Eyangtui World Summit | Zastasia | Interlude

The Marquis, Dion A'lahn Hosleare, is formally attired in an ornamental robe and a silver circlet. He sits grimacing between his stony faced colleagues.

To his left is the High King Solidore in an elaborate ornate robe, lavishly embroidered in gold with silver trim, and a crown boasting three shards.

To his right is the Sultan Azurani in simpler gold and silver silk garments. A large white turban dangling with alvarrian crafted asurai fragments hugs his crown. The excess of his turban's fabric drapes over his shoulders.

The three were few among many of the world's royalty and high ranking government officials, all in attendance at the World Summit. The raised dais where they sit importantly is just one identical among many set in curved rows. Not unlike a lecture hall, Dion thinks.

For many days now, Dion has been suppressing yawns and stifling chuckles from the sultan's jibes at certain officials. However, after perusal of the morning papers, a feeling of unease occupies his thoughts. There is no doubt his trusted protegé and overseer of the Hosleare Estate, James, has been directly responsible for the 'attack' on Borintass.

Were it any other occasion, a simple disciplinary action would suffice and he could follow through this summit with unwavering disinterest. Though he knew the events in Borintass were linked to the Lucaceous.

The presence of Solidore didn't assist in easing his throbbing headache. He sneaks a glance to his left, the king seemed entirely absorbed by the Drahstrehelion speaker. Dion forces his attention back to the speaker.

"Decreed by the imperial family, until further notice Drahstrehl will close off all ports in and out of the empire. Furthermore all visitations in and out of the borders has been strictly prohibited."

Dion snaps to attention. He leans to his right and whispers to the sultan. "Afraid I caught my mind wandering, what is this?"

"You've not heard?" Azurani whispers back. "The Drahstrehelion officials would never admit this, but there is rumour the Dusk Shard was stolen by a thief in the night."

"Impossible." Dion considers the Drahstrehelion ambassadors, their expressions were too placate to form any speculations. He leans in once more. "Is there any more to this rumor?"

"The thief is rumored to par the ranks of the gran celestials." Azurani lowers his voice even further, "this thief is also rumored to bear the insignia of Drahsrhaeon."

Dion nods graciously.

Azurani leans in once again and in a lower voice he adds, "though I'm speculative if the two events are related, it is also rumored the Kossirian Empire has allied themselves with Sohmnian forces."

Dion considers this and begins to wonder if the Lucaceous has any correlation with the events happening behind the scenes. "Do you know of the Lucaceous?" He whispers to the sultan.

"I only know what I've heard from legends, why so curious?" The sultan and Dion briefly share a glance.

"Recently I've had it in my possession, though I suspect that's no longer the case."

The sultan considers this thoughtfully. "I don't know much, and few people do." He looks around the hall and gestures with a slight nod of his chin to a dalkarian in a simple robe with gold trim. "Kiyoltik Masurai, no doubt he will know."

Dion observes the respected silver haired Dalkarian of four hundred years. An evening soiree appeared to be in order.

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That evening, after meticulous preparations and the aid of his advisors. Dion managed to arrange an evening soiree with notable influential figures necessary to accomplish particular affairs for his majesty, the High King Solidore. He extended many invitations to familiar acquaintances and to of course the Gran Keltea Masurai.

Long into the evening, after completing tasks - with no assistance from the High King himself - he'd still yet to welcome the dalkarian.

Finally with the last departure of his guest. Dion departs for his study, matters of Ayildur weighing on his mind.

Though his study here did not compare to the one of his estate in the Silver Alps, its ambience was still suited for rumination.

The study was fashioned in the Zastasian style. Simple furnishings with native potted reeds and grasses. A minimalist fireplace surrounded by two white damasks accentuated with matching carpet, and a sturdy writing desk situated between the windows.

"I understand you were wanting to speak with me Marquis?"

Dion jumps at the voice. He searches the room and sees the dalkarian seated in one of the wingbacks. His presence almost invisible amid the space.

"Gran Keltea," Dion bows respectfully.

"Please, you may call me Masurai. I'm wearied down coming here." Masurai motions to the damask beside him. "Have a seat. I asked your servants to bring us tea, I hope you do not mind."

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Dion settles into the damask. "Of course not Gran Masurai, it's truly an honor."

The Gran Keltea chuckles. "So I've been told many times. You need not fret with formality Marquis, I've long retired from nonsensical politics."

"But surely you're here at the Summit?"

"I've not grown senile if that's what you're alluding to." The Gran Keltea's eyes twinkle with humor. "My nephew cannot be here in person so I've arrived on his behalf. Ah, that'll be the tea."

