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Amilar Ereyo	The day is still young, with the sun not yet having reached it's zenith. In spite of the bleak, overcast sky, the clouds refuse to unload anything resembling rain. Amilar Ereyo, sorcerer-engineer and guest lecturer at the Violet Meadow academy, has claimed a very comfortable wooden bench on the pleasure grounds near the main hall. Birds are clamoring in the trees around her, and a gentle breeze is stirring her hair. Wood elementals crop the hedges and coax the flower beds into bloom. It could be a wonderful day... but the Dragon is scowling at a letter, several pages long, with little regard for anything around her. She bites her lip in fury, or maybe frustration, while she reads.
Tepet Makara	As he walks around, Makara observes the bleak skies as he wonders if it will rain. He doesn't mind at all for he likes the weather as it's better than the scorching sun sometimes. He is currently in his grey kimono but it seems he has new rings and other men's jewelry in him. The scion of House Tepet takes notice of his fellow dragon....even if he's something else. "Ah Ereyo, sorry to disturb you but are you teaching at the university again" As he notices she is not in a good mood while reading letter, as it's an all too familiar feeling for him. "Not to intrude on personal matters, but I guess the contents of the letter is disfavorable to you? At least it's not some Infallible Messenger that came out of nowhere"
Amilar Ereyo	The sound of the Tepet's voice is enough to divert Ereyo's attention away from the lengthy correspondence rather quickly - it's almost as if she was waiting, or at least hoping, for an excuse to put it aside. She quickly folds up the pages as Makara approaches, and stuffs the entirety of the letter into her familiar satchel, which she has put down next to her. Makara might still be able to notice a mons on the broken wax seal before the latter vanishes from sight - that of Gens Amilar. With that taken care of, Ereyo greets him with a strained smile. She is wearing a formal indigo kimono of a particular style that harkens back to old Shogunate fashion. Silver embroidery depicts a flock of cranes taking flight. Her daiklave is with her, too. "Just family business. You know how it is", she mutters, briefly gritting her teeth before taking another shot at a polite smile. "So we meet again, Tepet Makara. It seems you enjoy taking strolls here. Any news from the Eastern border?"
Tepet Makara	"Oh family matters, I see even the gentes of Lookshy are plagued with that. Most of my drama involve around my young brother, but I won't speak about it for now. He's the reason why I get annoyed by Infallible Messengers randomly appearing just to nag at me" He sighs at it seems families of dragons have a tendency to experience drama. The scion then recalls any news he heard in the Eastern borders. "Nothing of interest so far but I got a raise in my salary recently. I'm from a thinblooded household that our finances were more akin to patricians. Me getting wealth now akin to a typical dynast is new to me. But I only dress the part to fit in with them. Although I use my money to support my house in turmoil" He notes on why he has jewelry on him but then hopes to inquire his fellow dragon regarding a sensitive subject. "This may be a distressing question for you, but did you report the anathema you encountered to the Wyld Hunt?"
Amilar Ereyo	Ereyo sighs heavily, then motions for Makara to sit. There should be plenty of space - the bench is large enough for three average-sized people to sit comfortably. "Your brother should have been taught to not abuse his sorcerous gift like that", she scoffs. The mellow light of this dreary day softens her features, but it does little to disguise the dark circles beneath her eyes. Still, she looks a bit better than last time Maraka met her in the Shrine Garden's markets. Only after he has either seated himself or declined her offer, she answers his question, unsmiling, with another frown forming on her forehead. "I... did not. Not yet", she reluctantly admits. "My memory is not... accommodating enough to warrant a report." Pain creeps into her voice, and she swallows, before continuing in a more composed manner: "The Intelligence Directorate has a lot on their plate recently. Just like your All-Seeing Eye, I assume. There's really only so many leads they can follow simultaneously."
