Ael's eldest son, Qok Ked, lead him to the castle of ice and snow. The white shone bright in the Season's Sun and the clear ice windows gleamed with colors. He could see it over the twenty-foot walls of packed snow and ice hand-made by the Kingdom's people. Torches were lit at all hours of the day and were kept burning throughout the night. Even this constant heat couldn't melt the snow surrounding the flames. This proved to the people that fire, even the fire their King could produce at will, was no match for the purity of the white which surrounded them. The circular sectors of the Kingdom all stemmed from the center where the castle stood. Each sector was surrounded by its own barrier of walls throughout which in that watchtowers were built. It wasn't designed for easy access within and out of the Kingdom, though this was just another security and defensive measure. There were four large openings in the complex wall-system that allowed for mass movement, but only those with proper authority could pass through any of the watchtowers. King Ked cared not to pass through these direct routes and, instead, traveled the more scenic route through the large gates. He and his son passed by the organized and aesthetically pleasing spread of igloos where the kingspeople would rest and expand their families. With almost 2,500 Epicanthix in his kingdom, some thought it impossible for him to know each of their names. Still, he greeted each passerby personally and formally and each of these subjects bowed low in great respect for the man. As transparent as his population was, the King made sure to be as transparent and open with his own schedule. A few of his people would ask where he was going, knowing he should have been at the Raiders' Barracks in the Cad Sector. <<"Why are you leaving?>> they would ask. <<"It seems the Mil have created their own Kingdom and wish to speak with me,">> he admitted openly. Of course, this gossip was quick to get around and he wasn't surprised to see a large group of OewCad people following him to the Wex Complex. The Head Chief, Qok, did not approve of being so open with the population, but couldn't disrespect his Father King by speaking out. Instead, the man nodded to sentries as they passed them, signalling he wanted to keep the Wex Sector clear of all unnecessary visitors in the case of an attack from inside the castle itself. The current Queen Mother, Buj Zka, was an old seer. She was pushing the limits of the Epicant lifespan, but it was clear the ancestors still required of her tasks for the physical realm. <<"Hail, Father King Ael Ked,">> she greeted him with his full name. Though her voice echoed throughout the icy room, she sounded small and weak. She tried to bow as much as she could in her seat provided to her by his sons and daughters who were all present at this meeting as well as his two sisters and his wife. She couldn't move well due to her age, which the King took pity. He bowed low, himself, almost to his feet. Those standing around the room imitated this, though most were concerned and even upset by this show of such respect to a foreign woman claiming to have formed a Kingdom to rival their own. <<"Hail, Queen Mother Buj Zka of the Mil,">> he stated back. His voice vibrated through the room. <<"What brings so far north to the realm of purity white?">> <<"I wished to see the rumors for myself, my King. I had heard from the southern waters of your conquests and formation of such a gathering of tribes.">> She coughed, not quite used to the chill in the air. Vaab, Ael's youngest sister, rushed over with a cone of tea for the woman as well as another layer of fur to keep the frail woman warm. Ael bowed slightly to her sister in thanks for her hospitality. <<"I see,">> he said with a pause. <<"I understand your southern clears have created their own Kingdom of the Mil. How did you manage such a task?">> he asked, trying to keep the conversation superficial. <<"Through much discussion,">> she said and waved him off the question, clearly not wishing to speak of such trivialities with the King. <<"I have also come to propose a sort of alliance between the Southern Waters and the Northern Snow,">> she said. Her glassy eyes gazed through Ael, making the man shiver uncharacteristically. He shook it off quickly, playing it off as an adjustment of his standing position and toward a place directly in front of the seated Mil woman so that she needn't twist her head to the side. He didn't respond, knowing the seer would have much more to say. <<"I have dreams of our lakes turning to ice and snow falling on our lands. I have dreams of the north's snow forming clear and running to the earth. After I learned about the conquests of the Oew and the formation of this Kingdom, I understood what those dreams were. My oracles saw a cold white figure standing beside a warm blue figure. Their hands locked, creating steam and becoming each other. My Star Readers note the convergence of two stars never before having met. The star of the ice and rebirth and the star of emotion and vast waters will meet in the sky creating an interaction they know not how to interpret. Though I know how all these signs are to tell me a single item. My great great grandaughter, Bteo Zka, is to marry your great grandson, Jux Ked.">> How she knew his name, he could only explain as her being a seer. He didn't look behind him to where his sisters, the Princesses, and the Queen, his