[Governor's Office] – Repercussions: Part Deus (Private; Sharinya)

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Timestamp:

Mid Brightening
Solaria, Brightening I of the Fourth Cycle of Junctior
Autumn of the Second Era of the Pax Imperialis,
First Era of the Celestine Mandate,
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum in the Regency of Milo L’Evienne.

After his morning exercise, training and arcane practice he would return to his Estates, bath and then change into more respectable clothing as befitted a Lieutenant Governor. Then he would travel to the Concordia Incola and to the Hall of the Governor where his, and his boss's, office were located. Outside his office stood two of the squad of Legionaries that rotationally guarded his office doors. He would incline his head to these men, however he would not enter his own office, but rather he moved past them and stopped before the double doors that led into the anti-chamber of the Governor's Office. There were two Royal Centripaxian Cuirasseurs guarding this particular door, though he ignored them for the main. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what was to come, though knowing full well he had no idea what would come of this meeting, before opening his eyes and the door and moving inside.

He would incline his head toward the Governor's Secretary and approach the desk. ”Serale, I would like to have a meeting with Her Imperial Excellency, is she free at the moment?” He did not bother to tell the secretary who he was because it would be hard not to know.

[Sharinya]

The Governor’s secretary looked up as the Lt. Governor entered listening politely to his request to see the Governor. This was a turn up for the books. The Governor had returned from Alleria Prime more than two cycles ago after making an unexpected trip to speak with the Imperial Consul. Strange that the Lt. Governor had waited until now to speak with the Governor, especially after she had heard that he too had been away.

Getting to her feet she indicated that the Lt. Governor should take a seat before knocking on the Governor’s door and entering, making sure to close it behind her as she did so. It was only a brief moment before she returned standing to one side as she held the door wide

”The Governor will see you now Sir Raliric.” she said told him in response to his query.

Sharinya was standing on the large table that was used by her predecessor, looking closely at a map of the province. She looked up as her Lt. Governor entered.

”Serale, Sir Raliric won’t you please take a seat.” she said waving a hand to encompass any of the arrangements of seating in the room that he might choose to sit at.

Once he was seated she would wait for him to speak; it was always better to know what you had to respond to rather than being the one making the first move. She was sure the events surrounding the departed Lord Thane were behind his sudden appearance after all this time. It was going to be interesting to know just where he had been for the last three cycles.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

The Knight inclined his head in silent thanks and waited for the return of the secretary, then, given the authorization to enter the office he would do so. Taking a few steps inside before waiting for the Governor to motion him toward a seat, he would move over to the seats, though he would not sit, he stood behind one of them. ”Serale, Your Imperial Excellency.” Raliric knew that this meeting was not one of familiar peoples, it was obvious that he had misjudged the Lady Governor and thus he would need to wait until he could once more understand and trust her before he could be familiar with her again.

He waited for a few moments before speaking, wondering whether or not she would make the first move, however given that he had come to her office he was well prepared to start off the matter. ”I had, following the Thanal Affair,” this is what he called it now, ”expected a summons to your office to follow up given the added tension within your Provincial Government. After waiting a great many weeks, I decided that it would be best for all if I presented myself to Your Imperial Excellency anyway so that the matter could be cleared up.” That was all he was going to say for the moment. Raliric knew he had been in the right the whole time during the affair, he also knew that his actions were blunt and could have been played out in a better manner; however he would no apologize for his actions, nor the words he had spoken. The ball was now in her court and he was not about to make it easier for the Governor to do her job; the Thanal Affair had indeed made it very difficult for Raliric to do anything for the Governor that was not a part of his mandate, and given that his mandate was for him to assist the Governor at her grace, he had done nothing but that. The Governor had yet asked for his assistance and thus none had been given since the Thanal Affair.

[Sharinya]

Sharinya listened to what he had to say and smiled inwardly to herself; so judging by his attitude he did not trust her any more than she trusted him. Fair enough then it would make what was to come easier perhaps for both of them.

”Why would I summon you Sir Raliric? As I recall you summoned me to your office for a meeting where you told me you were going to charge the Thane with treason.

When the meeting did not go your way you took your leave and left the three of us standing there watching you retreating back.” she replied keeping her tone even.

”I had thought perhaps you might have wanted time to rethink all that had happened before you met with me again.

I believe also that you left the city not long after that meeting.

