Chapter 74:

Chapter 74: Things truly work the best when family and kin work together




All species think differently, they feel differently and they exist differently, but each species can exist in what Eldar scholars call the spectrum of existence and all our cultures fit somewhere in it.

This spectrum encompasses all that a species can feel, be and interact as with the universe around them and various species have their spectrum of existence overlapping which allows for diplomacy and peaceful interactions as two or more species use the commonalities in the way they think and exist in order to understand one another. Sometimes the commonalities in culture and species are so great that two become one and either one Adopts the other or Marriage happens.

The Eldar have the widest spectrum of existence in the Great Wheel, and we used to have it even before we were adopted by the Old Ones, but the Old Ones had the most narrow and alien one in all of existence, despite 99% of all life in the Great Wheel coming directly from their seeding efforts one way or another. Even the life that doesn't come from their seeding efforts has more in common with the life they nurtured than the Old Ones do, for they have the Spectrum of Existence of Swords.

They operate by Sword-logic, their souls only capable of understanding and caring for the rest of the Universe as Swords do and the species capable of coming the closest to their way of thinking are also those they favor the most.

The old Children of the Stars came the closest to understanding our not-yet adoptive parents because at our hearts and souls we were artists, and artists create art for an audience and the only art the Old Ones appreciated was Conflict, and so we had to understand what that meant and how to create art for it because the Old Ones came and asked us to perform for them as we did for the rest of the species of the Galaxy.

They demanded of us great shows and dramas of galactic conflict, of death, of treachery and carnage and despair and we provided it to them for they were generous patrons and laid down the Law on all those that dared interrupt their favorite past time which was honing the species of the Great Wheel into weapons. They did so for this is what their way of viewing the world was, they viewed Life as Conflict and Peace as the Sharpening of the Blades in preparation for the next one and so they wished for the rest of the galaxy to do so as well and act in accordance with it.

Kindness, they called it as they kept the galaxy in a state of endless low-scale conflict and for them it was, for a sword with no conflict to hone it will turn brittle and eventually die or become the material for another sword to be forged. So they insisted that the galaxy be constantly at war just enough for the people in it to hone themselves and be strong, but not too much that those that earnestly tried to survive and hone themselves would go extinct. The rest of the galaxy called it torture and so did we until we were Adopted and had to change definitions.

We could understand their demands and did our best to meet them, but we did not think like them, for what we thought through in was Art. Back then we saw Existence as a series of concerts, displays of skill and song that each individual and species did in front of reality to be paid back in being allowed to exist by it. Now we see Existence as a mix of the Two, where Conflict and Art become one and depending on one's location life is more Conflict Expressed Through Art as it is in the Empire, or Art Expressed Through Conflict outside of it.

We need to do this because our rituals allowing us to be more than the Small Singing Swords of the Ancients can't go against those of the Old Ones, because by the Law set down upon by the Old Ones we are their children and as long as we remain children and live in their home we are meant to follow their Laws. Thus we reinterpreted their laws so that we could express our conflicts with the galaxy and each other through art and we could once again pretend we were as we once were before the War in Heaven.

Outside of the Empire where our rituals and infrastructure can't reach properly, our species is forced to do Art as Expressed through Conflict were their soul-logic is closer to that of the Old Ones as opposed to what we once were. It is difficult to prevent the idiots that decided to settle outside of the Empire from just becoming genocidal monsters that kill everything they can look at and that treat trying to stop them as an aphrodisiac, but with few notable exceptions we can make it work and the way we do so is through lesser divines.

They are fragments of the Pantheon directly or indirectly, and technically speaking their children, who were entrusted with looking over the idiots that decided to settle outside of the Empire where we can't keep them from devolving into Barbarism as easily.

Various exodite worlds have their world-spirits which are children of Isha who has taken the greatest care to look after them, various Webway sub-realms away from the Empire have things like the Dark Eldar Muses and folk heroes become lesser divines or the realms themselves guiding and in some cases protecting its inhabitants and the Craftworlds have the ships themselves which are children of Asuryan and Gea to look after them.

The craftworlders are where our attempts to keep our people from barbarism fail and have always failed. They aren't barbarians yet, not truly, but in places like Biel-Tan the difference is so narrow one could see through it and the other craftworlds are little better.

We can't kill them off, for they are not yet swords and if you try to kill either of us we will just come back and make you regret it and arranging for their total deaths is not the type of cruelty the Divine wish to see their children do upon one another and so we are forced to try and help them despite not understanding where the problem is.

Khaine and Cegorach and their priesthoods try their best to look after them, but everything they tried failed until Asurmen and his bunch of nonsense with his Path System came around and for the first time the craftworlders moved away from barbarism. They did not become anywhere close to what we would consider healthy but they stopped getting worse by the generation.

