"Yes, Lord."

Maesz seemed pleased.

(Continue posting in the Valley of Mist)

Aesin returns and immediately seeks out Maesz.

Maesz was overlooking the training of Belvairien's military force.

"Lord! It has been a while.. how do you fare?"

"I am well. And yourself Maesz? How are things here? I would like a full update."

"Nothing peculiar, my Lord. I have taken the liberty of informing the people that they are not allowed to visit the poisoned forests and strange caves. We cleared out the valley, and I have - forgive me - ordered the clearing of a second one. Food is no longer sparse. Mining operations have slowed down considerably, though.. smithing takes a lot longer then mining. Military training goes well, as always, but our force is too small, in my opinion. Sorry for my frankness, Lord.. but I have learnt to be frank."

"I appreciate your honesty Maesz. You were right to forbid visiting those locales. Eventually i will explore them myself and figure out if we can make it habitable. Food must be in stock at all times but avoid it rotting. Assign more smiths than miners. Men will come as we progress further, just focus on making the men capable.

"Yes, Lord."

He looked over the warriors, a wisp of pride in his eyes.

"Is there anything else I can do to assist you?"

"I'm expecting a guest, a Systemarch, alert me once he arrives. For now, i would like to speak to one of our magicians for an update on magical progress."

"I am the Magician of the Coldest Spire," said Maesz. "What would you care to know, Lord? I oversee all .. occulted research within the land. I am it's chief seer and greatest conjurer. I've learnt.. much about the Coldest Arts since you appointed me, Lord. The old adage is true: one learns the most about sorcery from earnestly studying any non-magical field."

Aesin raised an eyebrow. "Intriguing. You have proven yourself very capable Maesz. I would like to grant you the title of my Second, one who will rule in my place if i am absent. You will have all the duties you currently undertake as well as several new ones. Essentially, you have ultimate control over Belvairien meaning you answer only to me.If you accept this offer you will swear your complete loyalty to me and commit yourself entirely to the advancement of the realm. Secondly, as carer of the realm, you will agree to relieve yourself of the position when i have a child of my own. Finally, you will learn to think and act like me. Your mind will be in sync with mine. Do you accept my offer?"

"I..."

Maesz looked down solemnly. There was a moment of silence. He would not meet Aesin's gaze.

"I am sorry, Lord," said Maesz, "But I cannot accept your offer. I'm afraid.. I haven't been truthful with you."

"Speak then and free your conscience." Aesin withheld and assumptions while awaiting Maesz response.

"I'm a spy, Lord," said Maesz. "From the Conclave. To track you. They.. felt that certain Gods, of significant breeding, could be tooled towards their own goals. I was here to guide you towards servitude. Subtly, of course, and chances were you would anyway; but a God of Order working with Osiris-Ra was a possibility they couldn't chance."

Maesz smiled softly.

"My real name is Marasaeth, Lord, and I come from the Broken City of Alkan."

Aesin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Intriguing. I congratulate you on fooling me. I fear your time was wasted on me for i had every intent of helping the Conclave from the moment of my rebirth into Divinity. So, now that my best man is not my man at all, where do you go from here?

"I'm not sure," said Marasaeth. "I've .. become accustomed to this place."

His form shifted suddenly; no longer was he one of the native people of Belvairien, but instead a pale, raven-haired man with glimmering eyes - eyes that showed the stars. His smile was sincere.

"I was relieved some time ago, when you took the oath, but.. I decided to stay around. I'm not sure why. You've treated me with the utmost kindness. I hope we can be friends, but if it is your will to have me banished, exiled, I will leave. I am sorry for the deception."

"I've always liked you Marasaeth - you have all the qualities i admire. I can forgive you for your deceit and would like to offer you a permanent home here.

"I would like that, Aesin," said Marasaeth. "If you do not mind, I would like to call the poisoned forests my home. There is old, twisted magic there.. magic I can undo, make right. I am, of course, otherwise at your service."

"Ah yes, that would be appreciated. I would ask you to still care for my realm while im gone from here. Military training and the like. I hope you will undertake this."

"Oh, yes," said Marasaeth. "I hadn't planned on doing anything else. I take great pride in nurturing this place and it's people."

His eyes twinkled like the heavens.

"I feel the Veitins have made a great advancement through you and i hope to continue that relationship.

Aesin started to wonder where Baerd is.

Baerd, it seemed, hadn't shown up yet - but something else had. Aesin felt a new presence in his realm, of extremely pleasurable alignment - a deeply lawful creature.

"Thank you, Aesin, for all your trust," said Marasaeth. "It will not be wasted, believe me."

"I must leave now. I will, however, remain in Belvairien for the time being. So long Marasaeth"

Aesin then headed towards this presence.

The presence was a silvery, hovering sphere: a Callisti. When it saw Aesin, it rushed towards him with immense speed.

LORD AESIN? I AM OJK90 OF THE CALLISTI. ASSOCIATE. HERE TO SERVE YOU IN REGARDS TO THE MIST SITUATION.

Accept yesno?

"Ah, yes. We shall head to him now.". He then heads to Xi, where he believed Ruse to be.

It began to snow in Belvairien; this was not an unusual occurrence.