The Aegis sentinel opened the door and stepped aside to let her pass, nodding in greeting as she went by. Behind him, the Basileus' chambers were shrouded in darkness, their atmosphere thick with incense and the heady fragrance of ointments. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, Temera discerned the tapestries that covered almost every wall of the room. Each depicted a major turning point in the history of Asgartha: here, the culmination of the War of the Three Factions, when Chiara Caceres and the Lyra Clans ended the conflict; there, the unexpected and saving intervention of Wanjiru during the Severance War... These worn tapestries bore witness to the dark ages of Asgartha, the trials that had marked the history of the First City and its Provinces. They were as much a memory as a reminder of the importance of the Covenant, of the precipice that threatened to open if they were not vigilant enough, if they did not watch over this pact adequately.

'Eminence, Admiral Singh has arrived,' proclaimed the guard in a ceremonial and poised tone.

'Thank you, Harshad. You may leave,' replied a confident voice from the other side of the room.

The ensign clicked his heels in accordance with protocol, standing at attention before carefully closing the door behind him.

The Basileus stood facing her, in the window frame. His silhouette, now slightly stooped, stood out against the azure sky, a dark form contrasting with the vibrancy of the outside. Temera could hear the shrill cry of seagulls, smell the heady sea spray wafting from the bay below.

'Your Eminence,' she said, clasping her hands behind her back.

'Would you be so kind as to join me on the balcony, please? I would like to show you something, if you permit me,' inquired the Sovereign.

Temera advanced, passing by a large table piled with scrolls, maps, and bound books. In the center, a detailed map of the Peninsula, representing the entirety of the Known World, had been unfolded and extensively annotated. So vast yet so isolated, entirely surrounded by seas—the Cierna to the north, the Biela to the south...

On a sideboard, she glimpsed relics of the Ancient World, miraculously preserved from the Confluence: a slightly rusted crested helmet, whose emblem had almost completely been erased by time, an antique device composed of a base from which sprang what looked like a metal flower... For a moment, her face reflected in a cracked mirror, also preserved from the breath of the Tumult by some quirk of history. If her hair, styled in a bun in accordance with military regulations, had once been jet black, it was now streaked with whitish lines. Her dark complexion, which some described as austere, had been veined with a few wrinkles and age spots. She too would soon become a relic, she thought, not without a certain sarcasm.

'Come closer.'

Temera adjusted her naval uniform and emerged onto the terrace, making her way between the translucent curtains fluttering on either side of the window, carried by the morning breezes. The Sun had not yet succeeded in completely dispelling the chill of the night, even though it already sat high in the sky. Myriads of seabirds drifted above the lagoon, like kites suspended along the celestial vault: gannets, petrels, seagulls, albatrosses, and other cormorants...

Basileus Avkan ruun-Heshkari had placed his hands on the railing, contemplating the city below. He scrutinized the sea-level districts, gazed at the pale cliffs of the new Renkairi neighborhood, as if he were seeing the capital for the first—or last—time. Temera stood beside him, leaving the monarch to his reveries, whether they were melancholic or nostalgic.

She too began to contemplate the First City, the vibrant ballet of airships, the sinuous and lazy progress of the trams crisscrossing the city. She looked at the Ruzzante district and its Opera, the modest dwellings of Fosa. But it was especially the monumental structure of the Monolith that caught her attention, almost pinned vertically above their heads. The flying fortress obscured much of the sky, casting its shadow over the lagoon. The Ordis Bastion slowly rotated on itself, like a lighthouse casting its gaze on the horizon; each facet of the bipyramid reflecting the sunlight like a gigantic prism.

'It's a strange feeling, akin to languor, to watch the days pass like this.'

Admiral Singh turned to the Basileus, slightly perplexed. He too had been marked by time: his beard was now more white than brown, and his shoulders more frail than they once were. But even after more than thirty years of reign, he had not lost any of his presence, and his eyes, tinged with kohl and gray as steel, still seemed as sharp as ever.

'I would have thought you'd feel satisfaction instead,' she replied, undeterred.

'Each new morning, the hourglass that heralds the end of my reign empties a little more. Do not mistake me, it is something I eagerly await, and I have no desire to prolong my tenure beyond reason. But I cannot help but feel a certain apprehension. The Expeditionary Corps is the work of my life, and this chapter is inexorably turning,' he explained.

'You can rest assured on that point. Your initiative is probably the boldest, most ambitious endeavor since the foundation of Asgartha,' she reassured him.

'Perhaps. On paper, its nobility is undeniable. But in practice, this quest is fraught with many other implications. Sending brave citizens into dangers we may not even suspect is one of them,' he lamented.

'That's the fate of explorers and pioneers,' she replied.

'You speak much like Abelen Sundström,' the Basileus chuckled.

