The day draws closer to our final test as students of the House of Bells, and our preparations quicken as we ready ourselves to depart. The information we received was somewhat disturbing, but not entirely unexpected.
It seemed that two Lost Eggs from Pasiap's Stair had fled and met up with a group of slaves. We're told that these slaves were from the Hundred Kingdoms, and that these outcastes had been from that land as well. I could not help but admire their dedication to their own kind, but on the other hand such dedication was as well misguided. It was a waste of their ability to squander it on freeing slaves in such a manner. Did they really believe that they could escape with so many people?
Nonetheless, the suppression of this 'army' is the task that was given to me and my soon-to-be brotherhood. I admit that I feel a sense of excitement in this, and I look forward to proving myself on the field of battle.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Vision of the First Age
In class today we studied about the greatest of our foes, the targets of the Wyld Hunt itself: Anathema.
Maddened demigods who fell from grace who had to be purged from Creation or fiends spawned from the very depths of Malfeas itself? I did not think too much about the philosophical and theological arguments that people had about them, for the proof of their actions and deeds were apparent. The anathema, whatever anyone said about them, were incredibly powerful. Leaders, diplomats or sorcerers, they stood as skilled as any of the Dragon-blooded.
This meant then, that the Anathema could wield the very lifeblood of Creation, Essence. And wield it most powerfully, given that only the most talented and skilled among the Realm hunted those things, and even then in packs.
It was fascinating.
I begun studying more about this implacable foe. I did not think whether or not they were truly enemies, save to say that empirically, they have proven to be foes of the Realm. Some of them certainly were hated foes of my House, and I too had a determination to someday bring down that mad beast they called the Bull of the North. But more than anything, this fascination on how the Anathema drew on their power, the strength and skill at war captured me.
I thought to myself, "This here is a worthy foe of a Dynast." I resolved then to become a general, a leader, who could strive to be a true heir of Pasiap, and build myself into a child of the dragons who could match even these Anathema head on and unflinching, strong and steadfast as the Imperial Mountain itself.
To do this, I knew I would have to hone myself and focus all my energies into mastery of war and combat, and to harness the resources I could to help me sharpen my talents. The keys to unlocking this in me, I realized, lay not only in physical training but in three other paths. Knowledge, essence, and people.
It was with driven resolve that I set out to accomplish these three paths.
Maddened demigods who fell from grace who had to be purged from Creation or fiends spawned from the very depths of Malfeas itself? I did not think too much about the philosophical and theological arguments that people had about them, for the proof of their actions and deeds were apparent. The anathema, whatever anyone said about them, were incredibly powerful. Leaders, diplomats or sorcerers, they stood as skilled as any of the Dragon-blooded.
This meant then, that the Anathema could wield the very lifeblood of Creation, Essence. And wield it most powerfully, given that only the most talented and skilled among the Realm hunted those things, and even then in packs.
It was fascinating.
I begun studying more about this implacable foe. I did not think whether or not they were truly enemies, save to say that empirically, they have proven to be foes of the Realm. Some of them certainly were hated foes of my House, and I too had a determination to someday bring down that mad beast they called the Bull of the North. But more than anything, this fascination on how the Anathema drew on their power, the strength and skill at war captured me.
I thought to myself, "This here is a worthy foe of a Dynast." I resolved then to become a general, a leader, who could strive to be a true heir of Pasiap, and build myself into a child of the dragons who could match even these Anathema head on and unflinching, strong and steadfast as the Imperial Mountain itself.
To do this, I knew I would have to hone myself and focus all my energies into mastery of war and combat, and to harness the resources I could to help me sharpen my talents. The keys to unlocking this in me, I realized, lay not only in physical training but in three other paths. Knowledge, essence, and people.
It was with driven resolve that I set out to accomplish these three paths.
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Halls of the House
After my exaltation, many things were different. I may have Exalted a bit later than was expected for one of my lineage, but my ancestry was unquestioned now, especially in light of how I'd put down Ledaal Kutulu, who already was an exalted son of Mela.
My squadmates, who had borne themselves somewhat aloof were gradually getting to know me better and vise versa. The bond that the House forces upon its members certainly unified us, and I made sure to take the lessons to heart. A team was only as strong as its weakest member, and I did my best to make sure that all of our squad excelled. Cathak Syrle Rae took the captain's position of the squad, and I took up the position of second in command.