wife, were standing. His eyes, however, went to that of Qok, Ael's son and Jux's grandfather. He didn't flinch at the idea, showing a great deal of stoicism and inner strength in which Ael always held pride. <<"You have no boykin?">> he asked with a straight tone. Since the Epicanthix married their sons off to girls, the boy would be required to live in their kingdom. <<"Alas, the ancestors have not allowed the physical strength and courage of men to introduce themselves into my bloodline.">> <<"Have you no boy in direct relation to you for this convergence to be equal?">> he asked with his face remaining still. <<"Dear boy,">> she started, dropping all formality. Vei's face turned red by this. <<"Men and Women are equal in this world. I understand your concern of never seeing your great grandson again. I believe they should travel back and forth between Kingdoms.">> Ael was taken aback by this. Certainly she understood the inherent danger of traveling through the forests, mountains, deserts, and plains which connected their realms. If word spread this quickly of the formation of the Kingdoms, then it would soon spread of their joining. They would then be targets from other tribes and villages in an attempt to usurp power and authority or to merely bring down the two Kingdoms in order to restore what once was. <<"I assure you, this world is to see a great change,">> she added, however cryptically. It held no assurance to him since he was never one to be very religious despite his time within the Jedi Order. But how could he deny the words of a powerful Seer of the Mil? It was known to never go against these women for they would foresee all fortune and misfortune and understand how to make it befall those to which it was fated. <<"And where is this to take place?">> Ael asked. <<"It will take place here, to show respect to the powerful and resourceful Oew.">> <<"And when?">> <<"When they are ready. The girl has just been born and is not ready for such travel.">> <<"I understand,">> Ael said with a shallow bow. <<"I'm glad we've come to an agreement,">> she said with an old smile, her cheeks falling upon the edges of her mouth. <<"Would you like escort back to your home?>> Ael offered, understanding the fickle nature of his land's weather. <<"Unnecessary,">> she waved with a cackle. <<"My Oracles and I made it here and we will be fine on our way back,">> she explained. This proved the power women held over men in the world of Panatha. For him, it was unheard that women would travel by themselves through storm and the unknown. But these five women could travel across the world by themselves and with much success. --- Most, if not all, were accepting of the King's decision. This on top of the fact of the King's decision to remain defensive in all measures of attack created greater unrest within the Kingdom. However, he was able to reassure his people of the benefits of such an arrangement. <<"There will be no compromise to the lineage of the Ked and there will be no compromise to the security of your lands. All will remain as it is.">> Of course, there were some who were discontent with the current norm. <<"We have to rebuild our walls and recuperate losses each time a nearby village or tribe wants to test our strength.">> He wasn't surprised that this came from his eldest sister, Vei. She was so much like their mother, very strong willed and offended by any attack on their well-being. <<"But there will always be contests of strength,">> their youngest sister, Vaab, argued on Ked's behalf. <<"This world if full of pride and proving one's self and, by extension, one's family and clan. If we were to attack them, then the cycle of violence would continue, though on a different front.">> <<"I'd rather the front not be our own,">> Vei whined with a hint of a pout. <<"And you'd rather see the eradication of entire villages and tribes than to see an affront to our Kingdom?">> Ael added. <<"It's the only way to cease this continual violence.">> <<"And you know, as well as I, that that is not the [i]only[/i] way,">> Vaab retorted, with some condescension. <<"Don't speak as if you know what your brothers and fathers have done for you,">> Vei began to shout, pointing to the one man who's opinions truly ruled. Ironically, they conflicted with her own. <<"I don't wish to see our people need to fight for the sake of 'peace.' The death that arises from this 'peace' is more than any mother or sister can bare,">> Vei continued. It was clear the memories of her father and mother affected her more than she would let on in the face of their people. <<"They will tire,">> Ael started, trying to calm her down. <<"And that's what you've been saying since the first attack!">> Her voice made the cold in the air shake. Vei's anger made any man quiver. <<"And the new takes long to prove itself,">> Ael continued in a much calmer tone. <<"Your inaction will cost you everyone's life!">> <<"And what inaction is that?">> Ael argued rhetorically. <<"My action for sentries to oust any threat before they even reach our walls? My action to kill every invader before they reach any civilian? My actions which resulted in few fatalities over the course of this Kingdom's existance?">> His voice vibrated with authority but was equally calm. <<"And if we were to attack them, we would lose any kind of advantage. If we were to attack all outside this Kingdom, we would kill the innocent and lose any kind of report