Legend of Ransera

Kala had no answer for his statement. Thankfully, it had been rhetorical and no response was necessary. It was a thing she was wrestling with herself, although even there, her path was different. Talon Novalys and Arcas Lightbringer were integrating into something, someone new. Kala was becoming something new, but she didn't have the memories of Nazam Starlord. Neither paths were easy. Perhaps when she was ready to share her secret, she might offer him some peace. Misery did love company. Birth and rebirth were painful processes.

The second question was, at least, one she could answer, albeit with condition.

"I do not know his soul," she replied. "And I do not know him well. In our brief interactions, he has been kind and brave. In my observations of his work, he does seem to be the sort of leader who serves his people rather than dominates them. Whether that is who he is or propaganda for his campaign, I do not know. I could Semble him more deeply, but methinks that would be seen as overstepping. He is a High Lord, and I am merely my mother's daughter."

Talon hadn't been present to hear her misgivings about the thought of him as their Shokaze, but the council meeting's proceedings were public record, at least to people of their rank. Her misgivings were just that, however. She thought that Talon Novalys would have been an excellent Shokaze. But now he was more than Talon Novalys, and she didn't know Arcas at all save for history and legend. Certainly, light, hope, and justice were good things for a nation-state, but even she found it difficult to give her work as much attention as she ought to sometimes. She was also coping with apotheosis. Would Karnor suffer for her distraction? She hoped not. She didn't know.

"You could make him a Dawnmartyr," she suggested out of nowhere. Perhaps it was intuition; perhaps it was inspiration. "Place your mark upon his soul. Keep him close, whether he is friend or enemy, and then let him rule with your blessing. He would rule, but you would retain oversight. Or you could be co-rulers. Leave the quotidien matters to the mortal Shokaze, while the immortal Shokaze keeps his eye upon the far future."

It was a suggestion, and she was not tied to it. She only wanted to give him options. Even if he didn't like this one, it might spark some other compromise that suited him better.

She inclined her head in thanks at his compliment. Becoming a Vice-Minister was attracting more notice to her family than anything from the previous generation of Leukos, but then she and her brother had brought notice as soon as their troubled birth had brought Akshara to Kalzasi to seek Lady Ahtivan's aid. But she couldn't worry overmuch at that; Naori Herself had put her on her path to Atoria, to wings, to godhead. All she could do was find a way to make a clean break such that her family could maintain their secrets and she could rise to the heights that Vicis required of her.

She smiled and inclined her head once more at his thanks. The young lady was only too happy to offer her strange ways of thinking if they helped. As often as not, her thoughts seemed more folly than wisdom, but she did occasionally come up with strange solutions that worked for strange problems.

Her head bowed as the attendant interrupted; she couldn't not hear what was said, but it was a way the mountain folk showed respect in such situations, the idea of privacy. Certainly, she wouldn't share anything that was shared in front of her. In any case, a room full of generals was of greater import than a Vice-Minister.

"Apology accepted, Your Highness," she replied immediately. "You have endured great traumas. They twist like thorny vines through a soul, sometimes catching when least expected. I thank you for your time, and you are welcome to my counsel whenever you wish it." She had already apologized for her part, so she merely bowed and stepped back to allow him to proceed, then she would return to her own.

Kanedama had quickly excused himself and proceeded to the next crossing of hallways to await her when she finished her conversation with the Shinsei, and waited for her still.