Augustine

The Grand Arbiter Augustine IV sat in a rather uncomforatable looking wooden chair in the center of the large carriage behind a desk littered with various different papers. Documents detailing old battle plans, appeals for different criminal law cases, judge requests, and other such papers were scattered before the ruler. Augustine had been the ruling arbiter of the Azorius guild for 10 years now and was the first of his family line to do so. His great-grandfather Augustine I was one of the sphinx's original law scribes when the first book of Azorian law was transcribed. Ever since then, Gus' family had been loyal servants of the Azorius guild, and now their fealty had proven itself and he was the Grand Arbiter. What an accomplishment for his children and his children's children to speak of! This was the mindset Gus knew he should be having at this moment but the past ten years had begun to weigh on him, heavily.

He had been given the Grand Arbiter position when he wass an ordinary high judge of the tenth district. Ten years ago the former Grand Arbiter died suddenly in a Grull wildfolk raid. They had never been seen this far east and it was obviously an inside job. Many suspected the dragon for he always had a knack for tricking simple tribesfolk and commonfolk into doing his bidding. Either way, the end result was a dead Grand Arbiter and a very sour relationship with the Grull. Augustine entered into the position through nomination by the council and the sphinx himself. He was blown away by the outpouring of support though he understood why. He was the only one in the guild that had any form of significant influence in the Grull guild, due to his military history with them. Using his skills of diplomacy, he managed to construct a tentative peace with the Grull and the plane was once again peaceful for a time, until the Demon decided to take another round at the sphinx through yet another pointlessly brutal war.

Augustine hated the Rakdos with a passion equally hot as the cursed mountains in which that guild resided. This was what he was pondering about as his most trusted precinct captain Reginald came back from his meeting with the tribute, alone.

"So. . . Where is she?" Augustine asked Reginald in a somewhat irritated and annoyed tone.

"She refused to come with me." Replied Reginald somewhat sheepishly.

"Refused!?" asked the Grand Arbiter in frustration. "Who on earth does she think she is!? Does she think that this is some form of game? Does she believe the ancient customs of the Azorian order are not of enough importance for her?" Gus had stood from his seat and was busy pacing the room as he spoke.

"She did mention something about the letter you sent her." Announced the captain somewhat matter-o-factly.

"What?" Replied the Grand Arbiter. "What did she say?

"Something about how in the letter it says she is to meet with the 'Grand Arbiter' and not one of his. . ." said the captain not wishing to finish the sentence.

"Huh," said the Grand Arbiter, "And to think that I almost took her as a simple Merfolk. She may have a law mind yet. Perhaps someday she could become a high priest of the law. How young is she again Reggie?"

The captain was quite taken aback by the Grand Arbiter's response to this girl's reply, but in his confusion he replied, "I believe she is twelve sir. Though I do not see why this matters, she needs to be taught how disrespectful all of this is. Just say the word sir and I can teach this little bitch some manners." The captain's eyes gleamed at the prospect of educating the young Merfolk in the way only a captain can.

"You will do no such thing!" the Grand Arbiter ordered. The captain seemed somewhat disappointed but gave an assuring nod in approval. "I am now intrigued by this girl. She obviously is quite intelligent beyond her years and the capital is becoming too overpopulated with old fools. It will be nice to have young blood walking the halls and streets again. We shall give her an hour to say goodbye to her friends then I will meet her."

"I do not believe this is the right course of action, sir." Said the captain with a tinge of anger.

"I do not appreciate your tone Reginald. Ever since the war ended you have never quite gotten the hang of civil life." The Grand Arbiter retorted putting the captain in his place. "Sometimes confidence is confused with disrespect and in war that means a lesson must be learned, but in peacetime you must be willing to accept a certain level of disrespect for the sake of peace. It is not enjoyable but that is one part of being a good leader, knowing when to fight your battles and when to just accept the truce."

The captain knew this to be true nut had a difficult time accepting it. He stared at the Grand Arbiter and realized that he really wasn't the man he first met 15 years ago in the Azorian Law Army. That man no longer existed. That man died long ago. "You've changed Gus, since I've known you. Still trying to figure out whether it was for the good or bad" said the captain as he went outside the tent to blow off some steam.

