Bryn'adûl | Consumers Gambit

[Tathra Khaeus]

​​Xaeldrask City - Teshet Metras, Home of the Seers​

​

​The tunnel cage delivered the elevator deeper into the planet, funnelling the small metal box through the complex system. The lights fluttered by, intervals of shadow and light cycling as the elevator continued to descend, switching rails as it entered Xaeldrask.

​The Seers had called their Chieftain from the front, bringing news of new ventures to further progress the goals of the Bryn'adûl. Immediately, Tathra returned following an easy victory. Whatever the Drael Seers had to say, it had always carried wisdom and was well-reasoned. However, today he was to hear from a Seer that was exempt from their hierarchy. An abomination, one who had struggled against the current.

​Some believed the poison that had once burned through him had afflicted his mind, twisting his shape and intellect into a stunted growth. Yet, all evidence pointed to something more exceptional.

​Tathra knew to trust the facts more than what gossip portrayed.

​He arrived, clad in freshly used armour; his Axe was caked in granite and blood - armour dirty and with additional scratches. He arrived a few moments early, in a large opaque room. It was cold, dull and had few lighting arrangements, casting the lengths of the room in shadow. It was a conference area for meetings between the Seers and distant military personnel. he recalled small details of it from various long distance calls. In the middle of the room sat an oval table, within it a holographic projection device. Seats sat adjacent to one and other, most unused.

​He parted the chairs, quickly pulling up a large screen, biding his time until Seer Ehud would arrive. Every inch covered with details regarding supplies and statistics. Battle readiness, regiments deployed, regiments on board ships - progress was steady. What could the Seer offer?

​| [member="Ehud"] |​

 

[Ehud]

Right... Left. Right... Left.

The disjointed sounds of Ehud's feet slamming against the ground was a constant beat on the harsh ground of Teshet Metras, perfectly on beat, like a crooked metronome. Today, his gait was quickened, as was his heart, the off-tempo booming of his large feet hastened by excitement and dread. He used it, drew upon his anxieties, meditated upon it, even as he hobbled.

He had caught the eye of the Chieftain. Now, he could only hope to hold it long enough for his purposes.

The elevator down to the meeting room felt like a short one. The door opened quickly, yet too slow for the Draelvasier's liking, and he entered into the room, his strange walk slowing as he approached his Chieftain. Tathra Khaeus, the apex of their species, easily the most powerful warrior Ehud had ever met. The war stories he brought back to Draemidus Prime were shared in the streets religiously. Seeing him now, Ehud had no doubt of their validity.

Not seeing him with his eyes; those were weak, and he could only pick out blurry shapes of red and grey. No, it was with his senses that he saw Tathra. There was a danger to him that was... delicious. Ehud didn't dare press the man's mind, but he could feel it's strength, the regimented presence of his brain. It was enough to stun Ehud for a moment.

He recovered quickly, widened gold eyes narrowing finally, as he stood in place, subconsciously straightening his bowed back. He realized what an opportunity this was. He was... unpopular... among the other seers. This was his one chance.

"My chieftain," Ehud began, inclining his head toward his progenitor, his dull gold eyes flashing. "You honor me with your visit."

"Returned from the front lines, I see," he mentioned with some humor, gesturing his hand towards the bloodied axe. "Your blade will rust if you do not clean it."

Ah, yes. The surefire way to appease the chieftain. Critique him. Nothing could go wrong with that.

But then again, Ehud was never one to shy away from what was on his mind.

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra's eyes did not shift from the screen as the Seer entered, finishing a recent supply raid report from Officer Bah'azet of the Brutes. It was the same, typical rundown yet Tathra always felt an itch to check - he kept a keen eye on his operations, all of them. Titian eyes shifted slightly, moving to the corner of his vision as the Seer spoke. The traditional greeting was given, followed by plying flattery.

Tathra straightened into a stiff posture, his spine craning to support the bulbous and lofty weights of either arm. ​​
​
"Greetings, Seer." ​​Tathra responded rather on an instinct than a punctual formality, his mind split among many other things as the guise of interest faltered - his dominant hand sliding away the holographic projections, their details evaporating into nothing as his eyes sat in a fixed, yet distanced regard toward the Seer.