Tepet Makara	"He's been a bit cocky with his position as he is the second most influential person in my household. He even accused me of abandoning the Blessed Isle after my exaltation as he thinks I want to break of from my family, even if I'm doing this for them"Makara gives a tiring sigh when mentioning his brother but changes the topic to the rumored silver devil "I see, I understand why especially as I lack information on that anathema as well. He could be anyone and anywhere especially as they are shapeshifting monsters" The prince of the earth says with a tone of vigilance against the demon king monsters from Immaculate fables. "Not surprised especially as Thorns was conquered by those mysterious deathly anathema. Even nearby satrapies are worried they may be next, so most of the Wyld Hunt is concerned about them, rather than some random lunar anathema. It's a different matter in the Caul though as the Wyld Hunt is focused on a holy war against the silver devils in that continent"
Amilar Ereyo	"Ah, yes. The Caul. I've heard stories, of course... a few scions of the Seventh Legion and numerous outcastes have even joined the war on that fabled continent over the years. Now, with your Empress gone, the Lunar anathema smell blood in the water." Ereyo's scowl deepens. She leans against the bench's back rest and stretches her legs, folding the flesh limb over her mechanical prosthesis. The soft whirring as the mechanism adjust to its new position is almost drowned in birdsong. "If they make an attempt at the River Province, they will find Lookshy ever vigilant. But if they win on the Caul... or band together with the dark forces in Thorns and take one of your satrapies... it is going to spell trouble for us all, no matter where we stand. Is your Hunt even capable of mustering meaningful opposition?" Despite the sharpness of her question, Ereyo looks worried.
Tepet Makara	"I heard that the silver anathema wants to take the Caul for themselves as they view at as a holy land in the name of some goddess. However I also find it....strange and coincidental" Makara then mentions something peculiar about the Caul's nature. "As both our kind and those anathema view it as holy, I heard some heretical claims there is a hidden connection between the dragonblooded and the scourges of the moon from my time there. Eugh, how preposterous" He scoffs at such blasphemous claims that there is a link between the princes of the earth and the demon-kings of the moon. "I do not know if my Hunt is capable of that when such dread possibility becomes reality, but I am ready when they come"
Amilar Ereyo	Ereyo narrows her eyes at his words - at the claims he recites, not at Makara himself. She scoffs, then shakes her head in denial. "That is brave of you, but take great care to not fall for their lies. The Lunars are insidious. Those heretical claims you've heard have very likely been planted by the anathema themselves in an attempt to sow doubt and division. Usually, I'm not one to dismiss interesting theories outright without examining them further, but this one sounds too outlandish to even warrant wasting my time with." The Lookshyan tucks her legs in again, crossing them as she leans forward slightly to peer at the Tepet from the side. "The only connection between them and us is bloodshed. I can't see how it would be any other way", she grumbles.
Tepet Makara	"Such claims are ridiculous to believe anyway, our kind has been at war with them for centuries. There may be a reason why they find the Caul divine, possibly for vile reasons as I heard the geomancy of that place is strong. It could be that these anathema want to conquer it to spite us." He says with the zeal of a prince of the earth dedicated to the Immaculate religion. "It could be that they are jealous of us, as we inherit the earth while they are hunted. So in their ambitions, they want to become the kings of Creation" He says with pride and mixed with an emotion that is hidden.
Amilar Ereyo	Makara's words are received with several small nods, and a contemplative tilting of the head. Sorrow and more than a hint of fear are plain on Ereyo's face. Her eyes darken a bit, with only tiny specks of bright violet remaining. "And hunt them we must, but... don't you sometimes wonder if there will ever be an end to it? They are like a relentless tide, reincarnating again, and again, and again, to crash against the monuments to our glory and might." A rueful smile briefly touches her lips. "Dragon-Blooded have committed atrocities, too. We're not always the shining exemplar of the Immaculate Dragon's ideals that we are supposed to be. I think what you're saying might be true - that at least a few of the silver monsters might harbor such ambitions. But that would be Creation's downfall. There's no doubt that we Princes of the Earth are the only stewards capable of protecting this world, flawed as we might be." Again, she sights. A stiff breeze picks up around them... certainly not the Air aspect's doing, just a change of the weather. Maybe it's going to rain after all.
Tepet Makara	"I don't know why they keep reincarnating as there doesn't seem to be an end to it. Maybe it will all end in one way or another" There is sorrow in his words as there is only neverending war against the anathema. "You are right, the princes of the earth are flawed in their own way. Like we are supposed to be united but we sometimes war with each other I have to admit. Even internally we face problems such as political infighting" Then he hypothesize on another awful possibility that may happen. "If the silver anathema may realize their ambitions, they may even try to hunt us down for vengeance" He says with fear as their roles could be reversed when it comes to the Wyld Hunt. "It won't happen as long as we stand against them"
Amilar Ereyo	There's no hint of suspicion in Ereyo's expression, just a deep weariness. She continues to remain oblivious to Makara's true role in all this, it seems. Two blue butterflies spin by, and the Air aspect is momentarily distracted by their dance, but continues to listen. There is a longer stretch of silence after the "Water Dragon" has finished talking, during which Ereyo's top leg bops up and down in a steady rhythm. Finally, with her gaze still locked on the butterflies, she says: "In the end, we are still human. Human ambition, human pride, human hatred... War and strife inevitably follow wherever we go. Truly, an Age of Sorrows." She turns her head to regard Makara with a slight frown. "You are a soldier, and you must have seen terrible bloodshed, witnessed the fall of your house, maybe crossed blades with great terrors... aren't you... tired sometimes?"