But team-based trials were hardly the only thing that faced me in the House. As one of the leading instructors, Tepet Chaio was a harsh mistress. She was honorable and certainly very demanding of all Tepet cadets in the House of Bells. But somehow, the strength and patience of the Earth managed to sustain me, and I applied my rather prodigious ability to studying the methods of war, especially that which deal with unit tactics on the field and in strategic planning.
While initially I found great difficulty in keeping up with the extra load, I managed to keep up with the pace somehow, thanks to a charm I managed to learn from one of my other Tepet savant relatives during the summer. Many times my theoretical knowledge proved useful, at times it didn't. But I was certainly putting into application many things learned from history, field manuals and other tactical treatises.
And so that was how things were: in the House I was pressed and honed into a commander and leader of the Legions. During the summers, I was put into the new ventures of Tepet as we sought to acquire more power in non-military means, learning the ins and outs of business and governance, all the while trying to keep up with learning how to fight with a daiklave and hammered with the value of growth and knowledge.
As time went on, I found myself too busy to think of Cynara too much, and she gradually slipped from the front of my mind. It was a sad state of things, though I never quite did forget about her, she became a phantom in my memories of a good time that had by now passed into shadow.
My squadmates, who had borne themselves somewhat aloof were gradually getting to know me better and vise versa. The bond that the House forces upon its members certainly unified us, and I made sure to take the lessons to heart. A team was only as strong as its weakest member, and I did my best to make sure that all of our squad excelled. Cathak Syrle Rae took the captain's position of the squad, and I took up the position of second in command.
But team-based trials were hardly the only thing that faced me in the House. As one of the leading instructors, Tepet Chaio was a harsh mistress. She was honorable and certainly very demanding of all Tepet cadets in the House of Bells. But somehow, the strength and patience of the Earth managed to sustain me, and I applied my rather prodigious ability to studying the methods of war, especially that which deal with unit tactics on the field and in strategic planning.
While initially I found great difficulty in keeping up with the extra load, I managed to keep up with the pace somehow, thanks to a charm I managed to learn from one of my other Tepet savant relatives during the summer. Many times my theoretical knowledge proved useful, at times it didn't. But I was certainly putting into application many things learned from history, field manuals and other tactical treatises.
And so that was how things were: in the House I was pressed and honed into a commander and leader of the Legions. During the summers, I was put into the new ventures of Tepet as we sought to acquire more power in non-military means, learning the ins and outs of business and governance, all the while trying to keep up with learning how to fight with a daiklave and hammered with the value of growth and knowledge.
As time went on, I found myself too busy to think of Cynara too much, and she gradually slipped from the front of my mind. It was a sad state of things, though I never quite did forget about her, she became a phantom in my memories of a good time that had by now passed into shadow.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Pasiap Draws Breath
Even in the House of Bells, where we were taught to fight and work together as teams, there was a sense of a pecking order being established. The teasing, jesting, ego and jockeying for social position. I found it all rather despicable and pathetic sometimes, though there might be a use for social order, these juvenile actions were hardly it. One in particular, was a rather foolish, Air-aspected brat named Ledaal Kutulu who was particularly fond of throwing barbs at those he thought was of 'lesser breeding' compared to his incredibly early Exaltation and elemental features.
It began with the usual, with his talking about the Legions' debacle in the north against an Anathema. Usually, such statements would have drawn the attention and harsh punishment of Tepet Chaio, but for some reason Kutulu was smart enough to avoid such words in her presence. Or maybe he was just lucky. His words, as usual, grated on me but I managed to keep my head and temper together for the most part. The insults against my House, I deflected as best as I could. But one conversation in particular I recall even to this day, as we were working out with various personal arms on the field:
"I can't imagine why Mnemon would allow one of her daughters to be betrothed to someone of your unfortunate pedigree, Eran."
"You're astute enough to know why, Kutulu."
"Perhaps. But Mnemon is a sorceress after all. Perhaps that child was one of her get with some vile spirit or demon. It would explain why she would be willing to let such a betrothal take place, quite appropriately: the least child of Tepet with a demon's spawn."
It felt like fire had washed over me, and I tensed as I sought to control myself. I looked up at Kutulu, expecting to see those mocking eyes. But for some reason, I found a different sensation and vision descend upon me. To the far north I saw the Imperial Mountain, a memory of my own, of Cynara, and a deeper dream of a timeless power, immortal and enduring. I saw beyond the wisp that was Ledaal Kutulu and felt an unconquerable strength reach into my soul.