​His remark regarding his weapon was no doubt some churlish front, compensation or bravado. Whichever it was, he cared little. He did not intend to dawdle. But he would rebuke. ​"You are correct. I do have more important matters to attend to, pending engagements require a clean weapon."

​The Chieftain took two steps toward the end of the table, adjacent to the Seer standing amidst the middling seating arrangements. Every movement shuddered deep in the earth, a resonating and calm tremble echoing through the ground all around as he moved. ​

"Time is short-' Tathra pulled out a slightly larger chair that sat at the head of the table, '-Your proposal." ​He sat, gesturing for the Seer to do so as well.

​| [member="Ehud"] |​

 

[Ehud]

Even an acolyte could have sensed the distractions plaguing Tathra Khaeus. Even without touching the larger being's mind, he could feel the waves, like a haze between them. Perhaps he was not as lucky as he thought. He had wanted the Chieftain's attention, not simply his presence.

He would simply have to gain that attention.

His comment on the Chieftain's lack of hygiene for his tools ran deeper than the man knew. Tathra was the perfect specimen of the Draelvasier. He was looked upon with adoration and respect. If the young, the impressionable, were to see him with a soiled weapon, perhaps they would like to carry around soiled weapons as well. Then, not only would they have one rusted axe, but a hundred, or a thousand.

But Ehud wouldn't press the matter. Instead, he simply sat when commanded, leaning his considerable weight on the chair built for their stature. He wrapped his own robes around him, bunching them so they fit comfortably in the chair. Finally, he spoke.

"I do not wish to waste your time, but my proposal requires some explanation. I do hope you'll endulge me." Ehud's eyes flashed gold again, but he pushed back the natural desire to affect Tathra's mind. This was his leader. All that he, and so many others wished to be. He would hear Ehud's proposal, and judge it fairly, of that, Ehud was sure.

"The galaxy is so very large. You know this better than any other Drael," he began, biting his tongue to stop the eager edge of his voice from spilling out. "Many different species, outside the Bryn'adûl. Perhaps none as magnificent, none as powerful as our own..."

The turn in the conversation could be seen a mile away, a seer didn't need to tell one that. The but.

"But we know so little of our enemies. How can we truly know if we are the strongest, when we are so ignorant to their ways?" Ehud absentmindedly straightened his back while he talked, bringing him to his full sitting height, taller than Tathra himself. "I wish to pull their ways from their minds."

"I wish for prisoners. To be brought back to me. So we can learn of our enemies, gain an understanding of them, better than what weapons they use, or what formation they fight in."

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​​Resting into the seat, Tathra listened to the Seer as he explained that this would not be a simple discussion. The notion of an exchange gnawed at him, his busy time strained as he collected himself. He didn't respond, listening as Ehud made sure to take every chance he could to compliment his Chieftain. Atypical of human tactics of persuasion.

"Many different species, outside the Bryn'adûl. Perhaps none as magnificent, none as powerful as our own..."

Tathra removed the Axe from the magnetic holster on his back, dominant hand lowering the weighted shaft as the bloodied head rested against the edge of the table. The heavy clank left a silence in the air, eyes not sitting on the Seer - both waiting what would follow. Draelvasier beliefs were built on the foundation of violence, of its brutal and honest nature.

​Ehud was being evasive, a quality perhaps born of his abnormal development. At least, that was what most would levy it on. Tathra's mind was strained and Ehud's offense did little more than cause an busy mind to ache momentarily. A dry and muffled stream of hot air left the Chieftain, accompanied by a quiet groan as he adjusted his seated posture.

​Whilst the Seer continued to talk posing a question of knowledge to the Chieftain. However Tathra found himself unable to ignore the Axe's bloodied exterior - his body did not flinch to acknowledge it; instead he used the table, calling the Guard through their intercom. ​"Bring me a sterilised cloth." ​Tathra requested, settling back into his chair as the Seer remained poised, waiting for a response.

​There was a flinch of annoyance in the Chieftains expression, he'd heard it all before. ​"Because everything they are, has bred weakness. Weakness that infects every innocent under tyrannical leadership. The common human is little more than an insect, this is because of their ways."

​Tathra refrained from rattling on, he would give Ehud the chance to defend his beliefs.

