Like a pillar of obsidian, Kon remained stationary atop of the floating island that had become his home for over a year. His cape wrestling with the wind as the artificial platform cut through the sky towards its destination. A location which he had been to countless times before initially seeking asylum from his family’s vicious archaic rituals then to seek redemption following a path lead by false prophets. His most recent visit was the shortest albeit the most eye opening. For years the amount of corruption within the Rune Knights had been pillaging the otherwise sturdy framework, after the last decades assorted disasters and attacks through the continent it has been left a shell of itself with recruitment number dwindling and direct oversight being seemingly absent. An organization whose leadership could only be replaced through their death or voluntary resignation, one which could only naturally breed nepotism over time. Many had indeed passed away either through direct action, assassination or just simply through old age and yet no change could be seen within the rune knights.

While this faction within the organization was only one element of the stagnation that crippled the Rune Knights, it was definitively the root cause of it once which Kon planned to tackle head on. Initially he had planned to remain as apolitical as possible with the retrieval, retention and exploration of knowledge being his driving force since the formation of the Collective Mind, but something was always calling back to him. The absence of security in vulnerable locations, the blatant and open-handed corruption that was taking place in large parts of “controlled” territory, the uprisings in the various neighbouring countries, even the relinquishing of northern fiore did not escape his attention. He did not want to harm anyone within the rune knights, let alone a member of the magic council, however his presence would surely prompt a few eyebrows to be raised especially when accompanied by other former rune knight members who each equally held their own grievances towards the organization.

An audience with a council member was rare enough, but to have a meeting with a majority of the High council was something almost entirely unheard of. Perhaps they had recognized their short comings and wanted to resolve things without creating another schism within their organization as prompted by the Holy war only a few years ago. Kon equally did not wish violence to be needed to reform the rune knights, but massive structural changes were needed for true progress to take place within it. If those reforms required the “enforced dismissal of high ranking officials” then so be it.

He had been tasked with unnumeral underhanded missions by the same organization and done countless more since during his time when he was not a member, his hands weren’t exactly clean nor did he mind to dirting them further. Bloodshed would be the least desirable outcome for what was effectively restructuring and leadership spill within a pre-existing organization as expansive as the rune knights. A peaceful introduction of a direct leader would be preferably to mitigate any chaos that might otherwise ensue whether it is from the general public or within the rune knights themselves from people who seeked to benefit from the brief absence of law and order.

Ultimately this affair was exclusively between the rune knights and the collective mind and first and foremost a diplomatic one, only a fool seek to stop the change with the council unable to represent those they swore to protect and the rune knights being less then ineffectual. He certainly held his concerns about the absence of other council members, suspecting many of those missing were likely too enfeebled to arise from their sumbler and would only tarnish the council’s renown with their presence or simply weren’t in the country and lacked a form of thought projection to represent themselves. Perhaps some of them were no longer even alive and the positions were being filled by literal ghosts, only time would tell. For the time being though, he would need to actualy get to the meeting by travelling through the various corridors, hallways and endless rooms that the rune knight headquarters were composed of.

As the headquarters came into view, the floating island began to slow and descend finally landing off to the right side, leaving a trailmark as it tore up the ornate gardens along the way. Only after the construct came to a dead stop that the man moved from his point and withdrew the enhanced key from his side pocket which had caused him so much strife many months ago. Through the mysterious properties of the artificat wielded in his hand, he shifted from the construct to a nearby door within the headquarters in an instant the moment he plunged the otherwise unassuming key into the door from the very rood he had just come from. The presence of the floating island was not to serve as an intimidation tactic, the rune knights had been attacked so many times that it had become mundane rather it was a means to show the seriousness of his actions. Presenting the entire guild before the Rune knights opened them up directly to any repercussions should things turn south.