An hour passed and Gus got up from behind his desk and walked out of the carriage and towards the tent. He stood outside as the Precinct Captain went inside the tent to alert the tribute Zegana he was waiting for her. She emerged and Gus was struck by how absolutely beautiful she looked but also how fragile and young. She wore a large ceremonial headdress with tendrils expanding in an oval around her head with the longest draping all the way to the ground. She had on traditional Merfolk dress robes of green and blue. She had many lines along her bare arms and legs symbolizing her allegiance with this tribe and they were all visible. She looked like a precious but beautiful baby bird meant to soar above all other creatures, still unable to fly and looking up with confidence but also a secret fear of the future.

Gus stood firmly and announced to the little Merfolk child, "Hello Zegana. I am Grand Arbiter Augustine IV and I have come to collect you as tribute of the Azorius guild. Will you come with me?"

Zegana gave her home one last look. She then looked at Gus and replied, "I will." She then entered the carriage with them and was on her way to the capital.

Gus and the Precinct Captain followed her and stood in the main room of the carriage. There were two doors in the back and one in the front along with the entrance to the driving area.

Gus looked at Zegana, then to the captain, then back at Zegana. He said with a vigor to disrupt the awkward silence that had fallen upon them, "So, back there are the sitting rooms where you may sleep or wish to change or be alone. My abode is the one on the left and yours is the right. Up here in the front is the lavatory, if you so need. Other than that there is very little to this little carriage."

Little was a downplay of false modesty. This was more extravagant than anything Zegana had ever seen. Even the transportation had a feeling of luxury. This was definitely not the same as her tribes tents and huts. She had better get used to extravagance. She walked to the small couch situated on the far side of the carriage and sat down facing the window. She watched as the sea by her village became distant as they headed west towards the capital. She sighed and closed her eyes thinking of all that had happened. Then she looked up at the Grand Arbiter and asked, "How long will this journey take?"

Gus looked down at her and answered her as a father would answer a bothersome child, "Soon enough, little one."

"I do not appreciate being belittled by the likes of someone whom I am supposed to respect and revere." Replied Zegana fiercely.

Augustine was shocked by the fire and the spirit that dwelled and erupted from this young creature. He smiled and calmly replied, " My apologies miss, I did not mean to offend you. It was merely a sign of admiration."

Zegana stared at the old man and sized him up. He was quite obviously stronger than her in any physical way. But in wits and mental prowess, they may have been tied, just maybe. Zegana went back to looking out the window and said casually, "Must the captain stay with us? I do not believe he enjoys my company very much."

The Precinct Captain scowled at the little Merfolk and looked to the Grand Arbiter. Gus took a glance at Reginald and gave a small chuckle. He then returned his glance to Zegana who was not looking at him and said, "I'm afraid so. Can't be too careful on this road. Even though this may be a time of peace, raiders still come and go. And there is always a Rakdos hoard that wandered too far from home and wants to wreak havoc. You never know on any road outside of the confides of a guild, and even then you can never be too sure.

Zegana looked down and then out the window and replied sadly, "Is that so. . ."

Gus felt pity on this poor child. Reginald was not a bad man, but he was a rather harsh man and for someone who had been through so much in such short a time, he could understand her hesitation and near revulsion of the man. But customs are customs and Reginald was with them until they reached the capital and most likely afterwards as well. "Tell you what. I am feeling generous today and I will offer you something that I very seldom offer." Said the Grand Arbiter in a cheerful tone to entice some happiness from Zegana.

"Oh?"said the merefolk absently

"I will offer you the opportunity to ask me any three questions you wish and I will be bound by my honor to answer them honestly and completely. I am one of the most trusted and well educated men of Ravnica. I know everything there is to know about the Azorius guild and many others as well. So what do you say to that my dear Zegana?" offered the Grand Arbiter in an overly happy tone. The type of tone only those who really wish to please have.

Zegana stared at the Grand Arbiter and looked him straight in the eye as she said, "Any question?"

