Cipritina I26 years ago. The year is 0 Council Era. Darrya, Greenwater Port.“Unhand me! I’m the son of a Lord!” A turian nobleman yelled, as two other turian soldier were dragging him to the chopping block.
There were a few wincing sound coming from the squires, that were standing behind the handmaiden child, as she looked on silently while holding a mug of water. She should have stayed back at the starship, comforting the stabai creature, instead watching this scene that will turn itself into a bloodbath soon, the girl thought to herself. But she know this accused man before and has a special hated for him. Despite her late mother taught her to be a gentle turian, she couldn’t help but relished the moment of watching that wretched turian finally paying justice’s debt. To be honest, she thought that day would never came, being a lowborn without the right to even live in peace, let alone the privileges that the highborns brats have taken for granted. Yet, here it is. Watching the very death sentence being passed on by Ser Jung Galthernax, the one turian the galaxy despises him.
Who is also known as the Primarch Ripper to the known galaxy.
One of the squires, who goes by the name of Adrian Brias tapped her on the shoulder, “You don’t have to watch this Cipritina. I can serve Ser Jung the water instead.”
“No,” Cipritina whispered, her tone had a disapproving sound to it. She continued, “I have to. I must watch the sentence being passed onto him.”
“It will turn very bloody and disgusting.”
“I know, but a good turian must be brave and strong to go through this. I have to be a good turian,” Cipritina replied, her voice harden with steely determination.
They immediately get back to their position when they heard a sound. It was Jung, who just made a clean cut on a piece of wood with his blade, testing out the sharpness. He picked up a piece of scrap cloth and wiped it, before tossing it aside and began to approach the nobleman.
Cipritina ignored the protested criminal, who was screaming while struggling not be forced on his knees, as Jung’s men were trying to shove him down to the block. Instead she focused her sight on Jung. The man was in his early thirties, the colour of his hide were white and creamy flaxen, a normal thing within his household. If that doesn’t hint the family he belongs, the red intricate markings on his face and fringe will give out the answer. Only House Galthernax has the unique design, that no other turian has. She once heard from a washer turian, that it’s a death sentence in the Hierarchy if you bear their markings without their blessing.
However, it’s not the markings that gets to her. It’s the attire that Ser Jung Galthernax was wearing. Instead of the usual colours of the Sunguard, where their armour is white and gold, Jung was wearing mostly black and silver, including the armour chestplate. She wondered if he’s going to get in trouble for not wearing the right uniform while on duty. She knows that Jung is the Grand Commander of the Sunguard, where he’s free do almost as he wish, including wearing his own personal attire while on duty. However, not only he still has to answer to the throne, but also he had a few dissenters, who too happy to reveal his flaws to his sister. Cipritina just hoped that no harm will come to him.
Then there were murmurs from the crowd below them, looking up at the stage where Jung and the rest were standing. They were the common folk, just like her. She wasn’t surprised that everyone dropped their daily activities, just to watch this turian die. They wanted him dead as much as she wanted. Cipritina couldn’t blame them. Not after she and them have been through, during and after the Brass Discord Wars.
Come to think of it, they didn’t just want this particular turian dead. They wanted his whole family wiped off the face of the Galaxy. The accused in the question was part of House Pelgus, who took part of the Blood Bound massacre, that resulted their liage dead and them invading their homeworlds. She didn’t care if their previous overlord were declared as usurpers and criminals, while some cutthroat nobles ‘inherit’ their space lawfully, House Pelgus is nothing more than filthy bandits in her eyes. A true ruler would do their duty to protect the people. House Pelgus did not do their duty, so they are not the rightful rulers in her eyes.
Cipritina looks up as the criminal was shouting all sorts of threats to Jung, louder than before.
“Consort Anatriss and the rest of the Brass Throne will put your head on a spike before the week ends, sisterfucker!” The accused yelled.
I will not answer to the Hierarchy as well, Cipritina thought. It’s a wonder why the people of Darrya colony was pretty hostile to Jung and his men at first. Their legion were also part of the Hierarchy forces.
In theory. The truth of the matter is Jung seemed not to be very loyal to the Brass Throne. she noticed a few things that Jung did would made the Hierarchy unhappy, such as executing one their own ‘allies’.
Cipritina watched as Jung rolled his eyes, looking irritated as the accused continues to sprout all sort of threats of grievous bodily harm. His reaction is not lost on her. Most turians react to the execution with solemn, especially when they are the ones who passed the sentence. Not with Jung. He tends to look at things with dark humour. A few years ago, she would be uncomfortable with him cracking up jokes at the most inappropriate times, but now she got used to it.