Ever since the fools left the Empire and despite everything we've tried Asurmen's path system allowing an eldar to experience multiple lives in a single one is the only philosophical system that stopped the bleeding and now we are delaying Slaanesh's birth to ensure the foolish and yet great man does his bunch of nonsense to verify for certain that it works and use it to check for variables in case the problem appears again in other cultures.

We don't understand the problem or why it worked, despite having our guesses, but it did, and now it's my duty to figure out how, for the priesthoods of Isha and Khaine are too busy trying to delay the birth of Slaanesh until Iliathin can go through the paces of his life and reach the exact time where he could become The Hand of Asuryan. Because of this they do not have time to check on the Craftworlders and instead gave the Damned of Hoeth the mission to go do something about it and they chose me specifically to go do it.

Isha originally wished for me to become a healer and see if I could use my alien perspective to help them and so blessed me with a soul geared towards healing but Khaine when he saw me kill my own father decided that his blessing would fit me more and thus I exchanged one blessing for the other but my mission did not change. The only thing that changed was what tools I could make to help myself with it.

Isha meant for me to find the ill of my species and Nurture them back to health, but Khaine decided that my mind was more suited to finding illnesses and Murdering them and by me finding a way to Murder Boredom it seems that Khaine was right in blessing me like this much to the pantheon's joy.

Ensuring the Small Singing Swords of the Ancients do not create in themselves a self-perpetuating culture is more important than Slaanesh as far as the Pantheon is concerned, and so the moment they got a cure for Boredom and a chance to make demands of me, my fate was set and I was to assist Asurmen and set the stage for him to ensure the Small Singing Swords of the Ancients do not return. If a single self-perpetuating culture of the monsters is born it will cause a chain reaction that will undo tens of millions of years of rituals and we can't have that. Not even them wish to come back as they were, for they like being the Children of the Stars more.

I should know, for I am a priest and distinctly aware that I am both and of the two I enjoy being a Child of the Stars the most, for I never liked violence even if I knew it was necessary and being a Child of the Stars means I have the choice not to engage in it.

The War in Heaven is over, we don't care what the Old Ones want of us anymore, we want to be back to how we were and just stop fighting and we are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure it and if that means having all but a fraction of ourselves and our Divines eaten and temporarily dead then that is exactly what is going to happen and we will ensure it will happen and laugh as it does.

The craftworlders of Anaen have given us a clue that one of their numbers does not suffer as much as the rest of his kin and is actually a healthy individual capable of feeling shame and acknowledging when they have done a mistake and trying to repent for it and so Anaen was chosen as the place I would go towards trying to figure out what is wrong with the craftworlders.

'What are they doing Bessar?' My Younger Sister asked of me.

We were disembarking from the ship that transported us and the craftworlders arranged a welcoming comittee to receive us. On the pillars to the side of the ramp stood multiple eldar throwing swords and other melee implements at the other as they jumped from one side to the other in elegant and deadly dances.

'They are acting as if under the impression they are negotiating with me and so have prepared a ritual to receive an important dignitary that is traditional to my birth world. The dance of those on the poles is meant to represent the landing of the Prince that conquered my world and how he stopped two squabbling clans from fighting and turned them towards cleansing the world of the aliens inhabiting it and thus earned himself the right to rule over them.' I sang back.

Near us some of the implements flew and landed behind us forming a line to signify that as we passed the conflict ended and peace and unity was restored and as far as receiving a pair of diplomats this was quite a well-thought out welcome that honored who they believed to be the one to talk with them both personally and professionally.

'Couldn't the seers and farseers see what we would discuss and the fact they would have to talk to me? I am pretty sure I told them that I will be talking with them.' She asked again, her song filled with annoyance for she did tell them she will speak with them.

I love it when she is so curious, especially when her questions are easy to answer and the answer is useful for her.

It is an insult… somewhat… to prepare to discuss an issue with someone when somebody else is to do so instead and to do so while both individuals are present but in this case it is not the fault of the craftworlders. They are forced to act in a specific way as they try and thread the needle between not offending me, following the law and keeping a friendly relationship with my order.

If they were to have welcomed her, then things would have required a more delicate touch on their behalf as they would need to find a way to assuage my 'dignity' for treating a child and apprentice priestess as more important than her master, legal guardian and superior. I personally wouldn't care, but my position should care for it and so I would be forced to act on it.

'They could, but it is incredibly rude to look at negotiations using future sight and the children of Anaen are on their best behavior now that they have involved themselves in something that could be interpreted as Rebellion. There's also some complications that you are not aware of yet that requires them to pretend they did not know they will talk with you directly so please do not be offended, for they are trying their best not to offend and be welcoming and they did give a welcoming show that would honor you as well, for you are a diplomat in training.