as being a fair and just Kingdom that works with its people and for its people as any village or tribe would. If we attack them, we face greater casualties on our side for the sake of ridding our region of any kind of life. Instead, I keep open to more diplomatic relations between them and us in a hope to unite, if not the world, then this region. Change does not come quickly, and we speak of this every year.">> <<"And every year it doesn't -">> Vei started again. <<"And it's probably not going to be resolved in our lifetimes. It might not come in the lifetimes of our children or grandchildren,">> he admitted. <<"The long term will befit us more than a short term eradication of the masses.">> His conclusion was met with silence. He was the only to cut the silence his own speech caused. <<"And I rely on your intellect and wisdom to be the voice of reason to the politicians within the Gnur. We need to be united in our goals, whether we live to see them or not. We fight on this every year, Vei. If you are unwilling to alter your perception, then your position in this Kingdom will have to be reconsidered.">> His ultimatum widened the eyes of his sisters and children. It was clear his patience for any compromise to the security of his people was growing thin the point of exiling his own family. <<"I need you to work toward the greater end that your lack of sight does not allow.">> Vei was almost brought to tears by the insults from her only living brother that knew better than her about his own sacrifices for his family and their safety and health. If he would not be moved to a more aggressive stance for the sake of protection and safety, and no other in this council could agree with her, then it was best for her to alter her outlook. She would need to reconsider what the attacks on her Kingdom meant to her. She knew there was validity in his opinions because his actions due to those opinions held validity. She took a deep breath in order to calm herself. <<"So be it,">> she said before standing. She kept her fingers upon the ice table. <<"I cannot see any fault in your actions, as you have clarified. But should any unreasonable incident occur,">> she began. <<"We will oust any opposition to our Kingdom,">> Ael finished and nodded his head a single time to indicate an agreement between them. With the meeting concluded, Ael decided to ascend the castle to see if the Jedi Order had contacted him. He would do this daily, but the time of day he decided to enter his YZ-900 freighter he'd obtained after ousting a particularly troublesome drug cartel on Coruscant. It wasn't the most fond memory he had, thinking Coruscant was a blasphemous planet with its lack of nature. Regardless, this ship was the only contact with the universe he had. He was more than surprised to see a ship descending just as he reached the roof of the castle. His hand hovered over his hip, feeling the Phond crystal within Blok radiating a heat quite foreign to this land. The personal vessel landed askew toward the front of his own ship. Despite the air rushing past him, the roof of packed snow didn't budge and no flecks of white were pushed from the structure. It seemed like hours before a strange figure exited the vessel. He assumed it was female and her blue skin, or scales, reflected brightly against the ever-present Sun of the season. She looked small and feeble as she began to wrap herself in layers of odd fabrics and other materials in order to protect herself from the lack of heat. She walked over, clearly encumbered by the amount of cloth with which she was covered. "Stand down, Master Ked," the female almost shouted through the blanket covering her head. It was in a tongue he hadn't spoken in quite some time. "Who are - you?" he replied back with a slight pause before the last word, remembering how Basic was structured and the general use of pronouns. "Javilla Mojach," she said. It was now Ael could see she was almost half his own height. "The Jedi Council sent me. Didn't you get the message?" she asked with a level of condescension. "No," he said, his low voice filling the thin cold air around them. He stormed into his own ship, wondering if her words held any truth. She was quick to follow, desperate to retreat from the cold. "You know, they told me it was going to be cold, but this is a little ridiculous." "Silence," Ael boomed. Her eyes widened and she slinked back. He didn't appreciate her speaking out of turn. He switched a few switches and levered a few levers. Most of this technology was still over his head, but he knew well enough how to make it work the way in which he needed. It seemed she was telling the truth and this Padawan, Javilla Mojach, a female Falleen youth, would be placed under his tutelage to continue his own training as well as instill some level of discipline in the girl. When he turned to face the girl, it took all of his self-control to not wince at her appearance. He was still not entirely used to aliens and still held a level of xenophobia. However, he was mostly concerned with his own people as they had never left the planet before. "Dinner is soon," he said, his word disjointed and clearly a second language to his own. "No speak - without permission," he said, still trying to find the Basic words and forming them in an understandable manner. "Good, I'm hungry," she exhaled. When she caught Ael's glare, she froze and widened her eyes once more. "I'm sorry, Master."