C10(2) "The..."

"The Hatred Tribunal"
(WC 966)

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After agreeing to the demands of the Nhimyggai, Chulon was instructed to leave the armies of Lom and find a home in a nearby settlement. The warmasters he had formerly served did not question his leaving or raise issue with it. They were apparently familiar with such changes and knew better than to cause any dissention. Everyone he had formerly made acquaintance with seemed to act like he no longer existed.
This new life pressed upon him by the mysterious Nhimyggai was far more dangerous. Chulon spent his nights deep in meditation, focusing on the task of bending his mind so that his thoughts would not give him away. He began to see Nhimyggai where formerly he had only seen peaceful settlers. His instructions were to make a home, act settled and pursue mundane daily activities while he awaited instructions.
The simplicity of his new routine was frequently punctuated by secretive meetings where he and others were indoctrinated in the beliefs and ideals of the Nhimyggai. He learned his immediate superior was a young man named Ponyeth, who seemed little more than a boy to Chulon. He could sense magical ability in him, though, reckless and unbridled. Chulon imagined Ponyeth's ability was likely also largely untrained and unfocused. Apparently a connection to the stream of magical power was prized by the Nhimyggai, making it a reason for the promotion of its followers. Above Ponyeth was a darker man named Dremmech, who usually led their meetings and spoke vehemently against the southern kingdoms.
Dremmech also spoke of another superior named Tiernanuu, but Chulon had yet to meet this one. He wondered how many ranks the Nhimyggai has divided themselves into. It swiftly became apparent that his group, under Dremmech was wholly comprised of people who were local to the area where Chulon had been instructed to settle. He began to see Nhimyggai in places he had not formerly guessed to look. Their identity was obvious to him now, they were the members of any tribe who lived lives completely detached from the tribe's concerns. Ponyeth had told him early on to ignore the commands of the tribe of Lom. He was not a part of the tribe any longer. He was now a part of something much larger, something much more important.
Chulon was not yet sure how much magical ability the Nhimyggai held, he could not find opportunity to test it. As a whole, the group was very secretive and paranoid. They worked hard to remain unseen and unsuspected. Dremmech spoke about the necessity of this often. New recruits like Chulon were told over and over again to hide their allegiance to the Nhimyggai. They were never to speak of it. The mages of the south were always watching, he said, and Chulon later found it amusing just how true this was.
One thing was very apparent, though, it would take a lot of time for Chulon to gather the kind of information he needed. In the quiet moments, he wondered just how much time it would take. Dremmech's speeches were militant, focused on actions against the southlands. He spoke often about an upcoming campaign against Dour Gujhest. Chulon was recruited to fill out the ranks of Dremmech's army, which was being amassed for some form of offensive strike.
To single out Dour Gujhest was a bold maneuver. Chulon was immediately struck by the foolishness of such a plan. To begin with, the Nhimyggai would have to break through the vast defenses of the Ortakij kingdom. They would be faced with the power of Dour Gujhest long before they even reached the Sinzakij borders. Simply getting to Dour Gujhest would be an incredible feat, but once they were there, they would have to contend with the trained and focused power of an entire kingdom of mages.
Chulon knew from experience Dour Gujhest was well fortified. The White Council was ready and able to defend itself against an attack from these Nhimyggai. He began to wonder if the taste of magical ability had driven the Nhimyggai leadership mad. Yet, he knew it would be foolish to assume the failure of the Nhimyggai before he fully understood their capabilities. He was reminded of his battle with Ethegra. Once a friend, and one of the most powerful and solid mages he had ever known, Chulon could scarcely believe Ethegra had fallen to such temptation. If the Nhimyggai were behind Ethegra's conversion, perhaps there was something to their bold strategy after all. Did they intend to turn an entire kingdom of mages into demons?

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Months passed and Chulon fell into a routine. He rarely thought about his duty to the southern kingdoms any more, so deeply had he repressed his true identity. Outwardly, he acted every bit like a true believer in the Nhymiggai cause. It was a fine line he walked, twisting his disgust and hatred for the Nhimyggai into an apparent hatred toward the southern kingdoms.
Dremmech had relentlessly examined the minds of all his followers, keeping a sharp eye on them at all times. It was obvious he trusted nobody. As the time passed, his army grew, filling out with more and more eager recruits. Some were from other clans, but Chulon noted that Lom did not question or prevent their addition to the ranks of the Nhimyggai. Chulon exhibited no magical ability to his superiors, not wanting to rise in the ranks or appear as anything other than mundane now. Dremmech was descriptive enough of the Nhimyggai plans to eventually bring him all the information he would need. He had come to fear and respect the power of the Nhimyggai as time passed. The danger of his position was constant and pressing, so he did not wish to test his luck by attempting to gain recognition.