Cassian had not gotten as close to this Captain Commander as he had the last. It had been foolish to let himself go there, to even once consider that other man something of a brotherly, fatherly figure. He’d learned the hard lesson and wouldn’t let history be repeated. He’d maintained a self-preserving distance from Hadrian over the years. He relied on the man and trusted his judgement, but they were all business when together.

“Captain Commander.” Cassian dipped his head in response, respecting the man as he was due. He stood at his desk and welcomed the other man to sit with a hand. Straight to business. No nonsense. And no chatter.

Hadrian sat when invited. He was a different man around the king—a chameleon nature not nefarious but necessary. The commander had made his career bridging the gap between the lowest to highest rank. By building a community as well as a unit. That had required a certain amount of warmth and inclination toward mentorship on his part, something that Cassian was clearly disinterested in.

No matter. That was his prerogative. Hadrian was a professional military man and would do what was demanded of him.

“New stations will be issued after the festivities to maintain our operations in Coheed and Cambria. Both Brekker and Delaney will serve us well, but Dresmond remains my primary focus. To that end, I thought it best to discuss how every soldier's talents might be utilized.”

Every soldier? Cassian’s countenance didn’t change a wink, but he internally questioned the Captain Commander’s reason for coming. Cassian didn’t know the soldiers as he did. They were planning to take thousands. Surely he had misspoken.

Well, it had been an introduction but hadn’t taken them anywhere. Cassian looked over the man expectantly. He was never one to coax more words out of someone. Hadrian would be welcomed to continue by the king’s silence.

There was a reason for Hadrian’s hesitance, one that Cassian would see soon enough. Or at least, Hadrian thought he would—it was partially a gamble based upon logic. And if Cassian didn’t know, so be it. With war coming, secrets were a luxury none of them could afford.

“I know about Alys's wolf form," Hadrian stated bluntly. He waited, gauging Cassian's response.

Cassian didn’t bat an eye. If he’d been a poker player he would be a master. Julius had taken care of any loose reactions in his sim. Cassian’s countenance was always one of rigid self-control, and in the face of this revelation it was no different.

It didn’t surprise him Hadrian knew. Alys had proven herself incompetent of keeping that particular secret. He wasn’t the only one who knew, and Cassian would wager—if he was a betting man—that there were others who she had shared her secret with.

“As do I.” It was a casual, deadbeat response. Cassian had no way of knowing if Hadrian knew about Cassian’s, too, but he wasn’t about to volunteer the knowledge. Not even Iliana knew about Cassian’s wolf form. Sabine knew because she had helped create it, and the only person he had ever told with his lips was Kennet.

“You want to utilize it against Dresmond?” Because that was the point of this conversation, right? Not the revelation itself. Unless it was…

Hadrian had no doubt that Cassian knew—he wouldn’t flatter himself to think Alys trusted him with something she didn’t trust the king with. But it was good to have the fact acknowledged so that they could proceed.

“Alys herself would be useful, no doubt, but if we had more like her. Witch werewolves—ones that are lucid, that can cast magic in their wolf form, it would be an unbelievable asset. Now…”

Hadrian shifted forward in his seat. When he was animated about a particular idea, it showed, and Hadrian had not been this spun up since his proposing the Ranger program.

“I’d like to bring someone in to study her curse and see if it could be transferred to others.”

If it wasn’t already clear, it would be now. Hadrian had no idea just what he was stepping into. As far as he was concerned, Alys was a magical anomaly that needed to be studied by an expert. A weapon of war Hadrian wanted to disassemble and replicate.

Cassian sat and listened without a change in demeanor. He understood Hadrian’s zeal, and had he not known more of the situation, he might have shared it (though surely it would have looked different on the surly young king). As it was, his mind quickly worked on a compromise. A way to validate the Captain Commander’s initiative without having to reveal any additional secrets. He’d need to have a word with Alys after this.

“I think this would be a valuable pursuit.” The first words out of his mouth served to affirm Hadrian.

“I want you to place Sabine Renghal on this task.” There would be no question as to why. Sabine had been Julius’ witch at the end of his rule, and has been Cassian’s for the beginning. She was known for her proficiency in potions and curses. If there was a with qualified to do this very thing, it was her. In fact, she was partly responsible for creating what Alys was, not that Hadrian would ever learn that if Cassian had it his way.

Sabine was, of course, the logical choice. Hadrian accepted Cassian’s recommendation with a dip of his head. “Yes, your majesty,” He responded. Though Sabine would be in charge, Hadrian had every intention of working with her closely—not breathing down her neck so much as looking over her shoulder. This was too important for him to leave entirely in the hands of another.

“If you’ll permit me,” Hadrian said, “I’d also like to discuss your plans for the gifted man."

Cassian gave a final word on the topic, his intention to mostly remove Hadrian from the trail.

“In the meantime,” there was something pointed in his tone, “until Lady Ranghal comes with more answers, I want your focus to be on the new city and the Dresmond invasion.” There was much to be done on both of those fronts. If they left researching Alys in the capable hands of Sabine, it should remove the split attention of the Captain Commander. If it didn’t…they’d cross that bridge when they got there.

“As for the gifted,” he got back on the track Hadrian wanted them on, “I intend for him to be in Dresmond, along with my Huntsman who is currently acting as his handler.”

Hadrian nodded to show he understood. Leaving witchcraft to witches was always the best course of action, in his experience. He was happy to do so on this occasion. Even so…Hadrian wasn’t going to put the matter with Alys out of his mind entirely.

Hadrian shifted at Cassian’s response. It was, admittedly, not what he wanted to hear. Despite her success, Regan was one of his greatest disappointments. She was inconsistent and unreliable, two things he couldn’t afford right now. Besides…Regan existed in a strange place outside the military order. And Hadrian didn’t like having a tool as powerful as Othello within that same strange space. He wanted Othello for himself.

“I’d you’ll permit me, your majesty,” Hadrian started, “I know they’ve worked closely together, but I wonder whether it would be wise to integrate him more directly within a unit. Have him train with the other soldiers instead of with the Huntsman alone. I’d be happy to find an officer suited to the task…”

Cassian would be the first to admit that he needed those around him. He needed their expertise, their wisdom. He couldn’t make Nevermere what he wanted of it without them. Hadrian’s request was followed by silence, but after a thoughtful pause he responded.

“My concern is the man’s aptitude. Even without his magic he is an accomplished fighter. My Huntsman will be taking him to Cambria for a short mission. Upon her return,” he nodded his head slightly, “we can begin the transition process as you see fit.” He closed his mouth but clearly still had something to say. If Hadrian waited to let him say it, Cassian would then add,

“I will never trust this gifted.” The words sounded severe, even for him, but hopefully Hadrian heard the warning. Othello was a showman. They’d be the fools if they ever truly believed in a successful assimilation for the man.