A Cultural Conundrum

[Armand Temi]

Location: Imperial Palace, City of Ravelin, Bastion

The young Umbaran, Raknar Myles was met at the docking bay in Ravelin by a Primeval emissary to the Host Lord to escort him to her court. Raknar, having secured this post through a series of family contacts, was under the impression that he was going to be an herbalist of some kind so he was quite surprised when the emissary said with no apparent emotion or concern:

“We are looking forward to having a new cultural advisor, especially after the last one was executed.”

“Oh?” was his only response. At the emissary's statement, Raknar instinctively touched his pale neck but being Umbaran, he was also able to hide his emotions as well. With a thick accent, he asked, “What was his crime?”

Raknar was not given the courtesey of an answer and the emissary said nothing else for the entire ride over. This gave him plenty of time to muse over what would be the first day of his new life outside of Umbara. He had only been off of his home planet once or twice. And now he was supposed to be the cultural advisor? He knew nothing about the galaxy, nothing about other cultures aside what he had read in books, on the holonet and from the odd museum. He was educated of course, but only after he was no longer considered a servant in his Master’s household. At even a basic level, Raknar actually didn’t even know what the cultural advisor was supposed to do for in court, but he did know that a monarchical system worked primarily on what favor you could provide to the God-Empress - and her most beloved counsel - at that moment. In his mind it was that simple.

They entered the Palace and awaited entry into the Throne Room. Raknar wore a black high necked tunic, matching pants and black leather boots. A brooch at his neck signified what Umbaran family he was from. He was slightly anxious at this meeting, especially now that there was an apparent mix-up of the court responsibilities he would have, but he had already risen far up in status during in his young life – mostly by deception, subterfuge, lies and deceit. He would not turn away this new post because of inexperience. If Raknar was good at something it was getting most beings to do what he wished and to believe what he wanted them to believe about him. Since he was Umbaran he felt confident he could study the God-Empress to figure out what made her tick. But he would need to be cautious as Anja Aj’Rou, also an Umbaran could do the same with Raknar.

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

 

[Boethiah]

Nothing on Bastion was ever as it seemed to be and even as the denizens conducted their daily routines the suspicious nature of their leaders remained unseen. It was this lack of evidence that boasted itself as the greatest evidence for when something sinister had been going on. This once Imperial haven was not just the possession of The Primeval it was in all but name their capital. The Imperial Palace was the home to Anja Aj'Rou--their leader--and was essentially the front office for their entire government; if it were called such.

This was probably not the deep thought of her latest cultural advisor. The position was originally a neglected one but now it had risen to becoming the most stressful and otherwise necessary role within her advisors. Sure; she had advisors on war, economics, and even medicine but the cultural advisor was always out of place. They hadn't any need for someone of such status until they conquered many worlds and each one too soon after the other. This 'over extension' as one might call it was an administrative nightmare and deciding whether to purge a world or appease to their populace was an important decision to make. So it would be that such an authority rested in the capable hands of the 'cultural' advisor.

Things changed... The last one to hold the title had been executed. Why? Unimportant! More important was finding a suitable replacement and assuming this Umbaran from Umbara was little more than a foreigner they may very well have just the person they need. It's a well kept secret that the now independent Umbara has become a gateway for new sects. After all Umbara was the birthplace of The Primeval some millennia ago and now another family has attempted to join the fold; and be successful at it.

The court opened up to their guest. A large door was swung open, several guards lined the halls and inside on the throne chair once reserved for the Fel Dynasty was the Aj'Rou Queen of Bastion, Anja. Her poise, her presence, her very aura screamed regal but she dressed with such passion and zeal for her beliefs, symbolism--not wealth--became her markings. It was this very nature of the woman that offered inquisitive thoughts to all who met her. She had so much power in her hands but did not squander it. Of course it would be a grand mistake to attribute humility to kindness for she was not a kind person. Her mercy was limited and wrath untold, a force to be reckoned with and a woman who beckons the march of armies with words.

Ah what a thrill that so much can be said yet she remained silent, staring as the man inevitably entered. Who would he become? Or perhaps; how would he end?

[member="Raknar Myles"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Raknar was finally able to get a first-hand look at this woman who was essentially in charge of his new life. She was not, as he expected, dressed in riches and regalia as would befit an Empress. She also wasn’t dressed plainly, but her power appeared to be understated. It was clear to the Umbaran that she did not need to show her strength with a screaming display of gaudy finery. His first impression, whether right or wrong was that his God-Empress was cerebral and philosophical. She held an unreletnting gaze upon him and now it was his turn to make a move.

