Galen 19
System-lord Erik Sunwind was an old man, and the power behind the Westmark sector. He wasn’t the Sector-lord of Westmark because he didn’t want the title it was said, but all knew that the Sector-lord Peder Cracken took no action without that of Lord Sunwind.
Lord Sunwind had been the greatest threat to King Rodger of the many lords who fought against the king’s desire to convert the kingdom to the Fabian Faith. Galen could see that the System-lord, and his father shared alot in common, and those shared ideals and beliefs did not appear to make them friends, but allies.
If Lord Sunwind had stood as the greatest threat to King Rodger, he also stood as the greatest threat to both Lord Erik Worth, and Meredith Worth. He was a powerful lord in his own right, but had a powerful network of alliances throughout Highpass of those who strongly believed in the Old Ways, and fought to preserve them.
“You entered the Jom young,” Lord Sunwind said to Galen.
“I was left as a ward as a young child, yes,” Galen replied.
Lord Sunwind shook his head. “I mean service in the Imperial Guard. Common laws require service at the age of twenty yet you entered at age eighteen.”
Galen nodded. “Most the wards of the Jom enter service at eighteen,” he replied.
“Indeed,” Lord Sunwind said with a sigh. “Once it was seen as a great honor to belong to the Order of the Jom. Warriors that defended our ways, our worlds, and more.” He shook his head again. “Now they are still warriors, relying on an outdated tradition, and serve the Fabians, and the Bolgars more than they do the people they were created to defend.”
“I disagree,” Galen said, and felt the System-lord’s eyes narrow on him as he took a drink from his mug, and set the cup down. “I mean the Jom do take contracts with the Bolgars, and the Fabians, maybe more than the legions from elsewhere in Furse Space, but they still take most their contracts with the Furse kingdoms, including the lords of Highpass.”
Lord Sunwind grunted which was more of a smirk. “I have nothing against taking the contracts with outsiders. Nor do I mean to demean what they have done. Many kings might have made their name in removing the Skoll from the Old Ruins, but it was the Jom who were the force which allowed it, but let me ask you this Galen,” he said, and looked closest at the young under-lord. “How many Fabians serve in the Jom now? Bolgars? How many Furse kings and kingdoms have they brought down?”
Galen nodded. “I know many,” he replied after a moment. “I also know a few Baatars, and Tutha who serve with the Jom.”
Lord Sunwind nodded again. “They never were shy about where their members came from, but they always demanded their members follow our ways, their ways. They always protected Furse Space from outsiders, and yet now they are the outsider more often than not.”
“Again,” Galen said with as much respect as he could. “I must disagree again. The Order of Jom swear to serve the Empire, and not the needs of the squabbling kingdoms that arose after it’s fall.” He took another sip from his mug. “Besides, without the Jom, King Rodger might still command Highpass.”
Lord Sunwind surveyed Galen for a moment with a thin smile, and than raised his mug. “Perhaps,” he said with a thoughtful look. “Although betrayal is hardly something I would be proud of, but at least some of the Jom kept to their word.” He let out a long sigh. “Still, perhaps you are right, and for that I am grateful.” The system-lord stared at Galen for a long moment, mug still raised. “To our ancestors, may their ways not be forgotten.”
Galen smiled, and raised his own mug to the System-lord, and nodded.
