Session 108: 20th September 2022 - “Great and Heroic or Great and Terrible”
“Acastus was young, and popular. He had been learning the nature of politics most of this life from Idylla. Then he, as many do, got it in his head that he was going to change the world.”
He visited the oracle, and when he returned he was distraught. She had told him he would never amount to anything. That his doom would come at the hands of his own progeny. Acastus had many lovers, but all of it stopped then, he only kept Pandora on. The spirit of the bay, he woods her to gain influence over the city and the love of the people, its shores and the city smiled favour on him. Pandora loved him dearly. “
“When Acastus was ready to ascend the ladder to the queen of mytros, Vallus, and the goddess of wisdom.”
“He attempted to kill Pandora but Idylla prevented it. It was only a matter of time before he tried again.”
“Working carefully Idylla and friends made arrangements for Pandora to be exiled at the hands of Vallus, the only woman he would not get revenge upon. Idylla was hounded, but she was oathbound by Vallus to keep it a secret. He spent years trying to hint Pandora down. Xan was born on the island.”
“Pandora loved Acastus dearly. Acastus did not know of you but kept a watch on the island. He discovered your existence about a year before but still was unable to reach to her and deal with anyone on the island. It took a much stronger dragon to attack - Icarus. And when she was large enough she could reach across the seas.”
Xan’s head filled with swirls and spikes of murder - how dare he. He killed her. He shouldn’t be alive. But Idylla continues. Xan and her allies can outdo him - gain fame and gain riches and take over his position as most popular.
Idylla can help them, politically she can share her knowledge. Idylla still has friends back in Mytros, we can align them to our cause. She can provide her with something that no one else knows.
Idylla had some time during the time Pandora was pregnant, and had time to watch her son. The lie he spun to others is that he has acquired these dragons from ancient dragonlords sights. Deep vaults of riches within Mytros that only he as an Arkelander can access. He claims he hatched the dragons and gifted to those loyal to him.
Idylla speaks, “Some of that is true - he did hatch them, he did give them to his followers, as allies and pets, but he did not acquire them from vaults or though ancient Arkelander secrets.”
“All were taken centuries ago. He made a deal, a pact of neutrality, when the oath of peace ends, with Sydon. This is typical of Acastus, but he will never remain neutral, he is simply persuasive. He thinks if he gets enough dragonriders, he will have an army to fight against Sydon and will be the saviours of Mytros.”
“He only wishes to make himself the hero. But he and his dragons and allies are not the chosen champions.”
Idylla takes her to a villa house and asks her to slip in the back, which Xan agrees to. She enters the home and looks around, a large empty room. Idylla follows her, and presents her with a small gift. She takes her key and puts it in her sleeve.
A dragon egg. Silver with a tarnished look - and small. Xan embraces her grandmother.
She asks her grandmother how to help resolve the civil war. She suggests they continue with their conversations. Taryn can be ruthless. We have a real choice in determining who is in charge. Why not someone we want in charge. But what are we willing to do? Anything is possible but we may need to change who we are, and that is not something we may want to break.
Xan asks her grandmother about her own perception within her allies. She is seen as a liar, a pirate, when she speaks they expect lies and deception. But she only wants to build a relationship with them. She feels they see her as an outsider. Every time she has told them the truth they have been angry; her heritage, her ancestors, that she didn’t immediately tell Calliope of Helokaons demise. Each time she reveals her truths someone reacts badly.
But Idylla gives a good piece of advise. She might as well speak her truth, even though it may not be what people want to hear. She can only choose whether to pander to people or to be her own person.
“You can be great and heroic or great and terrible”
Before she leaves, Idylla imparts one final piece of guidance.
“Tomorrow morning would be a great time to let them know what they have done with Ismane and begin negotiations”