Private Cold Solace

[Herrel Eldar]

| Location | Cin'ciri Mountain Range, Resa
| Objective | Seek Counsel
| Tags | Runi Kuryida

He had chosen to walk. Herrel didn't have to, he could have landed somewhere closer to Resa. But it had been some time since he had been on Kestri, since he had walked in the shadow of its mountains. So around morning he landed at a settlement a few klicks away and began his journey to Resa. He avoided roads and instead chose to travel the cliffs and peaks. Putting aside tools such as his jetpack and grappling hook, which Herrel chose not to use for this pseudo-pilgrimage, Herrel was well equipped to scale such surfaces. His long limbs and claws found easy purchase in the rock faces, and his strength hauled him up them at a fair pace. He was more suited to this planet then most Mando'ade. In truth, he could make this journey naked. He did not need to activate his armor's environmental controls to keep him warm, his thick fur took care of that.

To Herrel, Kestri was peace. It was stillness. It was quiet. For his journey he had no company but the falling snow and the whistling wind. Midway through his journey as he scaled a mountain there had been a break in a sheer cliff. A portion where some of the rock had fallen away, leaving a cavity where he could hoist himself up and rest. He found there a small Grulyr Cebatr sapling. The seed must have gone on quite a journey to take root in the rock, picked up by a fierce bout of wind and deposited here. There was likely beskar underneath then. It looked young, but then Grulyr Cebatr grew slowly, it could be as old or older then him. Perhaps Herrel would climb this mountain again some years from now to see how it had grown. It was a nice view, after all.

After resting there for a time Herrel resumed his journey and by late afternoon he had reached Resa. Herrel had learned much of the rock climbing skills he had used on his journey here as a child, when he had scrambled up and down the slopes Resa was built upon. After he had seen to his purpose for coming here he would visit old friends and family. But only after.

Herrel went straight for the Briirud, quickly ascending the stone steps that lead up to the plateau it was built upon. There were other Mandokarla there, who he greeted warmly and was warmly greeted by. But they were not who he was here to see. It didn't take long to find her, she was hard to miss. Herrel greeted her with a bow and with a fist upon his chest. "Su cuy'gar, Jorhaa'ir. I seek your counsel," spoke Herrel Eldar to Runi Kuryida.

 

[Runi Kuryida]

:: RESA, KESTRI​

The dark haired woman stood with a shadow of a smile on her lips as her hazel eyes watched younger Mandalorians limp down the hallway. Sometimes the very young needed to be shown their Jorhaa'ir was as strong a warrior as any other. That often meant by way of introducing them to her wooden swords. There were quite a few tricks she had yet to teach such able minded and bodied pupil.

She turned her head and the shadow of mirth evened out as her eyes fell upon the visage of another. Herrel Eldar. The young man, a Talz, was headed straight in her direction after he passed through the Briirud's open doors. He was not unknown to Runi; their community was much smaller especially in how many lived in Resa long enough to rise a family. Many came there seeking help and their number ebbed and flowed. Herrel had grown up there. She like to think she remembered every face, and one she'd seen so often certainly so.

"Ner tracyn cuyir gar tracyn, Harrel," the Speaker replied with a nod of the head. Her eyes roamed over the broad man's figure. "Especially if you hiked across country again." An open palm invited the man to the central chamber where a fire was always lit.

:: Herrel Eldar ​

 

[Herrel Eldar]

| Location | Resa, Briirud
| Objective | Seek Counsel
| Tags | Runi Kuryida

Herrel rose from his bow and stood straight, straight as he could at any rate. He followed the guidance of Runi's palm and moved towards the fire in a lumbering gait. As he did so he replied, "I did." Upon reaching the fire he slowly lowered himself to the ground, making himself comfortable. "It is good for me to do so," he continued after taking a seat. His gaze, or at least his helmet's gaze, did not leave the fire as he spoke. Nor did it for some time. The flames danced and their dance was reflected in his helmet's lens, in it's besk'ar.

After a moment Herrel looked away and his helmet turned to regard the Speaker. "I am conflicted," he said. It was a blunt, flat statement. As was typical of Herrel. "About the Mando'ad who refused the call of war. Who oppose The Enclave." He turned back to the fire, leaning forward and lacing his fingers together. "Many were hurt by this. In their anger they cry out, 'Dar'manda'." Again, Herrel was quiet for a moment as he looked into the fire. Then he again turned to the Speaker and simply asked, "Do you?"

 

[Runi Kuryida]

:: Resa, Kestri​

Runi settled in before the fire off to Herrel's side. At times she sat across from them so they had to peer through the flames, but in this case it was to one side. He had come seeking counsel and she had a sense a close proximity would do their discourse well. "I would never tell you not to while you're in good health." Herrel did have something of an advantage to most others that would attempt such a journey. Oh, there were those that did as he had. A good beskar'gam could help them survive. Kestri was not a gentle planet, and its trials were equally as arduous. It had its purpose. Its role. In a Talz's case its role might be more hospitable than a tropical clime at any rate.