Now within the hallways, Kon was immediately confronted by familiar faces, albeit worse for wear, wrinkles becoming more pronounced, new scars, artificial augmentations replacing what were limbs that rivalled those of the gods. To many of them, he was just another stranger now concealed behind a mask of black whose face had been contorted into something grotesque. No-one had escaped the merciless touch of time, least of all him. Others that did recognize him mere acknowledged his presence with a curt nod which he gave in turn. Passing through the veterans, a level of anxiety came upon him as he hoped he could gain enough support within the organization despite the deeds he had committed and allowed during his time as the guild master of the Sentinel Syndicate.

Knowing the layout of the building passing through its halls for years, Kon weaved his way across the many rooms, courtyards and corridors that the labyrinthian-esque headquarters consisted of. After walking through the building for almost an hour at this point, he finally came across the room where the meeting would be held. Many of the local officials were outside interacting with one-another while some were already inside. Truly his anxiety was at an all time high as he stood amongst men and women who dominated him both physical and magically, only his wit and sharp sight would pull him through this one. The whole thing did have his alarm bells ringing to suggest it were a trap of some kind especially with how the meeting was organized through a mysterious boscian supporter whom he had yet to meet officially.

Only time would tell what the future would turn out to be with his fate here and now and that of the Rune Knights. The first step of that journey would begin with the the opening of the doors by two guards stationary on either side, demonstrating an immense heft to the entrance. Before him sat just over a dozen officials, half of which were there through thought project while the remainder were empty. Overall he had really only gained the audience of about 13 of the 21 high council for which the chairman was absent for. Something that would arguably work in his favor. Trickling in the various officials quickly piled up in the backrows before the doors were shut preventing anymore from entering or any from leaving.

Recognizing the absence of the Chairman, the most senior High Council member who was present in the room took the central most seat before acknowledging all those in the meeting. People he knew directly or indirectly were called upon whilst names of individuals were uttered that he wouldn’t be able to even pronounce. It was a true show of faces, one of which he was only a pawn in as opposed to a true player but at the same time the proposal that had been submitted would sharply shift that dynamic in his favor. After the lengthy introductions and formal follow ups, The matters for discussion were announced with his own submission being roughly in the middle with more dry affairs being at the start.

Suspecting a long drawn out meeting going long into the afternoon, Kon took up his station on the sidelines for his turn to spend. His time would not be wasted with him learning the ongoings of various individuals he had encountered over the years, some fairing better then others. Occasionally the bright upstarts whom he fought alongside were mentioned with great applause defeating great foes of society while the solemn tones of sorrow could be heard with the announced death of so many others both warrior and citizen alike. As was the balance of life taking both the good things and bad things as one.

In both cases of great achievement and dying for their country, both were given awards of the highest degree, their Families receiving them in their absence. Those little things were what really made the Rune Knights stand how the honur and respect that they showed to their fallen by ensuring their their families would be supported even in their greatest time of need. It was something he hoped that would continue even with the push from these grand reformations. Ensuring that the community does truly support you is just as important as ensuring that members within the organization have each-others backs.

Recruits internally through families who lived, breathed and died Rune Knight could only fill so many slots and without public support from local sign ups the organization would have collapsed long ago. A noticeable decline in general numbers was definitely felt when he had first entered the headquarters compared to when he first entered it over a decade ago. The many conflicts both on a continental scale and region one had decimating large portions of some countries while others seeked to take control of their own affairs as was the case with Joya who now seemed to have their own parallel organization to the Rune Knights. The loss of Joyan recruits would be felt perhaps not yet but in the near future. He could only hope that his proposal would allow the organization to retain its strength even with the reduction in overall numbers.

Following a brief intermission with refreshments being offered to the members, the meeting reeturned back to even drier affairs highlighting concerns of finances, potential shortfalls in production and upcoming sanctions from regions who refused the Rune Knight’s presence. He would have fallen asleep during this dull conversation had the discussion for his proposals weren’t tabled next. A strange feeling within Kon was welling up inside of him even before he had even entered the forefront a mixture of anticipation, anxiety and strangely pride. The fact he had been granted audience was perhaps the most clear indication that he at least stood a chance to pull off might have been considered a hare brained scheme. This confusing sensation was heightened when his name was finally called upon, with a surprising mix of applause and murmurs of disdain. The former was excepted, the latter not so much, perhaps he had some unknown allies in the organization afterall.

