Political affairs.

Commander Pantaghast was considering what to tell or not tell the young captain. On one hand, she hoped to make Asagi a kind of apprentice and honesty would help the captain to thrust her. However, it was no secret that the raven beauty had formed a friendship with the third prince and that could cause problems.

"Before I answer your question, what is your relationship with Prince John?"Asked the commander out of the blue carefully taking note of Asagi's facial expression. The captain was obviously surprised by the question but didn't seem overly defensive when she answered.

" I don't see what this has to do with my question, but my relationship with him is a mentally stimulating one. He's smart and one of the few men who doesn't seem to resent women for having a will of their own."Said the captain before continuing.

"Creating and clashing battle plans with him taught me a lot about strategy and command, everybody uses the moniker 'lazy' to describe him and I disagree. He's calculating and observant, it makes him look aloof but in truth, he just thinks before acting. He also has an uncanny ability to read people."Finished Asagi. Cassandra had to congratulate the captain for completely evading the true question.

"You didn't answer the question, Captain." Simply countered Cassandra.

"I did, you just didn't hear it, commander. We are friends and I respect the man." Retorted the young captain locking eyes with her superior officer daring her to challenge her answer.

"Hmm ... The church has no real power ever since they were caught trying to take control of the merchant guilds. Kind Dante gave them a choice, either stand down and go back to their calling or rot in the castle dungeon for conspiration against the throne. Ever since they tried to regain any kind of clout in the political sphere, my position is one of their attempts. The DHG is one of the most powerful political entity in the kingdom, putting someone here in the biggest guild and in the capital gives them legitimacy. I wasn't their first choice, the King would only agree if I was the one getting the job." Explained the warrior while pacing the room.

"I asked the King several times why me, the only answer I got was that I was capable. The king has to know that my loyalty to the faith is unquestionable after going through the training required to become a templar, yet he still chose me and I have no idea why." Ranted Cassandra letting her frustration shine through her words. When she looked at the young captain face the commander was surprised to see her smile.

"Maybe it's because your loyalty is to the faith and not the church that King Dante chose you, commander. The church has been corrupt for some times, the King may feel like you will do what is right and not just what benefits the church." Pointed out Asagi while digesting the fact that the church was on probation so to speak.

" This is ridiculous, I receive my orders from the high priests and they are the church." Said the templar not sure if she was trying to convince the captain or herself before changing the subject to what she had called Asagi here for in the first place.

"Anyway, I called you here because I need to know why in all heavens the King sent his third son into the wildlands of all places." Cassandra knew immediately that Asagi was unaware of this development by the obvious surprise etched in her face.

" WHAT!" Blurted the captain before regaining some of her composure. " What are you talking about? This makes no sense, The king would never send John in that godforsaken place!" Exclaimed the warrior reeling from the news and refusing to believe it.

"You may be right, it wasn't confirmed but my sources say it was at the young prince request himself. The question is why would he ask to go into the wildlands? Asagi do you think the King could want to expand south of the scar?" Asked Cassandra.

"I don't know him very well, but I think he sees the wildlands as a lost cause ma'am. Even if he had such ambitions, do you really think he would send his own son out there? And to do what, scout the place? No, there must be another explanation for this, something important, something that justified sending John." Theorized the captain.

"You said yourself the prince is smart, observant and knows how to read people. Maybe the King doesn't just want to expand south but annex its inhabitants at the same time, the prince could be out to make peace or even work out a treaty with the wildlanders." Said Cassandra voicing her thoughts before continuing.

"But then why send him alone, why not a contingent of diplomat and guards. None of it makes any sense." Said the commander again frustrated by the dilemma.

"Actually, that makes sense." Said Asagi voicing her own thoughts. When she saw the commander looking at her like she was lost the captain decided to elaborate.

"Into the wildlands, a full-blown diplomacy caravan would basically just invite to be attacked. Alone, John can scout the place, choose the best place to approach the wildlanders, where he thinks the chance to make peacefull contact is the most probable. From there he can gather intel on the lands, who is susceptible to join up with us and who will likely oppose peace. Then come back home and report what would be the best course of action or if the likelihood of success is too low for the risk. I don't know the King that well but I know this ma'am, he trusts John judgment more than anyone else." Finished the young warrior.

After a moment of silence and debating her next move the commander turned to face the young captain and gave her orders.

"Captain Saul, you are to take a small team and go locate prince Shepard. You are to determine his mission and find out exactly what is going on. Once you have accomplished this, you are to send your team back to report the situation while you stay back and protect the prince at all cost." Formally said the superior officer.

" Ma'am, wouldn't we impede the King plan? Not even mentioning overstepping our mandate, you just mentioned what happened to the church ma'am. If King Dante sees this as us becoming loose cannons we could pay a heavy price, maybe it would be more prudent to seek the King approval before interfering ma'am." Asked Asagi worriedly.

"No, there is something big going on and I want to know what. I will rather be wrong and seek forgiveness than be right and be shut down before we can figure out what is happening. Now, DO YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ORDERS, CAPTAIN?" Asked commander Pantaghast firmly.

Asagi snapped to attention and although she didn't like the idea of going behind her King back nonetheless responded.

"Yes, ma'am! I will assemble my team and leave as soon we are ready ma'am!"Said the captain before running off to prepare for the journey.