Inexorable

[Laira Darkhold]

“I could, but I might enjoy you throwing punches around.” Dimeria smirked, adjusting slightly to accommodate for the eldorai sitting on her. Family drama had a whole new meaning now that she was among the Eldorai, something she had never really understood in the first place. Amongst the sisters, the only time they scorned one another was when one of them failed to protect their fellows or dishonored their vows, and even then there were clear paths to forgiveness. Either by fire or by favor one could be reborn anew, washed clean of dishonor.

“I will send the message to the Minister of State before your conclave with your family. He’ll send news within a day. Alderaan is kind, they’ll send at least one of the herdships they’ve been given.” Alderaan couldn’t support the whole Eldorai race, but a single House was possible and charity was something the world of peace was known for. Bacta was almost a necessity in the galaxy and with its main production wiped out, everyone was in a shortage.

With Vaena curled up against her chest, Dimeria rubbed the woman’s back softly, trying to be the reassuring, resonating presence in Vaena’s life. The rock she could always find shelter beneath, no matter how the tide turned it could always break the waves. “I’m sure they mean well,” She said softly, her eyes flashing yellow as she spoke. Damn mood-sensitive eyes. “But I’ll be nearby. It would look poor if I was too close though, they might think House Organa had its claws in you.”

Dimeria arched upwards, planting a kiss upon Vaena’s cheek, her chest beating just a hair faster. Emotion coursed through her veins and through her soul. The dark that was the Knight pulsed for an instant, not with light or darkness. Then once more, it pulsed outward, creeping emptiness against the Force that embraced all things, mixing and churning like a clash of waves against one another. At the epicenter of the encroaching nothingness, the Knight lay in comfort and pleasantness underneath her companion.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


"Yes, that would be for the best." She was not looking forward to the gathering. She expected resistance. There would be no daggers or poisoned wine on this occasion. But that would come soon. The rot ran deep. She would have to be prepared.


Prepared for what? To cut out the rot? If her family opposed her could she - would she - use force to exert her will upon them? And in doing so become a kinslayer? Even as these thoughts coursed through her mind and she recoiled in disgust, she knew the answer.


She had already known the answer on the day the Queen had ennobled her and her relatives, disgraced after Tarissa's betrayal, had sneered at her and called her an ilachos, a bastard unfit to even sit at the same table as them. She remembered the words her mother Mikela had spoken on the day the Angelii had stormed the Cadalthor residence, humiliating the house before the entire Matriarchy. "It was Tarissa who opposed legitimising you. My hands were tied as long as she reigned. Now is the moment for a new beginning. You can do better than being a footsoldier."


Lies, for sure. But she would take them to heart. So I shall mother, she thought. I shall be a duchess like no other. Just not the way she had intended. When one of her Angelii battle sisters had been bitten by a zombie, Vaena had cut off her hand to serve her soul and body. She snuggled up against Dimeria, soaking up the strength and determination the warrior woman could give her. She would need it for the days to come. She moaned softly when she felt the human's hand rub her back, leaning into the kiss. "I need you, my laestra," she said in a low voice, though loud enough for Dimeria to hear.


However, then something unexpected happened. Something unnatural and powerful pulsed inside Dimeria. It swept outward, like a crashing wave. Vaena felt a cold chill run down her spine. It was akin to being out in the cold with no protection. It caused her to shiver. Then she felt nothingness. "Dimeria...I cannot feel my Sciia," she sounded distressed.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Dimeria sat quietly beneath Vaena, rubbing the woman’s back and softly stroking her hair. She had no intention of moving or releasing the duchess anytime soon. She was comfortable in her place and warm, comfortable.

It was not like Dimeria to open up or be attached, and it was very different from the life she had lead before. Now she spent much of her time in diplomatic meetings, attempting to build a life in a strange land. Most importantly, her life no longer revolved around conflict and struggle, it was no longer surrounded by death and despair with others looking to her to be the beacon to guide them through it.

Emotion coursed through her, contentment and love, as she kissed her duchess’s cheek. Lacking any sense of the Force, she had no idea what was happening, unable to tell if her meditations had been working or having any affect. With such strong emotions, the void in the Force that was her aura expanded outwards, perhaps a trained mechanism from the meditation that usually required intense pain reacting to powerful emotional stimulus.

