Chapter V: Orders 
*** 
With the revelation of a plot by the goblins to manufacture fake currency, the top leaders of the Duchy were called together to try to figure out what must be done in order to prevent this goblin conspiracy from being made public, and also in order to try to piece together SOMETHING that might enable us to squash this plot. 

Unfortunately, I was forced to come to the meeting, as the ranking member of the Ducal Guard available in Jeuno at the time. 

Somedays, I REALLY hate my job… 
*** 

Bored, I shuffled the loose-leaf sheets of paper and charts in front of me, glossing a careless eye over them. 

I always hated meetings. Just a bunch of paper pushers, whoring themselves out to the great bureaucracy with mindless drivel…so annoying. 

Restlessly, I shifted my armored self around in the wooden chair that was about two sizes to small to accommodate both me and my gleaming metal surcoat. The chair groaned underneath the weight, but thankfully not enough to draw me any unwanted attention that could possibly make the meeting any longer than it had to be. 

I could really go for a Kazham pineapple slice right now…those things are so good…and maybe one of those mithra from Kazham dressed in a lil’ black string number serv- 

My thoughts were disturbed by the heavy tapping on my right shoulder by that galka, Red Ghost. Head of local Duchy security, it was impossible to hold a meeting about anything relating to the security of Jeuno without him being there. He leaned over and spoke quietly-well as quietly as a galka could-into my right ear. 

"Sir, the archduke asked you a question...shouldn’t you respond to him?" He rumbled with his deep voice. 
I sit up at attention, slightly flustered. My face turned a slight shade of red, and I nervously looked over at the head of the table, where the Archduke himself had taken time out of his busy schedule to meet with us. 

"I’m sorry sir...could you please repeat the question again?" I asked, trying to unsuccessfully hide my embarrassment. My eyes blinked rapidly a couple times as the Archduke frowned slightly at me for a quick instant before his face returned to the absent stone mask that I was used to. 

"Soldier, what was it that madman had said to you while in the room with you, when you interrogated him alone?" He asked of me with a slow, almost smug smile in his voice. 

My eyes still downcast, I quickly replied: "He said the words 'the tombs...the tombs...' over and over again my sovereign." The words spilled out fast, but perhaps a little bit TOO fast for the Archduke’s liking, because of what he said next… 

"Are you sure soldier? Are you sure that is all he said? Did you not question him about anything else?" 

My heart started to beat rapidly, threatening to burst in my chest. 

Did he know? 

I had heard rumors before that he knew everything that happened in the town, even when one thought that they were alone. 

That there was more to the Archduke than anyone suspected. 

I forced myself to speak slowly, measuring my words out carefully. I didn’t want any trouble from the Archduke, and certainly no more of his questions. 

"That was all sir…if you will check the official report that is doubtlessly in front of you, you will find that I had chronicled it in Section C, Subsection 2, Paragraph 1. I believe that I wrote that that was all the words that were exchanged between the two of us during the short time that we were alone together." 

He picked up my report from his copy of the papers in front of him, and turned the corners of it with his fingertips. 

"Why yes, yes, I see soldier. Of course, forgive me for insinuating that you were anything less than honest." 

His apology surprised me, for I was underneath him, and he never had to apologize to such an underling. "A-a-all is forgiven my lord." I sputtered out instantly. 

It was then that the mysterious stranger who had been standing somewhat hidden in the shadows finally stepped forward to the table and into the light. He was a man of thirty-ish age with short yellow hair. He was dressed in black robes, with what looked like to be some sort of scanner device wrapping around from behind his head and covering one eye. He carried himself as if he was one on equal level with the Archduke, and had the power to back up his equality. His lips parted, and he spoke with a strong void in his voice, devoid of any emotion. 

"The tombs...could his madman…whatever his name was…possibly be talking about Eldieme Necropolis that exists underground beneath Batallia Downs, just outside the exit from Upper Jeuno?" 

The next voice to speak up surprised me a bit. Why the Archduke allowed his little brother, Eald'narche, to attend these meetings, I could never figure out. 

"Hmmm...do you know of any other tombs in Vana’diel? I certainly do not." His high voice squeaked in my ears, causing me to wince slightly. 

Damn kid. 

The Archduke only looked his kid brother and nodded his head, causing his white hair to fall into his eyes a bit. "That is true Eald'narche..." He dragged the last syllable of his name out for a moment, and then paused. 

He then turned to me, and luckily, I had kept my mind focused on the meeting long enough this time to catch what he said the first time. 

"Okay, soldier. I want you to gather three of your best troops, and spread out among the various entrances to the Necropolis from Batallia Downs. One man per entrance. Your mission will be to progress throughout the Necropolis, and see what you can find there. Once that is accomplished, you are to report back here IMMEDIATELY." 

He paused for a moment, and then his voice turned stern. 

"That means, soldier, that this is only a reconnaissance mission. You are under NO circumstances to interfere with anything that you might find happening. I don’t care if the beastmen are plotting to attack all three kingdoms at once in one week, you DO NOT interfere." 

He smiled that smile at me that commanded respect from everyone around him as he drew in another breath and continued. 

"Are we clear? I will not have the citizens of Jeuno pounding down the door to my room because someone bothered the tomb of their great grandfather Azekiel or whatever. And in the case that the goblins are really plotting something, I would rather we gather as much information as we can before we annihilate them. There might be more than just a gil conspiracy underfoot and if we can squash any larger plots against the state at the same time as this one, well…all the better for the Duchy." 

I nodded sharply once, in acknowledgement. 
"Okay then...this meeting is dismissed. May Altana protect you all." He said, pushing his chair back to get up from the table, and then silently strolling out from the room. 

I left the room quickly, glad to get away. I then started to navigate the maze of halls that would lead me to the troop barracks, where I would there select the best of my men to head out into the Necropolis. 

-fin: Chapter V: Orders