Ssarak Dyreackthanose
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Ssarak glanced over in the direction of the other representative as Garthan looked, or rather glared, at him. Even without knowing their background, it would be easy to tell that they were not on good terms. Ssarak only knew what Uicle's message had contained, but it seemed simply on first impressions that these two groups had anything but a simple political disagreement. Anything that would cause such an open, antagonistic reaction from someone who was meant to be a diplomat would have to be severe. However, that could work to Ssarak's advantage, as the diplomat might be willing to vent his frustrations about this opposing faction, even to a simple student. For some, they needed only an excuse to start speaking about issues for which they were passionate.
"Yes I...thought I had heard something about that. I was surprised when I heard of this politial strife, as I have not heard news from our homeland in some time. It worries me, particularly with how dangerous the world is becoming. Who is this faction, they must have came into being only recently?" Ssarak asked, carefully selecting his tone to show his concern and worry. Though, it was not as if he were acting; the idea of a civil war in his homeland was genuinely frightening.
"Correct. This new 'Emperor' has only appeared within the last two years and it has only ever been a problem recently. Namely with the Jev Clan's numbers decreasing over the last years which is very strange considering it's the first time their number has ever dropped so rapidly. Hatchlings are being born dead right from their eggs and even missing, stressing many Jev mothers which affect the birth rates naturally."
Garthan's hand gripped his sword hilt in frustration showing his old combative habits shining through, increasing the clear desire to dispatch the source. Slowly his voice gain in acidity as he continued. "It doesn't help the civil war is killing my clan. Even Dyre and Xoth numbers are dying outl with the causalty rates and missing, those in conflicts from the captial or sent on scouting missions rarely return. And those that do... they aren't the same. Their spirits broken enough even our psychomancers can't mend them through traditional means."
Heroth then snapped, interrupting anything futher the elder Esyire said. "The Emperor and his fellows all deserve to burn in Mt. Genesis for their crimes. Attacking villages, pillaging the traders, and worse, they are nothing but thieves and murders, all of them!"
Ssarak lowered his head, turning it slightly to the side. As he had hoped, it was rather easy to get the pair to talk, though what they described was even worse than what Ssarak was expecting. A full-fledged civil war, along with the matter of the Jev's decline, was unprecedented. How could a war like this have started in such a short time? It was almost difficult to believe. Between the demon attack, the killings in Djarkel, the destruction of Mesa Gaan, and now this budding civil war, strife seemed to be spreading across all of Tien all at once. None of them seemed to be related on the surface, but to Ssarak, it all seemed too convenient.
"Honestly, I would prefer to simply end the fighting. I fear the Esyire will need their strength. I am sure you have heard of...everything that has been happening across Tien for the past year." Ssarak commented. "You say Dyre is among those losing numbers? I fear for my clan; I fear for all of the clans. Brothers and sisters should not spill one another's blood. Who is this Emperor? Who supports him? Is there any chance of reaching a compromise?"
Heroth, being the youngest of all three, scoffed. His shoulders rolled and his body turned to face Ssarak with a harden look, his jawline tightened in anger and insult. "Do you really think we haven't tried? Every time one of Jev sacifices their own to negoitations, they came...different. I suspect some very strong Psychomancer was rooting around where he didn't belong but none of our own mages can discover anything. The Emperor's claims they would not be bullied into submission or silenced. Change must happen for the good of all Esyire, either through cooperation or force. Tyrant talk and actions shouldn't be the first course of action for change. My own village, my sisters, brothers and family were among the last casualties. I only escaped it by a few hours because I was reporting to father in the capital. If I had stayed..."
"Heroth, settle down." Garthan spoke, his voice gentle but firm. It was was mainly telling the youth in a subtle way it wasn't the Esyire's fault things had gone to hell in the Scorch Lands. If anything, it might've been for the best, as he returned to the student's earlier questions. "In truth, we suspect he came from Dyre as well but there's no proof. All we know for sure is his is an Electromancer and powerful one as he can outmatch any skilled master or several truthfully. His first appearance resulted in killing an Jevarath, one of the family's most loyal to traditions, when the Esyire attempted to halt the 'Emperor' at the gate. He gave them one warning and when Jevarath went to block him, despite the threat, he was slaughtered. Fried from the inside out through a single touch and almost faster than any mage I've ever seen."
