Guard Captain Sebastian Harlock

Posts : 21 Join date : 2011-11-16

Sebastian Harlock has recently arrived in Knoxwater to replace the previous Captain of the city guard, who had either retired, fallen ill or was forcibly mustered out away from the public eye - depending on whom you believe. His first days are marked by a tour of each and every Guard installation of the city, addresses to the various Watch Companies, and detailed inspections of the units under his command. Exasperated and exhausted guardsman largely expect more of the same in the long run, though such illusions are put to rest once the men have a chance to examine vigorous new standards and training regimens posted in large broadsheets in the barracks of the city's various watchouses.
The common gossip about the new captain is that he is of smallholder yeomen background hailing from Marshmeadow and a former man-at-arms in the province. He has since held several officer's postings, most recently in Foxdell, and is purported to have had several successes in ferreting out cults and infiltrator cells of Cinn background or sympathy. It is also supposed that he is largely unhappy with the way his predecessor ran the show. The common troopers have little to say on the matter other than to grumble at the extra work when they're sure he isn't listening, but many mid-level officers are cautiously optimistic about the change in leadership.
After his first round of inspections, Harlock retires to the tavern to commission Evander the leatherworker to provide gear for the new company he intends to raise. After their business is concluded, he by chance meets meets a buxom-figured lass with an apparently iron liver who, he notices, appears to be patronizing the place incognito. He learns her name is Novel, and that she is the castle governess. The two exchange flirtatious glances, cheeky remarks and even a furtive to touch, but the Captain is called away to respond to a civil disturbance long before he can 'bring the matter to a conclusion'. Said disturbance turns out to be some nonsense involving a pretty streetfight and turnips, needless to say he is very annoyed.

Posts : 21 Join date : 2011-11-16

Sebastian runs into Carrigan while taking his lunch in the tavern. Initially thinking her little more than a stablemistress, the encounter triggers a his 'sixth sense' - subconscious physiological reactions to the prescence of dangerous arcane or unnatural phenomenon that even he is at a loss to explain. Overhearing her surname in conversation, he puts two and two together and his suspicions of the woman multiply. They have a tense encounter of very few words before Harlock must leave to attend to his duties. Much as he'd like to bring her in, he is well aware that the basis of his speculations would be laughed off by most right-thinking people and determines he needs something more concrete before acting.
The captain encounters Novel again in the castle gardens - only partly by chance this time. Their dance continues practically from where it left off the night before, and he makes his move. Locked lips and wandering hands are interrupted by.. a sudden perfusion of blood, which naturally he blames on the usual sort of thing that happens regularly to women. Though she leaves flush with embarassment, he vows to come back for another try in due time - especially as the more ruthless and calculating part of his psyche realizes how well she'd serve as an additional pair of yes within the fastness' walls..

Posts : 21 Join date : 2011-11-16

Harlock by chance bumps into General Alexston. He seeks the newly minted Prince's counsel on how to take on the Cinn threat, and learns the frightening truth behind the purpose of the Crann, which nobody had bothered to tell him were a bit more than some castle gardener's excentricity. He then stole off to Novel's room in the night to see about their unfinished business, and the two in short order ended up engaging in a bizarre, sadomasochistic coupling that involved his dress knife to a degree with which he was very uncomfortable afterwards. And that was pretty much his day, ho hum.
The captain pays a visit to newly arrived interrogator Maud Scarfell. He finds they are, at least on the surface, of similar minds on the Cinn threat and share the same suspicions of Carrigan. At her suggestion, he begins implementation of a harsh survival training regimen for his Guardsman in the Knoxwood - a two week course to be completed with nothing but the clothes on their back and a sheathe knife apiece. Voluntary for now, incentive in the form of a pay grade bump for successful completion, no more than 10-20 taken at a time. Marie's lancers are recruited in small numbers for a shilling or two a man to serve as dummy adversaries.

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