A soft breeze brushed her cheeks, she could smell the crisp air, the arid climate of the Derrya colony certainly help for the most part. Except for that pungent scent, coming from the dead criminals, that were left hanging on the trees behind the stage. The sun then slowly rising up to the skies, the shadows became smaller underneath her dainty feet, as noon is closing in. The heat starts to swell up from the ground, her nose twitched in reaction, bracing herself, as the stench getting stronger over time.
There was a dull thud. One of Jung’s men kneed the noble in the gut, before finally succeeding in shoving the man’s head on the block. Jung stride towards him, with his blade in his hand.
“Of course, you’re Titus Pelgus. Nobody can forget that. Even a deaf turian would know your name, considering you’re repeating yourself like a broken record,” Jung replied.
Titus snarled, “Stupid Primarch Ripper. Have you forgotten the ‘Blood Bounding’? We killed the Primarch of Galatana for your family’s sake! If you’re smart, you will let me go.”
There was an uproar within the crowd. Jung look up and peered over the crowd. Cipritina could hear them shouting all sorts of profanities, insults and accusations of the crimes that Titus did. She understood their rage and fear. She was there when it happened, years ago. Some of Pelgus’ soldiers tried to force her mother to ‘service’ them, while edging the knife close to Cipritina’s neck. She shivered at the memory and tried to push it away. She looked at Jung and saw his mandibles flared out, revealing his anger.
Jung raised his sword. As he was about make the blow, Titus continued to hurdle threats at him, “Don’t think we’re doing this because we’re loyal to your House. If my father gets the wind of my death, you’ll be having dinner with the worms, just like Primarch Stillico Vergilius and the rest of his family back at Galatana.”
“This is why I will never invite you to my bounding, even if you begged,” Jung replied.
“And why should I? You’re a Sunguard, you will never have a family of your own due to that stupid oath. So what if I took dozen of maidenheads? I’m a highborn and I will not be punished under the blade, especially over the tears of these lowlives.”
Jung put his sword down. Cipritina barely hold her mandibles together, as she was shocked and disappointed at the same time. He’s letting the animal go, why is he doing this? Cipritina pondered misabily.
“You’re right. The blade is too good for you,” Jung replied. He then called out, “Men, help Titus up.”
The men made a grudging sound as they help Titus to his feet.
“See? I told you that wasn’t worth it. Justice for those cunts? That will never happen.” Titus jeered.
“Have him consume hot coals instead.”
“What? No! No! You can’t do this! I am the son of House Pelgus!”
As Titus was dragged to a nearby chair, Cipritina’s eyes were widen in astonishment. Jung didn’t noticed her reaction as he was too busy addressing the crowd, who are roaring in approval. He raised his blade up in the air.
“This turian has committed a hideous crime against the people of the Hierarchy. Let this be lesson to all; The Spirits will always pay their dues to every single turian, for the good or ill. Lowborns or highborns, it doesn’t matter.”
There was a broken scream coming from the accused. It cause enough stir to the point that the wildlife in the trees flew away. As the other squires turned away, Cipritina continues to glare at the scene, watching at one of the men force shoving more the hot coals into his mouth. Jung didn’t even bother to look behind him, as the smell of hot coal and burning flesh was enough to know. He continued to address the common folk like nothing has happened.
“Titus Pelgus. A turian that was supposed to be untouchable, due to being a highborn and having the connections to the Galthernaxes and the Brass Throne. Now look at him, being put down like an animal because he treated other people like beasts instead of fellow turians. Thus the due is paid by the Spirits. Remember, that justice will prevail for the virtuous and strike those who does not heed its decree.”
The crowd cheered on, while Titus was screeching weakly into the skies, as life was draining away from him. The sun has reached the peak of its height of the time of day. As the heat in the air is getting hotter, the smell is getting stronger. Cipritina noticed a sound from behind her, she looked over her shoulder and saw Adrian throwing up. She placed the mug on the table and rushed over to help him. Jung noticed the scene as well. He gestured her and the rest of the squires to get Adrian back to the ship, as he was still busy overseeing Titus’ death.
Cipritina nodded. She and another squire allowed Adrian to wrap his arms around their shoulders and they began to make their way to the ship.
~|~
“The coals! By the Spirits, all that coal...” Adrian replied, sitting at the table in the Mess Hall of the ship, still trying to overcome his shock.
Cipritina patted his forehead with a wet cloth, before asking, “You never seen an execution before?”
“Oh Spirits, no!”
“So you never step outside of the keep, until now?”