My eyes flickered and snapped to the Ledaal, and in a sudden movement my hand shot out to his throat. With a power beyond my own, I hammered him into the ground. I barely noticed the blast of air he'd manifested around himself, as he tried to ignite his anima banner to hurt me. But I had the strength of the Earth in my bones, and nothing could harm me. Like the Imperial Mountain itself on which even the greatest storms broke against, the Ledaal's pathetic struggles barely scathed me.
I pressed down on him, oblivious to the clamor that was bringing the teachers to us. Before they could pull me away however, my shadow and form covered him like the onset of an avalanche. "You. Will. Not. Speak. Such. Things. Again. " Each word escaped my lips, my voice rough with the raw power that was flowing through me.
I did not see him for at least a week after that, and even Chaio seemed to ease up for awhile on her severity on me for a few days. Certainly, I was among the Dragon-Blooded now, and no fool would ever question whether I truly was a child of Tepet or not.
It began with the usual, with his talking about the Legions' debacle in the north against an Anathema. Usually, such statements would have drawn the attention and harsh punishment of Tepet Chaio, but for some reason Kutulu was smart enough to avoid such words in her presence. Or maybe he was just lucky. His words, as usual, grated on me but I managed to keep my head and temper together for the most part. The insults against my House, I deflected as best as I could. But one conversation in particular I recall even to this day, as we were working out with various personal arms on the field:
"I can't imagine why Mnemon would allow one of her daughters to be betrothed to someone of your unfortunate pedigree, Eran."
"You're astute enough to know why, Kutulu."
"Perhaps. But Mnemon is a sorceress after all. Perhaps that child was one of her get with some vile spirit or demon. It would explain why she would be willing to let such a betrothal take place, quite appropriately: the least child of Tepet with a demon's spawn."
It felt like fire had washed over me, and I tensed as I sought to control myself. I looked up at Kutulu, expecting to see those mocking eyes. But for some reason, I found a different sensation and vision descend upon me. To the far north I saw the Imperial Mountain, a memory of my own, of Cynara, and a deeper dream of a timeless power, immortal and enduring. I saw beyond the wisp that was Ledaal Kutulu and felt an unconquerable strength reach into my soul.
My eyes flickered and snapped to the Ledaal, and in a sudden movement my hand shot out to his throat. With a power beyond my own, I hammered him into the ground. I barely noticed the blast of air he'd manifested around himself, as he tried to ignite his anima banner to hurt me. But I had the strength of the Earth in my bones, and nothing could harm me. Like the Imperial Mountain itself on which even the greatest storms broke against, the Ledaal's pathetic struggles barely scathed me.
I pressed down on him, oblivious to the clamor that was bringing the teachers to us. Before they could pull me away however, my shadow and form covered him like the onset of an avalanche. "You. Will. Not. Speak. Such. Things. Again. " Each word escaped my lips, my voice rough with the raw power that was flowing through me.
I did not see him for at least a week after that, and even Chaio seemed to ease up for awhile on her severity on me for a few days. Certainly, I was among the Dragon-Blooded now, and no fool would ever question whether I truly was a child of Tepet or not.
Blazing Diamonds
Today I was inducted into the House of Bells, the most prestigious military academy in the Realm. My elders of course had a bit of a say in this, but I had no complaints about coming here. I only wish that the circumstances had been different. Being separated from Cynara was...difficult. But our betrothal had been 'postponed' by Mnemon herself, and in the backlash from the Tepet legions fiasco left my own House unable to do much about it. I suppressed anger at the leader of Cynara's House, it was not of any use. We both knew the politics of the Realm and how they worked: we had our last bit of spit against it, and for me that was enough.
Who was I kidding?
But I couldn't do anything about it and that was the truth. I was the 'least' grandson of the 'least' of Tepet's sons. Even if I was still Tepet's grandson, that was a harsh name to be thrust upon me. And already I feel the scorn and arrogance of some of my classmates. There will be much to deal with here, but I was a Tepet and I would endure: for myself and for my House.
