The Empyrean Company

We have finally concluded our business in Lebenda Swamp and Berleben, the awful business of avenging Zeke behind us. We have packed the caravan of villagers, supplies and the dragon's hoard onto our three wagons, settled up with the local guard and started heading towards the Clovis Concord, so many miles away.
 
Initially, I wasn't sure we would ever fulfil our contract with Thornbank to the letter, and I was admittedly prepared to let Arinoth escape should the trail run cold. Now that our foes have played their hand and we have emerged victorious, however, I do feel a sense of closure and justice for this overall bitter situation. The local Crownsguard, conspicuously absent until the fighting had abated and their local crime lord lay dead at our feet, arrived with all the pomp and arrogance expected of those in uniform. Thankfully they had an exceptionally competent sergeant in Tarak Nadir, and he helped us resolve the situation as common sense would expect. The guards would only negotiate short of arrests with a registered mercenary company, however, so Roderick coined the name "The Empyrean Company" for us on the fly. I like it, but I can't shake the feeling that he got it from something I said before the guard arrived; I'm mostly amused, as I would have sworn he wasn't listening otherwise. Feylari, GG and Roderick have designed and built us a company seal, and the paperwork was squared away this morning declaring us working for the good of the Empire. I must admit, I could get used to the way this interaction played out. I had no idea this was even possible, and it feels like an expedient way to deal with the friction between the inherent impotence of law enforcement and a party such as ours actually producing some good in the world.
 
I appreciate that this newfound disdain for the Crownsguard is unlikely to be of benefit to us in the future and I must temper my expectations so it doesn't leave me jaded. It comes from a position of realising we really can project a higher order of justice and rectitude on this world, and perhaps the Empyrean Company are the ones to do it.
 
We are camped by the side of the road between Berleben and Zadash as I write this, and so far it's been generally smooth journey, albeit tiring to walk for so long. Perhaps I'll take up the offer from some of the others to ride for a bit tomorrow, as we have a week's journey before we arrive at Zadash. It'll be good to be back in a big city again.