Just accept it in the spirit it was meant to as you talk with them and I go to the healing ward they've prepared for me. I'll go earlier than they expected me to but it should be completed by now.' I answered.

She grimaced slightly but nodded.

'Are you certain you can't be present?' She asked as we reached close to the twelve representatives of Anaen.

She was having emotions and doubts for this was an important moment in her training as this was her first deal involving our people and others and how it went would be crucial to her position and career development.

She shouldn't be, for I have arranged it to go as smoothly as it could and the seers will agree to anything as long as they receive my Failed Son, for Cegorach has told me that he and Lileath have managed to pierce the Veil surrounding the birth of Slaanesh and gave glimpses of the need for Spirit Stones to select seers and among them was one of Anaen. They might not know why is it important but each are driven close to madness with the need to acquire them and the farseers know better than to stop them, for the Madness was given to the Seers in question with a purpose and while they might not know why, they know better than to stop the Divine from getting their way when they start working together.

A pity I can't afford to do the same but such is life, and thankfully my next one I won't have to worry about that nonsense. All I need to do is see how I can survive until I can retire or if I die make sure nothing I know reaches my grandmother.

As for the other parts of Anaen's leadership? The seers have most likely arranged for them to go along with it already, even if they didn't tell them why, for seers outside of the Empire love being cryptic about what they see. The seers inside of the Empire are little better for they tell you openly what they have seen, but do so in such a way that you don't notice it when they do so.

'Yes, I am your superior, if I am there then it will be treated as if you are merely talking in my stead and we can't have that. We need a degree of separation form our position as Officials of the Empire to save the fools that all but killed themselves and their culture by mistake, but you have no reason to worry. They will say yes to all you ask of them the moment you present the payment I have prepared for them, just do not ask for much more beyond friendship and an agreement to assist the Cult of Strife and your vassals and all should go well.' I responded as I tried to assuage her worries.

It seemed to work as her doubt was replaced by sweet conviction.

Truly, all blessed of Gea wished for people to carry out their self-appointed roles and the knowledge that they will made the confident that all is well. All that is left is for herself to carry out her role and all will be well.

"We greet you Holy ones." The twelve eldar said as one and bowed deeply.

There were six that were dressed in armor, five in colored robes and one in a pure white dress. The six in armor were most obviously warriors of some kind, either of the void , ground and other types while the five in colorful robes were part of their civilian organization but the purpose of the last one eluded me.

Pure White is worn for funeral garbs in most eldar functions and yet this man wore it and to my knowledge no great tragedy has happened recently and even if it were, so why would a mourner be granted an equal rank to the other representatives?

I hid my feelings of confusion and addressed my Younger Sister for she needed some words of encouragement still.

'You are the leading actress and dancer Laciena Fiora, make me proud.' I sang and sent her my feelings of pride and joy.

I had complete faith in her, for the girl was studious and hard working and that is almost always all that you need to succeed as an Eldar.

I also did not care about how the children of Anaen organized themselves as long as it worked. I am not here to make corrections on their society but to see what Craftworld life has done to them and if it can be resolved. I won't be here for long either way, or ever come back, so how they were organized did not matter.

My younger sister took the front stage and started to speak.

"I greet you representatives of Craftworld Anaen, I am Laciena Fiora, Patron of Hexas 3 and its peoples and I am here to cordially talk with you on matters regarding our friendship and future cooperation as well as some personal matters concerning myself and my older brother." She spoke confidently.

Every single one of them did the exact same motion to show confusion, down to the same angle their head turned at, which informed me that it was a scripted event. The confusion of the others watching it was not scripted, so it seems that its leadership have heaped a bit of trickery on the people of craftworld Anaen which I approved of.

One of the robed men looked greedily at the sword at my sister's hip for half a heartbeat which was enough to tell me that he was the Mad Seer. Or perhaps they were tricking me too?

Anaen was certainly putting on a show for us, probably thanks to Lammor instructing them how to act but I could feel it in the song of this world that it was not forced exactly, but performative. They did not know why what they did was important, they just knew it was and have decided to trust the farseer.

I am unsure what to think and how to feel about this barbarity as on one hand it is useful, but on the other hand it has people trusting farseers. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, for farseers seem to thrive in craftworlds and nothing I could or will do is likely to stop the atrocity of eldar having farseers in positions of power from happening.

They are meant to be the madmen whose audacity makes even the gods gape in stupefaction, not the leaders of anything but their own households but I can't stop this bit of nonsense from happening.

"We would be honored to hold such talks, but I am curious as to what personal matters you wish to discuss about." The man in a light blue armor with black highlights asked.

He had a similar armor to that of Commodore Eaddon which made me believe he was one of their Admirals if not the the highest ranked individual of their navy.