If you have something to say Sir Raliric then best you get it over and done with so things can move forward.” she finished, once more placing the ball well and truly in his court. She had no intention of making this easy for him after all it was a situation of his own making.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

A brow rose slightly in question; he was wondering if the Governor was serious about her question as to why she should have summoned him, though the brow's rise also had to do with the fact that he had not summoned her; he had asked her. A little detail that in this matter meant a great deal. He cleared his throat before he made his reply. ”I never summoned you, Your Excellency, I asked for your attendance. Asked.” He repeated the stressed word, allowing for its ring of truth to penetrate the rough hide before continuing. ”As for the reasons for your summons? I had thought you would have wished for a whole Provincial Government, or perhaps to issue orders to your Lieutenant Governor so that I may see to your wishes, as is my appointed position.” A pause before he addressed the rest of what she said, this meeting was... awkward. He would not apologize, he had gathered enough information to know that he was not in the wrong and thus apologies were of no consequence. What he did need to do was pay more attention to the words he used in this matter so as not to insult the Governor, but to also bring his point across.

”My retreat from the room was the retreat of a man, soldier or commander, who knows when he is outnumbered and out matched. It was also the retreat of man whose very ideals and way of life were crumbling around him; crumbling before his eyes.” He was looking directly at her, directly into her eyes and he could not help but wonder if she felt anything for those whom were not included in her agenda. He paused for a moment, looking to see if she would react to those words in anyway before he continued. ”I had a great deal of time to think on what occurred. And yes, in those troubled brightenings I was almost driven mad with my thoughts. However I sought the council of a noble and brilliant man, and my fears, and thoughts, were brought to rest under the good reason of that council. The experience has... changed me, to be sure, however it has changed me by making me harder and more resolved to what I believe to be right and true, given that there are others out there who really do believe in what I believe in. That a majority exists who share my views, concerns and goals; whilst a minority, though powerful, also exist to unhinge those goals and to deviate those concerns.” Another pause as he attempted to remove the need for a longer speech with regards to the issue; he had said what he needed to say with that regard.

What he addressed next brought a slight smile to his features, not mocking, but rather sad. ”I did, as you did also.” His eyes declared the knowledge, which was common place, but he would not be railroaded or made to think that his actions were not the right ones taken. ”I returned that very same brightening, having been gone perhaps five or six candle marks. A time sufficient to meet with the brilliant man I mentioned and resolve my internal issues, and also, perhaps, imperial issues.” Guilt and blame were fickle masters; whilst one was indeed subject to the other, one could exist without the other all the same. Raliric's face, open in this particular meeting, betrayed nothing of Guilt, nor blame. He truly believed he was in the right, he had been told so; he knew there there were others out in the empire, in positions far greater than his own, that supported his motives and loyalty, though disapproved of his haste, and perhaps, his blunt action. Though that blunt action was admired all the same. One Sharinya's face, he knew, he would not find guilt for she believed that she had also been in the right throughout the situation, though abandoning her lieutenant governor and supporting her thane was perhaps not the best move in keeping her province peaceful and harmonious, she believed that she had still been entirely in the right. What he expected to see upon her features was blame. A distinct look that represented whom she believed to be in the wrong in this situation; whom she believed to have forced her small hand to what was now occurring. It would, almost, be enough to amuse the dracon knight given his knowledge; thought it took a great deal to bring an expression to that human face without rigid control prevailing.

”I have said all that needs to be said, Your Excellency,” He continued to use her official title even though she continued to refer to him with his name, even given the official nature of the meeting she continued to use familiarity and suspected knowledge to control whom she was meeting with, a ploy that could not have worked any less. ”my words from our discussion about the Lord Thane's treasonous actions, and my words here this brightening, are all that need to be said on the matter. You must do what you must, as I must do what I must.” He inclined his head toward her in a brief gesture of thank you for the time he had been given to bring about the changes and policies he had for Centripax than another other Governor since Lothar De Lylles. He had done more in his six months than any had done in five or six eras. No matter what occurred that brightening he knew that the people would remember that one lesser man had stood above the rest and brought security, justice and the imperial way to all.

He bore no armour that brightening, no physical armour; his armour lay in his knowledge of self-less action and the belief that he had done what was right for the Empire, for the Province and, perhaps most importantly, for the Gods. ”I am here to submit to your judgment, as is expected of a Lieutenant Governor before his Governor.” With those last words he would look straight ahead, no longer focused upon the figure of a fae whom stood before him but planted, securely, upon the scenery from the Governor's window; a flawless view over the Great Marble City. His home, a part of him as much as his arm. He stood to attention to await what judgment, orders or otherwise would come to be laid upon him.