Tepet Makara	"Well you are right about that. Even we are not safe from the flaws of humanity. Even the anathema are no different only that their darkest urges are exemplified by their curse" Him mentioning the anathema in this seems to be negative rather than sympathizing them. As Ereyo mentions hardships he experienced as a soldier, he decides to open up. "I did, during my young days ,I fought in that terrible battle known as Futile Blood. We spent blood trying to slay that Sun-cursed anathema only to achieve nothing but lose men. I wish it could all end myself. The strife in Creation." His involvement in the battle of Futile Blood seems vague although it seems to be thanks to his own sorrows. "What's worse is that the other houses even our closest allies are watching us like vultures to a dying calf. To think they focus on slowly leeching from our loss instead of aiding us. It seems they have their personal interests in mind rather than seeing that anathema dead. I fear he is slowly building his empire once again"
Amilar Ereyo	A shadow passes over Ereyo's face as he mentions the Battle of Futile Blood, and she tenses. The expression lingers for a short while, then is gone, leaving her with a confused, forlorn look. She stares at one of the old ginko trees that flank the path through the gardens, whispering something to herself. Maybe Makara can catch the words "I feel like I've heard that before". Composing herself, she focuses on him once more. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss." She sounds like she really means it. "But it wasn't all for nothing, was it? Didn't the Bull of the North suffer losses as well?" Her smile is sympathetic, although strangely distant. "Your Scarlet Empire will tear itself apart. Leaving the Blessed Isle was a smart move. I won't claim that politics among the gentes are always kind, but at least the Seventh Legion's stability doesn't depend on a single old Dragon's continued existence." After a pause charged with tension, she adds tentatively: "There's a place for brave soldiers in Lookshy, no matter their old allegiance."
Tepet Makara	"Thanks and the Anathema's army is indeed weakened so there may be a chance to get rid of that sun conqueror once and for all, before he musters more of his forces and even move beyond the North. Only if the Great Houses and other dragons work together instead of preparing the knives behind the backs of their rivals" The intrigues of the Scarlet Dynasty is not exactly the favored part of his empire. Then he takes note of the Lookshyan's words. "I'll consider it. My house has been considered to be one of the sole upholders of Shogunate tradition in the Realm besides a few others. For now, I'm ensuring that my house survives the turmoil that is to come" "I feel a civil war may erupt in the Blessed Isle"
Amilar Ereyo	"I imagine it will. Perhaps soon", Ereyo agrees. Her hands are in her lap now, playing with the embroidered fabric of her fine kimono. But her eyes remain fixed in Makara. Searching his face. "What are you going to do when - not if, when - the Realm descents into civil war? Your family is still on the Isle, yes? And the satrap your serve now... do you know where her allegiances lie?"
Tepet Makara	"My satrap is a member of House Cynis. It's complicated since her house has been the supporters of our closest allies, the V'neef. While at the same time, they have connections to House Sesus, one of the houses that wanted us gone. I'm hoping for my house to be neutral but they may get rid of loose ends. If that is an eventuality, I'll try to get whatever members of the house escape the Blessed Isle and somewhere else. I do not want them to experience the fate of House Manosque and Akiyo." Lineages in the Scarlet Dynasty ebb and flows after all. As one could fall, while the other thrives "I decided to become part of House Cynis's legion in order to curry their favor to support my house's closest ally. Even if I originally didn't want to leave Faxai since I was reassigned in Greyfalls"
Amilar Ereyo	Although Ereyo tries to make an effort to look interested, probably for the sake of politeness, her eyes begin to wander away from the Tepet several times. She suppresses a yawn, then smiles sheepishly. "I'm terribly sorry. See, this is why I don't bother with politics. Once you start, you quickly become entangled in a sticky mess of favors, grudges, and intrigues. It's like an enormous spider's web, only the strands are invisible - you only notice them when you're already entangled." After a frustrated grumble, Ereyo breathes in deeply. "Were it not for that reassignment, would you rather have stayed on the Caul, fighting the anathema?", she asks, raising an eyebrow in astonishment.