"Any question." Replied Gus.

Zegana stared, then smiled and asked, "Are those back rooms soundproof?"

Augustine stared at here in bewilderment. Then he saw she was staring back at him with a completely straight face and he began to awkwardly chuckle. "Well. He he. I suppose so. I never can hear when the captain is calling for me when I am back there. That is mainly why I prefer to work out here." Said Gus to Zegana.

Zegana quickly stood to her feet and walked over to the door on the left. She opened the door and gazed around the room. She then looked back out to the lobby and stared at the captain, then directly at Gus. "Good." She replied as she slammed the door and locked it.

The ride to the capital was not a particularly long one, though it did tend to wear on travelers. Immense fields of grass stretched for miles in any direction occasionally interrupted by a river or stream which would empty into rather large reservoirs every 10 miles. Around each reservoir was a small town or village and these were the only places in which an abundance of people dwelled. The ride was quite uneventful for all parties aboard the Azorian vehicle. The Grand Arbiter resigned himself to his papers in the lobby for the majority of the journey. The captain took residence with the driver in front, and Zegana resided herself in the back quietly alone.

Gus was troubled by the first impressions he had made on the young tribute, fearing maybe he gave her the wrong impression of the Azorian elite. However, he also noticed her rebellious youthful spite that did not paint a glorious picture of Zegana. Gus tried his best to be cordial and kind to the obviously frightened young one, but to his dismay, she repaid his kindness with indifference and isolation. Perhaps he would be able to speak to her more directly when they arrived at the capital for he truly wished to know this curious young Merfolk.

After five hours of travel they arrived at the outskirts of the Azorian capital, signified by the waving blue and white banners bestowed with the azorian sigil of a triangle overlapped with a series of circles made of different runes. Gus saw the banner and smiled. Zegana saw the banner and looked onward towards the fields they had crossed. Gus got up and walked toward the window and gazed at the vast city approaching before him. Spires from the various Azorian schools, churches, and Senate temples climbed up from the normal two to three story buildings at the base of the city walls which stood 20 feet tall and encircled the city entirely. The Azorian capital of Azomiandi was rather small compared to the capitals of other guilds but it was also the most densely packed. Its walls surrounded an area no bigger than half a square mile but in these walls were the Azorian Senate, Judge Temples and all the Universities of the Azorius. Only those who were a member of one of the 10 Judge councils, members of the Azorian Senate, or part of the Sphinx's Guard actually lived in the city but thousands of Azorians commuted to and from the city every day. The capital city was half bustling metropolis, half law temples and schools. At the very center of the city was where the high judge Isperia the Sphinx resided. Isperia was the leader of the Azorius guild and one of the ancient creatures of Ravnica. This was where Gus and Zegana were heading to.

As they exited the carriage Gus walked slightly forward and motioned to Zegana to walk before him saying, "After you, my dear."

Zegana still did not appreciate the formalities but did not refute them this time and walked before the Grand Arbiter and he followed. Reginald followed Gus at a wide berth as to not overhear any possible secrets he should not. As they walked Zegana gazed up at the unimaginably tall spires jetting up all around her. It gave the sensation of power and order, as if the whole city was one large scale with which to judge every action of the world. She was not comfortable with this much imposing power all around her and it made her feels overwhelmed, even more so than she already was.

"So what is your first opinion of our great city?" Asked the Grand Arbiter jovially.

Zegana raised an eyebrow and said, "I would be remiss if I did not say it was impressive." She meant it too. This was by far the most extravagant thing she had ever witnessed. Much more extravagance was yet to come as well.

"Aye, that it is." Replied Gus. "Still never ceases to take the wind out of me everytime I see this great city. Been here all my life and I still love the beauty of the collumns, the perfection of the walls and roads, the absolute grand presence of the universities, all of it for the good of law and order. That is the Azorius way. To build, create, govern, protect, serve and teach the world all that there is to be."

Zegana stopped as they arrived at the home of the sphinx. It was a vast building, stretching for a hundred feet on either side and who knows how far back. Zegana stared at the tall 100 foot wall and then back at the Grand Arbiter and asked, "How do we enter?"

