Forge of Darkness/Chapter 2

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==Neret Sorr==
====Hunn Raal====
Hunn Raal is a high ranking soldier in Urusander's Legion based in the town of Neret Sorr. Kadaspala is painting a portrait of Vatha Urusander while Hunn Raal and Osserc (Urusander's son) watch. Urusander was from a lesser Tiste House, but rose quickly in the beginning of the Forulkan War. At which time the Tiste were losing. According to Hunn Raal, the Tiste would have lost without Urusander. After turning back the Forulkan, Urusander also pursued the Jhelarkan. Hunn Raal took a knife for Urusander in a past assassination attempt.
Kadaspala is the most renowned painter in Kurald Galain and his choice of Urusander as subject shows the Legion commander's importance to the Tiste. Noting his commander's irritation Raal suggests that Kadaspala can continue the portrait tomorrow. Kadaspala does not want to stop, but relents.
Hunn Raal echoes Gallan in his thoughts, "So much of history was nothing but gaping holes that needed filling with whatever was expedient" Hunn Raal
Urusander is obsessed with Forulkan scrolls. Mostly about law, governance, and society. Hunn Raal manipulates Osserc against Draconus. He espouses reformation. Urusander doesn't want to lead, so that makes him the perfect leader. Where have I heard this trope before. Hunn Raal feels that the Legion was abandoned by the ruling class after winning the war. Osserc has battle envy. Hunn Raal believes there will be civil war if Urusander doesn't marry Mother Dark.
====Kadaspala====
Kadaspala only loves one person, his sister Enesdia. He would never paint her as he could not capture her beauty. Hunn Raal and Osserc have escaped dinner with Urusander and Kadaspala assuming both will be in foul moods. Urusander only brings out the good wine when Hunn Raal is not around as Hunn Raal is an alcoholic.
Kadaspala is only awful to people when he paints. He and Urusander have a wonderful and meaningful conversation about law and criticism and oppression. Kadaspala thinks they are all the same.
==House Enes==
====Enesdia====
Enesdia is trying on a dress while Cryl Durav (a Hostage of House Enes) sits close by. They banter and flirt. Enesdia is playfully wounds Cryl, but Cryl gets the last word as he exits.
====Cryl Durav====
Cryl, now 19, has been a hostage since he was 8 years old. Hostages are protected. Cryl loves Enesdia and is sure she has outgrown their friendship. "Poets, young Cryl, cannot be trusted." Jaen Enes, Enesdia's father, knows Cryl and his daughter very well. He worries that she will not love her soon to be husband Andarist. Cryl assures him that she does. Jaen is comforted by this. Cryl laments the loss of the Eckalla, an animal native to Kurald Galain that has been hunted to extinction.
Cryl takes the Tiste equivalent of a cold shower and goes riding. He is sad because in a few months he will be leaving House Enes and rejoining House Durav even though he feels like part of the family.
==Ancient Burial Ground==
====Hish Tulla====
Lady Hish Tulla head of House Tulla, who in her youth gave away her body only to see it diminished in the eyes of potential suitors. She has slept with Anomander Rake and Silchas Ruin, but not Andarist. Who like a penguin would only have one mate for life. She wonders if Enesdia knows how fortunate she is to marry him. Hish Tulla has resigned herself to a solitary life due to her past.
She now meets the three Sons of Darkness at their father Nimander's crypt. He has been dead for two years. Anomander was her first lover and it ended because he went to war. She is surprised at his continuing affection towards her. Their father had Azathanai script printed on the inside of his crypt so he could see it for eternity and no one else could. Silchas wants to dig out the crypt and see what it says, although none of them could read it. Hish leaves them.
====Purake brothers====
After Hish leaves, Anomander and Silchas remark at her beauty. Andarist asks why Silchas left her and he doesn't have an answer except to say that there was something missing in him. Anomander agrees that that may be present in all of her suitors. Silchas decides not to disturb his father's grave as a favor to Andarist who does not want to invite any negative energy into his new life with Enesdia. Anomander wonders if Hish Tulla and her house could be his ally and wants his legacy to be peace.
As they approach what will be Andarist's and Enesdia's home they notice there is no rain and attribute it to the Azathanai waiting for them. This is the first mention of sorcery. "We shall arrive with steam rising from us," Silchas observed, laughing, "like children born of chaos."
==Andarist's soon-to-be home==
====Sparo====
The Azathanai High Mason magics the huge hearthstone into the house. The Tiste mason Sparo and his workers are all afraid of the magic. Even though the hearthstone is floating, it is as if its weight is pressing into the ground.
When the Purake brothers arrive, Andarist's mason apologizes for not making the Azathanai wait, and Anomander responds that he's heard that Earth magic is strongest at certain parts of the day. As the purchaser of the hearthstone Anomander is bound to his loyalty to Andarist and Enesdia. The High Mason says if he cannot honor that then there will be consequences. A blood vow is required and not knowing the true intent of the High Mason, Anomander demands the same of the Azathanai forever binding them. Neither understand how this vow will impact them. Whether they will be allies or foes, or whether they will know one another's thoughts. The Azathanai is, of course, Caladan Brood.
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