After that exchange, the Speaker was silent and waited for Herrel to speak. He had come to her for counsel. There was no need to fill the void with chatter; he would begin when he was ready.

Once he did speak, she calmly turned to regard him with her hazel gaze.

"No." Runi did not look away or so much as blink in giving her calm, but firm response to his question. "Too many too freely judge others as Dar'manda. The ease in which they ascribe it to others conspicuously mirrors the fact they are opposed to some proposed action. A war, in this case." A muffled hmph behind closed lips bumped in her throat. "Mandalorians are warriors, but that is not all we are."

"What conflict do you wrestle with, Herrel?"

:: Herrel Eldar ​

 

[Herrel Eldar]

| Location | Resa, Brii'rud
| Objective | Seek Counsel
| Tags | Runi Kuryida

If she had said yes then that would have been that. Conflict resolved. But the Speaker had not said yes, she had said no. Her answer had come quickly and decisively. Herrel's clasped grip on his hands tightened in intensity, his claws scraping against the bes'kar plates affixed to the back of his hands. "I am conflicted because if they are not Dar'manda, then there is a crisis looming."

Herrel unclasped his hands and as he spoke further his voice was no longer calm. His helmet's synthesizer mirrored the emotion in his natural voice. Worry. "Catechism Three. Blades should be crossed with another Mandalorian to strengthen and train, never with the intent to murder." Herrel grabbed a piece of firewood and threw it upon the fire. "Catechism Eleven. If two groups of Mandalorian sworn to opposing factions should come into conflict, said conflict should be resolved without the needless shedding of Mandalorian blood. If combat is to be conducted, then it must be done honorably and by agreement of both parties, in respect of our ancient traditions."

"There is no agreement. There is only grudges." Herrel paused and again looked into the fire, gathering his thoughts. "Catechism Eighteen. Blood for blood." Herrel gestured with his arms towards the Speaker, palms up, as if to emphasize his next words. "They may not be Dar'manda now, but if things are left to fester, they will be. And it will not be them alone."

 

[Runi Kuryida]

:: Resa, Kestri​

"The Manda does not offer peace, Herrel, it offers opportunity to grow. Not only physically as some believe, but emotionally and spiritually." Runi grunted. "Mandalorian should not wage war against their own, but if left no choice, defend yourself. This precept does not mark a soul as Dar'manda if it is violated in isolation. It exists to warn the rash that bloodshed damages the offender even if they are the one left standing. Bloodshed against your own -- those that seek to follow their Path before the Manda -- hurts all the greater." It was more difficult to forgive yourself, let alone find forgiveness in the community for such crimes.

What then would be so odious to warrant being ostrascized in the Speaker's eyes? "If someone were to seek to annihilate Mandalorians, or the Manda, such might be truly Dar'manda. For in their heart they would have torn all teachings apart and spat on their remains. There may be nothing left to bring back into the Manda when their existence ends." It was a distinction she held compared to most that warranted her own creation of The Lost, Echoy'la.

"Both parties must recognize the conviction of the other. Accept the Path another walks may be their own. Show them a better way if they seem mistaken, but never force another to battle, nor strip a warrior of their ability to wage it unless doing otherwise would be an even greater suffering." Pacifists the Mandalorians were not and the Mandokarla -- and Runi -- would never advocate for it. If anything they would seek to block efforts to fully disarm; such idealism was innocent in nature, but foolhardy in communal practice. Their galaxy was not one meant for peace. It had not been designed for it. A reality that warranted people, like the Mandokarla, be there to help others recover from their emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds from the struggle of life itself.

"Someone of strong convictions may need to help those with grudges see the truth," Runi added as her eyes lay with Herrel. "To see that a battle against their vod is unnecessary; and that it will only bring suffering to all enveloped by it."

:: Herrel Eldar ​

 

[Herrel Eldar]

| Location | Brii'rud, Resa
| Objective | Seek Counsel
| Tags | Runi Kuryida

Herrel had not moved as he listened to the Speaker's words. He had not budged or twitched or looked away. Every word she spoke was met with his absolute full attention. It was only when she finished that he shifted, but it was only a slight movement of the head as he commented, "Your views on what makes a Dar'manda are lenient." There was no accusation or scorn in his tone as he said it. He was again quiet as he thought this over. After a few seconds of deliberation he nodded his head and said, "You are the Jorhaa'ir. This is the way." That was that. He looked back to the fire. His gaze lingered upon it again as he said, "Someone of strong convictions..." Herrel's voice had been quieter then. His helmet turned back towards the Speaker.

"Me." It was not a question, for there was no doubt what the Speaker intended. His helmet tilted downward for a second, looking toward the ground. He stood up then and paced around the fire for a moment, silent as if deep in thought. Suddenly he turned to face her and exclaimed, "Are you certain that I-" His voice stopped with an abrupt halt, cut off by his own hesitation. By his own doubt. A first for this conversation, and a rarity from Herrel period. Herrel was not prone to angst or doubt or conflict. He was a man of conviction, of surety, someone who had found an ironclad truth to believe in.

