Romulan Empire Log | Coil of Darkness | Praetor Vreenak

Posted on 241504.18 @ 1:30am by Praetor Arrenhe t'Ahaefvthe

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Location: Romulus

[Romulus]

Eisn’s hot glory cast it’s brightness down upon the frail man as he knelt beside a recently tilled patch of earth. Gloves fingers dug into the loose soil pulling from the soft recess a few large rocks which he cast away over a shoulder. A few servants stood by looking on anxiously- perhaps wondering if the old fool would collapse over from heat stroke or exhaustion. He humored their curiosity by not snapping at them, after all, in the end it would be those very servants who would have to finish his garden. Greenery was not his passion. Dirt was just dirt. It was a tiring ordeal. Looking up at the cloudless sky with fogged irises he let out a brittle sigh wondering if his sanity was now leaving him. The sound of approaching boot steps down the cobbled walkway brought relief as he finally pulled off the gloves content to have a reason ignore this patch of dirt.

“Telaet (elder) Vreenak.” He looked up at the shadow approaching him- barely able to make out the dark silhouette’s slim figure through his cataracts. If not for the soft melodious tenor he would have never recognized the person standing before him as his young niece Vriha. “Have you heard the news? The Senate has approved the Praetor Ahaefvthe’s request to seek out an accord with the Federation.” The melodious quality of the voice was soon soured by the young woman’s bitterness.

Vreenak arched a brow at Vriha and held his hands up. Two servants surrounded him and lifted the elderly Praetor by his thin leathery arms until he was steady on his feet. Tossing his gloves into the dirt he waved the servants off and beckoned her to an outstretched arm to help guide him. When he felt the touch of her hands he let Vriha guide him down the cobbled pathway “they say that tr’AAnikh loved to garden- even in his advanced age he would still help plant the orchards that made his family’s ale production so famous. Though, honestly, I cannot find any tranquility in such tedious work. Being out in the heat, with these insects, it burns on one’s mind. How he was ever able to hold the post of Chief Praetor I will never know but at least now I understand why many considered him a fool.”

“Telaet…”

“Ach!” He cut her off “do not interrupt me child. I have been forgiving of your rudeness so far but my old tired mind only has so much patience.” Vreenak stopped, a motioned which seemed to surprise Vriha as she pulled on his arm lightly before stopping herself “now, listen. Arrenhe t’Ahaefvthe is not much different than tr’AAnikh- they both are fools…kin to those dirty packleds who search for things they cannot have nor fully understand. Arrenhe would like peace with the Federation. It is not something that can be done easily. She will have to convince the Senate and Praetorate of the merits. No. This is not a problem. If she wishes to go to Earth then we should let her. There are always opportunities- even in the most unlikely places.”

“But what if she reaches an accord with Earth?”

“The Zorek will accept it.”

Silence lingered as random bird song filled the void. Finally Vriha managed to breath and spoke “why would we accept such a thing?”

“The Klingons have busied themselves attacking our border worlds. Do you think we should also throw ourselves at the Federation? Once we deal with Klingons then we can concentrate on the Federation.” Vreenak frowned “your lack of calculation is perhaps why you have not advanced through the ranks of the Galae as you would have liked.”

An indignant huff met his comment along the sound of boot steps echoing off into the distance. Vriha’s slim silhouette melted into the green blur and the elderly Praetor shook his head. That child is so impatient. How will she be of any use to us of she doesn’t mature? A warm gust sent a few leaves flurrying against his robes. He looked up at the blue haze “Are you watching? Vriha is too impatient. We may not be able to use her.”

“Give her some time Praetor. Perhaps she will work out. There is no rush.”

“I will give her time- but my patience with her absurdity wears thin. Have you spoken to our friends in the Federation?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“They assure me that if Chief Praetor t’Ahaefvthe goes to Earth- she will never return to Romulus. Alive at least.”

[To be continued…]