Manifestation: the Coming Dark/Interlude 2

Jano stood in the center of his library and considered his options. Darin had been gone less than two days and already the De'me'thar and Kruatha'ri were embroiled in a battle again. Jano could understand easily a reluctance to change several hundred years of tradition, yet he could not comprehend their basic inability to recognize that their clinging to tradition was serving the very purpose they hoped to prevent. The Drakel objection to elemental affinity was that siding with one element was divisive and served the purpose of the Uncreator. Yet they refused to see that they themselves were dividing their people based on ancient tradition far more than choosing an element with which one felt comfortable. The Drakel culture had come to understand elemental harmony perhaps better than any other living species, yet they could not get over their ancient social constructs.

Jano turned to Draslin, his Le'tho. The position was roughly equivalent to a butler: he was in charge of the house. Yet Draslin was far more than a mere bond servant. In the time since Jano had lived in the K'eld, Draslin has become Jano's close friend.

"Drae, I fear I have no choice in the matter," Jano said with a sigh. "The king has made it clear his desire in this matter and the governor has as well. As an agent of the crown and of the people, their eventual welfare must come before social comfort."

"Yes, Lord T'palo," Draslin said. "Jano, my friend, this will set the People on their head. What you are speaking of doing violates not only Drakel law, but many cultural norms. The K'eld is considered almost an object of devotion in itself."

"I am well aware," Jano said with a sigh. "Yet I see no other answer. Will the De'me'thar stop? Will the people just unite themselves?

"In time perhaps, but time is something we have little of," Draslin answered matter-of-factly.

"My point exactly," Jano said with a sigh. "Can you see a better solution? Many of our enemies are immaterial and airborne."

"No, Jano, I cannot, yet I fear the results greatly."

"Nonetheless, it must be done. We face an enemy far greater than before; the time of division is ended. We have the resources to commit."

"It will take the king's School of Thought at least two weeks to shape the magics required, even with the hundred or more magi that they have."

"Your estimate is kind. Tralin says I should expect it to take a full month, unless he himself can spare the aid. Yet I expect not to do it alone. We have word of support from K'eld Alorin."

"They certainly know more of such things then anyone else."

"Let us do this then..." Jano moved out of the library and into the courtyard.

"Citizens, this matter has been ended by your king. I cannot imagine why then you persist in this madness. We tell you that the division of this K'eld shall be ended. I have spoken to the Elemental Casters. Eight compounds are being constructed even now within a close proximity to the K'eld. The walls of this city, great as they are, are designed to defend us, yet they have served to divide us. They cannot possibly keep out our enemy. We shall construct multiple additional towers and forts between here and the furthest Caster outpost. The existing towers shall be magically strengthened, as shall the inner wall at the center of the K'eld. Yet by the end of this month, K'eld Ner will be no more. This place shall be renamed I'ami Ner."

This pronouncement was met with some gasps but otherwise as sense of abject silence, for each there knew what the change in designation meant.

"You understand me well, I trust. The K'eld will be no more, for its wall of division will be no more. The wall will fall. What's more, the king considers this infighting divisive and treacherous. The governor has reminded you of this already. I cannot alter his word on the matter. Should this come to my attention again, there will be arrests and the arrested will be tried for treason against the crown."