Memoirs and Recollection of a Fractured Heart - Sovernus Nova

[Lord Iezkon]

Entry #6 of Horuset Chronicles:
The Game of Old

***A detailed entry with personal reasoning behind what transpired during Lord Sanguinis's test. ***

Often there comes a time where the opportunity of recognition arises.

In this particular case, Lord Sanguinis announced such an opportunity to be raised into the awareness of acolytes.

The task was straightforward and simple, Lord Sanguinis had provided an ‘object’ to Acolyte Valkara, in which he issued a challenge to all acolytes willing to gain his esteemed favour to procure such an item from the clutches of Valkara’s cautious grip.

Naturally this provided interesting scenarios, in which many would secretly scheme to seize the object in question. My contemporaries were naturally drawn into the prospect of attaining a spotlight from Lord Sanguinis.

It was a matter of orchestrating the scenarios and obtaining the most optimal outcome based on the provided information and long-term benefits. The initial situation is as follows:

A loose collective of cooperation is made, or so the self-proclaimed leader Ned'horroc describes as an “Alliance”. This consists of many acolytes, of which Valkara and myself is included. An acolyte which I inferred was Johran, threatened her to hand over the object, which of course she adamantly refused.

Nedhorroc would later attempt to persuade Valkara to give him the object for safekeeping, citing that his reason was to use it to ‘’start official negotiations’’ with Lord Sanguinis for the Alliance. I cannot fully express nor list down the number of things wrong in that sentence alone. His intention to seize the object for himself was glaringly obvious and lacks cunning in delivery. It is no wonder Valkara refused his suggestion, but moreso she was inherently a cautious person- not trusting anyone in general.

She informed us that she will keep the lighter to herself until the deadline, in which she would credit the victory to those involved in assisting her to protect it. It was a clever ruse, her delivery of such was refined and natural- allowing people themselves to deduce the implication that the ‘lighter’ is indeed the real object. Nedhorroc took this at face value, however I did not.

With no confirmation whether the object is truly the lighter or not, I sought to play the long-term game. The four days given could provide ample opportunity to confirm the true object, there was no need to rush and expose oneself. While indeed, I had no intention of claiming the object myself, I was drawn to understanding the entirety of the situation- like any predisposed thinker would.

My objectives were as follows:
1. Keep the object in line of ‘sight’. Meaning to at least know who has it at all times.
2. Confirm the true object, as I still maintain doubt on whether the lighter is it.
3. Manipulate the movements of acolytes involved that intend to seize it.

With those in mind, I informed that I agree with Valkara and that my priority is to keep the object secure. This would confine the possession of the object under my radar. My reasoning to them was that a new acolyte already threatened her, meaning that the other more experienced acolytes must have heard about the announcement already but has not yet made their moves, which may be more provide more daunting complications in the near future.

It was here where I continued on my plans. I travelled to Korriban to meet with old contacts- former enemies of my time during the academy, those who ‘allied’ themselves to the deceased Frelan Drul who was the mastermind and leader of a network of acolytes. Once as a collective, they subjugated and beaten me to an inch of my life and used me as an example for the rest of the generation. But at the end of my time in Korriban my presence compels a different image in their mind, after all I solidified it with the death of their leader.

I demanded the tablet used in the past- a forgery that successfully deceived and caused the major injuries or even deaths of acolytes, myself included, who Frelan Drul sought to eliminate with varying successes.

I returned to the shuttle with the tablet as well as a standard mask bought from the local stands. Though I caught the eye of an imperial who seems to be aware of who I was. No doubt rumors regarding my visit will gradually reach the ears of the House. But I was not too bothered by it, knowing the other acolytes hardly ever bother with whispers and rumors from Imperials.

At this point I decided to become forthright in what I know to Valkara. From my observation, she is more intelligent than what others would assume, especially with her rather self-contained and agreeable demeanor. It was a calculated move, to inform her of how Nedhorroc truly is, a pragmatic and self-interested individual who most likely will attempt to seize the object for his own self interests.

It was at this moment when I gave her the tablet, explaining what its purpose was:

1. To act as a decoy, since the greatest advantage is misinformation. The other acolytes only know that it is an ‘object’. A tablet with cryptic markings would not cause major doubts for the taker.

2. To keep the real object (whether it is the lighter or not) safe in the hands of the group. On a personal note, it keeps the object within my radar and not lost amongst the hands of other acolytes.

3. To subconsciously ease Nedhorroc’s mind and strip him from any doubts that the lighter may not be the object intended. If I commit to placing a decoy, a person who is inadequate in playing the ‘game’ would not think twice that the object the decoy serves to conceal is in fact possibly a false object in of itself.

