All That Is Evil Is Not Dark/Chapter 58

Jano walked the grounds, greatly troubled. The storytelling and subsequent inquiry of Draslin at length had revealed much of the nature of Drakel society and cast considerable light on the reasons for their behavior. Oddly, rather than easing Jano's discomfort, understanding their purposes made the oddities all the worse. Drakel caste was based on preventing dissension. By enforcing a unified view, the Drakel hoped to prevent the discord that diversified initiative brought. The fear of the effects of factionalism was very real. Given Drakel history and the effects of the Uncreator’s war on the world, it was unsurprising they took this tactic, but Jano could not help but feel as if the result was stagnation of Drakel culture and preventing true potential. Isolationism and caste rigidity served the Devourer nearly as clearly as factionalism and xenophobia, especially as isolationism might be interpreted as xenophobia anyway.

Jano was even more disturbed with the role he was to play in disrupting Drakel culture. What did Tralin hope to accomplish by revealing his break with Drakel tradition? As a noble himself, he would be immune to the Drakel wrath, but because he betrayed his position, his family would suffer. Jano milled over it and decided at length that he had no answer but to do exactly as Tralin intended, but he should at least inform Tralin's family of what was coming. It was useless to guess Tralin’s thoughts and Tralin had a better handle on Drakel actions then Jano could ever hope for.

"Lord T'palo?" Draslin asked, breaking his reverie.

"Yes?"

"Lady Kithia is here to see you. Lord Tralin's wife..."

"Very well... Show the lady in..."