​| [member="Ehud"] |​

 

[Ehud]

Ehud was alarmed when Tathra brought up his axe, even as he tried his best to hide it from his face. He funneled his fear into his future sight, using his seer training to look a few seconds into the future, to ensure he wouldn't be executed then and there. But a few moments before the Chieftain asked for a cloth, Ehud had relaxed.

But then he tensed up again.

The chieftain dismissed him so easily, so off-hand, as if it didn't matter. As if all Ehud wanted was worthless. Tathra was able to disregard his idea, like the blood he was about to wipe from his weapon. It frustrated Ehud, enough that he forgot his reservations, and used the frustration to skim the surface of Tathra's mind. Not enough to be noticed, except if the warrior were to be paying attention.

And the Chieftain dared to wait, as if openly welcoming Ehud's rebuttal. As if he wouldn't rebuff it just as easily. Ehud's anger was like a fly, buzzing around his head, distracting him. Instead of letting it buzz, Ehud mentally slammed it, and twisted it back into calmness.

And with it, a question for the Chieftain. A question that held Ehud's deference, but perhaps a hint of defiance. That spark of heat that all Drael had.

"Do you know the ways of the humans?"

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Whilst before the Chieftain had no intentions of entertaining the Seer's opinion, he felt the obscurity of foreign membrane touch his mind. As Chieftain, one must always be alert to threat; one must always be ready for betrayal, or misguided arrogance. Immediately the Titan's posture shifted slightly, his mind had been touched a thousand times over by the foreign power of the Seers - however he could not yet tell what Seer Ehud searched for.

​Tathra could feel the Seer's irritation then, muffled beneath the mixture of fear and respect that remained at the surface of his mind. It was not a surprise, all Baedurin were easily brought to ire. Including himself. In equal measurements Tathra felt a sympathy for the turmoil that played havoc with the Seers composure and intrigue in how the Seer would defend himself.

There was nothing distinct about Ehud's posture beyond the obvious physical abnormalities, he was not particularly exceptional. But he was not unintelligent, nor lacking of wisdom. The Seer knew he was playing with fire, a misstep in this cruel world of theirs could lead to an untimely demise. That was what finally caught Tathra's attention, his question. Seer Ehud was overstepping.

​They both knew it, but the Seer believed it necessary. Tathra remained silent for a moment, his eyes falling short of meeting the Seers. A visage flashed through his mind, images of technological cranes tearing into a planet - a vision of the destruction of their home-world so long ago. What followed was indiscernible, flashes of war and destruction. Humans cowering in their own filth on the corners of damp streets, old and feeble politicians deciding the fates of masses. Weakness. Disease. Filth.

​But it all remained below the surface, buried and controlled. Tathra did not flinch.

​"I know, humans." ​Tathra's baritone had remained neutral, instead it became strident and spiteful as the word passed his tongue. Humans. But it was also an acknowledgement of the Seers question, his head dipping in a small nod.

​"Their way is of luxury and convenience. Tolerance and acceptance. This has bred weakness, for every exceptional human there is a hundred thousand who exist solely to exist. They have no purpose, they live not to thrive but to die, old and insignificant. The species of the galaxy accept this, trillions from every planet exist simply to hold up the exceptional few. Even the lowest among us have worth. They do not. That is their way. Zabrak, Human, Echani, Mandalorian, Twi'lek, Ubese. They are all the same."

| [member="Ehud"] | ​

​

 

[Ehud]

Ehud studied his Chieftain as the man paused, looking for answers in the posture of the other, on the surface of his mind. He had felt Tathra's mind reacting to his gaze, but he paid it no mind. He was not intrusive. To force his way into the Chieftain's thoughts would certainly lead to death. He wasn't so blind as to ignore that fact.

Yet, he pushed. Because he had too. Still, he didn't expect so much as a reply. It made Ehud wonder, rather loudly in his mind, whether Tathra Khaeus had begun to take him seriously.

Still, Ehud didn't look pleased with the response. His eyes narrowed even as he bowed his head, quietly snapping his jaw. "You are wise, my Chieftain."

Of course, that wasn't all. Of course it wasn't. Tathra would learn, if he hadn't already, that Ehud wouldn't drop any subject that easily.

