Redsand Canyon discovered

@Germanicus please <3

it was time to say it officially to the imperator, now that they had moved into the married apartments. and he wished to make it incredible clear what the terms of their marriage was — in case @Towhee had not done so yet herself.

whenever he came upon the older man, he would offer a hearty chuff.

i have news,

germanicus had chosen not to be ignorant of the goings-on within mereo.

he drew his suppositions and left them at that.

maxim came near and his fur was wreathed with the scent of towhee.

"oh?" the imperator murmured, keeping neutral despite his growing comprehension.

i have been partnered with towhee, he wasted no time in going into the news. but, ah, not a...love marriage — we are in a...business deal as she calls it. he casual words rolled a bit more familiarly off his tongue.

i wished for you to know, if she has not told you yet.

he wanted to say that towhee had told him plenty, enough to assume that the upcoming nuptials would be swift. she had even chosen maxim before the young man suspected himself in her sights. or perhaps that was his own personal suspicion.

"congratulations. towhee is a fine soldier and guardian as well as an experienced mother."

he wondered what maxim drew from the equation but knew enough not to ask. "have you chosen a place in the married-housing?"

post 100 for youuu <3

he knew these things, but perhaps he took some comfort in hearing it from somebody else as well. it was best to be in a partnership with somebody who was skilled, knew what they wanted and had a good standing.

she picked one out. he declared softly, a wisp of a smile on his face. i am thinking of asking for tamar's help making the place...lively, with furs and plants. as a housewarming gift to towhee.

his brow quirked, as if he might gauge germanicus' opinion on such a thing.

<33 :DDD congrats!

"that is good. and yes, tamar would be the one for that task. she appears to take pleasure in it."

the imperator cleared his throat. "you were not promoted with the others because i did not see you in battle. a man who intends to be a husband should keep his ambition. i have a task for you."

suddenly, and appropriately, they were thrusted into a conversation of his rank. maxim had wondered but not asked. figuring it was because he was new. only to find out it was because he had not been seen in battle.

had there been some grand battle he had failed to see? his skills had been tested upon entry, no?

but he did not take great offense in this. instead he perked curiously.

what is it?

"one of towhee's relatives has come to stay in mereo and serve as an auxillary. the boy is named killdeer. i would like the pair of you to find a landmark to the north and report back to me. it will take three days. during that time, put him through his paces. sparring. training."

maxim was not high in the ranks, but he had been here longer. germanicus saw the many layers of this request and was quiet.

maxim saw the layers. he liked the young man, but he was uncertain what the young man thought of him — nor if killdeer had an inkling about the deal between his grandmother and maxim.

but the boy was a soldier of mereo. regardless of emotions, they would need to build trust around these things and rely upon each other.

maxim was silent, awfully thoughtful for the usually direct man.

i only ask to be able to inform towhee before we leave,

"husbands and wives should communicate."

germanicus gave a wry look to maxim.

"lift your voice to me when you choose to leave. if you are not back in three days, i will come after you."

it was meant to be an extended patrol, not a punishment as he had given glaukos and kallik.

maxim did not think he would have the desire to be gone for more than three days anyway, so he smiled warmly for it. i will not make you work harder, he promised with certainty.

if that was all, he supposed it was time to get his affairs in order so that everything could be swiftly taken care of.

germanicus nodded.

"you are a good man, maxim. you will be a good father."

it felt odd to speak a sentiment he had not felt for himself.

the eagle nodded. the man was dismissed.