The Esyire took a breath and continued. "As for who serves him, many younger generations of Esyire that feel the traditions are holding our kind back. They feel we much evolve with the times and adapt to something akin of our allies. Namely like Yarsomere has currently with the ruling of one individuals rather than a Chieftain and the clan leaders. They also believe the clan barriers shouldn't be so strictly upheld or exist at all. Instead of the Dyre, Thar, Jev, and more, there should only be one clan name for all Esyire. As for recounciling. Well, you've heard the result yourself."
Listening intently, Ssarak had trouble determining what to make of what Garthan described. Surely he would have heard of a mage with such an intense mastery of his blood long before he could rise to power? If he was as strong as Garthan indicated, then he would had to have perfected his skills over decades. It did not seem possible, but Ssarak could not discern a motivation for the diplomat to lie. It would be counterproductive to his cause to make his enemy seem unbeatable if it were not true. "I see, then it makes sense why he is able to gain followers. He has a cause, something his army can aspire to. The idea of a wholly united Esyire people could be appealing, but to have only a single leader? An Emperor? That can only invite tyrrany. Still, even if he cannot be dissuaded, perhaps his followers can be? I am well-aware of how easy it is for the young and idealistic to be drawn into a cause. It is easy to be taken into the idea that you can improve your situation, and your people's situation. It is easy to justify any crime when it is percieved as being for the greater good. Dissuading them would certainly be better than fighting. If this war goes through to its end, then no matter who wins, the Esyire will lose."
"The unity we have during times we need it. A matter that shouldn't be forgotten or overlooked, yet if we were united all the time than likely the clans will start encroching upon the others specialized roles. Next we'd have Thar learning to fight, Yera to selling and distruption and those clans that are stressed when attempting that could end up being swallowed up by others. There could be no more Yera, Dyre or Jav clans for example as they become obsolete or worse, no longer as well as they use to be." Garthan explained, while he allowed Ssarak to finish his conversation. His eyes were keeping a watch over Heroth just to prevent the youth from acting rash and reckless.
Ssarak's overall attitude was supportive Garthan and the case he presented, but that was an intentional choice on Ssarak's part. He was fully aware that he was only recieving one side of the story, which could contain lies. However, he did not wish to make enemies of either side at this point, so he needed to show his support. As well, he had an idea for how he might improve his chances of gaining more information in the future. He was not approaching as a representative of the college, but as an Esyire concerned about his homeland. "I hope the college can help with this. Perhaps there are psychomancers here who can determine what happened to your envoys? Though...as I mentioned before, there is chaos growing all across Tien all at once, and the college is being called to aid in most of them, I imagine. I am only a student here, but I want to aid my homeland. Perhaps I can be of small amount of assistance? I could attempt to persuade...someone with authority of the severity of our need, or speak to the "Emperor's" representative to learn more about them? I do not know precisely what I can do, but I wish to do something."
"I've already considered it. It's a part of the reason I'm here as I aim to request aid from the college, though many of the envoys seem to be dying from their experience." Garthan, his mind lingering on the mention of chaos, while he continued. "As for the other world trouble, I've not been as worldly informed sadly as my primary focus is getting the Scorch Lands in order. If we can't fix our own problems, we can't be of any use to the world itself after all."
"I fear that is what the other diplomats might say as well." Ssarak said, pausing for a moment as if to ponder on the situation. "All of these issues are dire, and I have no doubt that they wish to solve their own problems first. I do not know if every one of the diplomats are in need, but many will be asking for help, and I do not know if the College will be able to handle it all at once, no matter how greatly they wish to help. The College has been facing its own problems as well; I am sure you are aware of the demon attack last year. I was present for it, and I fought to help defend the College. The power arrayed against us was immense, and more frighteningly, it still exists somewhere in the Inferno. I have no doubt that it will be a threat to all of Tien eventualy. Thinking about it, I cannot help but to wonder if this demonic force is somehow connected to the many crisis forming across the land. They all seem unrelated, but the common link between them is that they are weakening Tien as a whole." He reasoned.
Garthan listened, his eyes studied the Esyire, that nagging feeling growing though he tried to cast it away. His muzzle frowned deeply at the news, knowing it was true inside. Everyone was scrambling to be among the first to gain the College aid before the others exhausted their resources, though he knew only a few officials could actually repay the aid given tenfold. "Yes, I do recall that happening. Many of the Esyire surviving students were called back home because of it for personal training. Though now, I'm curious why your own clan hasn't recalled you back as well."
The older Esyire's eyes fixed on the student cautionary curosity over the fact he had just stated. His hand had still rested upon his weapon hilt but it was relaxed and at rest. "Another reason I was sent was because I'm a demonomancer. I have extensive knowledge of demons as well as my own with a tight bond, most familiars. However, Heroth came of his own will to watch over the student brought by the imposter so not to cause trouble on the College."