Gus cracked a smile and asked the young Merfolk, "Aah, but that is the question isn't it? How to enter this seemingly impenetrable building? Look up, do you see the messenger sphinxes flying above? How to you think they enter the temple? Is there an entrance on the roof? Possibly, or maybe there is a much easier way to enter but only for those clever enough to think of it. Or lucky enough to not see it."

Zegana was irritated that on her first day in the capital she was already being tested but she decided for some strange youthful reason to comply and attempt this puzzle. She stared up and down the wall of the temple looking for any discrepancy or change in the stone that might indicate a hidden door or tunnel, but found none. She was obviously getting frustrated and turned to the Grand Arbiter and asked, "It can't be a simple matter of a password that only Azorians know, is it?"

The Grand Arbiter's smile widened even more and looked down at her and replied, "No, it is not a word, it is quite obvious if you can't see what you're looking for, but you cannot figure it out, so I guess we'll be here for a while.

Zegana noticed there was a hesitation with a few of his words and thought maybe this could be a clue. She stared at his wide, gaping, goofy smile and it dawned on her. She smiled back at the Grand Arbiter an looked back to the wall and started walking directly towards the wall, then into the wall, and eventually through the wall. It seemed physical but there was a spell placed on the bottom to be nothing more than a wall of smoke. Gus watched as she walked through the wall to the inner chamber of the temple and a feeling of somewhat disappointment came over him for he was somewhat hoping to see her struggle more. Though, this once again proved her intellect.

The inside of the temple was a vast auditorium with high rising benches and rails. It looked like a potential place for a large tournament or sport, but it was only used for the home of the sphinx and any rare cases that rise all the way to the highest judge, and there he was. Lying on a pedestal in the middle of the temple was Isperia, the sphinx. He was a massive creature measuring twenty feet in length and close to 7 feet tall while standing. He had the body of a lion which was covered in glinting armor, the head of a man-beast which was blue and white equally, and the wings of an angel which measured 40 feet when fully outstretched. This creature was surely terrifying to any sane creature that would behold him, but he was known for being the most peaceful and docile of the ancient creatures. He also wrote the original Azorian Lawbooks and was responsible for the founding of the Azorius guild. He was by far one of the most supremely intelligent beings on the plane which was why he was the highest judge.

The three walked towards the sphinx and eventually walked before him. Reginald and Augustine both bowed to their knees in the presence of the sphinx while Zegana merely stared up at him, refusing to bow to someone she had not yet sworn fealty to. The sphinx stared down at her and to the party announce in a deeply resonant tone, "Rise Grand Arbiter Augustine IV. Rise Precinct Captain Reginald of the sphinx guard. Thank you for your service in bringing the tribute from Tectas here before me."

The Grand Arbiter and Captain both rose to their feet and nodded in approval to Isperia. Isperia rose as well to his full height and spread his massive wings and then let them rest again between his shoulders and along his back. He stared down at the young merefolk with a blank expression. One of the most frustrating thing about the sphinx is he was a master at hiding and repressing any outward sign of emotion. It was impossible to tell what the sphinx was thinking, planning, feeling or wanting. Blank eyes for a blank expression to hide the unimaginable wealth of knowledge that hid behind those unfelling eyes, for this was why he was widely known as Isperia, the Inscrutable. He gazed into her eyes filled with uncertainty and asked, "Do you know who I am?"

Zegana stood firm and with conviction replied, "Yes, you are the great Isperia, the Inscrutable. High judge of Ravnica and leader of the Azorius Guild. You are known far and wide as the most intelligent being in the civilized world and many find your advice and council to be the pinnacle of importance to the good of the realm. It is an honor to meet you, your grace. I apologize for not kneeling before but I did not want to kneel before I have been given the gift of serving you. I was always taught it were rude to kneel before any lord other than your own."

The sphinx gazed at Zegana expressionless. He started slowly pacing down the stair and off the pedestal toward the merefolk and said, "This is true, you were taught correctly. You still are sworn to your tribe and I respect your devotion to them. Though after today your devotion must be to your new guild and people."

