The Chess Master makes her first move

"General Diuneth" the dragonborn towered over the pale gray elf he saluted, keeping his eyes sharply forward to the point that he could barely see the tips of her long ears.

"At ease, lieutenant, report." She stood rigid with no effort at all, the picture perfect soldier and leader. She wore the crest of the royal family on one side of her cape, the crest of the Planeborn on the other, which made to hold up the cape covering her dress mess. At her side, a rapier. "What is the status on the field?"

"The army was split in two, one of which is now in retreat and the other of which is trapped between our soldiers and the cliff facings in the south."

"Very good." The elf woman relaxed, sitting down to drink at a small steaming cup of tea before slightly pursing her lips and adjusting the bag hanging over the side of it. "Have riders sent to the forces in the south and have them wait. Those soldiers are not so loyal. If we let them get hungry keeping them there then offer food in return for service, their loyalty will shift and we will leave here with more men than we came with."

The dragonborn man saluted again, stiffening his back. "Ma'am!" He turned and left.

Left alone, General Diuneth reached into her coat pocket and pulled from it 9 glowing marbles, and one dim. One of the three darkened knights had lost his life, the Star Knight. Of all the Magen Elites, the knights of the three roses were the only ones to turn to the dark arts, and look where it was leading them. The news that he had lost his life in a military battle, however, is what really shocked the general. The Star Knight had served directly under her in battle, and as a tactician he was more than well versed enough to deal with a small army of orcs. The coup, however, he was not expecting, and now a small barony in the southern lands was being threatened. "Rebellion is a tiresome, nasty thing. But it must be taken seriously." She got up, and walked to the opening of her fine tent before leaning out and calling to one of the riders in the camp. "Ride back to the capital and alert the bench, we are to meet in a fortnite to discuss the rebellion in Gravesford."