Adrian shook his head slowly, “No. I was spending my whole life in the keep’s library, until Ser Jung showed up. Father once sided with Stillico Vergilius, but that didn’t end well, so Jung took me in as hostage, just to keep my family behave properly.”
“You don’t seemed to be too upset about it,” Cipritina remarked.
“Not so much. I mean Ser Jung have treated me well, I got some new friends with the other squires. The other soldiers are so nice and well…” Adrian trailed off and turned his face away from her.
“What is it?”
“I met you.”
As Adrian turned to face her, she noticed how the pupils in his eyes became dilated, giving him a childish submissive appearance. The kind of look he made, whenever he was nervous, she noted. Cipritina tilted her head sideways in confusion, as she couldn’t figure out what made her friend fearful this time.
Then Adrian continued in a stuttered tone, “I mean, I’m so glad that we’re best friends.”
“Me too,” Cipritina nodded, her mandibles opened, revealing her smile.
Their conversation was interrupted when there’s a noise coming from the doorway. It was Jung, who strided into the hall with his chin in the air, like a typical highborn. The black cloak fluttered in the air as he walk, does helped to enhanced his majestic appearance. Behind him were the other men that escorted him. They must have done with the execution.
They both immediately got off from their seats and greeted Jung, “Ser.”
Jung nodded in response before replying, “Brias, you look pale. Have you seen the doctor?”
“Yes I have, Ser,” Adrian answered.
“Well then. Retire to your quarters and have a day’s rest. The cook will bring your meals.”
“Thank you, Ser.”
Jung turned to her, “Cipritina Blossoms, come with me.”
Cipritina nodded and followed him behind, keeping her head down. As they make their way to the Captain Quarters, she shifted her eyes upwards and took a sneak glance at him. Jung had a stern look on his face, an expression that seem to be hard as stone, not even betraying a slight warm of emotion from him.
She remembered when she first saw him. It was in her own home, where he was beating down at the intruders into a bloody pulp, after they tried to attempt to have their way with her mother. She can still memorise the blue blood that have spattered across his white pristine Sunguard armour, like daytime. Then there’s the cold distant gaze he look upon her, which didn’t help ease her spirit at the time. It took her mother’s encouragement to let him take her hand and follow him. To her new home in the sea of stars, among his fleet of starships.
While she missed the floating pink petals that danced in the wind, against the warm sunrays of her homeworld; at least now she felt at her most safest when she’s at his side. No matter what the galaxy throws in their direction.
They had reached to the quarters. It was strange for a Commanding Officer that was part of the Galthernax household to live lacking the luxury. Ciprtina would have thought that he would decorated his room with fine furniture and rugs, especially when his family was known in the galaxy to be disgustingly rich. Instead, his room was simple and utilitarian, with a low serving table where the seat is a soft cushion on the floor and a low bed that almost touches the floor. Jung doesn’t have a separate desk to do his paperwork, instead he usually does his own work on the same serving table.
The thick metallic doors of the quarters, were starting to close behind her, with a soothing slide. As soon the doors were shut, Jung’s stoic masked seemed to faded away. Instead it revealed his fatherly concern to her.
“Are you aright?” Jung asked, placing his left hand onto Cipritina’s shoulder.
He suspect something about the execution, she felt uneasy.
“I’m okay, Ser,” the child replied.
Jung gave her an intense stare. He also knew that she was lying, “Are you really sure? We’re here, alone. Your secret is safe with me.”
Cipritina felt reluctant to tell him at first, but when she looked into his eyes, there is warmth. A feeling of security, reminding her that he’s her family, despite not sharing the same blood.
She took deep breaths and answered. Her voice was shaking, “That man… he was there when the Blood Bounding happened.”
Jung growled quietly, mandible flaring out slightly, baring his teeth. He was angry. Not at her, but at the man that he just executed. Jung knew the story about her father, who once served Primarch Stillico Vergilius as a simple soldier. Her father was there when the Blood Bounding happened and didn’t made it out alive.
“Ser?” Cipritina asked, tugging his sleeve with a worried look on her face.
Jung look at her solemnly and repled, “I understand, Cipritina. If I see any more of these bastards, I promise I will kill them all and scatter their bones in the empty space.”
She nodded. Then there was a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” Jung called out.
A voice answered, it was muffled due to the thickness of the sliding doors, “Gorvarion Winds, Ser.”
“Fetch us some tea,” Jung ushered her.