She noticed the sphinx seemed to be getting much larger than she expected as he casually, quietly paced closer. " I understand and accept this. It will be a joy to live and learn under your vigilant leadership. I look forward to this new opportunity to learn." Said Zegana with as much purpose and truth as she could muster in the presence of such an intimidating being.

The sphinx continued his slow march toward the alter at which Zegana was standing. "I can see you are true to your devotions. But I am worried about your past. I can see your entire history, even more than you can possibly know. I was blessed with the gift of hindsight thousands of years ago. This allows me to peer into the mind of whomever I wish and gaze at all the past accomplishments and failures in their life. Using this knowledge I have a much greater understanding of what will benefit the plane and what will not benefit the plane. Your past gives me great concern young Zegana." The sphinx now was right in front of Zegana peering down upon her. His great wings blocked the lights from the ceiling of the temple and came up and around behind her and gently touched her back. He stood in front of her but his wings made it feel as if Isperia was all around her, gazing into her very soul.

She never once faltered in the sphinx's abrupt intrusion of her mind and past. She knew she had nothing to hide from the sphinx. She stared at him in confidence, it was a false confidence but to anyone looking, she never once blinked. She then quietly said to only the sphinx, "What does my past matter? I thought I was to swear off all former allegiances and alliances. I was to erase all the impurities of my past and start anew. Is that not still true?"

The sphinx again showed no emotion and only looked very intently into her eyes. His head was mere inches from her own. "You know our customs. This is good. It will save us time. Therefore I also assume you know the vows you must swear?" Inquired Isperia.

"Yes I do." Replied Zegana.

The sphinx then removed his wings from around her, turned, and walked back up the stairs to the top of the pedestal. He then turned around, stood proudly, and looked down upon her and announced, "Zegana, the unallied one, do you in the presence of myself, the Grand Arbiter and the captain of my guard wish to become a valued member of the Azorius Guild?"

"I do." Replied Zegana with reverence.

"Then say the vows." Said Isperia.

Zegana took a long breath and recalled the Azorius vows and announce, "I, Zegana, announce before all holy members of the Azorian order that I from henceforth shall hold no allegiances, no alliances, no quarrels, no family, and no laws of my former life. From here until my lord and leader release me I do swear to answer, abide, believe, revere and be held to the beliefs and customs of the Azorius Guild. What the will of the guild shall be, so shall the will of my mind, body and soul be. From here until the last of my days."

As Zegana finished the sphinx gazed emotionlessly down on her and when she said her final word his wings erupted and swept downward causing a great gust to fill the temple and he took to the sky. He flew to the wall of the temple and then along the wall for the entire length of the elliptical room. In just a few seconds he had encircled the whole auditorium and return to the pedestal. He then once again looked down at Zegana and said, "I accept your vow and from now until death of self or guild you shall be bound to me and therefore bound to the Azorius Guild. Welcome Zegana!"

Zegana was happy to have this part done with, but she had no clue as to what was to come. Now came the unknown, hopefully the sphinx would be gracious. She then lifted her head and asked the sphinx, "So, where shall I start?"

The sphinx looked at the new member of the Azorian order and then to the Grand Arbiter. He asked Augustine directly, "Do you feel you are ready for a new ward Grand Arbiter?"

Augustine, who had been somewhat unengaged in the scene taking place before him, jolted back into reality and replied, "Pardon me Isperia, but are you in fact suggesting what I believe you are?"

The sphinx replied, "I am not suggesting it. I am commanding it. From henceforth Zegana shall be your ward. You shall teach her all you know of the Azorius law, and customs. You shall be her guide, her protector, her teacher and her mentor. It has been many years since you last had a ward. You have too much experience and wisdom to let go to waste."

Augustine realized the sphinx was correct. He had not had a ward in 6 years and that did not necessarily end well. He still knew his former ward but they were by no means friends, but, when one spends 5 years together, if they keep from becoming enemies, that in and of itself is an accomplishment. However, the sphinx did have a point, and his fealty to the guild required he obey this order, Zegana would be his ward.

