Much of the court s unrest comes from the heavy-handed manner in which she and her husband rule. He cossets her, and there is little logic behind her decisions of state. Her whims dictate political and social policy, and her desires fuel the direction of the day. Tehia is secure in her role, however, as her pampering husband is the commander of the military, and the common people adore her. The occian once held the world in thrall.
All evidence indicates they wish to again.
On Aecheria, the elves are in a state of flux. Long in coming, the slow reunification process of the disparate kingdoms continues. All are mindful of the past, though recent overtures have been made between elven House leaders and occian merchants on the Gandirs. The rebirth of elven-occian relations seems to be coming into sight in the near future, and the elves are eager to reenter the global trade market. The humans of Ilhe, slaves in the past, are now masters of their own destinies, and the undisputed leaders of the western landscape.