The first lord I ever met, the flamboyant Aldrith Shutaq Newelle, told me that if anyone in PIE could help my quest, it would be Gaven Lok'ri, Chapter Master of the Excubitoris chapter on Oris.
I've been wanting to meet lord Gaven Lok'ri ever since. But, it's like wanting to meet some cluster-famous celebrity: no matter how often you write them, it usually stays a dream. However, Lunarisse Aspenstar interceded on my behalf with the Excubitoris chapter, and lo! His lordship agreed to meet me.
So it was in great anticipation and with great trepidation that I went to Oris. I took a shuttle to the Chapter house, located on a small estate overlooking the Lok'ri holding. The panoramic view of the lower lands and the inner sea is absolutely magnificent, and an ancient chapel dedicated to Saint Junip completes that picturesque view. At least, if one doesn’t look too much to the side, to the many modern military facilities dotting the estate. The security is in tune with that Sarumite militarism: the guards at the checkpoints are even more paranoid than in Mehatoor.
After being scanned and probed and background checked as if I was Shakor himself, I waited for a while on a bench, enjoying the view as I mentally blotted out the bunkers. I was joined a little later by my guardian Sefrim, now my directrix. She was dressed magnificently in a formal black and gold Amarr dress, and I immediately regretted not having ironed my habit before this visit.
We were led to the Arjam library, which houses a new museum of Dark Age Matari culture. Lord Aldrith Shutaq Newelle was there too, as well as Lord Utari Onzo. It was a pleasure to see these familiar faces.
Ah that museum is a miracle! Its halls show the results of a thousand years of exploration and collection by famous archeologist Holders. Private collections of ancient artifacts obtained from the most ancient burial sites and from famous temples of worship. Beautiful statuettes and carvings saved from the savagery of clan warfare and neglect. These marbles and weapons and scrolls and ornaments, they tell the real story of the Matari people! They expose the falsity of the recently constructed fiction that the rebels concocted with the help of the Federation in a vain attempt of nation-building and of uniting their clans.
I’m glad these objects are taken care of in such a professional manner. And, I can see why this museum cannot be readily visited by any tourist unscreened and unchecked. Knowledge of what is here would likely cause a riot in Pator. They would want it back to put it in some ill-conceived display where the artifacts would decay. Or, they might want to destroy them to cover up the truth and protect the fiction of their unity.
I will continue my report tomorrow – for today I am too full of impressions and excitement to write down all that I learnt from lord Lok’ri accurately.