Zegana stared at the sphinx in a mix between a state of disbelief and a state of curiosity. Never in heard wildest dreams did she believe she would become not only close with the Grand Arbiter, but the closest she could be to being his child. She truly understood all that the Grand Arbiter could teach her, but also, she feared him for he was a human, and humans are flawed by nature.

The sphinx then decided this meeting was over and lay back on the pedestal and said, "Go now and rest. You two have had a long journey and have much to accomplish in the next few days."

With that Zegana, Augustine and Reginald all bowed and left the temple. Reginald showed the two of them to Zegana's room and then left the two of them outside the door. Augustine opened the door for Zegana and followed her inside. There were two chairs and a table in the living room of Zegana's quarters which both Gus and Zegana sat in.

Zegana sighed. A long sigh which held all the strife and change that had occurred that day and it escaped her lungs and she sat in this chair and began to smile. "Life will always catch up. That's the problem with it, you can never escape it. At least not while keeping your head." She thought of the words that were coming from her mouth and realized that this probably made no sense to the Grand Arbiter who was deep in his own thought. "I apologize for my former attitude. It was indecent."

Augustine stared at the young child who looked younger in this moment than she had in the entire 8 hours he had known her. This was the first time he actually could sense how young she was. He sensed her naivety, her ignorance, and he pitied her. "There is nothing to apologize for my dear." He replied

Zegana allowed a smile to escape her lips, "So. . . I suppose we will be seeing much more of one another."

"I suppose so." Replied Gus. "It could be fun. You never know. You wouldn't be my first ward. I certainly have experience."

Zegana looked at him inquisitively. She knew of his last ward, the one he had while he was Grand Arbiter, though he knew nothing of his former wards. "Will you tell me of all the wards you have had?" asked Zegana.

"Are you using one of your questions? You do understand you only get three." Replied Gus.

Zegana knew, she also knew that this could tell her all she really needed to know about her knew lord. She looked into his eyes, they were on the same level as hers now, and she said, "Yes, I understand. I am very curious though."

Augustine looked at her, then down at the floor, then up at the light in the ceiling and sighed. That sigh contained all the weight and turmoil that comes with raising child. He got up from his chair and walked over to a nightstand that contained various containers of liquid. He reachd for a bright yellow colored liquid and poured a glass for the two of them. He took a small drink from his own glass then walked back and gave Zegana the other. He then sat down and began to recall all his memories of his previous wards.

He leaned back in his chair and began his story.

"Well, the first wards I ever had were a pair of twins when I was 22. I had just received my generalship and with that came my first wards. I was to train them in all the ways of the Azorian army and law. This was my decree and I was very excited. Their names were Arcored and Arconees. They were both refugees from a recently conquered Boros village. They were very young, even smaller than yourself. They had lost their mother so I took them in as my wards. They were a spirited duo, unstoppable after a few years of swordplay. By the time they were both 16 I had been with them 3 years and they were finally becoming quite independent and skilled with their swordplay on their own. However, due to their youth, they were called to help with the Boros Aggression. This was an attempt by a few Boros cities to test their limits with Azorian law. Arcored and Arconees both fought against the Boros and both won. It looked as if only after a few months, these two had more success than any other fighting troupe. Though, with victory comes enemies, and their troupe was attacked in the middle of the night by a hoard of Boros working with Rakdos Blood witches. They ended up killing Arconees and capturing Arcored. He did eventually escape. However, with the death of his sister, he had no reason to come back to the Azorius guild. I had not made a lasting connection with him or his sister, I was too young and too naïve. He came back eventually, after many years, and told me that he wished to be released from his service to the guild. Which I did. He served no other purpose, I figured he has a chance to find a new purpose somewhere in this world.

Then came Lazav. He was the son of a High Judge and an Izzet guildmage. Many would persecute this child if they knew his impure heritage so he was hidden until he was 8 years old. Then the High Judge came to me and asked if I would take Lazav as my ward. It had been 2 years since I had lost the twins and I was ready for a new ward. Lazav was by far the most intelligent child I had ever seen, however I could sense his distaste for Azorian Law. Sure, he memorized the lawbooks and understood the reason and history behind each law, but in his heart he never believed in the Azorian way.