4. If another acolyte managed to steal/take the tablet, both Nedhorroc and I will confront the perpetrator and ‘’threaten’’ them to hand the object over, thus solidifying the acolyte’s thoughts on the tablet being the real item, forcing them to protect and focus it more vigilantly. This is further compliments point 3 above, to also ease Nedhorroc’s mind.

5. Should a band of acolyte use extreme measures to rip it off from Valkara’s hand, they’d later focus on protecting a forgery. And in the best-case scenario, waste their time and efforts scheming to take it from one another.

6. Solidify my intentions and position of protecting the object for the sake of the alliance.

Valkara revealed that the lighter was not the object (which I still maintained my doubts regardless) and that she kept the real object hidden away from her. Nonetheless she kept the tablet as I reasoned that acolytes may resort to extreme measures of physical torture or outright overpower her when there is only 24 hours left.

As a day passed by, Nedhorroc’s intentions became increasingly evident. He questioned me regarding a simple question:

“What would happen if a member of the alliance leaves?

It was obvious he was thinking of a situation that would inevitably result in Valkara’s departure from the alliance, and naturally one can deduce it had to do with stabbing her in the back and seizing the lighter for himself. I told him that he’s weighing in a short-term win against a long term lost.

It was here I conducted a test of my own, as I often do on a regular basis on everyone I meet. I am fully aware of his pragmatic and self-interested personality, and know that further beyond the line, he would eliminate me as my ‘usefulness’ comes to an end. Consider this a pre-emptive strike that will determine his future, hinging on this singular choice and to see whether he can work on mutual goals.

Whether he will protect the object or seize it for himself.

I’ve informed him that rationally, this opportunity is once in a lifetime. To gain favour from an esteemed Lord is not to be taken lightly. While being credited in supporting her does indeed gives one minor recognition, it would not guarantee one a candidacy for apprenticeship. She would gain the spotlight while we would have to content ourselves with being slightly recognized. I’ve settled with protecting her knowing I would not be at the primary limelight.

It was here he made his choice. Personal glory defines Siths and he was no different. A good Sith orchestrates his own elevation afterall, and he was not content with being number two. A trait that is admirable to say the least.

Yet he failed to eclipse the very singular trait that caused the downfall of most Siths. In this state, he was clinging onto desperation. He heard Valkara was in the Kaas City, and he intended to take the opportunity, offering me to join him.

The deadline was arriving soon, he needed a plan to seize the lighter and knowing his inadequate state in planning an elaborate and effective plot to take it, he deferred his actions unto me. Which is no different to submitting to my will.

I provided an elaborate plan that will allow him to effectively seize the lighter and provide the greatest benefit.

1. Nedhorroc would invite Valkara to his personal apartment. This serves as an isolated place away from cameras, witnesses and any backup Valkara may have. I will be hidden and situated in the next room with Dampen Presence and wearing the mask I procured from Korriban.

2. ‘Negotiations’ would start concerning the lighter. If it is not given, a fight will ensue.

3. The purpose of the fight was to have Valkara’s focus onto Nedhorroc, draining her stamina and focus. It is to prevent her from sensing my movements or being at all aware of my presence.

4. At this point, I will stealthily move from her blindspot. Quickly knocking her unconscious.

5. Nedhorroc will claim the lighter, and I will move Valkara’s unconscious body to a nearby shuttle to be sent to a medbay.

6. When she wakes up, I will meet her there and comfort her as an ally and ask her what happened. From this point I act as a spy. Should she reveal Nedhorroc’s actions, and express her desires to take back the lighter, I will secretly inform him of her next moves to make sure he stays one step ahead.

7. At which point Nedhorroc will continue to gather distance and avoid her based on my information, until the deadline reaches its peak.

8. From there Nedhorroc will present the lighter to Lord Sanguinis and credit me for assisting.

As expected the plan went smoothly till the end. Nedhorroc seemed most please the moment he took the lighter from Valkara’s unconscious body. Victory for him seems guaranteed and his position as a candidate worthy of Lord Sanguinis’s apprenticeship seemed secured.

Seemed.

What I failed to mention to him was the fact that I’ve revealed this entire scheme to Valkara and have been working with her the moment he decided to betray.

It was a double layered scheme on top of each other. The moment I took Valkara to the medbay, it guaranteed that no one would pursue or target her. The tablet decoy would have served its purpose in case something happens, but the fact that Nedhorroc has the lighter- it would naturally cement his assumption that his victory is secured.

The fact that I brought her far away from him, was not so that he can gather distance in case she attempts to take it back. But rather to prevent him from attempting to take the real object from her should he gain the awareness that the lighter he took may not actually be the real object.

