Fool

"Your objective is to disguise yourselves as cart servants and board the Westin train. You will ride the train until you reach the coastal city of Duma. There you will find the Oceana embassy where a meeting will be held between one of their oligarchs and the vice president of Seraph, nobin Quin. Your final objective will then be to spy, observe, and report back. If you are able to secure any important documentation, then do so but not at the risk of your primary mission. Lastly, during your operation, you are reminded to use the alternative names and family histories provided to you. Work documents and further instructions have been handed to captain Octavian and will be distributed upon his discretion. Understood?" Sir Galath commanded. Both Marco and Octavian yelled, "Yes sir!" right away. Sasha, to nobody's surprise, fell asleep standing up while Lexi, on the other hand, folded her arms and tilted her head.

"So," Lexi began, much to the dismay of both Marco and Octavian. "We are supposed to just watch? No funny business this time?"

"If you find anything funny, do be sure to share it at the local campfire," Sir Galath said, turning away to sit down at the head of the war table. "Now then, you are dismissed."

"That's not-"

Octavian swiftly placed a hand on Lexi's shoulder, shaking his head when she turned glared at him. She shoved his hand away with a huff before storming out. Marco was busy waking up Sasha, catching her up on the operation details while they also walked out of the tent. All that was left was Octavian, who was firmly planted where he stood.

"Questions, Captain?" Sir Galath asked, leaning forward in his chair to rest behind his interlocked fingers.

"Sir… for this mission to be successful I need to know any and all that details that may cause complications." Octavian said as confidently as he could.

"Are you implying that I am withhold critical information from you?"

"No Sir! I only meant that given the rumors about the events involving Sasha and Marco… it makes the success of this operation rather… uneasy."

Sir Galath watched Octavian for a moment before asking, "I assume Marco has informed you of what took place?"

"He has, sir."

"And what do you think?"

"I… don't know what to make of it."

"But you do trust Marco's word, correct?"

"I do."

"Without question?"

"Yes sir."

"And if Lexi or Sasha told you the same thing, would you trust their word without question also?"

"Lexi… maybe. Sasha, no. But sir, I fail to see-"

"And if I told you I have guaranteed the safety of you all, would you believe me?" Octavian paused. He did not know how to respond to the question and the hesitation was not lost on Sir Galath.

"Be mindful of where your trust and loyalty lie." Sir Galath said sternly, almost disappointedly.

"Sir I did not mean to-"

"But you did. You have shown me exactly where your heart lies, and I fear it is not fully to our cause. I have allowed you and Marco's… relationship to flourish, but if it stands in the way of your duty towards the resistance then I will have no further need of you. Do I make myself clear." Octavian swallowed hard but was still able to produce a somewhat shaky "Yes sir."

Sir Galath simply nodded in response before saying, "I appointed you captain for a reason, so do not disappoint. Follow the instructions given to you, be vigilant, and the operation will run as intended. So, if that is all, you are dismissed."

Octavian swallowed hard again. The shakiness in his voice was gone now, replaced by a twisted mixture of shame, pride, guilt, and self-reassurance. "Yes, sir." Octavian said, standing tall. He then turned to leave just as Sir Galath began reading over letters and stolen documents.

Octavian walked briskly towards the front of the encampment where the others waited, probably with their horses already he guessed. But as he walked, Octavian subconsciously started to slow his pace and take the time to truly look around him. Everywhere around him vampyrs were working hard; from little Pippin who was only 21 years old, to Lady Margo who well into her two-hundred and forties. Everybody struggled and yet they all found it within themselves to smile. Whether it was because of what their work meant for the resistance, or because of how sanctified they felt working alongside those who share the same vision for the future, Octavian was not certain. But what he was certain of was that Sir Galath was right. Octavian was caught between love and duty. And he knew that if he did not resolve this matter soon, that it would tear him apart.