It was intriguing, of course, that Degare was so unconcerned with the volume of death their insurgence might induce, though he supposed it should be unsurprising, coming from an Entente. They were known to be callous to suffering in their grand schemes, a state of mind they were conditioned into from their early youths. Taelian wasn't much different, he supposed. He was raised in the Black Remedy, taught always that the ends justified the means. As much as he wanted to loathe Aldrin, the man leaving him for dead, cold and alone, he did not disagree with him. If a generation of Sil'Norai needed to become Famished to herald a future without the Dranoch, it was worth it. In the case of Daravin, the same argument stood, only the picture was much bleaker. Rather than a land of a few million, Daravin was a land of sixty, and if no more than ten percent of its populace died in the changeover between regimes, he would be surprised.
Still, these lofty goals were years away -- he was certain of that. First, he needed to become Kaiser, and to find powerful allies within the Empire. That meant, of course, that men like Degare needed to be uplifted themselves; if the Southern Marches could be dominated by Sil'Norai insurgents, wielding crowns and lounging on thrones, things would be much easier.
Of course, that naturally bled into Degare's own ambitions: to join with House Lorraine, to learn of Taelian's connection to Lady Ash. He could not tell him everything -- he literally, physically could not -- but he could provide inferences, and direct him to the source. He could, perhaps, ensure a meeting between the Corvo and the Lich.
"Joining with House Lorraine would be wise," he replied, nodding his head. "If you can empower your own House, and serve as an asset to Lorraine, it is not unimaginable that Socorro or Lorraine -- or perhaps a blend of the two -- might be able to take on rulership of Indories. To see a Sil'Norai on the throne of Arlain would be... historic, meaningful. It would inspire our kind across Atharen -- it would change the path of history. I'm not sure how much of Silor's history they allow you to learn in Daravin, but Arlain... Elaine Indorin, was the capital of our great Empire. It hasn't been occupied by one of our kind in thousands of years."
And for that reason, of course, it was monumental beyond its value as a sheer economic center. Arlain was the wealthiest city in Daravin, but it was also the most historically significant. Whoever held it provided their cause power and legitimacy, and invoked fear in their foes.
"You, or someone you favor, should be uplifted to becoming the Treveyn of Indories, if we wish for all of this to succeed. As for Brilan -- I cannot say much. I swore an oath not to, but I can likely bring you to her attention and assemble an audience between you two, one that I will be present within. Her goals are... incredible, far moreso than mine. She has been brooding over this Empire for a long time; the pluripotential ways in which it might change. She --"
He stopped, feeling a physical block in his throat. The Mnara was preventing him from saying more.
"She," he continued, clearing his throat, "...is a wonderful woman. Inspirational. I believe that she can change this land, as Riala Elaine once did."
Extending a hand to the other to take, as if an invitation, the man smiled smoothly from behind his own, caged masque.
"As for arcane power, I can help you with that, I believe. I am a master Resoner, and a Brand mage. Perhaps we might practice the arcane together; learn in one another's company? I can show you what I can do as a Draedan, too -- it's breathtaking, to be truthful," he said, eyes widening somewhat as his stare became more intense. "I am... truly, evolving, like I was as a child, growing into a man, only now I evolve into something far greater. It doesn't feel like I'm becoming a God, but -- I feel as if I'm transcending physical laws. You will have a powerful ally in me, Degare; I hope I might help you achieve your aspirations, too."
