investigations or during arrests. The records room is here in the Hall. The people there can point you in the right direction.”

Reaching for a slip of paper, Rand quickly wrote out a note. A quick signature later, he slid it across the expanse of the desk to Balthazar. “The records will be incomplete, and you may not find what you are looking for. However, the man that works in records, Duvall, is very good at his job. If you tell him what you are needing, he can quickly rather the necessary records together and help you sort through them or assist in other ways.”

It was a fleeting expression, but Rand seemed to want to say something else for a flicker of a moment. Balthazar would notice, but the look was indecipherable.“Make sure you report whatever information you have about the Watch up the chain of command. There have been…issues, and the more information, the better. The Watchman situation is very concerning.” And that was all the Militant had to say about that.

Collecting a few files from different corners of the desk, his eyes glanced over at Trooper Black. "If that's all, you are dismissed. Good Luck, Trooper Black."

[Avalon]

Balthazar

Overview

I love Balth when he's in a situation that he knows he has to be in, isn't really comfortable with but just tries to go with the flow. He's a fascinating one to read because there is sooooo much going on underneath the surface, written wonderfully by you. This thread was a meeting between two vastly different men, and you did great with allowing Balthazar to learn how to best communicate with Rand as the session went on. Great stuff!

Thank you for the fun thread! - Avalon

Points

XP:15
Renown: 5

Loot

• Orders to be stationed out of the Almund Element Hall
• Three flame-trooper recruits (Please dev and submit to the Element NPC thread here)
• Information on where to find the Element Alchemists
• A slip of paper that, when given to Trooper Duvall at the Almund Element Hall, will secure his assistance tracking down documents related to known mages/criminals.

Knowledge

Discipline - x2
Etiquette - x2
Leadership- x2
Logistics- x2
Psychology- x1
Research x 1
Tactics - x2

Plot Hook

As Balthazar rises to depart, Rand tells him that if he's interested in the history of the Watch, perhaps asking a former Watchman might be a good place to start....

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