Second-Who-Was
The first Second we meet, during the events of Even the Wingless. Lisinthir Nase Galare characterizes him as the Emperor's right hand.[1]
Physical Description
As of the period where Lisinthir Nase Galare was Alliance Ambassador ad'Chatcaaava, Second was the oldest Chatcaavan the Queen had ever seen. His eyes were "so bright a blue they approached purple," and his wings had grown dry and brittle over time, chafing when he does not have them oiled regularly. He moved with more deliberation than younger members of the court, but still had the power to dispatch a food animal with one swipe.[1] He had less mobility in his face than the Emperor, possibly due to age.
Biography
Second was the Emperor's Second for twenty-five years, since the beginning of the Emperor's tenure as Emperor. As such, he was delegated responsibility for most issues, save trade, which was the domain of Third. He traditionally sat at the pillow next to the Emperor at supper, and was responsible for testing the cup for poison for him. At the time of Even the Wingless, the Emperor claimed that Second was "the only male" he'd trusted in all his life. Also: "Second has been Second since I began my tenure here. He was a powerful male."[1][2]
His office had bookcases: books, scrolls, and tablets in the shelves, with the occasional decoration: a jagged amethyst formation, a globe of onyx. A viewscreen with a map of the Throneworld solar system, and a writing desk. His desk was relatively untidy, stacked with books and papers and tablets.[2]
Quotes
- "You give honor wounds to an alien. If the court discovered it, they could accuse you of devaluing honor."[2]
- "It is an act, Exalted. Test him. You will see I speak truth. Devise a way to expose this weakness in him and you will see he is no different from those the Alliance sent before."[2]
- "Nothing can calm my spirit. I have seen the future and it is painted red with folly."[2]
- "What makes us Chatcaava is that we can Change--and we don't."[2]
- "That's why he's always here, isn't it? He's learning! All this time I wondered how he could possibly know the things he does. How he could understand that the tests are honor and not something to flee. How he could continue to betwitch the Exalted Emperor. It's YOU! What do you tell him! Do you give him the keys to our country? Do you tell him about the secret heart of the Emperor? WORTHLESS SLAVE!"[2]
- "When you came here, when you asked me to stay for you, Exalted, you tasked me with the assessment of threats to your being and to the Empire you represent. Hear me now: this creature is the worst thing to have come to us. Ever. Kill him now, Exalted. And kill her too, to stop the spread of this poison."[2]
- "If you are my Emperor, then you will kill me for my insolence!"[2]
Trivia
- Oaths: "Living air beneath you-the-alien"[1]
- Oddly facile with Alliance interfaces.[2]
- kept notes about what happened, including the acts of the Slave Queen, which were left behind for the next Second to read [3]