[Khar'Shan] Mended Pieces (Closed)

"If so, I'd prefer it be sooner. When there's a chance he and his ilk can face justice." Ekarn said. "Otherwise, as soon as order is restored to this planet, they'll probably just leave for Omega or some Terminus world with to live off the spoils they've plundered from everyone else."

"So, what will you do?" she asked, resting on her knees. It was a difficult situation, but one with Clear answers, even if they weren't easy ones for some. "When I leave, there must still be someone willing to stand against him."

She might cast the stone, but the ripples would not be hers to make - that was not her place, and while she could potentially bring the permanent presence of the Ascendancy here, it was not the Way of the Names to take on another's Path. Everyone needed to find their own Pillars, within themselves - perhaps a strange thought, but it would be a disservice to his Honour, otherwise.

Chana remained quiet for a moment, before softly repeating the question he had never truly answered earlier. "Is your zayn'ir United and Whole, Ekarn?"

Zayn'ir. The Soul. A difficult question to answer, to be sure. After all, purpose was what Ekarn had been searching for since the war.

"It...Is an answer I have been trying to find myself for the past year." He spoke plainly.

"What I intend to do, no matter what Kaetek tries to do, I will not let him or any of his kind deter me from my path. One way or the other, I intend to find my purpose, and when I do, I will make it my own. Perhaps now, the path has become a little more clear."

Conviction was good. It meant that there was still room for Faith outside the holy valleys, that not all outsiders were so Lost on their course as Kaetak was.

"Good," she said firmly. "Now, what to you intend to do here, for your friends?"

"I want to help them, and the people of this district, in the best way I know how. I don't want to abandon them, for I feel I am doing good work here." Ekarn said, then came these next few words

"But I cannot help but wonder...If I can do more beyond this camp, perhaps to help spread a message amongst the other camps and the refugees. That they need not find themselves beholden to these racketeers."

"A good plan."

There were many worker's and refugee camps in this region - many that likely fell under the same pressure from Kaetak, and those like him. It would be a service to rid them of one more anxiety, on top of so many troubles...

"It will be hard, though. For all his racketeering, he is correct - for some, the services he offers are needed, desperately, and there are many who will likely not care about the suffering of others if it means their children go to bed warm and with full stomachs."

"True, and the Ascendency and Confederation are stretched thin due to logistics. But what if the camps can work together an arrangement. Agree to ration and distribute supplies and goods rather than hoarding."

With such necessities as food and shelter a luxury, those same camps Ekarn mentioned were reluctant to trade or distribute with one another. Preferring either official services like Ganto's work camp, or men like Kaetek and the other racketeer bosses.

"Its a thought, if nothing more."

To call it bold would be an understatement. If it were so easily done, it would have happened already, but the People had become paranoid - more so than usual - since the Demons came. "Do you think you can do it?" she asked gently.

He had to know, better than she did, that such things could easily turn wrong, that what he wanted was difficult at best. "It won't be a simple thing, but it what is best often isn't easy."

"If anything is to be done, it will not because of one man, but the collective whole." Ekarn said "Still, if an example could be made, perhaps others would be willing to follow. The people follow the strong, they only follow the deceitful because they are cowed by false strength."

The smile was genuine as she nodded. "It's best to start at the beginning - your leader, the foreman, Gando, was it? - he would be of great help." She paused, thinking. "I suppose you'd have to hold a meeting - probably find some neutral ground between the camps - and I don't think contacting via your omnitools or terminals would be a good idea - it would require someone - your or one of your camp - to travel and speak on behalf of your ideals." It would be entirely unsuitable to expect them to trust anyone without proper body language and tonal currents, after all.

"That could work. But as you said, discretion would be vital. If Kaetek were to find out, he would likely find someone to set as an..."example". And that is if the others are willing to help in the first place."

Ah, yes. There was that, as well - Kaetak had already threatened her, and she was of much higher caste. There would certainly be no hesitance with the miners and the workers, and she had no doubt he'd already made enough "examples" of those who disagreed. One like that did not simply become the 'top', there was often a bloody rise to it. That was a common enough history lesson.

"What is best is often never easy," she repeated, slowly. "Nor is it ever without its own dangers. You will have to be careful - and prepare for the worst, should it come. Not everyone will truly agree, even with all eyes open."

"Of course, but if no one else is willing to try, you must set the path on your own." Said Ekarn as he pondered what to say next. Though he had not yet stated his intention, to stay at the camp or go out on his own to make a difference, he couldn't help but feel he had already made his decision.

He just needed someone to push him there.

"And you? What is the intention for your path?"

The intention? Her lower eyes blinked rapidly for a moment in a thoughtful moment, wondering what made him think her Path was any different from other Walkers. It was, in a manner of speaking, but there was little to hint at such. Not many Kemati took to Learning and Understanding beyond the worlds of the People.

"My Path will be what it has always been - to Learn, and to Guide," she said, then allowed a small light of mischief. "And make sure all know their place in Order."

"In these times, we need the guidance and wisdom that we take for granted." Ekarn said softly, "But how do you do so, when it seems the world is unwilling to listen."

"Faith. Courage." Easy answers. She stood, gathering her things and letting him think on it for a moment. When she made her way towards the door, she looked back at him for a moment. "My Path is to Guide. You know what yours is."

"Then I believe I have made my decision." Ekarn said. Granted, perhaps he would have made it sooner, but Chana did push him in the right direction.

"Not sure how Anto's going to take this."