He clasped his hands in front of him and strode up to the Fel Dynasty-era throne and then got down on one knee in a low, supplicating bow.
“Your Grace, I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Raknar said in a raspy baritone. He glanced around the room to see if there was anyone else he needed to address, but not knowing her courtiers well enough, he continued his dialogue with her alone.

“As your new cultural advisor I humbly present my services to you for whatever you need. If I you would allow me to listen to your present problem, I can indeed help you solve it. But of course I can only give you options and I have the highest faith that my God-Empress will always make the right decision when it comes to cultural matters. And to do it with great intelligence and beauty."

His voice was silky, the cadence almost musical. This near-mocking level of flattery would have one of two reactions from the Host Lord. She would either appreciate his immediate servile attitude and rest assured that he would not betray her. Or she would be thoroughly disgusted by someone who appeared to have not much backbone upon first glance. As he looked around the room, he suspected the former based on how the rest of the court seemed to walk on eggshells around the God-Empress. The pale Umbaran lifted his hooded eyes to her but would not rise unless she indicated he could do so.

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja was the Host Lord, regarded as being the highest office of power within The Primeval and there tended to be confusion by this. The Primeval was both a governing entity as well as a religion but only became referred to as such by those who partook in a 'Host' where thousands of their crusaders leave their homeworld behind to seek the lost Gods. The lack of namesake within their body has offered little insight to who or what they serve outside of themselves. So from that perspective she is law, her word gospel, and every action sanctioned by divine right. So in theory she also had the power to reshape the religion itself.

That didn't mean no one within The Primeval would ever question a Host Lord but Anja being by far their most successful would be granted trust even where doubt exists. How far the limits go remains to be seen and likely they will never come to be seen. A cultural advisor was needed because although she had the trust of her faithful she--they--are the enemy of those who are not. Conquerors, killers, tyrants; there's many words that might be used to describe The Primeval by those who do not worship their Gods.

The witch motioned her hand so that he may rise. Pleasantries and formalities presented to royalty were not within her taste but she did not criticize him for his choice of action but some of the others around them began to whisper to each other.

Anja stood up from her throne chair and walked down to meet him, stopping only two meters away. "Your optimism is appreciated. Give me a name to call you and I shall remember it." She turned to walk around him and continue her path behind him before stopping again.

"But do not mistake my patience for tolerance. If you do not do as expected, you will not be remembered kindly." Her tone had not changed at all, it remained calm and even tranquil at times. The way she smoothly moved from word-to-word came naturally like she had rehearsed the lines many times over.

[member="Raknar Myles"]

 

[Armand Temi]

Raknar rose when instructed and watched her approach with his pale blue eyes. Even though he stood taller than the Host Lord, he felt very small in her presence. It could also be that the entire court was staring at the both of them and frankly the only person who probably felt the most at ease in the room was Anja Aj’Rou.

“My name is Raknar Myles,” he answered, clasping his hands together to rest in front of him. His gaze did not follow her as she walked behind him. After she made it quite clear he was to do as he was told without question – which is what Raknar was used to anyway - any special whim or care he had for his own needs was done in absolute secret and this would continue in his new post as well.

“My Lord, what is it that you expect of me?” he asked, still looking straight ahead. “I am eager to begin my assignment for you and would ask for some guidelines in order to get started.” He hoped that wasn’t too much to ask but if he wasn’t going to be an absolute disappointment, he did need a place to begin. Until he could better read her in the special way Umbarans could.

[member="Anja Aj'Rou"]

 

[Boethiah]

Anja's pace changed once again. She stepping to the side she wandered back around and as earlier was now standing in front of him, having done a complete circle. She didn't say any words, her eyes stared through him as if she was trying to see something that no one else could see. By the time she was finished she walked back up to the throne and took a seat.

"I don't know what you're used to but it takes very special circumstances for a foreigner to enter league with us." She used the term foreigner which was quite unusual for the Host Lord who did not respect the concept of political boundaries. Why she even used the term at all was a mystery but perhaps she was just trying to make a point and felt the word did just that. Whatever reasons she had were her own and surely by the way she seemed content it had done its job; whatever that may be.

She leaned back into the chair, as comfortable there as she was in her private chambers. "Your only guidelines are to fulfill the agenda of myself. If I want you to quell a world you will do so, if I seek advice you will give it." The position of cultural advisor meant he had quite a lot of freedom as far as carrying out his duties went but his discretion was limited by her patience, interests, and tolerance. If he didn't get to know her sooner than later that would be his undoing. Besides; it is expected of someone who needs to figure out how to solve problems to be able to at least figure out the personality of their leader. If he didn't then what was the point of him being here?

[member="Raknar Myles"]