Aeneas Malak

Aeneas Malak
File:Aeneas.jpg
Full name	Khaled Aeneas
AKA	Aeneas Malak
Physical information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Hair color and style	Brown, curly
Eye color	Brown
Skin color	Olive
Other	Golden earring
Biographical information
Father	Hanubal Aeneas
Mother	unknown
Date of birth	1470 AN
Place of birth	Jacia, Kildare
Date of death	1539 AN
Place of death	Jacia, Kildare
Residence(s)	Ashes shattered across the Kildari coast
Nationality	Shirithian
Allegiance(s)	Jacian City Federation, Kildare, Shireroth
Occupation	Politician

Aeneas Malak was a Kildari nobleman and controversial Minister of Military Affairs in the Imperial Republic. He is responsible for introducing Pit Fighting to Shireroth during his tenure as Minister of Sport, and was twice suspended from the Landsraad for attacking other members, most notably Ryker Everstone, Duke of Goldshire, with whom Aeneas had a profound difference of opinion on the issue of violence. Malak was often parodied for his love of bloodsports and antagonising other nobles, for instance in the story of Jalak the Troll.

Early career

Aeneas was born Khaled Aeneas in Jacia, in 1470 AN. He soon dropped his first name, which he didn't like, to be only known as Aeneas. Unlike many politicians, Aeneas never attended University or indeed any school. At age 6, he joined a shipping expedition of the JM Group and was on sea for several years after that. At age 16, Aeneas was promoted to Captain and received his own ship, the Golden Stag. Not long after that, Aeneas was chosen by the people of Jacia to serve as Raschal of the city-state.

Malak Election

Before reading the following story, the reader should be informed on the political customs in the Jacian Federation. As known, the Federation exists of several cities that have a great deal of independence, but work together as allies in the Federation. Each of the five city-states: Byblos, Nigrad, Jacia, Amarna and Elad are governed by a Raschal (First citizen). The five Raschals, together with the High Priest of Jacia, form the governing council of the Jacian Federation. Every eight years, one of the Raschals is chosen to serve as Malak (Patriarch) and preside over the council. The Malak, or Patriarch, of the Jacian Federation is regarded the head of state of the confederation of cities.

Because the Jacian Federation is not a sovereign state, the Malak of the Jacian Federation is put forward as the official candidate for Count of the Federation. He then has to petition by the Dutchess of Kildare for the position of Count.

It was a warm day in the palace of Jacia. Of course it was warm, Jacia was known for having one of the warmest climates on Micras. Aeneas, Raschal of Jacia, just returned from a private meeting with a representative of the Dutchess. The government of Kildare supported his bid for the position of Count. It didn't happen too often that a Malak of the Federation had the support of the Dutchess beforehand. The relationship between the Dutchal government and the council wasn't always that smooth. Aeneas was glad that this time, he was deemed a good choice. Now the only thing that remained was the official election in the council.

This might be a more difficult proces. Aeneas wasn't the only candidate for the job, nor was he the favourite. With his 24 years, he was young and although he was one of the richest merchants of the Federations, some still thought he was inexperienced.

His opponent was an old man. Galba from Elad. The oldest and also the fattest of the council members didn't care much about anything but drinking Byblian wine and eating the most exquisite dishes. But he had the support of many of the merchants and the priests. Not surprising, a man like Galba wasn't someone who would be a strong leader. That would give the merchants and especially the priests more power over the people. High Priest Ilbal had proclaimed just the day before yesterday Cato and the Holy Chyam had shown their support for Galba in some mystical way. Not being a very godly man, Aeneas just hoped that the council members would be wiser than falling for that.

It was the hour of the truth, the hour of the vote. Aeneas knew that his future would depend on the following vote. Being only a Raschal for eight more years was not something he wanted to do. A Raschal's job was boring. The only thing a Raschal did was recieving commands from the Malak and giving them to the people below him. He didn't want to do that any longer than necessary.

Aeneas noticed his hand trembling when he opened the door of the Council room. All other members were already present, sitting on their marble chairs.

"My apologies for the late entry" Aeneas said "A representative of Her Majesty just had some urgent business to discuss with me. He also assured me that I am the favoured candidate for our Dutchess. "Not that that would influence our judgement of course" It was High Priest Ilbal, of course. "I didn't think it would, your Holiness" "Wonderful, then, now everyone is present, let us cast our votes. We have heard the statements of both candidates and we know the things they stand for. Now, let us choose the candidate that has our trust." it was Lucius of Byblos who said those words. He was not a man to waste any time on unnecessary things like elections. "Let us pray to our Lord first, and give Him a sacrifice to show our alligiance" the High Priest replied.

All men gathered bowed their heads when the High Priest walked towards the small shrine in the corner of the room and burned a collection of valuable spices. Then he mumbled a short prayer.

"Our Lord Cato, We come to you to ask for your guidance over this election and we would request you to honour us with thy presence this afternoon. It is you who steers our minds, bodies and souls and it is you who will appoint the new Malak of our blessed Federation. Use your servants as you want. In the name of our example, the Holy Lord Chyam, we pray this.

Now the time of the vote had come. The moment of truth.

High Priest Ilbal took the lead. "Now it is time to cast our votes, may Cato and Chyam enlighten us" All the councilmembers wrote a name on a piece of parchment and handed it, face down, to the Priest. When everyone had finished, Ilbal took the papers and turned over the first one. The High Priest looked around, clearly enjoying the moment and proclaimed the first vote, his own: "Galba".

The second paper, and the second vote "Aeneas". The third vote was blank. Aeneas suspected that it was Lucius who didn't want to make a choice The fourth vote was not a suprise, it was Aeneas' own parchment: "Aeneas"

This was going the right way, Aenas thought.

But then, the sixth vote, Galba's own vote: "Galba"

2-2, the tension was almost visible in the air. Aeneas and Galba looked at each other, none wanted to show the other how nervous the were. The sixth vote would be decisive.

The final vote: "Aeneas"

It was done, he made it. Aeneas could barely understand it yet, he was the Malak of the Jacian Federation!