Cipritina nodded and heads over to the other side of the room, preparing a pot of tea. Jung pressed the holographic interface on the wall and the door open. A large turian with a dark brown colour hide, roped with veins and large chunks of muscle around his limbs, stepped in. He had a simple blue facial markings, that indicated he had done time in Rhaeon, a penal colony that had been setup by the Imperial Hierarchy ages ago. Because of that, no one dared to asked him about his past, not even Jung himself.
“Sit and relax, Winds,” Jung pointed at the serving table.They both sat, facing at each other.
“So, how was the celebration?” Jung asked.
Gorvarion immediately piped up, “Pretty good. You should have been there, Ser. Lots of beer, food and women-”
Jung gave him a cold, hard glare that Gorvarion paused for a bit.
“They are agreeable, Ser. The women invited us to dance with them,” Gorvarion defended himself.
Jung relaxed, “Well then, a little bit good fun certainly wouldn’t hurt.”
“Oh, of course. Everyone went home in a jolly mood. The locals were celebrating that asshole’s death like it’s the new millennium.”
“I didn’t know the people desperately wanted that turian dead. Like really dead. Something along the lines of brutality,” Jung replied, while Cipritina place the mugs on the tea table.
The handmaiden poured the tea into their serving mugs. A gentle stream of clear liquid, with a small tint of green, was slowly filling up as the two turian continued to discuss the situation.
“To be fair, that son of a bitch have been stirring a lot shit on Derrya, ever since your lot won the Brass Discord Wars. Thinks he’s a hot shot or something, thought your family will cover his ass, no matter how many times he threw babies off a cliff,” Gorvarion answered.
“He really did?” Jung asked, his voice was dripping with spite, as he leans closer.
“Uh, actually no. But he’s the type of person who would do that sort of shit. Give him some time.”
Jung straighten his posture, “Considering the testimony of the victims have shown, I inclined to agree your analysis.”
Cipritina finished pouring the tea and placed the pot in the middle. She got up from her spot and sat behind Jung, making her footsteps as soundless as possible, since she felt uncomfortable creating unnecessary noise. The two men help themselves to their drinks.
“Well, glad you did ser. I hope you’re willing listen to this next one, because this might sound a little fucked up,” Gorvarion stated, the pupil of his eyes were narrowed, the mandibles were closed up as he talked.
Jung placed his mug down and looked at him calmly. Cipritina perked her head up, she knew whenever Gorvarion’s expression seemed to be grim, something really bad is about to happen. Gorvarion is a large man with a jovial glee, who can almost crack any jokes, even in the most dire times. Except in a few instances.
This is one of them.
Jung replied, “Go ahead, tell me everything that I need to know.”
“Our asses are going to be shoved with shotguns from all sides soon, to tell you the truth. It might not look like it on the outside, but I noticed some troubling intel from within. House Pelgus won’t be our allies very soon.”
“Let me guess. His father will find a way to poison our wines at dinner, after that little theatrical display of justice I put on this morning.”
Gorvarion shook his head, “No ser. They have their hands full on their own problems.”
“And that’s a problem for us?” Jung asked, his eye plated brow raised.
“For now it’s not,” Gorvarion replied. He continued, “A lot of Pelgus members have been found dead within a short span after the Discord. Mostly murder.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“The thing is this. It’s not just them are dying like insects on a cold day. We’ve been picking up more disturbing data. They found bodies of soldiers dumped at the outskirts of towns and cities in other colonies. And boys…”
“Spirits. They murder children?” Jung’s voice was raised slightly.
“These people that were butchered, were serving under your family name. Someone out there also wants everyone in your household dead,” Gorvarion warned him.
Jung nodded, “I see. Thank you for the warning. I’ll tell the men about this, they deserve to know. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?”
“Yes Ser. It’s about Palaven.”
Cipritina shifted her head and saw Jung’s eyes became narrowed and focus. His face became darker as soon Gorvarion mention Palaven. The capital homeworld of the Hierarchy, where the seat of the imperial family is located.
And his sister, Consort Regent Anatriss. Who is also Cipritina’s step mother. However, it’s not common knowledge that the affair is a fact. Still, from her experience with the commonfolk, they are going to believe the rumour out spite.
“Alright. What’s the situation so far?” Jung asked, barely hiding his distaste.
It’s even a lesser knowledge that his once fiery passion for his sister had died out. Even Anatriss herself isn’t aware of his growing bitterness for her.
Gorvarion cleared his throat before he replied, “Primarch Tarquin Domirian... he’s dead, Ser.”
There was dead silent in the room. Jung’s eyes became dull. She could hear a faint sound, beneath his mandibles, that were shut tightly at the sides. The child looked down and closed her eyes.
She knew he was devastated at the update. His son died.
“How?” Jung asked in a low voice.