Headed by a Snake

Tycondrius was invited to the strategy meeting.

As for why, he would have liked to believe it was because he had introduced himself as a Tactician. It was a rare class and apparently, was the only one in the Brazen Guard collective. Further, he had provided solid strategy in the first meeting. Tacticians were most valuable during the planning phases prior to large-scale engagements.

More realistically... he was invited because Bannok and Aria favored him.

He arrived to the command tent earlier than most everyone else, not wishing to suffer the company of Tancred's Stormbrands. A purple-haired elf sat silently in the corner. A minuscule twitch of his pointed ear was the only sign that Tycon was noticed.

⟬ Felinus, Gold-Rank Elven Hunter. Guild Brazen Guard. ⟭

As light as Tycon's steps were, he had no doubt that Felinus sensed him. That the elf had no particular reaction meant they were not overly offended by his presence.

Elves tended to be offended by... the presence of most.

With time to spare before the meeting began, Tycon took a seat at the planning table, intent on performing basic weapon maintenance. Unlike Aria, Hunter Felinus did not exhibit human social mannerisms. In their culture, the beauty of silence (and the things their Elven ears hear) was preferable to unnecessary chatter.

Along the same line of thought, Tycon much preferred the practiced, rhythmic scrapes of a sword against a whetstone to idle babbling. While he was certain his combat standards would not appease an elf's aesthetics, it felt like he had years and epochs of experience keeping his gear in good condition. Briefly meeting Felinus' curious gaze, the Elven Hunter offered a nod that he hoped was approval.

It was a very human response... and likely one he had to train, in order to be better accepted by his choice of ally.

With that, Tycon was fairly certain he had formed a good impression.

...It was difficult to tell with elves.

He could say the same for Aria... but that was further complicated by the fact that she was a woman. Tycon did not and did not hope to understand women.

He doubted anyone did... even other women.

Not long after, the three remaining people entered the command tent.

⟬ Bannok, Gold-Rank Human Weaponmaster; Ariadne, Gold-Rank Elven Priestess; Athanasius Mors, Iron-Rank Human Holy Lancer. ⟭

Holy Lancer Tanamar had proven his worth in the last meeting and apparently several times prior. Tycon surmised that Tanamar's System specialized in analyzing creatures' traits and combat abilities. It was an overpowered cheat, fantastic for dungeon delving.

"Looks like we're ready to start," Bannok nodded, idly running a hand over his clean-shaven head, "Feels a lot nicer in here, without all those chuckle-f*cks."

Tycon was unfamiliar with the terminology. The context was grossly negative, though.

"They do try, though," Aria hid a smile behind her paper fan. "Bless their hearts."

"Well, yeah. They're all a bunch of useless thieves, though," Bannok groaned, seating himself at the table. "Fel, tell us what you guys saw."

Hunter Felinus nodded sagely, "Within the coniferous forest is a clearing in which a 20-foot tall humanoid is seated upon a throne, frozen in ice."

The elf produced a piece of parchment, pushing it forward onto the planning table, "Three large symbols radiate mana, carved into large stones and ancient trees. Here is a quick sketch."

Tanamar shook his head, "We showed the sketch to Photios and a few other mages, but they've all agreed that it doesn't mean anything."

Aria frowned, pushing out her plump lips, "It... looks like it should be... something... Egh. What terrible drawing, Fel."

"Sapling..." Felinus narrowed his eyes, "I've been wielding the brush for longer than you've drawn breath."

"Not what I meant, sir, thank you kindly!" Aria pouted. "I meant whatever human made this-- it's obviously supposed to be a magic rune, but this doesn't make any sense."

Tycon took the drawing, committed it to memory, and shut his eyes as he analyzed it with his System's assistance.

"How about you, Hero?" Bannok asked. "What do you think of what we're up against?"

Tanamar tapped the table with his finger impatiently, "The forest... it's haunted. And I'm talking undead in the hundreds. Then, the giant on the throne is a mage... Third-Circle-- maybe capable of Fourth-Circle spells."

Bannok whistled, "By the Flame... This is a shite dungeon. No wonder this quest hasn't been completed."

"Darlin..." Aria cooed, "It's better to stay safe than to force a fight we can't win."

Tycon opened his eyes, smirking. His deep knowledge concerning spell formations allowed him some insight.

Felinus noticed first, raising an eyebrow, which caused Bannok to follow his gaze.

"Would you look at that!" Aria beamed, "Mister Tactician's grinnin' like a possum eatin' a sweet potato!"

"Brother-Tycon!" The Weaponmaster bared his teeth in a grin. "What'cha got?"

"Concerning tactics, you mean?" Tycon returned the smile.

"Pshhh. Get a load o' this guy!" Bannok exclaimed, "You figure somethin' out from Fel's shite drawing?"

"Young man..." Felinus narrowed his eyes, unhappy.

Bannok held out his palms defensively, "It was a joke, Fel."

Tycon placed the parchment back on the table, smudging the charcoal with his finger and making several more lines, "I believe the original runes may have looked like this."

Felinus shook his head, "Tactician, I find your hypothesis... implausible."

"I'm gonna have to agree with Fel on this, hon," Aria frowned. "The three runes you've made don't make a lick of sense, comin' outta the first... and all mushed together like that? It'll slap the formation mage to sleep, then slap 'em for sleepin'"

Tycon raised an eyebrow, "And what if I reminded you two that it's likely a human made this?"

"Slightly more plausible," Felinus admitted... "Such a combination would only be proposed by a novice or a madman."

"Butter my butt and call me a biscuit!" Aria exclaimed, fanning herself.

It had become clear to Tycon that Ariadne was improvising phrases.

"Yeah..." Bannok sat back, crossing his arms, "Could you guys speak in the common tongue? ...Especially you, wife."

"It's a seal, Brother-Bannok," Tycon explained... "--and as Aria has previously stated, a volatile one."

...That's what he hoped she said, anyroad.