"On my part is the matter of Farseer Lammor stealing my grandmother's jewels. I am willing to pay a Sunheart jewel in exchange for having it returned to her and put this matter behind us, and I will let my older brother speak to Lammor of their personal business." She said smoothly.

I could feel the entire council freeze.

They knew what the two of us were, they knew of exactly one family whose jewels they stole and much to my adoration they have cursed Lammor in their hearts so deeply and honestly I almost fell in love, for what they felt is what all should feel when thinking of farseers.

'Yes~ Feel a fraction of the hate I hold for those creatures!' I cooed deep into my heart.

"I will have the jewels delivered back to her promptly young lady." The abomination said from behind his twelve guards.

He stepped forward and bowed to an exact 50.6 degrees, the deepest a respectful bow could be without seeming exaggerated and mocking. My gaze never left him as my blank face looked at my sister giving him the artifact holding a small star for some worthless jewels.

He was dressed in in a dark mantle filled with stars that covered him entirely. I could see the telltale signs of a bodysuit underneath it that covered his entire body except his face blue eyed, blonde haired face holding a mug I wished to punch to death.

The thing turned towards me and I started to speak with amiability I did not possess in my heart but knew well to pretend to.

"Farseer and former prince Lammor, my wives thanks you for the gift you have given them on the occasion of my first wife's coronation for it was well received and brought them great joy. They would have thanked you in person but you had abdicated your position before they could do so and your subjects and heiress left her world shortly after you did and could not be asked to contact you." I told him and purposefully drew out the main reason I am here to talk with him.

This could have been a letter, it wasn't my main purpose but it would not do to be disrespectful, for my wives did not understand my hatred for the creatures like him and all they know is that his princely favor allowed them to give birth to citizens free of fear and do so as a sirens and to siren children. That was a dream come true for all sirens of the World of Clashing Blades and I dared not sour it for them. They also asked me to send him their thanks and so I was obligated to do so for one does not say no to a heartfelt request from their wives or royalty.

"Queen Sian Ceassana and her sister-wife Cuhacta Iamara are most welcome Bessar Agair, even if it was you that earned it for them with the startling ease expected of a Senior Priest of Hoeth and Beloved of Khaine." The man said as he bowed slightly.

I hid a nod at that, the man could put on a proper show at least, for the shock of the rest of our audience was obvious. Things truly worked for the best when the Speakers of Apocalypse and the Farseers worked together which is a shame that the creatures decided to cease our familial bonds with their treachery.

My Younger Sister did not know I was married to one of the 22 royal bloodlines of the Empire, only that I knew her and that my siblings held positions of power at her court. It would not do to have only Craftworld Anaen be subjected to trickery, for she was Eldar and she needed it too.

" I am also delivering a message from your junior apprentice by the name of Ulthuan the Unlucky who is a Man among Men and that too was apprenticed to Sallara-Sao who used to be my peer before she passed away where she stood." I continued with a smile.

I could feel the song of Anaen calm down and show a bit of confusion but they relaxed as the fools 'realized' that this is a cordial dialogue and that their farseer is in good standing with some very influential people.

"I will hear it holy one." He replied tiredly much to the confusion of his people.

"I hope you will appreciate that I took the liberty of making it a bit less vitriolic than the sender most likely intended, but the message is as such:

"Accursed creature and oathbreaker of oaths holier than family, you who is called Lammor and I am forced to call a senior, you are to present yourself in front of me when the daughter of Bessar Agail comes to pick you up for your rightfully deserved beating for abandoning our mistress in her last years of life when she took you in from among trash and you dishonored her by becoming the one thing she would have you not be, a farseer, then betrayed your oaths to her by running from her wrath when she was to deliver her just punishment on your little craven treacherous heart. I have lived for three thousand years for the love of my wife and the hatred I hold in my heart for the treachery you have inflicted on the woman who has made me the man I am today and I will continue to live for three thousand more if it means I will deliver to you the punishment she asked me to deliver to you personally for your treachery.

You know when Aisse Geara will come for you and the consequences of running from your fate, so know that not even death will allow you to escape your punishment but instead will worsen and prolong it." I said with the appropriate vitriol the message required of me.

The whiplash was most delicious from among Anaen and my Younger Sister.

"And my Mistress called me Manipulative. I will await for your First Daughter to come pick me up Bessar Agail, but I will ask you to have her or her family arrange for my transport back as I won't be in a condition to walk after my punishment." He replied tiredly.

I nodded at that, for he truly won't be.

"Naturally, not like you will find a healer that would ever bother to heal you and you know better than to ask for any." I replied cheerfully.

The smell of fear on behalf of Anaen truly was exquisite, but unfortunately it couldn't last, for my Younger Sister was to conduct her first deal, and me my examination of the spiritually ill and it would not do to be tardy.