Born of Iron | Isamu Baelor

[Ra Vizsla]

Silence fell on the field. Most of the men surrounding the fields, still war torn and fresh from their battle with the pirates only days earlier, knew who the person was that was walking through their ranks.

The flags bearing the symbol of an iconic helmet with two mythosaur horns gave it away.

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The Mandalorian Clans had come to visit the Iron Empire.​

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Ra Vizsla, the Iron Wolf, walked down through the field accompanied by only two men. They were headed towards a makeshift fort near the smoking ruins of a vacant pirate encampment. Dead men and women were being hauled off in carts as Mand'alor and his escort walked by. The Mandalorians observed, slowly tilting their heads as they continued. There had been much death on this planet during it's liberation in the Unknown Regions.

Arondlight, it was called. An interesting marble.

But on the eve of war, why had Mand'alor come so far away from home?

Time would tell.

Ra stopped before the guards of the makeshift fort.

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" Ra, "​

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turning to look at all of the men, clearly introducing himself.​

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He wasn't a fan of using his title at every opportunity, though most people watched SCNN and had already formed the correlation.​

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" I seek private counsel with your leader. "​

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[member="Isamu Baelor"]​

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[Isamu Baelor]

“Proceed.”

The gates of the fort opened, unveiling the bustling activity inside. Soldiers garbed in Iron Guard, One Sith, or guerrilla armour scurried through the tents that littered the open space. It was here where the healthy, or healthy enough, called home. The safety, and comfort, of the fort’s interiors having been reserved for the sick, and wounded.

At the center, lay the Emperor’s tent. Its interior was bare, lacking any luxuries. What few he had, had been given to the sick and wounded. All that remained was a few chairs, a table, a rather uncomfortable looking bed, and a holo-terminal. Huddled around this terminal, Isamu, and his officers, examined a map of the region, discussing strategy.

The newly crowned Emperor’s face was bloody, and dirty. His armour burned, and damaged. Though the Crossbone Kings had been defeated, their forces had not been eradicated. Though emperor, Isamu continued to fights in the front lines. Fighting against the pockets of resistance tat still plagued the lands of Arondight; the marauders who preyed on the weak, and innocent.

“…and Daegon, you will take third battalion and ride south.” Isamu ordered, as he motioned towards the holographic map. “Crush this upstart warlord, and scatter his ashes to the wind.” He turned his head, looking over his shoulder, and took note of the Mandalorians presence. He returned his gaze to that of his officers, “You have your orders.” He concluded.

The officers saluted their emperor, and took leave of the tent. The holo-terminal powered-down, as turned to his guests, and approached them. “Mandalore.” He said, as he extended his arm in greetings. A show of respect for the Iron Wolf.

He knew little of this new leader of the clans, only that of the whispers which had reached his ears. They spoke of an honourable man, one who had mended the rift between the Clans, and the Crusaders. One who had declared a crusade against The Republic, and the One Sith. And now, he was face-to-face, with another Iron Wolf.

[member="Ra Vizsla"]​

 

[Ra Vizsla]

Ra was permitted to the front of the tent and was greeted by Isamu.

"Mandalore," the man said.

"Emperor...am I getting that title right? Warlord? King? Duke?" Ra gave a hearty laugh, clutching the man's arm in welcome, and then releasing so that he could proceed into the tent. "So many ways to go with it, really." The Iron Wolf turned to address Isamu, looking about the tent. Charming, he thought. Though Mandalore was much more extravagant, Ra felt much more at home out here in the Unknown Regions and in the dirt. It was more... welcoming to him than the silken road's riches.

"I see our reports didn't spare much in the way of detail. A new faction, rising in the Unknown Regions. Congratulations, Isamu, on your early victories." His eyes narrowed.

"Do you know why I am here?"​

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[member="Isamu Baelor"]​

 

[Isamu Baelor]

The Full Metal Emperor stood in stark contrast to the Iron Wolf. While the Mandalore was boisterous, the Emperor was contained. Isamu’s reputation was that of a serious, and humourless man. One who rarely smiled, and seldom laughed.

“Emperor” Isamu confirmed. It was not a title he claimed, nor yearned for. It was entrusted with him, by his people. It did not entitle him to riches, nor to luxury. Instead, It bestowed upon him a sacred duty. One to, above all else, protect his people.

Isamu motioned to the table, offering the Mandalore a seat. He took one of his own, and listened to the felicitations, followed by a question. “No.” He admitted, his answer blunt. ”It is strange to find you in the unknown regions, so far from your people.” He leaned forward, his eyes fixated on those of the Iron Wolf. “Why are you here?”

[member="Ra Vizsla"]​

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Isamu Baelor"]

Ra took the seat, as offered. He waited for an attendant to pour him a glass of his favored jogan juice before continuing.

"Tales of a great Iron Empire reached me, men and women who fought with the honor and voracity of a Mandalorian. To be honest, I originally surmised you were a fledgling Clan."

He crossed his right foot over his left knee.

"But, when I heard who you actually were... well. I wanted to personally come and see what you could do. Who you were. Why you are."

The Iron Wolf leaned forward, placing his drink on the table with his hand still over the opening.

"In the short two months I've been Mand'alor, I've met Emperors, Kings, Queens, Regents, Grandmasters. They're all so.... full of themselves. Dry. White bread. Are you?"

 

[Isamu Baelor]

“I’ll be frank, Mandalore.” Isamu said. “I held no desire for the title. No lust for power.” He admitted.

“But, for too long, my people have bled.” His words were tinged with regret. “They bled under the rule of the Sith. They bled under the rule of the Crossbone.”

“I never asked for it. Never felt entitled to it." His words sincere. "However, my people called on me. They charged me to guide them. To protect them. That is the duty, of which I bear.”

“And we must do our duty, no?” He asked. “Great or small, we must do our duty.” And to a man as Isamu, one whom had lost all that he held dear, duty was all that remained.

“That is what I am. That is who I am.” He said, emphatically.

“What of you, Mandalore? Who are you?” It was not a name Isamu sought, nor a title. He desired to get the measure of the man, who sat before him. To understand what drove him. To understand him.

[member="Ra Vizsla"]​

 

[Ra Vizsla]

[member="Isamu Baelor"]

Ra sat silent as the man smoke, his eyes fixated upon the man's face. Isamu spoke of duty, of his lack of a desire for the title. There wasn't a single King, Queen, Regent nor Emperor he'd met that didn't desire the title, that didn't feel like they deserved it, like they were the best for the job. Hell, even Ra desired to be elevated to Mand'alor when he claimed it. Out of sheer incompetence, there had been no other method to cull the Alor Council.

Isamu asked him a question.

"Who are you?"

Ra's eyes flared.

"The sum of a people's want for change, the product of Mandalorian rage in the face of apathy and corruption. And change is coming, Iron Emperor. It is almost here. It is why we are speaking."

 

[Isamu Baelor]

"I have known a great many things to be true of your people, Mandalore." Isamu began.

"I have known them to be fierce warriors." As experience taught him.

"I have known them to be honorable warriors." As reputation informed him.

"What I have not known, is for them to travel across the galaxy for words."

"We speak for a purpose. What is it?" He asked, lacking tact.

[member="Ra Vizsla"]​