Tepet Makara	"Sorry if I bored you. You can't really escape politics in the Realm especially if you're a dynast. It's sometimes a necessary evil if you were to survive the system" He sighs as he is bored and tired of the intrigues of the Realm. However the talk about the Caul is what interests him. "Not just to fight the anathema, but to explore why it's holy in the eyes of the princes of the earth. Too bad you can't just wander around and explore the regions all willy nilly" "There are dreaded pirates feared in the West called the Lintha who allied with the Lunars of the Caul. Even if there are neutral territories there, some Caulborn tribes distrusts both sides that they won't let us enter their territory. Although I was disappointed with the reassignment, I learned interesting things in the direction of Sextes Jylis. I mostly wander the Scavenger Lands in my freetime since the affairs with House Cynis can be irritating, especially as the satrap is an infamously decadent person." "Even if Great Forks can be just as decadent, at least the festivals here are more livelier than the ones back at my satrapy"
Amilar Ereyo	Ereyo leans a bit towards the Tepet and regards him with renewed curiosity when he starts talking about the Caul. "I know next to nothing about the Lintha, or why they would ally with the Lunars... Who are the Caulborn? Natives of that sacred land?" Once she has begun peppering him with questions, she finds it hard to stop. Her eyes glow with excitement. "What did you learn during your time there? Any remnants of the Bygone Age that you've come across? Did the Dragons send you a vision, or were there trials to test your resolve? What's Faxai like? Have you seen the Black Lion...?" It seems if Makara doesn't find a way to interrupt her, she may as well keep going until she runs out of stamina.
Tepet Makara	"As my father was from a Southwestern cadet house called Yueh. He told me that the name Lintha strikes into the fears of sailors and coastal peoples alike. They are no ordinary pirates, as I hear some of them have the blood of a great sea demoness in hell itself. I wish they were just urban legends but sadly they are real, as I was warned to be careful whenever the ship I'm in is in Southwestern and Western waters. Some of them are in one of the lunar held city called Asura" He mentions the dreaded rumors of the pirates with demon blood in their veins. "The Caulborn are not a single culture as they are a myriad of tribes that reside there. I hear some of them are beastmen. Most of them worship the continent itself but for a good reason, as the Caul's geomancy is potent. Manses are forbidden to be built in such grounds out of fears it may disrupt it's power. Of course the continent is littered with First Age cities, discovered and undiscovered. As for visions, I sadly haven't although I hear the ancient Earth Shrine is blessed with Pasiap's grace. There are 4 more others in the Caul, sadly they are in lunar held territories. If you experience all the trials in the 5 shrines, there are rumors that the passer will be blessed by the dragons." "Speaking of Faxai, the city is one of the rare sights where dragons from different Lineages work together. From rivaling Great Houses to outcastes. I know it's just temporary but it heartens me to see unity in that place" He says with a hint of nostalgia to that place. "As for the Black Lion, he is seemingly impossible to kill as he comes back even after his death is announced." "I wish I can come back to that place once again. It's as if the dragons themselves walked that land...although in the stories from what people heard from the Caulborn, something else as well although such details are vague"
Amilar Ereyo	Thankfully, Ereyo's excitement doesn't push her to talk over Makara's actual answers to her questions. She turns further towards him, as far as the bench allows, with an elbow propped up on her knee, chin resting on her fist, and focuses fully on his words. Her expression shifts sometimes, displaying disgust of the Lintha and fascination of the Caulborn. "Maybe, if things settle down a bit and I somehow manage to overcome my fear of the Lunars, I might even go there myself." She gives a small, wistful laugh. "Not to get dragged into the battle, of course. Just to study the place, to learn more of its history... there are so many secrets hidden in the world, locked away behind danger." With a rueful smile, she nods at the Tepet in appreciation. "Thank you for satisfying my curiosity. You've managed to brighten up my day somewhat after... well, after that letter." Indeed, she keeps on smiling even as she pats the satchel. "I have work to do, but I trust we will see each other again soon. You've certainly inspired me to scour the academy's libraries for writing on the Caul..."
Tepet Makara	"You shall conquer your fears of the silver devils one day.....one way or another" He says with an encouraging tone despite the last part being sort of ominous for reasons unknown. "You will find a lot of interesting things there that are too many to mention, maybe even insights on the Immaculate Dragons. I sadly haven't finished practicing my Seatongue at that time, so I may be able to finish honing it again if I do have the chance to get there" "That was a mouthful to explain but it was enjoyable to converse with you Amilar Ereyo. Most dragons back in the Realm or Greyfalls usually blabber about politics nonstop so this was a change of pace for me. We will see again soon I'm sure of it" Whether his dynast self...or his other self.