But sitting in the Brii'rud, in the place he had grown up in and in front of the Speaker, as his people once again went to war and confronted by the magnitude of the duty she was trusting him with, Herrel was at his most vulnerable. And it was easy to imagine the end of that unfinished sentence.

Are you certain that I am worthy of such a task?

 

[Runi Kuryida]

:: Resa, Kestri​

Runi didn't flinch at Herrel's remark. She never tried to hide her 'leniency' toward those many had labeled refuse -- unworthy of donning beskar'gam and standing in the presence of the righteous. Many did not know just how accommodating the Speaker was, of course; many likely had their own expectations and vision for who she was and what she believed without ever exchanging a word with her. That was a problem for them to contend with when the truth struck them. Runi, on the other hand, would find no embarrassment at outing herself.

Another time, perhaps, she might speak to Herrel again about the dar'manda. If he seemed to still hold any doubt. It was a nuance subject and even those Runi would seek to provide a path toward redemption did not always embrace it. Such was their choice. There was always a chance they would choose better in their next life.

As the man contemplated what had been said, the Speaker silently waited. It was not so uncomfortable a silence. It did not need filled. Not as long as Herrel was making the most of the opportunity to mull over how it might apply to him personally. Even when he stirred, the cloaked figure remain where he'd left her by the fire. Her gaze dropped to the flames in the moments of his contemplation.

When next he spoke, the Speaker's gaze lifted to meet his once more. "Yes. The question is whether you are? Being worthy of a thing, and able enduring its many trials, are not the same. Fortunately, you do not need to do it alone. There are vode that will support you." He needed affirmation, but Runi also felt Herrel had to be told at the forefront that being worthy of a thing did not mean success was inevitable. Many could be said to be worthy to step up to the starting line, not all finished the race. Still, Herrel had a deep, inner strength. One he was careful not to let others exploit, and mindful lest he become ensnared in something he shouldn't, but helping his fellow Mandalorian...? There was nothing to doubt there if he already had an eye, an ear, and a heart on the matter.

:: Herrel Eldar ​

 

[Herrel Eldar]

| Location | Brii'rud, Resa
| Objective | Gather Resolve
| Tags | Runi Kuryida

When the Speaker's gaze and words first struck him, Herrel looked away. His helmet tilted away to the side, unmoving as she continued to speak. The Speaker's words held a tangible weight, one that settled into Herrel's heart as he listened. A message of support, but also more. A challenge. A question. Are you? A question not easily answered. Herrel's hands tightened into fists and his helmet turned to regard the Speaker again. "I will try," he said. His helmet lowered as he bowed his head to the Speaker. "As always, your words carry great wisdom. Thank you."

It didn't take long for Herrel to transition from the question of if to the question of how. "I will need information. If I know nothing about them it will be hard to approach them." He tilted his head before continuing, "I don't even have a list of those who have 'turned'. I can reach out to individuals on my own. Larger groups, clans or other, I'll need help from other Mandokarla." He paused and considered that last statement, before adding an addendum, "Or whoever would be helpful."

 

[Runi Kuryida]

:: Resa, Kestri​

The Speaker nodded slightly. That Herrel would try was what mattered. It would not be only a Jedi that would state he either would or would not accomplish a thing tried, but Runi would not harp on it in such a way. It was not important whether he succeeded in convincing everyone to his side or not. You could never convince everyone to see things your way. You could, however, convince enough. Whether he did or not, however, didn't matter. It was not something Runi spoke of with the overwhelming majority of people, of course. It was not a lesson easily understood, nor accepted, by most. Everyone wanted to be the victor. Everyone wanted to leave the galaxy 'better' than they'd come in to it. Laudable, if foolhardy.

Would Herrel change the shape of the galaxy? Runi would celebrate such an accomplishment, but it was Herrel's own soul that held her interest. Not the galaxy. Every individual was important. Get enough of them on the right paths through life and the galaxy would tend to itself. Such was why Runi counseled Mandokarla students and Masters not to become swept up in crusades -- Mandalorian or philosophical alike. Those pursuing the so-called 'Big Picture' often lost sight of the smaller ones. The galaxy needed people to pay attention to the 'minor' details so those carrying on about grand causes had something to come home to in the end.

"The Mandokarla can, of course, provide certain details -- who favors which pursuit, what their concerns are. There are others outside of our number they may help as well." Other individuals or groups that may be less... discrete or circumspect in what was shared. Runi -- and by extension the Mandokarla -- would not become informants of 'disfavored' beliefs. To be seen as such would undermine their purpose. Still, if a Clan or Alor made known their stances publically then why not pass along such information?

"You should speak even those you believe to hold a certain position. While they may share a similar sense of the direction the Enclave should take, the particulars may prove... incompatibile especially as you seek to rally various parties together. Best to prepare how to navigate and compensate for such." Arrogant assumptions could prove as fatal as ignorance.

:: Herrel Eldar ​