Passing through the ranks to the center of the room, Kon slipped their right hand into a front pocket of their jacket’s left side, concealed within the black fabric the shortest of magical sparks could be seen as he began to withdraw a bound series of documents. He had a sufficient enough amount for all 21 high council members but solely retrieved the required amount for those present. Inside these identicial documents were drafts of significant changes that he sought within the organization as well as the incorporation of the Collective Mind into the Rune Knights, a bit of honey following a bitter pill so to speak. Passing the sealed envelope to the respective aides, Kon finally began to directly call upon the council members as each of them began to tear the top seal of the letter and scan the dense reform bill. Recognizing their position of authority, Kon bowed ever so slightly before allowing his damaged and muted voice to be heard enhanced in volume through his assorted augmentations.

“Good Afternoon, Councilmen, women and respective Rune Knights in the room, for those unaware I am Konstantin Sokolov, a former Rune Knight who fought in the Revolution, Holy wars and assortment of other great conflicts that have pillaged our great continent over this past decade. I come before you, a man who has rebuilt himself from nothing following a life longs duty of serving the people of this country and beyond. Like many within this great organization I had split both my enemies blood and my own to defense those I consider my family and friends, losing limbs and nearly my life more times then I care to admit.” Holding to pause for a moment to emphasis his point, he continued less restrained on his history. “I am not a good man, I have terrible deeds through the many years since I left my homeland which I regret every day and strive to seek redemption for with every action I take, it is why I am making this submission before the High Council today.”

As he spoke the emotions of the various officials began to become increasing mixed some humbled by the sacrifices that he had done for the organizations others were more reserved, it was only until one of them began to scour further into the proposition leading a true outburst and calling for Kon’s head. “You dare show up here and except to command the Rune Knights as your own personal army?, To assume that we’ve give you unfettered access to the armaments of this great organization after your behaviour in the north is laughable, tell me one good reason why i shouldn’t exile you and your lot to the frozen tundras of Iceberg?” Though he was more then willing and ready to defend himself, his position and his guild, that would go unneeded as another council members spoke with a distinctly rural boscoi accent. “I think you might be too hasty to condemn the man for his deeds, Reginald, the man seems to be speaking from his heart even if you can’t see his face.”

Boiling with anger, this Reginald character in a fit of rage throw the papers upon the ground sending them flying towards kon before leaving his chair and mocking the entire affair. “You might not see what he really is but I do and I’ll have no part of this!” Disappointed but not unconcerned with departure of such a volatile, Kon merely curtly bowed as they left. Thankfully they still had the numbers to pass any significant changes and surprisingly more had began to appear via thought projection prompting Kon to provide the same documents to their aides. Perhaps it was the absence of Reginald that had bought forth their presence or perhaps the news of the reforms were being spread amongst the high council already in any case things were just about to get more complicated for him.

As the newcomers were brought up to date, each high council member began to assail him with innumerable amounts of questions many overlapping or being simple rephrasing of previously asked ones. A truly tedious but needed part of any conversation related to a complete restructuring and hierarchical change to a system of government that had operated for longer then he had been alive for. All of this was to be expected unfortunately but they were largely beginning to support his reforms with the man who came to his defense seemingly spearheading the approval sidelining difficult questions or poking the meeker High Council members into asking softball questions to him, perhaps in an attempt to fill in time before a vote was called for. With Reginald leaving and them being replaced by 3 others, he would need 8 of the 15 to vote for it. Distinguishing who was prepared to vote him was a challenging affair for those that sat in front of him, but he suspected that most of those in person supported it.

