Post by TinCanHitman on Jan 1, 2018 17:22:13 GMT -6
January 2553
Karbol keep
Pink haze hung thick in the low depressions of irukan grain that spread out from Karbol's keep, the morning's wind tickled the mist into swirling patterns as the day began to creep to a start. Kubar watched as unggoy and sangheili alike began to rise and move about their morning tasks. Younglings carried themselves groggily into a loose formation as an older male named Koal began to bark orders at them, starting their training for the day already. He picked out which he could, trying to spot which of his own spawn he could. It was forbidden for sangheili fathers to interfere with their own offspring, forcing children to succeed on merit instead of blood. However Kubar had not been one to follow doctrine for quite some time now, a fact which he held closely guarded in these times of strife.
He watched as all they started ordering unggoy, directing them much like warriors. It was good training, unggoy could be difficult to reign in, they lacked focus and without concise leadership they could fall apart all together. Koal was older than the younglings, but not by much himself. He had just left the war college when the covenant collapsed, the age old feud between the sangheili and jiralhanae had finally come to a head. Koal had hardly seen combat, a few one sided skirmishes for control over the ship he had been stationed on, but otherwise only training. However training was what they needed for the younglings, discipline came before experience. They needed to make sure their warriors remained strong in the uncertain times ahead. As for the farming it was necessary and something Karbol had done for quite some time now. After Barkun and Hakan had retaken control of Hidoh Kubar had returned to his own keep to take control of it's affairs, which included taking over the farming load that they had. It currently served them well, however, as they were some of the few sangheili equipped and trained for this task.
"Leader..." came the rough rumble of his second in command, Kinjar.
"Speak." Kubar said, turning and skulking off down a narrow hall. His keep was built as a true fortress, narrow corridors and redundant chambers all centralized around a large spire. Kubar's chambers were situated at the base of the tower, allowing him to view his lands for as far as his eyes would allow.
"The elders are gathering at the Tower, our phantom is ready." Kubar didn't respond, he didn't need too. Instead he stalked into the main stairway and made his way down to the open courtyard that he knew Kinjar would be waiting at. More had awoken at this time and his keep was abuzz with the movements of his people. Weapons and armor were being made still, and in some places more demand. Females were being armed steadily for the first time in years, it was their place to defend the home which meant that Kubar's people had no shortage of work.
He moved straight from the halls to the bay of the drop ship without breaking stride, Kinjar pulling away as soon as he saw Kubar steady himself. Kinjar knew how he operated and he served him with precision. They had both given everything to the covenant, and more specifically the prophets. He felt that kinjar and their fellow honor guard understood the strife. None of them had liked the truth, the bitterness of betrayal. It also had stained their honor in a way that they may never be able to remove. That wouldn't daunt him, however. He had committed to the image he had earned, he was a light of sangheilios, he was a warrior of incredible merit. He demanded respect, and for many it was enough. For most it was easier to see the strength and focus on the utility of it. Others however still held deep hatred for being used and for the lies that had been forced down their throat. Kubar wondered how their opinions would influence his future, if he had his way, it wouldn't matter at all.
Kubar turned his focus to the massive structure that was growing on the horizon. It was the largest structure for many units and it cast an imposing figure against the rising sun of the planet. It was made of stone and consisted of a single pillar that was completely smooth until the very top. At it's peak sat a fringe that ran it's circumference that was large enough to seat three phantoms nose to tail. There were already many ships docked along it, small figures moving to and from the fringe to the many large entrances that dotted the outside of the cylinder. Kinjar set them down with a gentle thud and Kubar stepped off of the ship, slowing his pace so that Kinjar could easily catch up.
He moved purposefully through the ships and sangheili into the large open atrium inside. The tower's only known of structure was an open air structure consisting of pillars that sprouted up where the walls bellow ended with massive stone stands circling a medial point that was used as a speaking floor. Currently it remained empty, save for the few who would cross it to reach their chosen points. Kubar himself did this, almost as a challenge to those around him. He was impossible to ignore in his bright white armor, it's ornate embellishments still present even after his service. Kubar was a craftsmen and his armor still bore the pride of his work, and of his position. In this place none would deny his title of prophet slayer, however many would also bestow him the title of servant to their oppressors. He chose to ignore the stares of hatred and instead make a point of catching the gazes of those he hoped were sympathetic to him.
He made his way over to a clear patch of stone near the first few rows, he sat with Kinjar and waited as more sangheili funneled into the room. The talks that the Arbiter had been having of a peace treaty with the humans had stirred up many different opinions and every one wanted their say. These talks were always tedious and there was always so much ceremony, Kubar settled himself in for the coming tedium. Kubar wondered what brother Hakan would say, what his opinion would be and where it would lead them.
