The Annexation of the Sistanir Tribes.

The role of the Zaldun in the Order is primarily as diplomats and politicians, so it was not uncommon for Zaldun and their Tagon apprentices to be seen across the land of Zabrak, and across the entire peninsular. The Ir'brak Order had taken interest in the northern Sistanir tribes, a confederation known as the League of Egiaran. The League had vital farming lands that would help provide for the Order as well as any refugees from foreign nations that often fled towards Zabrak. Because of this, the High Council sent Master Trytan, a Sistanir man himself, with his apprentice Alii to the Egiarans. A small delegation was sent with the Ir'brak men, a force of local warriors who were recruited from only Sistanir tribes, not to offend the Egiarans who held quite anti-Cathari views.

The trip to Egiaran was quiet, with the roads being well travelled as well as the Ir'brak being known within the area. About halfway to the largest village of Egiaran, Aska, they were met with the Egiaran delegation who then lead them towards the village. The Egiarans were quite accustomed to Ir'brak visitors, especially Zaldun who regularly visited to ensure diplomatic missions would go well. On arriving to Aska Master Trytan and Alii were met by the League's High Chief, Adoriaga.

Once they had entered the longhouse where Adoriaga lived, both Ir'brak bowed deeply, with Master Trytan speaking for the delegation.

"Gracious Adoriaga, I thank you for letting myself and my apprentice into your home, we send good words from the High Council."

Adoriaga smiled to the two men, nodding at the Master's words.

"We have always been good friends to your Order, especially to your High Council. We however did not receive much information on your visit this evening, we only heard of it merely a day ago, if you told us earlier we would have hosted a feast for you."

Trytan nodded without showing any emotion.

"Adoriaga, you know that we are not ones to participate in feasts nor lavish festivities, that is precisely the reason why we did not alert you until we had reached the halfway point."

"Master Trytan, you insult me, it would not have been THAT lavish."

He laughed when he spoke, it was clear that Adoriaga was not unfamiliar with the Ir'brak, especially the Master Zaldun Trytan.

"I thank you once again Adoriaga for your hospitality, I wish I may stay longer but I am here on words from the High Council itself, they deemed it important enough that they pull me from stopping the Cathari skirmishes, to here, to discuss a small matter. I have brought with me a scroll from the Council, signed by every Master. Please, let it be read."

He pulled a scroll from within his robe and passed it to Adoriaga's crier, who unravelled it and begun to read it out.

To the Esteemed High Chief Adoriaga and to the League of Egiaran

The High Council of Ir'brak has come to you on this day under the diplomatic envoy of Master Zaldun Trytan to petition an integration to the lands and territories of the Order.

There was a pause by the crier as he looked towards Adoriaga, waiting for an approval to continue, which he gained.

The integration would be a simple process, you would be placed under the protection of the Order and a Zaldun Watchman will be placed into your courts and into your longhouses as observers, a man or woman who would watch over your politics and ensure that you keep to the balance of the Kwa. A simple agreement. You would not be under the authority of the Order but we expect that you head our advice well as well as provide warriors for us in times of conflict, ones we would not be the cause of.

If you choose to accept this integration, the Order will provide you with any assistance that you may need, including helping anyone who desires our assistance, or quelling disputes that would unbalance our world and more importantly, the Kwa. However, we also do offer a non-interventionist policy where the Order will merely watch over your people and only intervene when we decide it is necessary.

Signed,

The High Council of the Ir'brak Order

Once the crier had stopped reading the letter, Master Trytan bowed once more to the High Chief.

"Adoriaga, I have brought my terms to you and I have been given the authority by the High Council to discuss and deliberate."

The High Chief thought for a second before speaking to the Master Zaldun.

"You wish to establish a hegemony over us? To make us puppets to your so-called Order?"

"Nay, Chief, we wish to oversee your nation, ensure that you keep the balance. Ensure that the Kwa is not destabilized by any acts by your people or by foreign agents. We are not here to dictate to you laws, we are merely here to ensure that the Kwa is always perfectly balanced."

"I am hearing a lot of philosophical nonsense and a lack of actual substance Master Trytan."

"I will explain this in more simple terms, you are under our protection and we will not intervene in your situations unless we deem you a threat to us, yourself, or the balance of the world."

"Master Trytan if I were to accept this deal, an integration into the Order, you would protect us from the Cathari menace to the south, I did hear you mention the skirmishes were happening again?"

"If the Cathari were to menace you in anyway, they will be dealt with. As is to the Kwa."

The High Chief sat for a second, thinking.

"Give me a day to think on this deal Master Trytan, you are welcome to stay in my home while I deliberate."

"That would be an honour that I could not refuse kind Chief, we shall return in the morning. May the Kwa be with you."

"And you, Master Trytan."

The next day, the response was positive, the League of Egiaran would be integrated into the Order and as reward for their successful mission, the Tagon Alii would be raised to rank of Zaldun and he would be placed as the Watchman for the Order within Aska.