I twisted the plans in irony that he is the one that creates distance away from his objective instead. This was always part of the calculated move. Furthermore, if there was still time left till the deadline, I would have informed him of false moves and actions, that are designed to keep him busy and waste his time and energy in protecting the lighter.

When the deadline came, Lord Sanguinis awaited the acolyte with the object he had entrusted Valkara with. Nedhorroc naturally stepped forward with a glimmer of confidence radiating from him. Unveiling the lighter to his eminence. He credited my involvement in retrieving said lighter, as naturally he was unaware of the plot I orchestrated behind the shadows. Instead of glory that awaited him, something else was expressed from the lord.

Lord Sanguinis would stare upon him with disapproval, claiming he had been duped and played poorly in the game of old. After which he promptly knocked him unconscious, a development which was coincidentally beneficial for me.

Valkara then presented his esteem lordship with a different lighter, one that she procured in the last minute from her hiding place. She would later on explain how she stole a different lighter as a decoy from the mercs, those who were drowning their worries in a local bar- too dull to even notice her. She would use this decoy lighter as the layer of concealment to hide the real lighter. She too would credit my involvement in protecting the real lighter.

Though naturally the extent of my contributions cannot be assessed by mere words. From anyone’s perspective one may even assume I stood idly in the sidelines and kept an eye on her without truly doing anything of note. Though Lord Sanguinis may have a vague idea if he was perceptive to note the contradictory facts from the two acolytes that presented the objects to him.

Nedhorroc credited me for assisting him in seizing the lighter, but Valkara also credited me in protecting it.

When one questions why this particular outcome is desirable, it is important to trace back on what information was available.

I had no idea what the true object is, where it is hidden and whether the lighter is truly a decoy or the real thing. I’ve experienced double bluffs on a constant basis with my father. Therefore, it was more beneficial to gain something from both sides.

If the lighter that Nedhorroc has in his possession is the true object, I would gain credit and recognition in seizing it from her.

If the lighter Valkara has in her possession is the true object, I would gain credit and recognition in protecting it.

I orchestrated a win-win situation for myself according to what I want to achieve. Though others would question a simple inquiry:

“When Valkara took the real object from the hiding place in the last minute, why did you not seize that opportunity and knock her unconscious. Claim the lighter and present it to Lord Sanguinis?”

The following are my reasoning as to why that is one of the worst-case scenario and why I did not do it.

1. There was limited time, I no longer have the method of surprise or stealth as no doubt she would raise her awareness at this point.

2. There were witnesses and cameras, to do so is to do away with the skill of subterfuge and deception. Reckless actions and blunt directness has no place in the Empire.

3. Even if I were to succeed by planning something beforehand, it would be detrimental in the long run since I would be in a situation where I turned against Valkara, who can reveal my deception to Nedhorroc, stating that I tricked them both. It was unwise to make enemies on both fronts before the trials, especially when there were other alliances. I would make myself the target of both sides and no matter how confident I am in my abilities, it is impossible to handle everyone single handedly.

4. Lord Sanguinis entrusted Valkara with the lighter. Meaning they have an already established relationship, I deduce he’s been priming her to be his potential apprentice. It’s evident with the announcement and declaration that potentially made her the one single target of everyone’s scrutiny. This is more or less his method of confirming her worth.

5. Lord Sanguinis is known to only accept -one- apprentice for many reasons, though I am unsure if this extends to other generations. Apprentice Siors has spoken of this before, on the single-minded focus of his master, it was difficult to impress or gain his acknowledgement. If my deduction is true, she is already primed to be that one singular apprentice.

6. My preference is to remain in the dark, being in the spotlight is not suited for my attunement to think and cause ripples in events from behind the scenes. Gaining power in obscurity through my own machinations is what I am suited for, rather than the openness that would expose myself on a day to day basis. I’ve learnt this the hard way, and there are many reasons as to why many Siths opted to pursue this path.

I am content in leaving my works in the shadows as I have achieved all my objectives.

I gained a valuable ally and have staged for Valkara’s ascension into apprenticeship while retaining cooperation with Nedhorroc due to his blissful unawareness. Moreso after this experience, Ned seems more willing to defer his actions unto my will, no doubt he’s tired of being manipulated and outplayed. Ironic.

Alas the trials will soon be at hand, I am not so brazenly arrogant as to believe I am prepared for it. I’ve noticed how certain acolytes strides forth with nonchalant attitudes and a general disregard of the potential hardship they will face. It often compels me to question whether they have experienced the reality of true adversity.

I am fully aware of the depth and limits of my mastery and in that regard, I am significantly behind on my own expectations. Family obligations has always interfered with lessons. But it pales in comparison with the struggle of control.

My options are running low, I need to find a temporary solution before the trials quickly. I fear my command of my consciousness will soon be overtaken.