Empires of Ashes Reboot

She begins to slowly walk along the ramparts, hands loose by her side

He follows, hand resting on his swords pommel.

"you fear you will be attacked on this walk?"

"No. But i am prepared for it." His helmet in his left hand, he dons it once more.

."Why do your warriors cover their faces, prince?"

"Why do yours wear masks of demons and such?"

she chuckles
"they are not demons"

"Regardless, it is to intimidate ones foe, correct?"

Akari: only in part. It is...spiritually significant to us. Our armour is...as symbolically protective to us as it is physically. We believe the spirits of our ancestors protect us in battle. The masks we wear are in their visage, as once the physical body dies, the spirit can take on any form it wishes.

"We are quite similar, then. Our two cultures."

Akari: how so?

"Our armour is also significant, spiritually." He gestures with his left hand as he talks, walking beside her. "We cover our faces, as part of our covenant with the Goddess Akali"

Akari: go on.

"It is... difficult to explain simply. When a corpse is buried, it is shrouded, in kelthro at least..." His explanation stalls as he searches for the words, gesturing emptily.

her eyebrow raises

"To hide the signs of death, from those at the funeral. The sunken nature corpses take... When we are blessed by Akali, she gives a measure of protection, but we take on a measure of... death. So as a corpse is veiled, so are we."

Akari: that is a...strange practice. *she continues walking* No real warrior would believe you dead men. Maybe slaves, or conscripted levies...

"And real warriors believe your ancestors protect you?"

"Dead men do not walk. Not with physical bodies. Nor do they die again when you thrust a blade into them." She grins "Your name is not exactly accurate."

Ket smiles, and gestures towards her. "But when they attack masked, and veiled, with no colours and no banners. What is to say the man you struck down, and the man who comes for you now, are really different men?"

"You mean other than their differing build, stature, eyes, and the fact the man I struck down is still lying where he fell?"

"And yet the myth is stronger now than ever."

Akari: not among my people.

"I am sure you will find, among your lower classes, it is a common belief."

Akari: the lower classes do not go to war.

"Usually."

Akari: the minpei are entirely defensive.

"True indeed. But for the myth to be effective it needn't be believed in its entirety."

Akari: true. Still, as far as my warriors are concerned, your men simply lack flare and individual glory.

"Is that all, truly?" He stops, and looks out over the battlements. "And i had been told that we were part of precious little admired in kelthro."

she chuckles
"I did not mean to speak ill of your reputation or skill. Merely that you are... visually uninteresting, shall we say, at least in comparision to your abilities, and opponents"

"there is a certain beauty in simplicity and uniformity."

Akari: perhaps.

"And of course, dull colours are far more difficult to spot."

Akari: And where is the honour in that?

"Victory."

Akari: Victory alone does not honour make.

"I would rather be looked upon with scorn and dishonour, than see my warriors die needlessly"

Akari: death is nothing to fear. What comes next... depends on your actions in life.

"We shall all stand guard of the gates to Si'oli, and eat at Akali's table."

Akari: your people perhaps.

He holds up a hand and laughs lightly. "Let us not talk of religion. it will do us no good."

Akari: most likely.

He grips the stone of the battlements. "In any case. We have talked enough of honour and reputation."

Akari: for now...for now.

"And on to matters of state."

Akari: so you wish for the aid of the shogun and his forces, do you?

*Mordred is still walking around the city as he looks for his Uncle*

"No... I already have two unsteady military alliances. From voldomania i would prefer... Trade, in writing as well as goods."

Akari: you wish for trade...from a warrior people?

He doesn't find him in the city. perhaps in the army camp.

Mordred strides into the dracian camp, studying the dracian’s and their fortifications as he makes his way to Trajan’s tent