CHAPTER 5: To Pay The Price
10 years later.
The sky of Aiur glowed in the soft gold hue of morning. A cool breeze rustled through the green boughs of the trees. Adun knew that it would be a good day. It would be today that he proclaimed his achievements before the Conclave, and claim the glory of bending the Rogue Tribes to the Khala's will.
Veladia was pleased. She had seen Adun's determination and had since offered her wholesome support to him. Together they had come this far in educating her tribe to the Khala's light, and she knew that her contribution would not be overlooked. Little did the old Matriarch know that something had been overlooked: the fact that Raszagal had not made her presence in the tribe since the day that Adun arrived with his warriors.
At midday, just before the first Rogue shuttle left for Antioch, a dark shadow fell over the peaceful valley. Adun looked up to see a fleet of Protoss ships, each of them bearing the markings of the Ara Tribe, and thus the Conclave.
"Adun," exclaimed the Matriarch. "What is this? What are they here for?"
The High Templar knew what the Conclave had arrived for. He knew that they had come to prosecute him for desertion, and for committing an act of heresy, of which the sentence would be death, or worse- exile.
The Rogue tribesmen looked up uncertainly as Adun gave them the command not to attack. He was clinging on to the faint hope that he could explain himself to the Conclave, and be glorified eternally for his deeds.
A shuttle flew down low, depositing two Judicators: Azcodan and Khanoz. Adun looked at them hesitantly.
"Judicator Azcodan," he muttered, his voice edged with fear. "I have succeeded in bending the Rogues to the Khala's will. I was making preparations to return to Antioch today when-"
Adun was cut off by the icy look that Azcodan gave him "Silence, Templar," Azcodan retorted coldly. "You have openly defied the Khala's will, and you will face its consequences."
Without another word, Azcodan bound Adun's arms and led him into the shuttle. Khanoz looked away silently, his words echoing in Adun's head: I will not promise you the slightest chance of success.
I disregarded his advice, thought Adun, and I have paid the price for doing so.
10 years later.
The sky of Aiur glowed in the soft gold hue of morning. A cool breeze rustled through the green boughs of the trees. Adun knew that it would be a good day. It would be today that he proclaimed his achievements before the Conclave, and claim the glory of bending the Rogue Tribes to the Khala's will.
Veladia was pleased. She had seen Adun's determination and had since offered her wholesome support to him. Together they had come this far in educating her tribe to the Khala's light, and she knew that her contribution would not be overlooked. Little did the old Matriarch know that something had been overlooked: the fact that Raszagal had not made her presence in the tribe since the day that Adun arrived with his warriors.
At midday, just before the first Rogue shuttle left for Antioch, a dark shadow fell over the peaceful valley. Adun looked up to see a fleet of Protoss ships, each of them bearing the markings of the Ara Tribe, and thus the Conclave.
"Adun," exclaimed the Matriarch. "What is this? What are they here for?"
The High Templar knew what the Conclave had arrived for. He knew that they had come to prosecute him for desertion, and for committing an act of heresy, of which the sentence would be death, or worse- exile.
The Rogue tribesmen looked up uncertainly as Adun gave them the command not to attack. He was clinging on to the faint hope that he could explain himself to the Conclave, and be glorified eternally for his deeds.
A shuttle flew down low, depositing two Judicators: Azcodan and Khanoz. Adun looked at them hesitantly.
"Judicator Azcodan," he muttered, his voice edged with fear. "I have succeeded in bending the Rogues to the Khala's will. I was making preparations to return to Antioch today when-"
Adun was cut off by the icy look that Azcodan gave him "Silence, Templar," Azcodan retorted coldly. "You have openly defied the Khala's will, and you will face its consequences."
Without another word, Azcodan bound Adun's arms and led him into the shuttle. Khanoz looked away silently, his words echoing in Adun's head: I will not promise you the slightest chance of success.
I disregarded his advice, thought Adun, and I have paid the price for doing so.