Lazav had been my ward for 2 years when we met Tolsimir Wolfblood, an young orphaned elf with a knack for delinquency. When we met Tolsimir he was attempting to break into Isperia's temple to steal one of the sphinx's feathers. When his attempt failed and he was caught by Isperia, the sphinx offered him a choice. Fealty, or death. Tolsimir chose fealty and became my ward. Lazav and Tolsimir despised one another at first. Tols was 2 years older than Lazav and much stronger. Therefore, Tols frequently would pick fights with Lazav knowing he would win. It was through this that Lazav discovered his powers of control. One day when Tols was irritating Lazav, Lazav became extremely angry and went into a trance and was suddenly able to control Tolsimir completely. Using this newfound power, he forced Tols to walk to the highest point of the tallest temple and was going to make him jump to his death until I found them. I tackled Lazav and broke his concentration saving Tols. Despite attempting to kill Tols, after this incident they became the closest friends I have ever seen. They were more devoted to one another than they were to me or this guild. They grew and learned under my guidance for 6 more years and became truly remarkable individuals. Tolsimir became one of the greatest swordsman the world had ever seen, while Lazav became a master of control and manipulation magic.

When the day came for the two of them to choose their own paths, Tolsimir chose to leave the Azorius Guild and search for his place in the world. Being an elf, he was drawn to the life and power associated with the Selesnya Guild and chose to join. Lazav, never being very interested in power or justice, chose to continue his studies. He already learned all that the Azorius Guild could offer, so he chose to search the world for anyone who could match his intellect eventually joining Jace Beleren's Academy in the Izzet Guild.

So I was once again without a ward. To be honest, I missed those two more than I ever missed anyone before. I had grown as much as they had during our time together. I did not wish to have another ward, but fate it seemed had other plans. I was appointed Grand Arbiter soon after Lazav and Tolsimir's departure. One of my first acts as Grand Arbiter was to go to the Grull tribelands in an attempt to convince some of the tribes to adopt Azorian law like the Selesnya and Orzohv Guilds had. In my travels I met a young, but powerful summoner named Domri. His father was a Grull tribeleader who did not trust the Azorius Guild so he proposed that his son come back with me and learn the ways of the Azorius. He then could return and teach the Grull of Azorius culture and law and they would consider joining the Guild. I saw this as an opportunity to reach to an old enemy of our guild so I agreed to take Domri as my ward. I assume you know what happened next, the whole world does. Domri was my ward for only 2 years and learned as much as I could teach him. However, being a descendent of the Grull, a race of impulsive, destruction loving barbarians, it never was easy. In the end, Domri never learned the Azorius ways of law and peace. He still preferred and reveled in the raw fiery passion of the Grull and left the Azorius guild merely 2 years after he came. When he left, he summoned a gigantic wurm, one large enough to engulf entire buildings, and rode through the streets of the city and through the cities wall, leaving demolished houses and temples in his wake. Domri was one of my many large failures and one of the biggest mistakes I have made as Grand Arbiter. Though, I still have a small place in my heart for that wild child. Who knows maybe we will meet again someday.

So, that is the story of my wards."

Zegana had been eagerly listening to the Grand Arbiter speak and when he finished she was leaning on the edge of her seat with anticipation for the next part of the story. She then leaned back into her seat and said, "My! Quite a history you have!"

"It is rather extensive I suppose. More so than any other Grand Arbiter. Though most only know of Domri."

"I supposed a simple Merfolk will wane in comparison to your previous wards." Zegana said meekly.

"Nonsense!" Gus replied. "I am sure you will receive your own great chapter in the history of Ravnica."

Zegana smiled, "We shall see."

Gus glanced at the time and saw it was late, "Well, I supposed you should get some rest. We begin your education first thing in the morning. Goodnight Zegana."

Zegana looked at the Grand Arbiter as he rose from his chair and for the first time he did not look intimidating but rather, kind, and gentle. She then stared into his eyes and said, "Goodnight Gus. I look forward to your teachings."