“Your sciia?” Dimeria asked, the smile on her face fading as she realized the very real worry on Vaena’s features.

“It doesn’t just go away.” She muttered, furrowing her brow. The strong emotional catalyst that had empowered the aura, what the Legion Shaper had called the Aura of the Underworld, dissipating slowly, the emptiness retreating back to the physical body it had exuded from. “What happened?”

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


"Yes...my Sciia. It was like feeling warmth on your skin, then being buried in the freezing cold," she shuddered slightly. "It was like a dark cloud of emptiness spread from you, trapping me in the void." She felt the cloud recede. It set her free and retreated back inside Dimeria. The sudden return of her Sciiac powers was accompanied by no small degree of pain, causing her to wince slightly. Her inner flame burnt once more, warming her. "I can feel it again now." She took a breath. The Force Dead soldier had not wished her harm. It had been accidental.


"I thought you could not...affect others with your...condition...nature," she said a bit awkwardly. Vaena had tried to educate herself a bit about Dimeria's Force Deadness so that she could understand it better - and avoid embarrassing herself or accidentally upsetting her. However, all of the literature on the topic had been written by non-Eldorai for obvious reasons and so there were cultural barriers. She was also better at speaking Basic than reading it.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Dimeria blinked a few times. Without the ability to sense the Force she lacked the ability to determine when and if she had ever been creating such a void throughout her meditations and exercises. “I thought so too.” She said at first, catching herself as she spoke. The Knight wasn’t a lair, but she was unsure how much exactly she should explain. At what point did she cross the line from lover to monster.

“I wasn’t sure it was working, but the book I was left with has several notes from a few sources about manipulating my voidness in the Force.” She rubbed her companion, trying to make sure Vaena was okay and unhurt, checking the woman over with her hands. “I’ve been practicing a meditation where when in pain my void expands over a small area, like an Ysalamiri if you are familiar with them. I guess it also works when I’m really happy.” Happy might not have been the best word for her emotions at the time, but it stood to reason that strong emotional response triggered the condition and why Yuuzhan Vong would have assumed it was related to pain. The Sith scientists who had assisted them likely wouldn't have sought any additional triggers for the aura.

“They claimed we possessed a spirit not unlike their chief god,” she paused for a moment. She didn’t believe any of that, she didn’t believe in the Yuuzhan Vong gods or their faith. She didn’t believe the reasoning they had ascribed to her condition. “They called that one the Aura of the Underworld, in which only the purity of the void can exist. It’s one I’ve been studying.” She hesitated for a moment, her tone ashamed and sorrowful even as she explained what little she understood about the book. Should she talk about the other practices in that accursed book? Did the Seventh Circle give it to her solely as a test bed for the power within? There were many questions left floating in the young Knight's mind.

“But it’s not like any of that is real.” She added, trying to be reassuring and wrap her arms around Vaena to hug her close. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


"I am familiar with ysalamiri, yes. Firemane introduced us to them." The more well-organised of the slaver bands that had plagued Kaeshana had also employed them to suppress the talents of Eldorai Sciians. Exposing them to lots of pain helped as well, as the elves were less strong or durable than humans.


She frowned slightly. "A gift you inherited from their demon 'god'?" she pursed her lips. Vaena did not like the Yuuzhan Vong. To her, they were not just savage, barbaric creatures, but demons. They had also tormented Dimeria and made her an outcast. The more pragmatic, goal-orientated part of her had another thought.


It could be useful, it said. Under Eldorai law, the Angelii and the Sciiac Reserve Battalions were supposed to be only organised military formations of Force-Users. The Great Houses might have individual household guards with Force powers, but only in small numbers. Of course, now that [member="Anya Venari"] had supplicated herself before Firemane, it was unlikely that this law would be observed as thoroughly as in the past. Already a number of Eldorai families, both conservative and reformist, were looking towards a future independent of House Venari. It was difficult to get people to obey your laws if you did not even own the ground you lived on.


House Cadalthor was monitored more rigorously than others, for the memories of Tarissa's betrayal were still fresh. In the light of how dangerous the Eldorai game of thrones could be, having someone who could nullify an enemy's Sciiac powers could be...advantageous. But it would also expose Dimeria to danger. And might it not stain her soul?


