CHAPTER 4: Choosing Sides
The Velari tribesmen leapt out of the shuttles, their armoured feet tearing furrows in the fertile soil. Under the command of Executor Adun, they were prepared to go to their deaths for the sake of the Khala.
The small group of Venatir Tribesmen, all which remained of their tribe's former glory, stood prepared for the final battle.
Veladia looked up, knowing the end was here. To her utter surprise, Adun commanded his troops to halt, and slowly approached her. She gazed up at him uncertainly.
"Matriarch," he said confidently, "These Templar warriors and I have openly defied the will of the Conclave and spared your lives. For this act of heresy, we will all be prosecuted under the Khala's law. I ask only one deed in return from you, that you will lead your tribe to accept the Conclave's rule. By doing so, you will have greatly lightened our penalty."
"Why should I grant your request, Son of Aiur?" Veladia replied defiantly. "I care not for the Conclave or its policies."
Adun was desperate. Now that he had risked everything to prove his worth to the Conclave, the Rogues would not accept his offer, and he would most probably be exiled.
"Please, Matriarch," said Adun, feeling horribly embarrassed at his having to beg her to comply. " Accepting the Judicator rule will benefit your tribe as well as mine. For your own sake-"
"Enough!" snapped Veladia. "I will allow you to instruct my tribe in the ways of the Khala, but we must not remain here, lest the Conclave discovers your treachery."
*****
So it came to pass that Executor Adun, after deserting the Conclave, led his tribe along with the other Rogue Tribes, into the secluded Kar'hrash valley. There he proceeded in instructing the younger Rogues to tap into the psionic matrix of their race.
The young Protoss learned well, and Adun was beginning to feel more confident in the day that he would return to Antioch, bearing the proud news that he had educated the Rogue Tribes to the Khala's light.
The Conclave would be pleased indeed.
The Velari tribesmen leapt out of the shuttles, their armoured feet tearing furrows in the fertile soil. Under the command of Executor Adun, they were prepared to go to their deaths for the sake of the Khala.
The small group of Venatir Tribesmen, all which remained of their tribe's former glory, stood prepared for the final battle.
Veladia looked up, knowing the end was here. To her utter surprise, Adun commanded his troops to halt, and slowly approached her. She gazed up at him uncertainly.
"Matriarch," he said confidently, "These Templar warriors and I have openly defied the will of the Conclave and spared your lives. For this act of heresy, we will all be prosecuted under the Khala's law. I ask only one deed in return from you, that you will lead your tribe to accept the Conclave's rule. By doing so, you will have greatly lightened our penalty."
"Why should I grant your request, Son of Aiur?" Veladia replied defiantly. "I care not for the Conclave or its policies."
Adun was desperate. Now that he had risked everything to prove his worth to the Conclave, the Rogues would not accept his offer, and he would most probably be exiled.
"Please, Matriarch," said Adun, feeling horribly embarrassed at his having to beg her to comply. " Accepting the Judicator rule will benefit your tribe as well as mine. For your own sake-"
"Enough!" snapped Veladia. "I will allow you to instruct my tribe in the ways of the Khala, but we must not remain here, lest the Conclave discovers your treachery."
*****
So it came to pass that Executor Adun, after deserting the Conclave, led his tribe along with the other Rogue Tribes, into the secluded Kar'hrash valley. There he proceeded in instructing the younger Rogues to tap into the psionic matrix of their race.
The young Protoss learned well, and Adun was beginning to feel more confident in the day that he would return to Antioch, bearing the proud news that he had educated the Rogue Tribes to the Khala's light.
The Conclave would be pleased indeed.