The Start of a Grand Journey

Life, Milestone

After a few years, Maka-Tho threatened to become yet another oddity in the Ninth World.   At a Conclave of Elders, Ager makes the case that Maka-Tho should be made secure as a northern province of the Sable Hegemony.   After all the other nobles had made their case in response, the Queen decided on what her verdict would be.   The Sable Hegemony would support the efforts of the Inkokeli -- an ancient title, pulled from ancient myth and awarded to Ager.

The Queen's decision caused the nobility to cry out. Some cried out about the heresy, but most simply yelled that they were more deserving of such an honor.   "SILENCE", spoke the Queen. She did not yell, or even raise her voice, but somehow her words echoed from the walls as if spoken by a towering being of stone.   Shocked, all of the nobles in the court slowly took their seats.   "I have not finished my proclamation. Because of his acts of service to the throne, Ager has demonstrated something long missing from this gathering."   One of the nobles had gathered his courage and broached a question.   "But my lady, what does this... this commoner from outside our lands have that we, the great houses of the Sable Hegemony cannot offer the throne?"   Despite the fact that her gaze was unseen, the noble who spoke up withered as if he were a plant withering beneath a noonday sun.   "Besides being willing to walk beyond the borders of our lands? Being willing to go out and face dangers you and your fellow 'Great Houses' have not seen in generations?"   The Queen began to circle the table, pointing to the aretefacts and tapestries that lined the walls.   "The House of Sute, my fire bringers who secured so much of the Singhan Roads."   The nobles of House Sute began to smile and the mention of their ancestors acomplishments.   "The same house that has done nothing in the last two hundred years but cower within their walls, leaving their subjects to the predations of the creatures and abhuman that roam their lands. You could have rode out, as your ancestor did, and made your lands safe for your subjects."   Some of the other nobles, happy to see an opponent struck so, smiled into their sleeves.   "Don't think they are the only ones who have failed the throne since those ancient days. Apaiz, Egurra, Belmont..."   The Queen sighed.   "All of you have let the safety of the Singhan Roots and the strength of your walls sap your courage and strength. Ager has done more in the last few decades than all the Great Houses in the last few centuries. He has brought me information that even my elites have failed to bring from the Voz Dynasty. He has ventured out into lands no human has walked for in an age or more."   "His ambition has seen him acomplish deeds that you declaim and decry, while fearing that you will be called upon to accomplish the same."   "So are these the reasons I grant Ager this title and call upon him to lead the settlement of this new land?"   Standing, the Queen held out the Ebony Scepter as if pointing at something she could only see.   "No. Ager has something that you cannot see, blinded by petty jealousy. No, he has something worth more to me than all the shins and numenera in your vaults. He has a destiny, and I have seen that his destiny is the key to our finally free of the Voz Dynasty..."   Sitting back down upon the chair at the head of the table, Ager wondered what expression lay underneath that veil.   "And if you all can't reclaim the former glory of your houses, I will raise up families that can in your stead. Because I will see the Hegemony forged into a power that none will challenge ever again, with or without you."