Interview with lord Gaven Lok'ri, part 2

After spending a while in the library museum, we were informed that lord Lok'ri was ready to receive us, and went up to his office. It is a magnificent room, opulent in books. His lordship was sitting behind a massive desk, looking distinctly statesmanlike. He inquired about me, and I explained him sincerely about my quest. Lunarisse was silent, but at my side during the entire interview. Somehow, that made me feel invulnerable.

 

I did not want to conceal anything, so I told him about my vision. He was sceptic, but not dismissive, and that was a relief for me.

 

God, in our prayers we mumble that we are not worthy that you come to us, and -barring a rare exception- most of us truly believe that. Even though as a people we are chosen, as an individual we are aware of our sins and imperfections, and we do not feel worthy. So, on the rare occasions that You choose tell something to one of us, and we come out in joy, almost nobody of our peers is capable of believing us. And nobody can cure this unhealthy disbelief. God, is that the reason that You prefer to remain mostly silent?

 

But I digress. Lord Lok'ri first listened to my various leads, and with the swift certaintly of a Speaker he spoke his judgment, telling me quite frankly which ones were utter idiocy according to him. He suggested I broaden my scope and focused on three periods when relics were missing: the early spacefaring epoch, the era of the Moral Reforms, and the most recent times of the Minmatar rebellion. He even suggested a new lead, the "Audesder incident". 

 

This involved a precious shrine that was packed into a subwarp spaceship to rescue it from rebel hands. It surfaced in Audesder, in Minmatar territory and is apparently still in their hands. It seems the Excubitoris chapter even has some special section devoted to retrieving the relics of the Empire from heretical hands: the "Strategic Archeological and Archival Services". Ekaterina deSilvestris plays an important role in this branch. That is a stroke of luck - Ishta told me she will be marrying into House deSilvestris (also I had to suspend my disbelief when she said that). So, I am intent to meet with lady deSilvestris.

 

There was only a single moment when lord Lok'ri let some emotion shine through his shield of rationality. It was when I asked about a Khanid noble and capsuleer who was also member of the Tetrimon order. He immediately told me I should not talk to her. Then, he tried to conceal this by saying it could be many different people and he did not remember names. There was a mention of an "Edeity" capsuleer, a strange name that I will also look into, relating to the Trials.

I must admit, I have now met a few lords and ladies, but to date lord Lok'ri is the most impressive one...

Interview with lord Gaven Lok'ri, part 1

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.

Interview with Lord Aldrith Shutaq Newelle

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.