'To possess even a fraction of her courage would suffice to content me. No, I was merely referring to the motivations that drive adventurers to venture into the unknown. It is a life of trials, indeed, and of sacrifices. But some may find glory, while others may find beauty or a new dawn. The Terra Incognita is teeming with secrets, with wonders, that no human has yet beheld. It is a life worth living, despite the peril and martyrdom.'

Avkan remained silent for a moment, lost in thought.

'Do you know what motivated this fanciful scheme?' he asked.

'Fanciful, Your Eminence?'

'I speak of the Expeditionary Corps.'

Temera took a moment to weigh this question.

'You make no secret of harboring a consuming passion for the exploits of great explorers, Your Eminence,' she replied.

The Basileus turned to her with a smile.

'You are partly right. It is a childhood dream that gave birth to this idea; the stories surrounding Sundström or Asdrubal have always inspired my admiration... But what turned this dream into a resolution is simply necessity,' he explained.

Temera frowned, puzzled.

'Look around you. In truth, we will soon feel cramped in Asgartha, even if not all of us realize it yet. It is only a matter of time. This Oasis is our home, our cradle, but there always comes a time when the bird must leave its nest. To continue to grow without expanding our horizons invites discord and stokes enmities. To evolve in isolation can only lead us to decay. It is by exposing ourselves to the world, and to all that it contains, that we can truly flourish.'

'Do you fear a collapse of our society?' she inquired.

'Its existence always hangs by a thread, and humanity always walks a tightrope. It only takes one misstep to tip the balance. On one side, the Tumult rumbles. It is always there, on the periphery of our vision, ready to engulf us at the slightest misstep. And on the other, there are our own errors, our internal fractures, whether justified or not. The ideal of the Covenant is perpetually caught between these two fires, between the hammer and the anvil. It is fragile and must be nurtured. For in reality, it is irrefutable that we are stronger together than divided.'

'So, is that the true reason behind the Rediscovery Endeavor? To create a diversion to prevent us from tearing each other apart?' she questioned.

'I am not as pessimistic as that, Admiral. The Rediscovery Endeavor is based on hope more than on fear. But this truth is part of the equation. Or perhaps it is merely a family legacy? Is it not said that my family has always had stronger ties with the Bravos?'

Temera noted the hint of irony in her Sovereign's words and allowed herself a discreet smile. The lineage of Avkan traced back to Heshkari, lieutenant of the first High King and founder of the Bravos Faction, and this information was public knowledge. The Basileus leaned on the railing, observing a barge mooring to the Monolith's bulwark to unload its cargo.

'I am accused of hoarding vast quantities of resources to fuel the exploration forces. Aerolithe and Kelon, notably. But these sometimes vehement criticisms do not take into account a sad fact: our resources are dwindling inexorably. The mines of Suspira are emptying, yields decline every year. Our scientists now know that Kelon is more abundant in the Tumult expanses. To do nothing and suffer a more serious crisis in a few decades, or to act now to the detriment of the Asgarthi to better serve them later... That is the second truth, an energetic truth. We must look beyond our borders if we wish to continue to fuel the march of progress in the long term, as the Axiom advocates...'

Temera nodded at these dark revelations, her eyes lost in the distance. Far away, beyond the vastness of the Muir Concordia, the sky was the color of a storm and smelled of rain. The Basileus placed a hand on the Admiral's shoulder.

'Come with me, will you?'

The Basileus descended a flight of stairs and took the long passageway that skirted his chambers. The rhythm of his steps, concealed beneath his heavy robe, was deliberately slow and measured, inviting reflection and tranquility. Temera simply followed him on his stroll. Avkan had retreated into a meditative silence, punctuated only by the tapping of his cane against the marble floor, and she had no desire to disturb him in his contemplation. Her eyes drifted once again towards the vastness of the sea, where a ship loomed, likely headed for Porto Novo or the Arsenal. From where they stood, they overlooked the lush orchards and groves of the Asterion, and in their continuation, the immaculate splendor of the Kuningasplatz. Further still, the Foundry, active day and night, emitted its iridescent vapors below the suspended and surreal gardens of the Kadigir. The location of the Asterion palace suddenly seemed obvious to her: from here, one could embrace the entire city, from the maritime districts to the steep heights of the Acus.

'I wanted you to understand all the stakes of this expedition.'

'For what reason, Your Eminence?'

Avkan took a seat on a bench, lowering himself slowly and with some stiffness. He leaned his cane against a wall before sighing.

'The finish line is, as far as I'm concerned, now in sight. But this deadline is also a starting line. When the Expeditionary Corps sets sail for Caer Oorun, I will resign from my duties, as I promised three decades ago.'

He turned to her, suddenly facing her.

'That's why I need someone I trust, someone who can take my place, and watch over the exploration forces.'

Temera looked at him incredulously.

'You want...'