The Blazing Diamonds my unit was called, composed of two favored scions of Cathak, a Sesus, a Peleps and a Cynis. There were a few others but I couldn't quite remember them at this point, but I'm sure I'll have time to get to know them at a later date anyway. The name is typical of the Cathaks, so inclined to titles which deal with flame. But a diamond was a precious thing, one of the strongest of all stones, barring jade and other magical material. I would take this name as an omen then, that I would be a diamond forged in the flames of trial and hardship.
There will be no dishonor to be had from me, no reason for any ill-views upon me. The blood of the dragons still flows within me, and I shall show them then when I draw the Second Breath, that Tepet Eran is beyond their pettiness. A Blazing Diamond of the Realm, of Creation.
Who was I kidding?
But I couldn't do anything about it and that was the truth. I was the 'least' grandson of the 'least' of Tepet's sons. Even if I was still Tepet's grandson, that was a harsh name to be thrust upon me. And already I feel the scorn and arrogance of some of my classmates. There will be much to deal with here, but I was a Tepet and I would endure: for myself and for my House.
The Blazing Diamonds my unit was called, composed of two favored scions of Cathak, a Sesus, a Peleps and a Cynis. There were a few others but I couldn't quite remember them at this point, but I'm sure I'll have time to get to know them at a later date anyway. The name is typical of the Cathaks, so inclined to titles which deal with flame. But a diamond was a precious thing, one of the strongest of all stones, barring jade and other magical material. I would take this name as an omen then, that I would be a diamond forged in the flames of trial and hardship.
There will be no dishonor to be had from me, no reason for any ill-views upon me. The blood of the dragons still flows within me, and I shall show them then when I draw the Second Breath, that Tepet Eran is beyond their pettiness. A Blazing Diamond of the Realm, of Creation.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Grandson of Tepet
My name is Tepet Eran, the youngest son of Tepet's youngest son. I am of the line of Tepet Vergus, one of my Great House's major lines and strong with the blood of the Empress, from whom my father himself was born from.
Such was how I became the fiancee of Mnemon Cynara, one of Mnemon's own grandchildren. It was supposed to be an auspicious matching of some sort, but back then I didn't look forward to it much. We were brought together to meet nonetheless, and much to my surprise I found myself liking her. She had a certain aloofness, yet a warmth that was tempered by sharp intelligence. I found myself talking to her easily, and though we differed in certain likes in how we applied our intellects, there was a sort of welcome feeling about it. It was a union that had slowly blossomed into love, the rarest thing to be found in these arranged marriages.
But that was then, this is now: the Tepet Legions sent to the north had been broken. Our betrothal was placed on 'indefinite suspension', pending Mnemon's further thought whether to let it continue or not. We both knew that meant things were likely to be over.
Out of some sense of rebellion, we took to a rest house of my family near the Imperial Mountain, and there spent a few weeks in our 'rebellion' against this thing. It was a false hope, I think we knew that somehow, but nonetheless something in us drove ourselves to make one last stand together. I look on that memory now, as I'm soon to be inculcated into the new ranks of the House of Bells, and hope it shall sustain me as well as my drive to prove myself worthy of both her and my House.
Because I am still Tepet's grandson, a scion of the Dragons and an heir of the Realm.
Such was how I became the fiancee of Mnemon Cynara, one of Mnemon's own grandchildren. It was supposed to be an auspicious matching of some sort, but back then I didn't look forward to it much. We were brought together to meet nonetheless, and much to my surprise I found myself liking her. She had a certain aloofness, yet a warmth that was tempered by sharp intelligence. I found myself talking to her easily, and though we differed in certain likes in how we applied our intellects, there was a sort of welcome feeling about it. It was a union that had slowly blossomed into love, the rarest thing to be found in these arranged marriages.
But that was then, this is now: the Tepet Legions sent to the north had been broken. Our betrothal was placed on 'indefinite suspension', pending Mnemon's further thought whether to let it continue or not. We both knew that meant things were likely to be over.
Out of some sense of rebellion, we took to a rest house of my family near the Imperial Mountain, and there spent a few weeks in our 'rebellion' against this thing. It was a false hope, I think we knew that somehow, but nonetheless something in us drove ourselves to make one last stand together. I look on that memory now, as I'm soon to be inculcated into the new ranks of the House of Bells, and hope it shall sustain me as well as my drive to prove myself worthy of both her and my House.
Because I am still Tepet's grandson, a scion of the Dragons and an heir of the Realm.
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