"And by your own wisdom, there are exceptional humans. 'Zabrak', 'Echani', all of them. Even if they are only one in a hundred thousand, as you hypothesized, these exceptional beings outnumber our people by many scores over." Ehud's tone began flattening, as he got into his stride. "In this way, they are a threat. Would it not be wise to study threats? Or shall we wait with our backs turned?"

There was no defiance in his tone this time. It was a logical conclusion, at least, in Ehud's mind. It didn't even occur to him that his last sentence was snappy, sarcastic, and disrespectful toward his leader and paragon.

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​​There was a mixture, persistence and impudence embroiled within a intelligent mind. Tathra stirred in silence, the muscles around his jaw tightened; straining as his cheekbones flattened - eyes unflinching. The impudence caused anger, lukewarm frustration deep beneath the surface of his hardened hide.

​But the Chieftain knew his Seers were of intellect, that whilst Seer Ehud had been an abnormality he excelled defiantly, this was Drael. He was brave to speak in such a manner. It was then, that a Sraelvun servant entered the room. Handing the cloth to Tathra, his upper mass anchored forward, grasping the Axe as he leaned its weighted shaft against his lap; cleaning the blade.

​The Axe, a catalyst for brutality. An extension of Tathra's ferocity, a weapon of skill and versatility. Every battlefield was an education, Tathra learned every time he killed. "These exceptional few among their kind, they are not among their artisans and labourers. What you seek, to learn. These exceptional individuals can be found on the battlefield. At the front. Where you've never been."

​Tathra continued to clean the blade, looking away from Ehud for a moment as he polished the weapon. ​"I've met these exceptional people. Each one, different and brilliant. In their own flawed human way." ​​Tathra raised the Axe, allowing him to run the cloth along the shaft as well.

​"And I've killed them all. It doesn't matter how much knowledge you have. But the will to act on it." Tathra was finished, setting down the Axe. Seer Ehud was putting his life on the line, they both knew that. The very fact he was here gave credence to it, he was Drael and a Seer of Xaeldrask. But, ever still his impudence strained the Chieftains tolerance.

​"What do you wish to learn from your prisoners?" ​His voice remained stern, strident and powerful. But controlled, the Seer spoke wisdom and Tathra would not allow the churlishness of its delivery to deter him from gain for his people.

| [member="Ehud"] |​

 

[Ehud]

Ehud smiled when he saw the chieftain cleaning his blade. It was a symbolic gesture, one Ehud hoped the Bryn'adul leader saw as well. The seer could only hope that Tathra would take more of his advise in the future, for both their sakes.

Clean blades lead to clean work.

Ehud nodded at Tathra's points, conceding that they were solid ones. Except for, perhaps, the chieftain's assumptions on who exactly Ehud wanted to study. It wasn't just artists and workers he wanted. He wanted all.

Ehud kept his neutral tone, however, trying not to be goaded to emotion. He smiled privately, locking onto his next point with a predator's fixation. "You cannot act on knowledge you do not possess, my Chieftain."

"It is true I have not seen battle," Ehud conceded, not masking his cautious tone with the subject. Seers were not expected, but discouraged, to go to war. Leave that to the shamans and their talents. But he had his own talents. "My condition does not lend itself well to exertion, and my talents in future-telling are too valuable to be squandered in a shamanic role." His pride was born out of facts and figures, not some self-aggrandizement unfitting for a seer.

"But the fact remains that I do hold power. All the Drael do. We must, as our culture demands. Theirs does not, as you said. They are permitted to be weak." The blind seer scratched one clawed hand with another, lost in thought. "We are facing a culture that is strong enough to allow weakness in it's citizens. It is a fascinating contradiction that has worked to sustain these civilizations for hundreds of thousands of years."

Ehud paused, realizing his chieftain would not care whatsoever about his revelations. "Apologies, I ramble."

"I simply seek to study the strengths and weaknesses of this contradictory culture. Devise a plan of attack. And act on it."

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​The Seer wished to express a lack of knowledge on his leaders part, Tathra's tongue coiled in his maw; a momentary lapse in his internal composure as anger stirred in his stomach. For over ten times of the Seer's lifespan, he had spent among the species of this Galaxy. What value was there to find in the minds of the weak.

Seer Ehud perhaps saw value where Tathra saw none, his perspective on the culture of the Galaxy was abnormal and uneducated. Where he saw a strength, Tathra saw unadulterated stupidity and tolerance in the excess. He stirred quietly, but once the Seer had finished his rebuttal was immediate.