Ssarak was moving somewhat away from his goal of gathering information, but there was purpose to it. If he did nothing but ask questions about the diplomat and the state of the Scorched Lands, then Garthan might realize that he was not acting simply as a student. As well, he believed the theories he offered could hold some truth. Having lived through the demon attack, he knew firsthand what kind of power their enemy could bring to bear. He could believe that powerful demons might be able to influence these events; it would offer an explanation as to why the Jev clan was suddenly declining. If one wanted to weaken the Esyire, they would be the first target. "So Heroth is going to be a student here, I take it? I can say that the College's reputation as an institution of magical training is well-deserved, so you will learn a great deal. Though, the same is true for the...other student. Perhaps in spending time away from the Scorched Lands, the other can be dissuaded from their current course? At any rate, I will do whatever I am able to help. I am only a student here, but I have been of great service to the College in the past. As a demonomancer, and a Jev, you might be able to speak with the headmaster, Khan, more easily. I am sure he has a greater understanding of the magical aspect of the demon attack than myself. And, if I learn anything which could help, I will be sure to inform you."
The young Esyire nodded in agreement with Ssarak's words, though his eyes were pinned to the other student. He was clearly uncomfortable and listened to the pair chatting since his outburst. A fact Garthan noticed immediately, inwardly knowing why, though he made no comment on it. "Yes, though I believe the only reason Heroth volunteered was for personal reasons I'm afraid. The other student was his betrothed. I doubt she's changed very little since they separated and so the idea of her time away from the Scorch Lands influencing her loyalty is a very slim chance. As for Khan, I intend to speak with him first before the the archmage, both to gain a better understanding as well a hope to gain his view on things and warn the college against the student. I fear she might attempt to cause trouble on behalf of the 'Emperor' for the school."
He inhaled to calm his emotions over the last sentence and added his gratitude. "And I'm rather grateful if you don't mind. Being left in the dark leaves much problems but I believe I've been rather rude and should've inquired your name earlier, Mr...?"
"Oh, my apologies. my desire to learn of the recent events in our homeland distracted me from my manners." Ssarak commented before bowing his head slightly. "My name is Ssarak Dyreackthanose. It is a pleasure to meet both of you."
It was than the name and the sensation of its familarity clicked. Ssarak Dryeachthanose was a war criminal, banished for his crimes and while this punishment didn't come into affect while on College, Garthan wasn't pleased to learn about his company's history. "I can't say I can fully return it at this moment. May I talk with you in private, Ssarak?"
Garthan didn't want to leave Heroth but he had a require he preferred to make upon the known war criminal. His eyes insisted ad remained on Ssarak as his hand edged out to show the direction he intended to walk, a bit of distance away from young Heroth. The Esyire showed a firmness in his body language that he wasn't likely to take no for an answer.
"Certainly." Ssarak responded, looking at Garthan knowingly. Giving his name was something Ssarak had been hesitant to do, but it would be more dangerous in the long run to have given a false name. He knew his name would be known in his homeland, at least among certain leaders, and he knew that Garthan had recognized him. He had already gathered a respectable amount of information on the situation, but he still wanted to be able to gather more. He had intended to establish himself as a "contact" in the College for the diplomat, as that would give him reason to speak to him in the future. Hopefully, that would still be possible.
Ssarak followed Garthan, speaking up only once he stopped. "So you know of the shame I bear?" He said simply before allowing Garthan to speak.
"Yes, quite well. One of my brother took on a bride of the Xoth clan, so, yes, I know your shame better than many Jev clan should. However, unlike in the Scorch Lands, your crimes don't exist in the College and they aren't bound to acknowledge them. Though in recent years, your crimes have been forgotten due to recent events. Many of the younger generations haven't been informed or know of your shame." Garthan said, his expression difficult to read, and resisted revealing any emotion beyond indifference to the news he was revealing. "Currently, Heroth's at risk of creating his own crime though it's not against the Scorch Lands, but rather the college. The Vitamancer over there is his ex-betroth. It's the main reason he volunteered for this despite the past events and danger. I have a request of you, one that I can't full fill. Will you hear me out?"