She waved Dimeria's last remarks off, but returned the hug. "It is...alright. You did not hurt me. Not physically, at any rate. And you did not mean to. 'Tis all just a little shocking. I suppose it is a part of you, so you must get control over it. Are there any other emotional triggers that can create it?"

 

[Laira Darkhold]

“That’s just the wacky religious explanation they gave. That their and our void in the Force was due to closeness with Yun-Yuuzhan. Its not the real origins of my,” she paused searching for the right word, "Condition." She shrugged her shoulders. Truthfully, she didn’t believe that part of the book, or in the Yuuzhan Vong faith. The book had taught her a useful skill so far, but that was it, all the theological information was just mumbo jumbo. The specialized surge coral the Vong had implanted in her mother and the altered vongspawn virus the woman had been infected with was the cause of her condition. Not some philosophical closeness with their gods.

Since that one worked, Dimeria did make a mental note to begin splitting her time between the various meditations within the tome from now on. If one practice worked, it stood to reason the others could as well. Granted, she wasn’t as useful as an Ysalamiri at the moment, as it required strong emotion or intense pain to activate.

“Good,” The knight snuggled against Vaena warmly. She was willing to let the subject drop, but it seemed Vaena was still curious. Dimeria poked Vaena’s stomach playfully, trying a little to distract the Eldorai sitting on her lap as much as she was trying to occupy herself and maybe ease back into her earlier mood. “I understand, I’m surprised it works. I can’t exactly tell on my own. I don’t know what emotions help create it, the Yuuzhan Vong and the Sith that did the studies focused on the pain aspect of the meditation, but I wouldn’t associate what I’m feeling now with pain. I’ll have to work at it more, it’ll take time.”

She had put some effort into learning the very first lesson in the tome, and so far had managed only to create the effect, but lacked all control over the meditation. Maybe she’d have to work on isolating the part of her that expanded with her emotional response in her mind.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


"I did not mean to offend. This...it does not change anything between us. Or how...I feel about you. When I accepted you into my life, I also accepted your...nature," Vaena insisted, stumbling a bit over her words. Being a reserved person by nature, she was not good at dealing with emotional stuff, but she was trying.


"You're a good woman. A brave, kind one." Leaning forward, she kissed the Force Dead Knight. "But others will see what you can do as threatening." The more pragmatic part of her told the young duchess that this was precisely why it would be useful, but it was a slippery slope. "I would not want you to get hurt."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Dimeria snuggled the Eldorai, “No offense taken. I know you wouldn’t be mean.” She grinned a little, “At least to me.” Vaena was straight forward enough in her actions that she wouldn’t hide insults, she’d simply say something if she was trying to say it to the knight, a trait Dimeria appreciated even if her position required the Duchess to play politics sometimes. Between the two of them, they were honest.

“You are a sweetie, and braver than most.” The knight returned the compliment, and the kiss the Eldorai placed upon her, “And you weild your position with dignity and grace I could not fully comprehend.”

“There is one problem though, minii txiin. I can’t really control that… aura, right now.” Pinkish hue radiated in her eyes, “So, um, things might get a little uncomfortable for you when we are alone. I don’t think I will be able to manage not to be, happy,” She paused long enough to giggle at the awkwardness of the conversation. She couldn’t imagine what it felt like to have her Sciia purged and returned at the whims of someone else’s emotions. “When we are together.”

It only made it more pressing she begin working to control herself, and continue studying the other abilities in the book. She should also likely start practicing with Vaena so she knew what was happening in the Force while she did.

But for now, that was the least of the things on her mind. She had a Duchess in her lap showing her affections and was interested in showing some of her own for a while.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


Vaena coughed slightly, looking a bit flustered. "You are making me blush, laestra. But I am honoured that you think so highly of me," she said a bit self-deprecatingly. Girl had some self-esteem issues.


She frowned slightly. "Am I understand I fill your heart with so much joy that you just have to claim my Sciia and nullify me?" Now that the words had left her lips she concluded that they had sounded better in her head. "Well," she continued, but then paused. She did sometimes let some of her lovers slap a Force nullifying collar on her throat. Was this really that different? The only thing that made it different was that the effect came from inside Dimeria due to what the Vog demons had done to her.


