Insane
You. Are. Insane.

But I agree with you kinda... maybe not in the squee type hype you were in but enough to go along with it.

First, if you want to know about Christoph. I can answer. He's the second son of a lord ergo it's the military or naught unless his brother (who is also in the forces) dies. Now, Chr. isn't from the Third House but he knows/is friends with members of the third house. His family seems more of a neutral maybe second house if anything, perhaps first house but left under evil V guys rule. That sounds righter - they are originally from the First house but Chr. and his father turned. (I may mention that the elder son did not, would exlpain the ick-ness between them) they would now be house-less but they have enough men and land to protect their own and their father is old enough for the leaders to ignore him until he dies, they have the inheritor, it doesn't matter what the fuddy duddy does (kinda, simplifying it muchly).

Remember how we mentioned the mercenary type occupation that Mikael took up for a while? Perhaps this is where it shows up... no... but! oooo,

The year before this:

"Mikael is sent to investigate claims of religious activity emerging once again. There is a leak within the clerical quarters. As this is found out by the clerics, search for the prophesised one is suspended as it is much more important to ensure that the safety of this information is retained above all else."

The set scene for the encounter? the year in question on the time line is:

Year 032 ? The leak is found and dealt with by the clerics before Mikael could find any more on the trail, and this is what he reports to Aris and the First House before asking if there is anymore that can be done by him. For the time being, he is told no, and goes back to enjoying Araliah.

Perhaps Mikaels searches come up against more force than anticipated during the year? A battle... From what I can glean of the situation and what instinct is telling me Chr. and M begin on opposite sides.. or so they think, it seems the battle is a three-way only no one is really aware of that. Each is fighting for a different reason but M's and Chr.'s sides seem to be fairly the same so they end up victorious. But that seems to be the end of what I can see of any interaction between them.

As for our part it seems that it is after. This is fairly early in Chr's life and we were in the 'been there done that' part, not the serious yet bright eyed sword ready killkill stage. Chr. is aware of the position of his world yet still full of youth, Mikael is logical and distant but they still have a mid-battle rapport. Chr. is a new, young, field promotion Captain, Mikael an experienced Second... he's really quite higher in rank.

I also get the cat thing... but enough for now...

later,

M