Watchful : Broadcast
Dramatis Personae
Lucan Mehnot
Watchful : Broadcast
There were only so many places to hear the news live from Caer Coed, as far-sights and god-speakers were not so common in 9 LAA, the dwindling years of the Late Capricorn Age. But any decent town worth travel had at least one far-sight-speech-place.
The contestants and their supporters were to gather in that dark room with wooden staggered seating, feeling the buzz of energy emanating from the bloodstone and bindgold-powered apparatus that could transmit, through a prism of crossvein, a projected image on a white surface. It was more off white, the colour of a buried bone, but all around the known world were people gathered to hear the draw for next year’s Catu Samonii.
There were a certain number of positions to apply for, the most prestigious being the Camula, and the Sencatua - the leaders of the warband. The least, yet still honorable, were the Catuboduoi.
The jury, known as the Immutable Council, contained both leaders from Eskern and their occupiers, the Heno people with their massive fortress, Caer Sidi, which had caused flip-flopping alliances and wars over the centuries. No one knew exactly what they judged things on, but every applicant was given a rating assigned a team and position, based on the results and recommendations from their respective elemental courts.
Leading the program were two well-known hosts:
Lucan Mehnot, a Heno stage magician from the Mehnot Dynasty. The Mehnots led most of the leijions stationed at the permanent settlements in Eskern, and were close with the Ostralyes, the ruling elite of the Heno people and their territories. He has a dark complexion and lustrous, curly black hair, a handsome face with a slightly empty smile.
With Lucan was Corotica Noxblaith, the Great Elderess of the Eskern Forest whose Nawnoxscu people served as a key ally to the winner of the Catu Samonii. She was short with greyish tan skin and glowing sunset-coloured eyes, long iridescent white hair braided and styled to perfection.
“It’s great to be here with you, Great Eldress Corotica. I hope that your current tenants have been treating you well,” Lucan remarked in a confident tone, his violet and silver clothes leaving beautifully-lit patterns on the bone white wall. A few audience members would gasp and Corotica, dressed in the colors of Rock Oil, chartreuse, indigo, and prismatic white, would curtsy.
“We have been preparing readily for this upcoming Allantide,” Corotica’s voice carried through the static and interference like a child’s rattle. “With champions possessing greater feats than ever before. However, you know, there can be only nine Camula ultimately, who will be chosen to lead the warbands of the nine trees.”
“Well, I know I’m excited! Let us welcome our current Bone King, a personal friend of mine and voted the Madam Grand Supreme of Caer Sidi, to announce the three tiers of qualifying. Welcome to the broadcast, King and Governess of Eskern, Lalaba Loiren!”
Lalaba walked on, scantily dressed and displaying peachy skin with an uncanny lead-white glow that washed everything but her coal-black hair and eyes out, her outfit equally bejeweled and reflecting the prism’s light. She wore the crown of bones and even the Grand Eldress Corotica bowed to her. Though Lalaba was from the Loar people, they were similarly descended from the Sinnox culture. Many would consider them a sister culture to the Heno, and it was clear that Lalaba and Lucan seemed comfortable around each other, which was basic broadcast showmanship.
“Those who achieved a rank of A,” Lalaba said in a sweet voice, “are eligible to compete as Ae-Camulias, that is, a prospective Camula. You are granted travel to your assigned tree village with a personal stipend to procure supplies for the Naw Nos Olau. One of you, should you defeat Lalaba’s army, will become the new Bone King.”
She read off the names, and it took hours, audiences from all around the known world reacting in various ways.
“Those who achieved a rank of E,” she continued, “are eligible for any position equal to the Sencatua rank. You will be your Camula’s personal advisors and tacticians who will also participate in the Naw Nos Olau, with the added law that while Ae-Camulias must begin their journey alone, Rank E and below can begin their voyage in pairs.”
She read off more names, taking an even longer time.
“Those who achieved a rank of I,” Lalaba said, “are eligible as Catuboduoi. You are your team’s main infantry, and it is an important stepping stone for many future Camula. Do not take this position lightly or lowly. You are allowed to travel in pairs as rank E.”
She read off more names, yet again.
“The final category is the category of O,” she said, “the lowest tier. You are still eligible to participate in the Naw Nos Olau and secure a spot in the preliminary, but… you’re on your own, and you can’t start from one of the villages. You start from the Marches - the most dangerous part of the forest.”
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