But Dimeria was gentle and brave and would never take advantage of her. "Well," she started again. She was not the smoothest of suavest of talkers. "If the effect is not permanent, I am willing to risk it. You would not hurt me.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

“I’m supposed to make you blush.” Dimeria teased, prodding the Eldorai’s stomach gently and playfully. She pursed her lips, clearly mulling the statement of claiming Vaena’s sciia over as she appeared in deep thought. “Hmm, yes. You could believe that, for the bride may show off her beautiful band to others to admire and be jealous of, but it is still hers to keep and to hold. Not theirs.”

She paused, “Not that I think of you as property.” The knight wrapped her arms around the Eldorai and thrust her hips in a manner so as to roll them both off the recliner and into the floor, maybe changing who was laying on who in the process. Yes, her conditions and its inherent abilities that she was slowly developing did not seem to be permanent. At least, this one was not, the much more difficult Sanction of the Gods was written in the book as to be a way for one of her kind to purge the unclean in a much more permanent manner. But she hadn’t bothered to start working on it.

She giggled playfully, grinning as she wiggled around a little on the floor. “I’m glad for your trust,” she planted a kiss on Vaena’s neck, gnawing on the pale flesh as she did so as to leave a mark of her presence. “How much time do you think you have to risk it?”

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]

Vaena's breathing hitched slightly and her cheeks flushed scarlet. "I do have..fond memories of you claimig possession over me," she admitted, blushing an awful lot. Outside of the bedroom, she had to be poised and in control. But inside the sanctity of her bedroom, she did manifest a notable submissive streak.

Ironically, it was doubtful that her prospective husband would get to see that. She would be marrying out of duty after all and it was an Eldorai male's place to serve his mistress. For all her open-mindedness, Vaena was very conservative on certain issues. Regardless, Dimeria wrapped her in a loving embrace with her strong arms, then her equally strong hips suddenly propelled them from the recliner. There was a nice carpet on the floor. "About an hour," she moaned slightly when the Force Dead Knight laid claim to her neck.

"Then I need to finalise preparations for the gathering. They are expecting a banquet. I hope they'll like the soup." Glorious, wonderful, delicious lentil soup. The kind the members of an Angelii company stationed in a fort in the middle would feast. She threaded a hand through Dimeria's dark hair and applied a kiss to the hairless part of her skull, before locking lips with her.

 

[Laira Darkhold]

About an hour later, stood in the middle of the room Dimeria affixing her belt, smoothing out her red satin attire, and checking the ivory and black parts of her uniform. So much easier than donning golden power armor after each engagement. Bright pink filled her irises and her cheeks, contentment coursed through her body language. Her voice, like a low purr, rumbled from her chest. “An hour well spent, your grace.” she grinned, raising her eyebrows. She ran her fingers through her hair to straighten it so she could tie it back up into the topknot she normally used. She made a face and grabbed up a shirt off the floor in front of her, “Here it is.” She said, tossing the article of clothing towards Vaena.

The Knight had a great deal of training to look forward to, most importantly not activating her aura everytime she got excited, but that would all take time. Now that Vaena had been satisfied, and Dimeria herself as well, they now had to look forward to the banquet and the gathering of the nobility.

“Hopefully all goes quickly.” The Knight winked at her Eldorai companion. She had faith in Vaena, even if the girl did have some esteem issues of her own. Leadership was often compromise, and the Duchess had been raised in this cutthroat society, Dimeria was just visiting. Surely she could navigate it well enough. “I’d like to get back to where we were.”

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


Time flies, as they say. There was a black curtain and all that. This one can recommend a few invasions featuring genocide. Totally the kind of thing that little kiddies should be reading about in all its gory detail. Regardless, an hour had passed and Dimeria was getting dressed again. Vaena took a moment to admire her tall lover's muscular physique, before she stopped dawdling and slipped into her robes and tunic. Her attire was, ironically, less elaborate than Dimeria's. Vaena had been raised in an Ashiran temple and then been conscripted by the Angelii at an early age. While her life style was not monastic, she eschewed frivolity as far as practical.