​"Your naivety is amusing Seer. Civilisations rise and fall, when Empires ride to war? Trillions of their own die. Pointless lives with pathetic ends. This perpetual cycle is not a sign of strength, life always continues. The very fact they have continued this way for so long speaks to a true lack of strength." ​Tathra was leaning forward, gauntlets resting against his lap as his hands clasped together - almost looking beyond the Seer. There was a fire in his voice, his baritone rising as his passion became clear. This was the cornerstone of his Crusade.

​Tathra sat in contemplation for a moment, eyes falling on the Seer as a muffled sigh escaped him. Tathra had no qualms with strong minds, but Seer Ehud was dangerously close to speaking in a heretical manner, a manner that would place value where the Bryn'adûl knew there was none. ​"You must understand that, it is my responsibility to safeguard the course we chart. To disallow the disease of weakness to infect our own. There is no valuable knowledge to be gained from their laymen. You may wish to learn, but you must devise a plan that stems from reality, not from ignorance to it. I will allow you to take prisoners of their warriors, but nothing more."

​| [member="Ehud"] |​

 

[Ehud]

Ah, there's that fire.

Ehud felt the conviction bleeding off of Tathra like waves through the Force. It had the opposite effect that the Chieftain might have wanted, feeding the seer's own flame, even as he kept it shaded. It gave him faith. Faith that his cause, one held in such conviction, was the correct one. Even if they held different views on what strength, true strength, was.

Still, he couldn't see why the man still denied him his small victory. The seer would have to dwell on that particular conundrum.

"I am sorry for my naivety," Ehud conceded, although his body language did not give any ground. "It is born of ignorance." Of course Ehud took the time to use the belittlement to fuel his argument. He'd suffered enough to know how to take sour words in stride.

"I accept these terms." He crossed his hands in front of him, their long talons scraping against the table top. Taking prisoners at all would have been unthinkable before they had started this conversation. He would hold onto what ground he made today, and pick his next battle carefully. "You aren't incorrect when you say this information is dangerous. Like a disease. Should I show signs of weakness in my new studies, I recommend you terminate me immediately. Discourage this behavior in the future."

Ehud wanted the Bryn'adûl to thrive. He wanted to be the one to bring the next golden age. But he would not unknowingly orchestrate their downfall.

"I believe we are done here. Unless you have a request of me?" Ehud didn't move from his chair, but activated his double-sight, looking into the now, and the soon-to-be. Perhaps the chieftain wished a prophesy?

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​​"Recommendation noted." ​Was his only response, Tathra cared little for the sudden piety that the Seer evoked. They both knew that regardless of what he may recommend or suggest that at the heart of Bryn'adûl existence was a singular truth.

​You survive, or you die. The brilliance of their society was its cycle of accountability, no single individual was above reproach. No single creature could dare threaten the truth of the Galaxy they had fought so long to bring to light. That he had. The Seer tread a dangerous edge, gleaning over the precipice in hopes finding some value in his diminutive existence.

​In part, he respected that courage. However, it was necessary he remain impartial and cautious of weakness. ​"No. I require nothing further of you. Return to your duties, Seer." ​Tathra's response was half-focused, his mind had already left the room long before his massive form followed, exiting the door.

​All that remained now was for Seer Ehud to produce a result of worthy standard.

| @Ehud |​

 

[Ehud]

As the Chieftain left, Ehud bowed his head reverently. This may have been a small footnote in the day of Tathra Khaeus, but to Ehud it was everything. The first step in a long path. One that would require dilligence, patience, and ruthlessness.

The ascension of the Bryn'adûl was the goal of each of it's members. But no other had the drive that he did. No other had the ambition that he did. And most importantly, no other had the knowledge that he would have.

"And you to yours, my Chieftain," he said, head still bowed.

He respected his Chieftain. Tathra Khaeus was everything he wished he was, a being who had proven himself as the ultimate conquerer and leader that they needed. Even if they did not see eye to eye, Tathra was the leader the Bryn'adûl needed. The order, the stability, that a young people such as them needed. But Ehud would be the progressive. The change.

But first, he had to prove he was worthy of respect.

He had work to do.

[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​