Interlude - Question of War

Interlude - Question of War

Question of War

War? Velorn Thorntail, Sect Head of the World Tree Sect asked. The drake was frowning, and Tali could see that he was not in agreement with Hitor. It wasnt surprising, Velorn cared only for languishing among the branches of his great tree. War with whom? They are in the center of the core, surrounded by kingdoms and empires, and unless something has changed, they are all still embroiled in their own wars. They havent spent any time on this so-called threat, I dont see that changing.

Hitor placed a hand on the desk. Weve grown complacent, all of us here, and those beyond our borders. We forgot that the Infinite Realm is a test. I am done basing my decisions on the actions of others. If we have to carve a path through their kingdoms and empires in order to eliminate this threat, then that is what we should do.

Immediately the rooms atmosphere changed.

You want to attack them? Jeuk Usho, Sect Head of the Breaking Wave Sect asked.

The kreacean seemed almost disbelieving.The source of this content no/v(el)bi((n))

If they will not deal with the threat, and if they will not allow us to pass through, then yes, Hitor answered.

That is madness, Velorn said. They outnumber us, this will mean a true war.

Leaving a blight at the core of our civilization, that my friend is madness, Hitor hardened his expression. But are we really willing to let danger grow until it swallows us whole? I understand your concerns, and I am in talks with several of their leaders. Ive invited some here, to my Sect, the Eratemus the Lord of Death and Sigmund the Voice are here. They understand the severity of the threat and agree with me. They alone will be enough to convince most leaders whose territories we need to get through, some might even join us.

All that we are, Henna Rai Tarun, Sect Head of the Starlight Call Sect started. All that we stand for, the foundations that we built our civilizations on; all of it is based on keeping to ourselves, allowing us time to grow stronger in order to protect our people. You cant think that we will be able to convince all of the Sects, even if it didnt sound like insanity.

Tali knew that this would be the biggest obstacle that they had to cross. The Sects were built in a way that made what Hitor was suggesting hard to accomplish. They saw themselves as better than the Classers, they had honor and didnt engage in the pointless slaughter that they practiced often. To enter their lands uninvited, to spit in their eye and disregard their autonomy it was unimaginable. It would be a breach of personal honor, even though the Classers wouldnt see and understand it, it would mean something to the Sects. Invading with armies is what they did, not the Sects. It would lower them in their own eyes.

Hitor took a deep breath. We were meant to create a safe haven to Cultivate, to grow our power. To reach for greatness. And we stagnated, the entire world stagnated. We grew enamored with peace, playing in little conflicts that never caused any permanent harm. This Dome was a wakeup call. A single Dome caused all of this chaos, and it hadnt even been opened anywhere near us. An entire civilization brought to ruin and its people sent running. Our lands turned against each other. There are twenty-six Domes remaining, and we are not ready for them. This isnt just about stopping a threat, this is about waking our people up about waking everyone up.

Defeating a threat, saving others she didnt care about their safety, she cared that they saw her. Glowing brightly as she saved them. She cared that they loved her.

How long was it going to take, Tali wondered, before Awirren decided that what she had now was not enough. Before the beautiful and honored image that she built for herself shattered.

Repesh Emsis, Sect Head of the Midnight Reign Sect, shifted in his seat. What has been said, rings true. Ive spent centuries accumulating power, gathering and putting things in place. But even in undeath, I have felt the ages drag on. The power that is gained is a trickle compared to what I once experienced. The last true struggles we had were centuries ago. A Dome was opened, we no longer have the luxury of time.

Hitor nodded. I call for a vote, let us decide if we will go to war. And if we will use our influence to convince the rest of the Sects.

At that, Hitor raised his hand first. Ryun, Tali and Repesh followed closely after, then Awirren and Henna. Already, a majority, but the others followed too. All but Velorn.

And what will we do, if they all turn against us for daring to go through their lands? Velorn asked.

We will do as we have always done, struggle and prevail, Hitor answered.

With a sigh, Velorn raised his hand in the air.

We are all agreed, Hitor said. We will marshal the Sects to war.

Tali and Ryun sat in their lavish meeting room. Far grander than anything they had back in the Sect, and it was just a small part of the guest compound that was given to them. She looked over at the entrance where Lesamitrius was talking with his father, who had come as escort to the Sect Head of the Green Rain Sect. Ryun talked softly with the said Sect Head, just next to her. Warriors wearing the Green Rain Sect heraldry stood in the corner, trying not to look out of place. Erdania had pulled one of the Green Rains Sect Leaders aside and was about to drink him under a table.

It had come as a surprise to Ryun that the escort of a second in their invitation only referred to the Gathering of Sects itself, and that Sect Heads were expected to come with their full entourage. If she was being honest, it was their fault for not making it clear that they could have come with more than just the four of them. Tali had become accustomed to being alone, and Erdania had just attributed it to Ryun wanting to make a statement. Which he unknowingly did. All the other Sects had come with dozens if not hundreds of people as their escorts. The fact that they had come almost alone made them seem far more confident than they had intended.

She sighed as she listened back to the conversation. The Council had agreed to go to war, now it was on each member to convince as many Sects as they could. Their influence was what was going to guide the Gathering. The Twilight Melody Sect had relationships with many of the Sects in the frontier. Tali had influence not because of who she was, but because of stopping the undead attacks years ago. It was a bit refreshing, most of those Sects were young, their people barely knew who she really was.

The Green Rain Sect would follow their lead, it was clear from the moment they spoke with the Sect Head that he respected Ryun and her power. They would need to speak with a few more Sects over the next few days, but Tali could feel that she would soon run out of excuses. Sigmund had been sending her messages daily, wanting to talk and she she had rebuffed him, using responsibilities to her Sect as an excuse.

She knew that they needed to have a real talk, but she was hesitant. She glanced at Ryun and wondered what he would do in her place. The answer was simple, he wouldnt hide, that was for certain. She closed her eyes and made a decision. Tomorrow, she was going to accept his call for a meet.