Nyxara
[Tuesday, Umbrafall 2, 4310]
—Patriarch's private office in the Solvarin Pavilion—
We don't often do our lessons in Korran's office, but he has a hush-hush virtual meeting after my lesson, so we agreed to meet here. Plus, I love teasing him about the things he gets up to with my other two parents in here. I do have to admit I'm a bit curious if my two dads are sexually intimate with each other.
A question to ask one of my brothers on the sly. It is best I know what gossip someone may try to trip me up about. I'm in no way a drama lama wanting to appease my own personal curiosity. Korran raises a suspicious eyebrow.
He was probably wondering what I was daydreaming about while smirking. I shifted that smirk into a smile, taking a deep inhale of his amused scent of black amber and smoked birch in the process. The addition of the sweet metallic scent of the wards layered into all the walls of the public spaces was becoming familiar to me quickly due to my now even further heightened physical senses.
Since yesterday's incident, they've been using kid gloves with me—something I'm both annoyed by and grateful for. I trust my instincts were correct even if my body now feels as extremely weak at suddenly at random times. I hope we can settle into a new pace soon. It's barely been 24 hours, but I already feel like we can't keep moving this slowly if I'm going to be ready in time.
Korran gestured for me to take a seat across from him at the long crescent desk. "We'll keep things simple today," he said, voice in its usual calm register. Too calm. It was the tone I assumed he used when he expected someone to just follow his lead without questions.
I braced myself, unsure where he intended this session to go. He conjured a diagram in shimmering gold text above the desk—Solhara's governing structure unfolding like a geometric bloom.
"Solhara's government follows a pyramid system," he began. "You have been given a packet with this information, and we have told you surface information previously. Today, I will go beneath the surface. Nothing about this lesson should be triggering for you." He flicked his finger, and the top of the pyramid glowed. Lima was sitting where she could record the lesson for my later review.
I pulled out my notebook and pen, ready to take notes.
"At the top of Solhara's pyramid is Regent Mazi. Not much is known about her beyond her instrumental actions in defeating the previous regent. She was voted regent because she was the only one connected to all of us yet wasn't a part of any of our factions.
Important related side note: every region around the world is ruled by a regent. It was one of the ways those who became the Asari World Council chose to move past the world war of the 3rd Era. No one could agree on a single ruler, so a council of regents was instituted. Now, moving on…"
Another flick, and the next level of authority is highlighted. "The Sun and Shadow courts are the next in the hierarchy. We handle the day-to-day ruling of the region. Two enclaves of day: Ajei and Dillards, and two clans of night: Xi and Reign. We are two halves of a whole." Korran taps his finger a few times on the desk, looks at me, obviously considering if he should tell me something. I wait.
"We formed the courts like this because after fighting to claim this region from the former regent, we knew each other well and did not want to shed any more blood than necessary. We recognized that where there is light, there will be darkness. And if there must be darkness, then we wanted that underworld under our control as well. We balance each other on an axis, sun and shadow. Do you understand what I am saying?" Korran watched my reaction with such intensity. I knew this was a pivot conversation for us.
He wants to know whether we can talk about the ugly truths or if he will have to continue giving me sweet truths. I don't know what he expects, but I'll trust this isn't a sweet truth moment. I speak softly with a casual tone: "The Shadow Court of the council rules our underworld. My guess would be that in exchange for certain concessions for the Sun court, the Sun Court will turn a blind eye to certain actions done by the Shadow Court. Our council is more morally grey than the general public probably believes."
I don't take notes, and I signal Lima to make this part a secret separate recording. "This is possibly an open secret kept amongst those with power." Korran's expression stays neutral but nods for me to continue my train of thought. He flicks a finger, and the next level glows: "Of the Harmonium, I would expect only the Judicar and Grand Sentinel of the Accord would have the authority to decide if a case will be pursued or redirected.
"Judicar because their role is to uphold the laws of Solhara. Grand Sentinel because of their role as the highest authority to uphold the World Accord Laws for Solhara and Virelya. The Shieldwarden and the High Marshall may suspect under-table dealings but will be encouraged by their compatriots, Judicar and Grand Sentinel, to not dig deeper when necessary. The most innocent would be the District Assembly at the foundation. Correct? How is that handled?"
His aura pressed against mine—gentle at first, like warm water swirling around my ankles. I focused on breathing through it, just like Aspen taught me. My essence twitched, but didn't spasm. A win. Korran continued as if he didn't notice. He always noticed.
"Yes, the 13 District Leaders typically don't know our region is more grey than a first or second glance would tell. But all four of us on the council have placed our own people as leaders or in the administration of key districts, so a few are aware the deals and contracts in place. It's a balancing act that took us a while to figure out. It all came down to the fact that as long as the surface looks good, we will have our small battles to outsmart each other where we can. We will prosper and fuel each other's ascension is our way of thinking."
"Now, in other regions," he said, tapping a finger against his desk, "their structure of order may be different. In some regions, the Harmonium is above their councils. Some councils rule jointly. If you treat another region's government like ours, you will very likely offend someone powerful." The aura pressure increased—sliding up my spine this time. Not painful, but unmistakably testing me.
I anchored my breath, kept my essence under control, and met his eyes. He nodded once in approval and kept lecturing. "When you speak as Lady Ajei, you represent Solhara. When you speak as a Sentinel, you represent the Accord laws. Know which voice you're using. Know who you're speaking to."