cogwheels, r

Mother first brings up the idea of marriage when he is sixteen. No preamble or warning, just a declaration at the family dinner table in typical zaqar fashion. It's clear that this is not a request, rather, an order - he doesn't need to look up to see the authority that's woven into every syllable she utters. Instead of protesting, he complies, on the one condition that he won't be the one searching for an ideal candidate. Love is a predictable and finicky emotion that only humans would find interest in - nonexistent for him, since a love that blossoms between strangers is always second to those of blood relation. How can he possibly learn to love anyone when he doesn't even love his kin?

Everything works according to plan, as usual. The family works quickly and efficiently, free to do what they wish without fear of anything jamming the intricately woven system along the way. Cael is certain that this marriage doesn't involve an ounce of the foreign concept that is 'love', as the power the zaqar seeks is projected through each and every one of the calculated moves they make. This is just another piece of the puzzle, a cog in powering the ever growing machine. A plan is a plan, but many plans put together can only be known as the beginnings of a masterpiece.

Whispers of the belet zaqar alliance float ominously through the house. what little interest Cael has begins to wane with time, until it becomes nothing more than background noise in the hassle of everyday affairs that come with his position. News of the empress's war declaration spreads to the zaqar household while piles of paperwork begin to replace half-read books on his desk. He's supposed to go - all the heads should, as the messenger from the empire states - to Shara, but nothing interesting ever comes of these meetings the empire holds, so why bother?

In the sky, black clouds cover the sky like a curtain of death, casting a dark shadow on the book he's currently reading. Cael scowls as the pages turn black like ash, dust on the edges painting the illusion of the remaining char after a fire.

ZAREEN BELET lemme know on skype if there's anything that needs fixing...