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.