The Thousand Names - Prologue

The council of the Khandari captial of Ashe-Katarion discuss the Colonials. Jaffa goes to meet with Mother and a spy is captured, prompting Mother to want to meet with the Steel Ghost.

Synopsis
Grand Justice Jaffa-dan-Iln waits in the ancient gatehouse of Ashe-Katarion for a council meeting. General Khtoba arrives first with two of his officers. Next is Yatchik-dan-Rahska, with a party of priests. Khtoba scolds Yatchik, saying the “cleansing” of the colonials should have happened a week prior, before they could retreat to Sarhate. Jaffa interrupts them saying they are still missing one person, the Steel Ghost, who arrives soon after.

The Steel Ghost says he’s received word that Vordanai ships have arrived at Sarhatep with supplies and reinforcements for the colonials. Khtoba is eager to attack the foreigners, but avoids making any commitment to attack the fort. The Ghost adds that among the arrivals is an abh-naathem.

After the meeting Jaffa wears a commoner disguise and sneaks through the city. He stops at an irregular courtyard where her meets Mother who is sitting by a fountain in a wicker chair. Jaffa says he has news from the council but Mother interrupts him saying they have a visitor. Onvidaer appears behind him with a young girl who demands she be let go. After the girl denies following Jaffa, Mother summons Akataer and has Onvidaer flashes his knife at the girl. She begs not be to hurt, but Mother reassures her she has no intention of doing so right before Onvidaer slips his blade into the girl through the ribs, killing her, seemingly painlessly. Akataer uses a strange power to reanimate the girl and orders her to answer Mother. The girl says she was following Jaffa on orders from Duke Orlanko on information about the Thousand Names. After hearing this, Mother has Akataer release the girl from his control and Onvidaer dispose of the body.

Jaffa details the council meeting to Mother. When he speaks of Yatchik, Mother asks about Feor. She is interested in what the Steel Ghost said about an abh-naathem. Jaffa is convinced the colonials might be able to retake the city, so Mother tells him to set up a meeting between her and the Steel Ghost and to keep it a secret from Khtoba and the Seraphic Council.