Role

Chapter 8

Recently, Saerali expressed to Padwei, Elder Prophet of the Light, that she
felt Unalethekai was condescending and bossy. Padwei spoke to Unalethekai
about this, who was flabbergasted and at first thought she was joking, as he
had spent the last decades of his life lifting people's spirits and doing his
best to spread joy.

Never one for politics or tip-toeing, Unalethekai immediately decided to
figure out who had the problem with him (As Padwei wished to keep it
confidential) and discovered it was the healer, much to his surprise. He
hadn't spent much time with her, and when he did, he found her quiet and
unassuming. He certainly didn't feel he had ever treated her with anything
but respect and friendship.

Troubled, he sought the Lady Neltouda, who had always helped him to chart his
course and find his bearings whenever he felt as though he was drifting. She
reminded him that if she had enough faith in him to name him First Mate of
her ship, he should not doubt himself, and that many people are simply
oversensitive and too sheltered to be comfortable with his boisterous nature.


Reassured, their talk turned to other subjects, and of Unalethekai's desire
to be Marshall of the Fortress. Since enlisting as a Scribe, he had always
known that he would straddle the line between the Acolytes and the Maran, for
many reasons. A formidable opponent in any battle, Unalethekai always seeks
to maintain a balance, spreading comfort and blessings with his left hand
even while the hammer in his right rends the shadow that seeks to overwhelm
those he protects.

A Captain of a ship must be capable of doing any task his crew is asked to
do, capable of taking on any role, be it that of priest or father, taskmaster
or cook, disciplinarian or comforting mother. Most importantly, a Captain
must never let his ship be taken.

Unalethekai has spent his whole life defending his own ship, the Blessed
Behemoth, from attack, and has never once lost her. He feels the most comfort
when he stands at the side of the Tara'Bal, repelling the shadow's forces
from the Fortress' walls. He's confident that although he will take on any
position of leadership, and undertake his duties to the best of his
abilities, his true calling is that of defense, of bolstering the spirits of
the defenders, healing their wounds, and not budging from the foredeck of his
ship, which in this case is the Redhorn gate.

He feels that although the position of Marshall is traditionally given to a
Maran, a sufficiently battle-tested Acolyte would actually do better, as they
are more defense-minded than the Holy Brigade out of habit. Unalethekai sees
himself as a rock, the light's anchor, and letting his enemies break their
teeth upon him as he doesn't budge from the Fortress' gates would inspire all
who dwell within its walls, reassuring them that there is great strength in
the Storm, and in the Light, that cannot be overcome by the filth that seeks
to swarm it.