[Sharinya]

”You say that you expected me to summon you following the Thanal Affair. After you rudely left in a huff I was not sure that I would ever see you again. What tension was added was caused by your actions that were taken without consulting me.

When you summoned me, it was way too late for you to see to my wishes. You should have done that before you overstepped the authority vested in you by the Articles. You knew that I appointed Kyonos as Thane, yet you chose to not consult with me before sending a contingent of armed troops after him and closing the gates of city for whatever reason you may have had. You have said in the past how much you respect the Dwarfs as a race yet by your own actions you have insulted every dwarf within the city walls.

You have created a mess by overreacting to a situation that could have been handled, had you not chosen to act without consulting me. You should have thought about seeing to my wishes before your hasty over reaction.

When I am discussing something with you there is not an option for you to walk out on me. Not if you expect to continue working for me.

It might have served you better to remain until I dismissed you rather than insulting me before others by your rude departure.

Your discussion with a noble and brilliant man is all well and good, but you should have had the same discussion with me before all this came to be. You seem to act as you wish without taking the time to see what I may think of the action.

At this stage I want you to tell me why I should trust you to act on my behalf rather than on your own behalf. After all, the authority of the Lt. Governor as such is a very limited. Your actions are considered to be those ordered by me yet you act without determining what I wish. she responded.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

He nodded, confirming that he did indeed expect a summons following the Thanal Affair, not at all ashamed that he should have thought that way about the matter. With regards to the rest of what Sharinya said he listened intently and, once she had finished, he shook his head in sadness for a few brief moments whilst he gathered the words for his response. It was obvious that she had listened and absorbed little of what he had said during the Thanal Affair meeting and continued to listen and absorb even less of what he had said this brightening, however if that was her prerogative anything he continued to say would mean little to nothing to her. She had already made up her mind about what had occurred and had already made up her mind on what she was going to do with the matter. Nothing he said would change that. He was understood by those whom mattered and was not particularly phased by the minor set back of potentially loosing his position as Lieutenant Governor. It had, after all, been a temporary position to begin with and through his deeds the Governor had seen fit to make it a permanent position. However now, because he no longer fit into her ideal government, he was to be cast aside.

He looked up after shaking his head sadly and focused upon her eyes once again. ”I have not come here to defend my actions, for they were jurisdictionally correct and given the information and importance of potential Imperial Decent, completely acceptable in my mandate.” A pause before he continued, a sad smile upon his human face. ”You did not seem so distraught about my actions and proclamations that have been made in the past. But then again, I did say that those implemented actions and proclamations were from the Governor's Office. Something you accepted. Though, obviously now the authority I wielded at that time is a completely different matter to this?” A sad chuckle before he straightened, forced his expression to turn emotionless before he said, once again his pitch black orbs focusing out the window.

”It is with great sadness that I must tender to you my immediate resignation as your Lieutenant Governor. Coupled with this resignation as an officer of Your Imperial Excellency, I must also tender the immediately cessation of duties of the Knights of the Argent Sword as assistants, trainers and guards for the Office of the Governor, as they had been appointed, and yet unused, during the reign of His Former Imperial Excellency Davion Jaq'len.” He half turned as he made to leave, no longer subject to the immediate orders or jurisdictional choke holds that he had been under as Lieutenant Governor, though he did stop and turned to look at her again, inclining his head in respect. ”I wish you good luck and fair winds on your continued role as Governor of Centripax; management of the province, and Primus Gaudeo, will no doubt be an easy task alone. Should you wish to contact me I can be reached at the Ered`Gard Estates in the Hidden City, or in Siona. Good Brightening, Your Imperial Excellency.”

He would then turn his back to the Governor and begin to move out of the office, he accorded her every respect during that meeting and everything expected of him in order to leave her presence, though he would remain if she asked it of him.

[Sharinya]

Sharinya listened to the Lt. Governor for what was to be the last time. He spoke volumes although in essence he did not say much at all. He was not a man who would admit that he had even remotely acted in haste and not thought things through before acting in what she considered haste. What did it all matter now he was obviously offended that her reactions were not his. In fact he seemed sorely upset to find that she was not like him at all.

”Take a seat Sir Raliric.” she instructed before he could take his leave.

”I have as is now apparent misjudged you as I can see you have sorely misjudged me.

