Quoted By:
As the foremost Exalted Stratiokas in the Palace, Militades is the one championing the increase in Stratiokas presence to a more ‘balanced’ degree and readily admits that having a friend amongst the Dragon Guard may serve to paint him as a balanced party not solely out for the interest of his own caste. For your part, you realise that Militades’ commendation to the Dragon Guard might be a double edged sword where your interests are concerned. The Medusae and Merchanta have no grounds to seriously object to your induction, but the senior officers of the Dragon Guard might view you with suspicion or even hostility. You’ve won over the Norsikaan cohort already, as well as most of the smaller Sword Sister contingent, but it’s not them that you will be living alongside for the next two years. The identity of the senior officers in the Cantonian Cohort remains something of a mystery, one you may have neglected to fully investigate from the sources available before making your decision to join.
Eventually, as you near the Wing of the Guard, the conversation turns to the significance of an Exalted’s status.
<span class="mu-i">“ When I heard my own name spoken from the mouth of the Master Most High... I had wanted nothing more than that my whole life, ever since I could hold my own xiphon.”</span> The Exalted Stratiokas officer regards you sheepishly, touching the hem of his own lace of imperial purple, and you remember that the man is not that many years older than yourself. <span class="mu-i">“It is hard to explain to a foreigner. In that moment He knew me. Me! Even if I am but a speck in the Master’s long and ancient memory of our empire, my short existence in this world was given significance. My deeds, they mattered. -I- mattered. Even if only a very little.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“I… cannot say that I understand.”</span> That’s probably understating the point. The religious reverence ascribed to the Tyrant of the South and the pleasure with which the man describes the passing recognition of his abject servitude is saddening. <span class="mu-i">“I would tell you that only the Almighty deserves such devotion from mankind. But for your part, I am glad that you are happy.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Women, politics and faith. It seems we have touched on just about every grave subject in the time we have.”</span> Kyrios Militades smiles lightly, defusing any harsh feelings on the difference in belief as he halts at some unseen threshold. <span class="mu-i">“I can go no further. But I hope to see you again soon, honoured Exoria.”</span>
[2/3]