"You speak true, Ms Nykerian," she said in her most officious tone, suppressing a chuckle. She caught the shirt that had been tossed her way. After donning her clothes, she slipped into her boots. Much to the frustration of many courtiers, she had switched back to her Angelii boots are quickly becoming dissatisfied with what was considered to be trendy footwear among the upper class.

"So do I. I would wish that..." she trailed off. She could mope about coulds or might have beens, or make the most of things. Her eyes conveyed what words could not. She planted a kiss to the shaved part of Dimeria's head before stepping back to an appropriate distance. "I will be able to handle things tonight. I have sought answers in scripture and prayer. My course is clear."

There was a soft knock on the door. "Your Grace?" an accented, feminine voice asked in Eldarai.

"Come in," Vaena responded, speaking in Qadiri.

The doors opened and a younger, slender woman with golden eyes and bronze skin stepped into the room. There were exotic looking tattoos on her right hand. She was undoubtedly an elf, but a Qadiri rather than an Eldorai. She gave Dimeria a look, but curtseyed politely before the Duchess. Her name was Zahra Jai Nasra. "Your servant begs your indulgence."

"You know you do not need to do that when we are alone," Vaena said.

"It is proper," Zahra spoke gently, but firmly. "There are a few matters that require your attention pertaining to the gathering. Some last minute arrivals, among other things."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Dimeria noted the Qadiri as she entered, scanning her with eyes that hadn’t quite returned from their bright pink coloration. A shame she couldn’t lie about her mood, her eyes color coded to her emotional state. One would have to guess what pink meant.

“That sounds rather important your grace. I’m grateful to have concluded our negotiations regarding Alderaan.” She stepped behind the Qadiri as if to leave, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” As she left, she made a gesture that seemed to imply Dimeria would enjoy playing with the Qadiri, as if asking if it was a good idea to ask her. Racial tensions and Force Dead Knight made approaching such a sensitive subject with strangers, better to see if there was a nod from the Duchess if she could or not.

With her investigation complete, and her and Vaena’s negotiations done, Dimeria needed to make herself scarce though. Be seen tending to other things by the Eldorai, plus she had to make a call to the Alderaanian Embassy about the bacta producing herdships. The Force Dead knight left the Duchess’s room with a little wave back for her lover, and made her way towards the main hall where she could make her call.

She found herself a little corner and set down the Holocomm on the floor, waiting for the image of the Alderaanian woman to appear. When it did, it was of her handler, Sigma of the Seventh Circle. “Dame Nykerian, how good to hear from you. Your reports have been subpar.”

“Apologies, I’ve been,” The knight paused, smiling as she glanced away from the image of the woman, “Otherwise occupied. I’ll do better.”

“Yes, one would hope so. What is the reason for your message?” The woman responded, her eyes fixed on Dimeria.

“Our relationship with House Cadalthor would greatly benefit from the use of one of Alderaan’s Thyferra Herdships. They would like to borrow one of ours for the foreseeable future.”

“I’m sure it would benefit our relationship. Hard to bite the hand that feeds. What kind of agreement are they offering in return?”

“I, uh, didn’t ask for anything. It is good and right to provide them with medicine in their time of need.” Dimeria responded.

“Good and right, and extremely costly. Our relief efforts are funded by charging those with goods to cover the costs of those without.”

“They lack the resources to pay, Alderaan provides aid to the beleaguered all the time, this seemed no different to me. I’m afraid I have already promised it.” Dimeria’s brow furrowed in frustration. Admittedly, she had no understanding of finance having never had to pay for anything herself or work a real job ever.

“Oh, so either I have Alderaan pay an exuberant amount to the Exarchs for no gain, or shatter or relations with House Cadalthor. And I'm sure you were not rewarded by your friend.” The Knight of the Seventh Circle tapped a few buttons on her datapad. “The herdship will be delivered in a week’s time.”

Dimeria smiled, despite the insult to her ability to represent Alderaan. Not that she had been representing their interests very well. “Thank you Lady Sigma.”

“The new Ambassador will be delivered with it. You will be reassigned as their bodyguard so as to make better use of your skills and ensure no conflict of interest.”

“What? I’m being demoted?”