Crossing his arms, Ssarak looked out towards the representative of the Emperor, and the student he brought with him. "I know that for as long as I am away from my homeland, as long as I remain in exile, I will not be harmed. I could live the remainder of my days away from anything relating to my former life. But...that is not my desire. I still care about my people. I know what it is like to be drawn into a cause which seems just, something that seems like it will improve your situation, and that of your people. I know what it is like to charge into battle with an unshakable zeal for your beliefs, to know that you will be a hero for your people. I know how easy it is to justify any crime, as long as it is percived as being for the greater good." He said, his words mirroring what he had said a few minutes prior. He turned his head back to face Garthan and lowered his arms. "I know, more than anyone ever should, how dangerous that can be. How good intentions can bring about unspeakable evil. So yes, I will gladly hear your request."
Garthan nodded his head respectively, pleased by the reply. Though he knew it was wrong of asking the exile to be tasked with his responsiblity, he saw no other option. "It's likely Heroth will try to talk to Zorai Yeranatrin and convince her one last time that her decision to follow the Emperor is the wrong one. If she refuses, I fear he might do something drastic that could possibly get her exiled from the school. Taking his duty a bit too seriously, which I believe will lead to trouble. I'm hoping you will keep an eye on young Heroth so he doesn't bring shame to himself. Can you do this?"
Ssarak glanced in the direction of Heroth, though he made sure not to be caught staring. "Hmm, I have already stated fairly clearly to him my belief that she might be dissuaded. It would be suspicious to suddenly retract that statement. Perhaps...how likely do you think it would be that he might be persuaded to delay asking her; to bide his time until the proper moment. The longer they remain at the College, the more both of them will come to understand the danger we face. I did not exaggerate any of my claims about the demonic force we faced; the largest of the demons looked as if it could ravage all of Tien alone, without even considering the army which attacked with it. She might come to believe as I do that this demonic force is influencing events in Tien, or at least that now is not the time to destabalize our homeland. Such a shift in opinion could take years, but by that time, Heroth's passions will have weakened. If that fails, I can, at the very least, prevent him from physically harming, or taking any other action against her. I have done so for other students before; I will just have to...keep watch over him afterwards."
"I would appreciate it. Heroth's a great warrior but he thinks with his heart more than his mind when it comes to the long term planning. A matter that sadly many youths have." Garthan bowed his head in respect as he relaxed, the earlier tension erased by the positive direction his conversation had taken. "Though I feel I must warn you, Ssarak Dyreackthanose. I fear Zorai will attempt something that could either sway the college into a side or weak it against defending themselves. I would not put it against the Emperor to convince a youth to go against the College for the sake of lessening a future threat. So be prepared."
"Understood." Ssarak responded with a nod. "Though, unless she is a master in her blood, her ability to damage the college may be limited. I would reason that swaying the College would be her goal. She may attempt sabotage, but the College's psychomancy instructor is capable of reading into her very memories. She is the one of the most talented psychomancers in Tien. I will be sure to warn her of the potential threat, if she is not already aware. They have likely given her some trinket to protect against psychomancy, but that would not last forever, particularly against Satori. " He said reassuringly as he cast his gaze back onto the Emperor's representative. "Do you believe there is any more I should say to Heroth for the moment? If not, I believe I may speak to the representatives of this Emperor. I may yet learn more about them."
Garthan merely shook his head, not agreeing with Ssarak's reasoning. "I never thought a single mage could end up taking down an army of masters until lately. Do you honestly, without a doubt, believe she might've not been given anything that couldn't complete the job? If you had seen some of the those who return than you might question what you know about magic yourself."
He let his words settle before answering the last questions. "Currently, I suggest using your best judgement. Everything I've said has fallen on deaf ears and I don't think he will even consider not taking any type of action should she reject his thoughts. Other than that, I can only warn you to be on your toes. I trust any of the Emperor's lackies with as trust as a demon should be given, and being a demonomancer I know how easily kindness can end up ripping your wings off when you're not looking."
"Hmm, you make an excellent point. If this Emperor is as strong as you say..." Ssarak turned his head back towards the diplomat. "...then I wonder at what power is truly behind him? A mage of that caliber could not have risen essentially overnight without a reputation behind him. As I see it, something immensely powerful may have granted him the capability to suddenly expand his influence. That is why his armies should not be killed; they will be needed to protect us against whatever is coming. I will give warning of the threat she might pose, and I will make sure Heroth does not do anything rash, even if it takes a bit of magic of my own. Farewell, I will be sure to find you if I learn anything new."
Taking his leave of Garthan, Ssarak started across the room towards the Emperor's representative. His conversation with the Jev diplomat had gone as well as he could have hoped, as he now had a good understanding of one side of this civil war. Not only that, but he had successfully established a connection with the Jev diplomat. As long as he could maintain Garthan's confidence, he could possibly take advantage of that connection later on. For the moment, however, he needed to hear the other side of the story.
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