After perhaps two and a half hours of questions, probing and negotiations, a vote was called by the head of the meeting causing those above him to resign into an adjacent room whilst those within the room were dismissed citing a short recess. This brief intermission was far from what could be suggested with the council debating longer then he would have otherwise anticipated. Re-entering the vast room with the same guards closing of the entry just as before, the votes were called 10 to 5 in favor of the proposal, the summary was declared regarding the proposal with the adjusted recommendations as agreed upon that read as follows:



30th of August, X795

“Henceforth the Rune Knights and Magic Council will recognize Konstantin Sokolov as the General of said organisation with the incorporation of the Collective Mind, an affiliation previously led by Konstantin Sokolov. This title is granted to them under a provisional term of 2 years in which any infringement may lead to their dismissal. In recognition of their work, members in the aforementioned affiliation of the Collective Mind will be entitled to their full rank equivalent to their position within the previous group. In further recognition of the support offered to the Rune Knights from the Collective Mind, the organization will appoint their golden colour as requested in the reforms. The existing departments of War, Interogation, Secret Services and Information will be restructured into the Ministry of Warfare, Communication and Research & Development respectively.

Any ongoing or completed research of the Collective Mind will become the property of the Rune Knights, with their former residence becoming a part of the Ministry of Research & Development and being renamed Construct #1. Increased spending will be placed upon research and development following the introduction of Construct #1 and the decline of Talaz Lagaar. Limited information is known at the point however more will be revealed to relevant parties within the Rune Knights. In support of the independent Talaz Lagaar citizens, the Rune Knights will provide further aid and manpower to assist with their ongoing plague.

Existing titles within the Rune Knights will be revised as per the revisions while recruitment policies have been relaxed allowing for dark races to be more welcomed within the ranks of the organisation. Expanded recognition of previous Rune Knight veterans will be authorised facilitating prospective individuals to return with full honours. Additional outreach programs will also be introduced to encourage improved relations between Rune Knights and other factions through the continent as well as those in existing countries focused on minorities and those in lower economic demographics with offers for sponsorship and recruitment, made possible through reforms to replace the Departments of Interrogation and Secret Services with the Ministry of Communication.

A focus on threat prevention rather then threat resolution has been highlighted with Rune Knight members to be recent additional training in combat and preventative measures such as sealing, binding and curse purging magic. Individualized bounties will be reduced with attention being redirected to groups as opposed to lone operators. As a consequence of long-term corruption and security concerns in the continent, assorted projects and reforms will be enacted resulting in harsher penalties including jail time, hard labor and are grounds for immediate dismissal. These policies will be directed through the Ministries of Warfare and Communication.”

As the reforms were announced, Kon scanned the various High Council Members, especially those that had voted in favour for them. Many of which seemed hesitant to show any emotion, some were smiling from ear to ear while some who had been reduced to a pile of sweat and snot before him. His influence was a minor part of what had brought forth the reforms it seemed, instead there appeared to be a push for power by someone or a group within the Magic Council.

The first of them to commend the changes was the same man who supported Kon against the Reginald character once more speaking in their distinctly boscoi accent. Raising from his station the Grey haired council member recognized him directly emphasising his new title. "Congratulations General Sokolov, may your leadership be long and prosperous!" Those of whom were in person or had voted in favour through thought projection acknowledged him in kind. The remainder simply nodded to the other councils before disappearing into the ether while refusing to acknowledge him in the slightest.

Resentment and resistance towards change was to be expected and would be something he'd need to keep an eye on. Similar sentiment could be felt within the room as the rune knights around him possessed mixed levels of respect and distrust towards him but with the approval of the high council and a sudden uproar invoking his name several began to cheer his name.

It was somewhat ironic that while his new title did grant him powers untold within the magical world he lacked the very abilities the rune knights oversaw. As the revisions were lengthy and bound to take months, years and even decades to fully incorporate, Kon considered his options and remained within the halls well into the night discussing what would be best moving forward.

Many of the former collective mind members would become leaders of the ministry of research and development while others would be placed into different ministries. Truly something he'd need to talk with the group before proceeding any further. With the meeting going well into the night having started in the morning, Kon formally excused himself in order to talk with his own people the day after.

[Exit]