We come from different backgrounds you and I. I am a follower of Carmelya, a druid; you are a follower of I believe Aslan and military man. We are to all intents and purposes at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Life has paths already chosen for us we are just travelers along that road. I am my parents youngest child and at the age of 16 patterns chose to leave home and seek out a life of my own making. The path led me to the Patrius Tree in Lauryl and then onto Arakmat. From there it took me to the Temple of Carmelya in Arium.

Imagine if you will Sir Raliric a young Fae coming face to face with a Goddess such as Carmelya herself. Then imagine being charged by her to recover the Fae crown that had been stolen by the Leprechauns.

I was not a military person, how was I to fight a whole nation of people the likes of which I had never before seen? I consider myself lucky that along the way people whom I had never before met chose to travel with me and aid me in my quest.

My journey took me to Kel’rondar the land of the Fae the Kingdom over which I rule as High Queen. It was there that I met others the likes of which you have never seen who directed me towards the Leprechaun King and the crown. With the help of my companions I was able to retrieve the crown and returned to Kel’rondar to help the people there because their land was being over run by Xenarius the lord of anti-matter.
Once again I was faced with a battle; he was a demi god and I was just a small Fae with a loyal band of a few who believed in my mission. Defeating Xenarius was perhaps more a battle of wills but we won and it was there once again Carmelya came to us.

We were then given our final charge…. our mission was to return the Shield of Diana to its rightful owner. Once again it seemed one small faerie and a few loyal friends. So once more we set off to find the rightful owner. Once more a journey that held great risks for a small handful of people.

Our journeys end came when we found the Empress Audrey under attack by the Dragonolich of Jules and the red sentinels.

I am sure you are aware of the battle Sir Raliric for it is the one that that was fought right here in the heartlands of Centripax. Through the grace of Carmelya I was able to call for a Faerie dragon to battle with the dragolich although not before it had managed to harm the Empress Audrey.

So Sir Raliric you can look down upon me from your lofty heights and dismiss me because I do not think or act as you.

The great difference between us is that I would be prepared to give you the benefit of doubt and wait until you had your opportunity to speak in your own defense.

You however seem to favor the military approach of going in with your sword drawn ready to cut down anything in your way. Whether the sword be that of steel or words, you use it to stifle opposing view points. You need to learn to listen and understand what it is other people want when deciding what is best for them. Maybe you will be right in the end but how can you ever know there is something better if you don’t listen.

Still you have tendered your resignation and I will not try to persuade you otherwise. You are free to take your leave and I wish you well no matter where your path leads you.” she finished with a final look at the Knight before flying towards the open window only to stop short of actually leaving the office. If he had anything else to say then this would be his opportunity.

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Raliric paused at her words, considering continuing to leave, though obviously he would stay; he turned back toward her and moved about the chair and sat down. He was no longer her Lieutenant Governor, true enough, however he was a citizen of the empire and a loyalist of its government function. The problem was that he was restricted in his morals, beliefs and oaths to follow that Imperial Government in every way, and thus he could not turn on whether to follow it or not at will like so many out there. He was silent for the entirity of her speech, listening to her, though what she said was an insight into her life it did not explain, in any great detail, her current view points and actions.

When she was finished he spoke; ”You are correct, I am a follower of Aslan and I am a militarily minded man; however you left out that I am also a patriotism. I am dedicated, unequivocally, to the ideals of this Imperial Government. I also do not believe in fate; I am my own; I make my own destiny rather than hoping for one to be made for me.” He pushed himself up, standing once more. ”I look down upon no one, Excellency; we are all equally as entitled to life and the rights given to us by the Government, regardless of race. We differ in that belief, I am well aware, however I shall not be persuaded from my tenets; from my oaths and beliefs.” He knew that she had a false image of him, however he was knowledgeable enough in the ways of life to understand that everyone had differing opinions, beliefs and images of others. That was life. ”Faith in the ability of a leader is of slight service unless it be united with faith in his or her Justice.” A pause to allow these words their effect before he finished.

”Think on the words I have spoken here this brightening and the words spoken the brightening I brought Kyonos to my office. All words spoken without lie, without taint or insincerity. Think on my devotion and loyalty to you... and Good Brightening.” He turned and moved out of the office. He had a great many things to see to that brightening and he had better get a head start on them.

[Sharinya]

She shook her head as he made his final comments. The man was so wrapped up in himself that he could not see his faults let alone admit to them.

Centripax was well rid of him!

[Raliric Ered`Gard]

Or so the Governor thought...