“Yes. Sigma out.” The line went dead and left the Force Dead knight with her mouth open. Well, that had went well. It could have been much worse she supposed even if she had to ditch the ivory off her attire.

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


Zahra had watched the human depart, but made no comment. If she had noticed something, she hid it well. "I presume the news is grave," Vaena said once the doors had closed. Her moment of respite was over. It was time to be the Duchess.

"Lady Fraeya will be attending the gathering. We only just received the message, though I doubt she is acting on a whim."

"Fraeya?" Vaena raised an eyebrow. "She went into exile years ago. She was very vociferous in denouncing Her Majesty's Government as foreign puppets." The sad thing was that Vaena did not disagree with that assessment.

"She is dangerous, Your Grace."

"Of course she is. A trueborn Cadalthor, with the right lineage and untainted by association with an unpopular Queen. Has she been speaking to anyone?"

"We're still looking into things," the Qadiri admitted. "However, one of Karina's chambermaids claims her mistress had a conversation with her. Her mistress was extremely disgruntled about the audits."

"Why would she talk to her? Karina is a vapid pleasure seeker. Unless she wanted to get to my mother." This train of thought was leading her to a dangerous place. Was a full-blown coup being plotted in the shadows? Was she just being paranoid?

"Do you wish to act now?"

It was...tempting. "No, not yet," Vaena looked pensive. "It would come across as...desperation. As if I was too afraid to face them," she drummed her fingers on her working desk. "But monitor them - thoroughly."

Zahra nodded obediently. "My Lady, you are the Lady of House Cadalthor."

"And thus it is my responsibility to set things right. The Goddess helps those who help themselves."

"You want to restore your house to its former glory and build a better future for the Eldorai - and for my people. For that you have my loyalty. But you cannot restore your house against the wishes of everyone in it."

"What would you have me do, Zahra? They are decadent fops who spit on the legacy of our ancestors ad care for nothing except filling their own pockets. Hypocrites who boast about their 'pure' blood, while denying our people a future."

"Many are. But, my Lady, some still have vigour - and you need them. Otherwise they will all lie, all conspire and you will never be safe if you push them all into being united in opposition to you. One gets results easier by appealing to self-interest than ideals."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Dimeria angrily clicked off the holocomm, a little flustered at having been demoted. Admittedly, if she hadn’t been upset she could have seen the logic of appointing a much more neutral ambassador, and the generosity of not recalling her back to Alderaan. Nevertheless, the Force-Dead Knight was less than pleased, her aura rippled just beyond her body, a small vacuum in the Force where there was emptiness.

Disappointed, she turned on her heel and left the corridor, in an understandable huff as she returned to her quarters, pulling out her datapad to begin typing a letter. She got about a quarter way through the message before she deleted it, unable to go over Dame Sigma’s head and message the queen directly. Pulling such strings would be dishonorable, frowned upon by her piers. And given Sigma’s own rapport with the Queen and her husband, Dimeria would be lucky to get what she wanted anyway.

Instead she quickly showered and changed into a more appropriate uniform for the evening, something formal with an armored aesthetic, and tied her sword belt around her waist once more. Unfortunately, she’d be seated away from the Duchess. As a foreign ambassador, at least for the time being, Dimeria wouldn’t be seated alongside Vaena. Now all she had to do was provide some good news.

Dimeria strode up to Vaena’s quarters once more, spying one of her ladies-in-waiting. “Hello, if you could please inform the Duchess that I’d like a quick word with her when she leaves for the congregation, I would be grateful.”

[member="Vaena Askari"]

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


"And if I compromise what I know is right in the name of short-term political expediency, do I not undermine everything I seek to achieve? The smallfolk will rightly see me as a fraud who spouts pretty phrases about duty. The vipers will see me as weak and bite. The moment iron bends, it grows brittle."

"Then be steel. Honest service means telling hard truths, Your Grace," Zahra responded, her eyes fixed on Vaena. "The truth is that the game does not go away just because you do not wish to play it. Sometimes you must compromise, even accept temporary setbacks in pursuit of a larger goal. A house divided against itself will not stand. As you yourself say, the needs of the many..."

"Outweigh those of the few, or even the one. I'm well aware," Vaena declared more than a little harshly. "I never asked for this title. Gold is cold and heavy on the head, but so long as I am Duchess, I have a duty."

