Role

Chapter 9

Relatively recently, Marshall Aehwic and Captain Knaor ordered that those of
the Brigade refrain from striking at other cabal's outer guardians. The order
came in response to Drissa's proposal that they destroy the beer elemental
outside the Entropists' tower to get at the Wight Linkan hiding within.
Drissa was unhappy with the order, but will of course obey her leaders.

When she sought guidance on the matter of the cabal guardians from Lord
Korsgaard, he counseled her to speak to her leaders - and to aspire to
leadership herself. She would happily accept such a position, were it
offered, and would relish the opportunity to help others find their own Paths
and purpose in service of the greater good.

She hopes to speak with Aehwic and Knaor about the matter of the outer
guardians soon, although all three have not crossed paths at the same time
for a little while. She hopes that she can convince them to allow her to
exercise her best judgment in such matters, her thinking being as follows:

(1) It is part and parcel of being a Maran to do things that would otherwise
be regrettable were they not in service of the Light and in pursuit of
victory over Darkness.

(2) Allowing Entropists, Outlanders, Villagers, and even Tribunals in more
rare circumstances to know that they are safe behind their outer guardians
has as real a cost as blindly throwing ourselves at these guardians whenever
one of our enemies lurks behind them.

(3) One of Aehwic's clearest reasons for the order, that assaulting other
cabals might invite attacks from those who would not otherwise be enemies,
does make good sense. However, it is not unreasonable to expect others to be
as appreciative of our beliefs as we are of theirs. After all, when Village
Berserkers assault the Tara'bal to get at our mages, we seek to turn them
away but not to pursue unless they are wicked themselves.

(4) Squires and Maran should be trusted to exercise their judgment as to what
is appropriate and inappropriate, specific rules often seem overly
restrictive. Leaders guide us and must do what they see necessary to ensure
that we are always acting from a place of virtue, and they command in battle
to prevent confusion, but part of the growth from Squire towards Maran
involves gaining confidence from knowing what is right and acting
accordingly.