Various notes sent to Head Scholar Lauryn of the Fallen Star Pavilion.
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Lauryn,
I should not have raised my voice at you earlier today. My frustration got the better of me. That was unfair to you, and I apologize.
Call me stubborn for bringing up a tired topic, but I worry about tomorrow's vote. This is certainly a poor way to follow up on my apology, but I hope you consider this an admission of how important I deem the situation at hand. The matter of the new dragon must be addressed even if I risk worsening our friendship over it.
I strongly disagree with ZuanBing's stance and think we must start sending out information to the Empire and the Cities. Knowledge will be their best defense. This is why we have been revising the manuals: preparing the Cities for the possibility of a resurgence of the Plague. This information will be crucial for maximizing the survival rate in each City if the new dragon brings the Plague again.
ZuanBing believes we are acting too hastily, and that we risk panicking the Cities without properly verifying our concerns. But what is the purpose of knowledge if all we do is sit on it? This goes against the Pavilion's First Law: The Pavilion will actively share its knowledge with mankind in a way that is comprehensive, unbiased, and understandable.
It is better to pacify each City afterwards than to let them stay ignorant of the potential danger now hanging over us, like the shadow of a half-broken tree limb. A new dragon has arrived and we have no idea what it wants or how it will change the lives we have come to expect in the last four centuries. We need to prepare the people even if nothing changes.
And do you really believe that nothing will change? The Red Emperor and the Nine Lords put an end to Summer's Plague when they subjugated DuskWing. DawnWing became IceMourne and lay claim to Winter, bringing about the dreaded frost. The death tolls from the first decade of Winter's Sorrows paint a gruesome picture as to what we can expect should this new dragon be anywhere close to the beginning of IceMourne's era.
I believe in your kindness. The time to act is now. The Pavilion should, at the very least, disseminate the information to each City Lord. Let each City Lord decide if they can prepare their City without mass hysteria.
I hope you vote accordingly tomorrow.
Your friend,
Yuya
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To Head Scholar Lauryn,
I ask that you vote nay tomorrow when Head Scholar Yuya brings up the matter of sending preliminary field manuals to each of the Cities.
Head Scholar Yuya is trying to prevent a problem that we have yet to confirm. I am trying to prevent ourselves from causing a problem. We stand to lose much if the Cities take drastic, and more importantly unnecessary, measures because they trust the Pavilion to deliver accurate and precise information.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
We have had our differences, but I believe we defer to each other's expertise in our specific areas of study. Head Scholar Yuya specializes in dragons, and I specialize in sociology.
I do not remind you of my field because I believe it gives my opinion on the matter more weight. No; I am concerned because I understand what happens when humans panic. Group stupidity and the rapid formation of in-groups and out-groups can be counted among the unifying factors contributing to each fallen City throughout history.
In case you are wondering about the excessive amount of reading material, I have included four volumes for you, bookmarked at relevant sections to show you what I mean. If you do not wish to spend time reading each of them, I ask only that you read The Rise and Fall of Aedynn, Section Nine, Solca's Lament.
The Pavilion's Second Law guides us clearly: The Pavilion will prioritize mankind's continued existence, even if the Pavilion's existence is at stake.
No amount of hedging could prevent this announcement from creating anarchy at a scale that will result in the utter collapse of multiple societies. If the Cities receive the field manuals, they will act, regardless of how much caution we include alongside them. And I cannot deny my empathy. It would be foolish for each City Lord to disregard the warnings, as the Plague's effects are so well documented in each City's Library.
However, this will then cascade downwards to the general populace. It is impossible for each City Lord to prepare the necessary measures intended to prevent the Plague's spread without throwing their people into panic.
I have sent a rider to Sanctuary to respectfully ask why the Oracle did not tell us about the new dragon, but it is unlikely to solve the immediate problem. The population isn't ready. No one is, not after four centuries, and with this so unannounced.
It will not be too late to send out the manuals until after we have confirmed whether or not the new dragon of Summer also commands the Plague.
Respectfully yours,
Head Scholar ZuanBing
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To Lauryn,
I don't have much of an opinion about tomorrow's vote. Both Yuya and ZuanBing have made compelling arguments about the matter of sending out field manuals for each City to guide them on how to prepare for the Plague.
Realistically, I want to abstain from voting. You know I hate fighting, especially among friends, and I know they will see my vote less as a vote than as me taking a side. To see us so divided on this issue makes me sick.
But although we must make a decision, the Third Law of our Pavilion is clear: The Pavilion will strive to continuously learn and improve its knowledge, ensuring its continued relevance and accuracy.
I believe this falls onto our shoulders as Head Scholars. Is our internal division not a strong indicator that we do not understand the truth of the matter? If we had clear, accurate, and actionable information, none of us would be in disagreement. The light of knowledge illuminates all paths, and we find ourselves in darkness. Apologies for the weak metaphor.
Instead, I have a suggestion. We should consult Head Scholar Panmoru.
I understand this will cause everyone unease. This is not a light suggestion. We all witnessed his reaction when informed of Flangel the Wise's death. But the dead are with God Yven, and the living still depend on our collective role as keepers of knowledge.
I know the other two will disagree. I expect you to approach this idea with hesitation; we all want to give Head Scholar Panmoru the solitude he needs to grieve. But Head Scholar Panmoru is one of the few alive who remembers a time when DuskWing flew and the Plague spread throughout the Cities.
Our collective Sorrows amount to no more than two centuries—not even half of his lifetime. He was the one who wrote the Pavilion's Three Laws and oversaw the creation of the original field manual for combating the Plague's spread. It is by his decision that the Pavilion updates it once every decade, even though some consider it a waste of time.
If we have the privilege of first-hand experience and do not seek its wisdom during these uncertain times, what else can we rely on? I fundamentally believe he will know what is best, both for the Pavilion and for the Cities.
The Panmoru we know will eventually forgive us for interrupting his requested solitude. He is a Head Scholar first and foremost.
As are we all.
Dayton
P.S. I hope you can still make it to our weekly brunch tomorrow. I have been experimenting with strawberry cakes and I think you'll like this batch. No, I won't be using that time to convince you further. Cake time is not work time.