he cut along the borders first. there had been an undeniable pep in his step since his big night with towhee. however he was aware that a sudden heart full of love could not cut into his work, so he used it as motivation. work hard so that he could play hard, so to speak.
and today that motivation carried him on a mission with a question.
two wolves he could ask came to mind. he figured they either may be on the borders and if he did not find him here, he would veer towards the spar pit.
well, towhee could also be with the kids, but he'd explore that option last if the first two failed.
maxim walked with purpose.
as did germanicus.
"the air is good tonight, tribunus." he fell into step with the man. mereo was quiet. "the soldiers must have battle. arsenio of epoch has suggested i ask outside the borders and arrange a pitched war."
germanicus came to him with words of mock war. words of business and proposals. wise words of arsenio, who once ranked high but now claimed epoch.
i agree with these things, imperator.
his head nodded, a thoughtful look placed upon his features. i have words of business for you too, if you have time to consider them.
intriguing that maxim had once been a brightly feral man.
and now he was organized and lethal.
the imperator nodded, the dark grey ears arranged to listen.
i wish to rise.
and this was, he finally realized, not the ego of a boy talking. this was the aspirations of a soldier before his commander.
i think of elitus, but i know i must do more than just say that.
ambition.
the eagle nodded.
"glaukos departed on an escort mission and did not return. becoming elitus requires a month of service in akashingo as you know."
his voice was careful.
he knew — and yet he wondered. what would towhee say to such a thing? how would he fair missing a whole month of his children growing?
i understand. these things would have to be said to towhee, but it was your wisdom i needed first.
so he offered a brief sideway glance to the imperator.
would you see me fit for such a thing?
"i do. you are dedicated to the borders and loyal to mereo's ways. you are a skilled guardian, maxim. i think you would make a level-headed elitus."
he wondered now if towhee would dissuade the mission. he was unsure of what to expect and so left all options for consideration.
what once would have ballooned his ego, only gave him much to think on instead.
i appreciate this.
and he did. even as his features grew long and thoughtful. i wish to talk to towhee. as wife and as praefectus. if all is approved, perhaps i go to akashingo when the princess returns as well.
the eagle nodded. "then that is the timeline for your answer." maxim would be able to think upon it until princess makono departed.
"come to me with your answer beforehand."
he nodded once. a soft dismissal.
a timeline, a dismissal. maxim had everything he needed then from this conversation.
he nodded in his own understanding and then cut his path towards where he hoped towhee might be.