I had the honor of meeting Lord-Consort Aldrith Shutaq Newelle. It is the first time I ever met a man of such high status, a Lord and Divine Commodore.
Strangely, he chose to meet in a Gallente coffee bar.
Ishta Maleto happened to be at that bar. I think she has a tell-tale mannerism when she is on duty, and yesterday evening, it showed.
His Lordship arrived, impeccably groomed with refined taste, yet not effete. This impressed me, as he had just returned from war – he currently battles the Ushra’Khan terrorists in Kemala.
His Lordship was generous with information beyond my wildest hopes. He gave me his opinion on why the Amarr loyalists of LUMEN and PIE have drifted apart.
Firstly, his Lordship, and I think PIE as an organization, is allegiant to House Sarum. LUMEN filed a petition to the Empress to stop Lord Arrach Sarum from Reclaiming Floseswin. Directrix Aspenstar held the pen for that petition, and the number 2 signatory is none other than Arsia Elkin. The petition is seen as an attack on house Sarum.
Secondly, in the words of his Lordship, LUMEN has “barred all of their members from assisting with any offensive action the 24th Imperial Crusade may take in rebel held territory in the warzone”.
His Lordship gave me the impression that he looked down with disdain on the activities of LUMEN in the highsec areas. In that, he appears afflicted with that particular blindness common in military men: judging persons solely by the amount of blood on their swords. Personally, I see LUMEN and PIE representing the crown and the scepter, respectively. Their strength is unmatched but they must be wielded together.
We discussed other topics, such as the Goners and archeology (I should contact retired chapter masters Gaven Lok’ri and Shaikar, and the one they call their Archbishop). His Lordship found ARC mostly neutral, but not trustworthy. EDI it seems was composed of outright enemies, who agreed to collaborate temporarily to face a greater threat.
I have much to mull over.
