Dubhaine Family/Cathal/Roleplays/1011/September

September 6th -- Alebad

"I have a brother across the seas. When I hear from him, he too speaks of war as a game. A game too, his life. No matter my urgings, he freely stakes himself toward the slightest matter he deems worthy."

Aepyornis lifted his hand slightly. "Perhaps Lord Valdrix may be a liability, if he thinks lightly because he does not understand the depth of our purpose. However," he turned his hand, "if he thinks lightly because of the depth of his understanding, then like my brother he is the sort that a cause needs most. I should like that we make this distinction."

He stared intently on his palm before drawing it to a fist around an imaginary insect. It was released after just a moment, free to bother other spirits.

"With the devastation of the northeast, I fear that no amount of unity or dedication will spell a successful offensive. However, my view of the Stage stands broad yet shallow. Please, appraise me of what assets you can beyond Lord Valdrix."

September 12th -- Alebad

"You know of course that Innocent has relocated here from the north, bringing both the faith and his sister with him. We'll soon have a fine playhouse in Volkanita and I'm hopeful that others will follow," Cathal answered the question obliquely, but as he did so he pictured the war room with its great maps of the Colonies and neatly pigeon-holed scrolls densely written with reports from agents across the southern lands, and in its midst the oval table of ancient oak about which his commanders discussed the coming war.

There was much speculation in Alebad as to the nature of that war cabinet. Some said that to the left of the Imperial Lord sat Duke Valdrix, guardian of the realm's warchest and captain of the city garrison. Others said that it was Marshal Khain who sat there, deposed Prime Minister of Oritolon. All agreed however that Lord Hendrik the Lord of War must surely sit in the righthand seat.

And what of the two mysterious figures who were seen from time to time in those precincts? One was rumoured to be Lady Allyah, the former Pontifex of Alowca, whilst the other was a youth reputed to bear a striking resemblance to the once infamous Anomalous Psyche though it surely must be some distant relation rather than the ancient schemer.

"In truth 'tis quite the cast who cluster about my standard, like moths drawn to a bright flame in the depths of a moonless night," Cathal looked intently at his friend, reading his face for the subtle signs betraying his knowledge. There were few secrets which could be concealed long from a shaman of Aepyornis's stature.