'You to take command of the Expeditionary Corps, yes, to ensure the safety of the men and women who have volunteered. Abelen herself put forward your name, and the Privy Council voted mostly in your favor among all the candidates proposed.'

'But I'm not a member of any Faction.'

'And that's something that tipped the scales in your favor. I do not wish for one Faction to gain the upper hand over another. At least not definitively. Your position will ensure the neutrality of the Rediscovery Endeavor. Nevertheless, it will be a balancing act. You will have to ensure flawless fairness in this endeavor, and that is only a tiny part of the weight that would rest on your shoulders, should you accept this charge.'

'You honor me, Your Eminence.'

'It was a collective decision, not the mere whim of an old man about to lay down his crown. You are remarkably competent, and know how to lead troops even in extreme conditions. And furthermore, you will be able to count on numerous officers from all corners of the Known World, as well as on the Eidolons, of course.'

It was now the Admiral's turn to remain speechless, surprised by this unexpected honor.

'But there is one last truth that I have not yet told you. The most important in many ways.'

The Basileus contemplated the City over which he had watched for many years.

'Despite the trials and obstacles, we have made the Peninsula a paradise. This land of welcome has become a prosperous and harmonious home. Our ancestors worked for this, to give us this comfortable life. They were driven by hope, by the ideal of the Concord, despite the doubts and the missteps. This idea has united us, carried us and supported us until today. And we cannot let it wither and die. It is time to turn our gaze outward. To confront the Tumult and drive it away. It is our duty to stabilize the world.'

Temera scrutinized the old monarch with astonishment.

'Do you think that is possible?'

'If enough people share this dream, history has proven that it is possible. The Tumult has a source. I am certain of it.'

The Basileus looked at her kindly. He knew her well enough to know that she was studying every piece of information he had transmitted to her, analyzing the various ramifications, sifting through the complex web of implications of this decision. He sighed and breathed in the salty air, closing his eyes, patiently waiting for her response.

'The Factions will have to be at the heart of the operation,' she finally said as she reached the end of her reflection. 'All are necessary, but they will inevitably be in competition. Each will have a different vision, contradictory objectives. Yet, they will have to cooperate for the enterprise to have a chance of success. It will be necessary to frame their participation, to guide their own ambitions towards the realization of this common goal.'

'To set the rules of the game and arbitrate them firmly.'

'A framework, in short, to express their disagreements without risking open conflict.'

'Exactly.'

'You need an authority whose neutrality cannot be questioned, capable of analysis, anticipation, and control. A hand firm enough to command respect while allowing everyone the ability to express their opinions and influence the strategy.'

'A perfect tightrope walker, capable of walking the razor's edge, indeed.'

Temera nodded. She perceived the heavy burden that would weigh on her shoulders, but she was clearly seduced by this prospect. The Basileus had skillfully chosen his words and arguments, as was his custom. For more than thirty years, he had maneuvered, courted, woven his political web with astonishing sagacity. It was not surprising that he had succeeded in capturing her attention so effortlessly.

'So, what do you say, my friend? Will you lead these brave souls into the Terra Incognita?'

Singh cast a fresh gaze upon the old monarch. His enterprise was not the exuberant and wild dream of an extravagant sovereign. It was the embodiment of the Concord, the hope of a better world manifested in reality. He held this torch aloft, like a beacon brandished in the darkness, a standard around which to rally... Temera smiled as she turned towards the horizon, that thin line that would soon be her home.

A skilled politician and diplomat, Avkan hails from a distinguished noble lineage dating back to the founding of Asgartha. Elected Basileus at the age of forty-one, he had a decree ratified allowing him to reign until the realization of his grand project: the Expeditionary Corps. Now, at the age of seventy-two, he is on the verge of seeing his dream fulfilled, but convincing the Factions and various state organs has not been easy. While the Bravos immediately praised his initiative, other Factions were more skeptical, requiring him to deploy all his oratory and tactical aptitudes to revise their judgment. He succeeded in winning over the Axiom by offering the opportunity to gather more Kelon, the Ordis by convincing them it was a societal necessity. To obtain the approval of the Lyra, he dangled the prospect of rediscovering humanity's lost children. For the Yzmir, it was the possibility of learning more about the secrets of the universe. However, if he had to align with one Faction in particular, it would be the Muna. He firmly believes that humanity and its allies have a role to play in restoring balance to the world, stabilizing it by restraining the Tumult winds. What's most impressive is that even through all these maneuvers and negotiations, he has never lied, never compromised his vision, and the ideal that, to him, constitutes the Concord. Humanity and its sentient allies must remain one people, united and compassionate. All these stakes are real and complementary to him, like pieces of a puzzle that must be assembled to hope for success. Over twenty years ago, he promised to step aside once the Rediscovery Endeavor was launched, and he intends to honor that commitment. That's why he now seeks to surround himself with individuals capable of perpetuating this ideal and bringing it to its definitive manifestation in the world.