A lovely alvarrian serving woman enters with a porcelain tea set and places it onto the coffee table between them.

She begins to pour it out when the Gran Keltea stops her.

"I appreciate it young lady, but I'll handle it from here."

She glances uncertainly towards Dion who dismisses her with a nod.

"You've a humble disposition despite your ranking." Dion comments.

"Humble?" The Gran Keltea fills their cups. "I'm only pouring tea." He hands a cup to Dion, "there you are Marquis." The Gran Keltea raises his own cup. "Good health."

"Good Health," the Marquis nods and takes a refreshing sip. The tensions he'd been accumulating dissipate with each sip. "Vaj'ak?"

"I've always been preferential to the alvarri's taste in tea." The Gran Keltea smiles. "Now tell me what knowledge I can share?"

Dion readjusts his seating position. "It concerns a shard. The Lucaceous to be exact."

The Gran Keltea takes a few silent sips before speaking. "Are you familiar with the historical significance of Dalkaria's Fallharian war?"

Dion nods. "As familiar as with what is conventionally known."

The Gran Keltea settles his cup. "It so happened in that era of primordial confliction, that the Lucaceous was first documented. Those recorded events, according to our records, occurred after Ketroas succeeded Eldaeon's legacy. Though the details are referenced at minimum."

"Then perhaps it was only a coincidence that Ketroas should come across the Lucaceous." Dion takes a sip.

"So it would appear and Ketroas intended. Granted the title of Grand Keltea at such a youthful age, Ketroas was a genius never to repeat. The subtlest aspects from speech to movement were deliberate, existing outside the spectrums of time, a living divinity and supreme authority." The Gran Keltea gazes deeply into space.

Dion ponders his words. "That is not unusual, these are primordial ages after all. The vast majority of my generation are also unaware. The Lucaceous, in spite of its minimal mention from Ketroas, was monumental in the waning civilization of the Fallharians."

The Gran Keltea nods. "Yes, its records are from the height of the Fallharians' decline."

"Perhaps result of the Fallharian desolution?" Dion enquires.

"No. I've ruminated and meditated on this period, and its truth became apparent when I received information regarding the pillars." The Gran Keltea refills their cups.

Dion graciously accepts another cup. "The pillars? Are these Dalkarian legends?"

"Yes. Among our legends, there exists one in particular involving the traversing of distant worlds in the time of Ketroas. After the wasting of Hahvallah, the Fallharians are said to have used a deifacted machine to traverse from Eldaeor to another, a world predisposed toward sattvik energy alone." Gran Masurai sips.

"The subtlest energy." Dion remarks.

"The opposition of daevik and preceding Celestial energy in its likeness." The Gran Keltea adds.

Dion nods. "And where does the Lucaceous come into the picture?"

"The Lucaceous is an anomalous artifact, appearing and disappearing throughout time. It exists outside this spectrum of existence. It is a creation of Eldaeor, of daevik and sattvik infusion. It percolates anything we can presently comprehend." The Gran Keltea's resumes sipping.

"Impossible!"

"Yet you happened across it." The Gran Keltea raises his brow questioningly.

Dion ponders in subdued silence.

"It is a creation of the future. As such, it holds a higher authority than the supreme ones."

"Then I've been a fool to leave it in the hands of my protegé." Dion laments.

"Everything is happening accordingly. If it did not, it would cease its existence." The Gran Keltea reassures.

Dion ponders a moment. "What of in regards to the decline of the Fallharian civilization?"

"At the time, its power was utilized to allocate the Fallharians to a distant world. The vast majority departed Eldaeor. Although a few remained."

"This machine you've mentioned, the pillars between worlds, where can its ruins be found?"

The Gran Keltea settles his cup. "The ruins of its existence are present all over Eldaeor."

Dion laments further to his acquisitioning of the Lucaceous. "When I recovered the artifact, it was in possession of the Okari."

"The Okari are perceptive people and with the Lucaceous, they are able to enhance their perception, surpassing everything outside this existence." The Gran Keltea comments.

"If I'm not mistaken, everything that must be will be regarding matters of the Lucaceous?"

"To a point. The shard may have capabilities that succeed the supreme ones, but what can be accomplished is determined by the possessor." The Gran Keltea rises. "You must forgive me Marquis, but it is rather late and I'm quite an elderly man."

Dion jumps to his feet. "I do apologise! Certainly. You've elucidated certain things for me." Dion bows.

The Gran Keltea returns a slight bow and is escorted to the entrance by the Marquis.

Afterwards, Dion returns to his study, ruminating the Gran Keltea's words and the Lucaceous.