"And you would agree that duty takes precedence over your personal pride?" That earned her a glare, but the Qadiri pressed on. "There are three categories. One are those clan members who will hate you no matter what. Those you must isolate - and dispose of. Those who would support you and those who are hedging their bits and will back whoever comes out on top. A little wooing can go a long way."

Vaena gave a derisive snort. "A popularity contest, is that it? Perhaps they would like pretty flowers and gaudy jewellry? I should scour the nest of vipers clean. As Tirathana should have done after the Exodus. Would that all the vipers in the Matriarchy had but a single neck," There was a scowl on her face. Frustration swelled up inside her. The duchess shook her head. "Well, I shall humour you. Who would you have me woo?"

"Your efforts are best focused on the minor members of the house. One of those who has shown no indication of leaning either way is Yriel Cadalthor. He may be a source of support."

"Yriel? He's a maleling," Vaena stressed the word. "A male's duty is to find a good match, provide his seed to a lady so that she might have a child and be her helpmate in raising it. He has no place in politics." For all her open-mindedness, many of Vaena's views were very traditionalist.

"An unusually smart, perceptive maleling, especially in the sphere of commerce and dati is something the Cadalthors have great need of. By no means make him your chancellor, but consider his use. Fraeya will assuredly only give him scraps, at best. The less support she and those like her have to draw upon, the better."

Vaena's jaw clenched. Perhaps she was realising what kind of manoeuvring the game would require. She looked like she had swallowed something foul. "There is another I can turn to," she began, but then there was a knock on the door. "Enter."

 

[Laira Darkhold]

Dimeria waited outside the door to Duchess Cadalthor’s quarters patiently, waiting for the handmaiden to let her in. After a second, she heard Vaena’s voice commanding that she enter. The Knight smiled kindly as the lady-in-waiting stood out of her way so that she could pass through the threshold, hiding her unease and displeasure.

“I’m sorry to bother you so close to the Conclave your grace.” Dimeria said with a deep bow, her top knot falling into her face as she did so before Vaena. At least she got to look the duchess up and down and appreciate her with no suspicion in this scenario. “But I wanted to personally deliver you good news before it. Alderaan’s Embassy will be delivering the Thyferra-class Herdship we discussed inside a week.”

It was good news for House Cadalthor. Dimeria knew that such a gift came with a great expense attached to it, perhaps Sigma was right that she was compromised and unable to make proper diplomatic decisions that benefitted both Alderaan and Vaena? She certainly did have a blindspot where that seductive Eldorai was concerned. How did she phrase the bad news so that it sounded good? Would Vaena take offense that Alderaan didn’t want their allegiance to be out of the kindness of their hearts only?

“The Embassy will also be sending a replacement Ambassador to lighten my work load. They felt you would benefit more from an experienced diplomat at your disposal, which fortunately will leave me with more time to spend getting to know the members of House Cadalthor.” She smiled, though it felt hollow to her. She was still very angry at having been dismissed by Sigma so disgracefully, as though Sigma was so great her superior she didn’t even bother to treat her like a human and thus her void rippled just beyond the confines of her body.

@Vaena

 

[Vaena Askari]

[member="Laira Darkhold"]


One news item was pleasant. Another not so much. Vaena pursed her lips. There was a flicker of something on her face. Then the mask was back on. Mezha, meanwhile, watched Dimeria. Her expression did not show the revulsion of Ariawyn, but it was hard to read. A bit like she was studying a very exotic specimen. "Please extend my gratitude to the House of Organa. This truly wonderful news. The generosity and kindness of Alderaan will not be forgotten, and the ship shall be repaid in full once we are able to do so," Vaena spoke.


There was a brief pause. Vaena could not say what she might have wanted to see. Not with a lady-in-waiting within earshot and Zahra present. "I do hope that the Her Majesty's Government did not believe we felt slighted by it not dispatching a career diplomat to our court. We have been given no cause to doubt your ability." She could guess what the true reason was, but she was trying to be politic.


"I trust that the new ambassador will value your insights into Eldorai culture as much as I have appreciated yours on the outside world, and give you a suitable role on her staff? We will, of course, accredit her and hope that we can work together to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our people."