In which we find the elf and the wizard discussing the Sibyris shard's fate.

The old elf leapt down from the rigging, moving to the centre of the boat, limiting the view of the crowd to him. Auron recognised the moment: Rute doting over Loram and the others revelling in victory - the elf was alone.

“We should speak. I must know of your plans should we retrieve the shard, and though I fear I already know the answer, I wish to hear it from you.”

The old elf turned to him, looking Auron up and down, “The common people would be killed in droves by a war over the shard, I will not allow that to happen.  It is unlikely we will find a place or person who can be trusted to keep the shard safe, and in that case I intend to destroy it”

With his suspicions confirmed the wizard stared, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “How can you destroy something of such power? Not only is it of such power and likely well protected, but how could you rid the world of something that could do such good? Not to mention what we could learn from it’s study.”

“Power corrupts, I have seen enough to know this, and my dream and Cordric’s research confirm just how dangerous the shard is. I have travelled the length and breadth of this land and have yet to find somewhere the shard can be safe and protected by someone who wouldn’t abuse it power.  I will destroy the crystal by my own craft,” said the elf, his hand playing along the handle of his blade “The risk of entrusting this to another is too great”

Auron looked on, disbelief playing the edges of his face. “You realise what the shard is? This is a shard of the Dragon Above, Siberys. What makes you think you can destroy it so easily?”

Cal’s face remained emotionless as if the information held no bearing on his decision “Faith. Dol Arrah provides. She will see me through this task as well, even if I have to carry it to the edge of the world and give my life’s dying spark I will destroy it before I see it fall into the wrong hands. One life for thousands is more than fair.”

“Imagine what could be achieved with it’s study: perfect weather as needed, the lands could be rejuvenated and we might finally see an end to the warring between the nations”

The elf’s attention returning to the man showed a sadness, as if this were a discussion he had engaged in before. "To study the shard and turn it to good is a noble end, but where would the shard be stored during its study? Sharn? Aerenal? Karnath? And will the other nations stand by while it happens? The shard is the spark that will drive the world to war once more and no-one can afford to risk their rival’s possessing it"

Auron seemed to pause for a moment, as if considering and weighing options, before suggesting, “Take it to the centre of Khorvaire, to the Mournland. The land is virtually impassible, it could be safe there”

“A powerful enough group could still pass into there and come back with the shard with enough will, assuming it didn’t fall into the hands of the Lord of Blades.  You would simply shift the focus of the war from open battle so small groups who could survive there long enough." 

The old Elf seeming intractable in his stance yet not judgemental, perhaps even saddened by his own answer. “In the case of the shard even the great houses are bit players.  This land would be torn asunder in a war the likes of which it has never seen.  The Last War will be nothing in comparison, almost any cost would be worth possessing the shard”

Anger flared in Auron. How could this elf be so blind? “The Houses? Bit players? You do not know your history nor your politics. The Twelve would sooner the nations burned than let their own fall. There may not be much love lost between them, but they are bound together by their marks, fools that they are.”

A flash of steel crossed Cal’s eyes. “The war for the shard will call down powers beyond the houses, this will be a world at war, to lose the shard to a rival will make nations burn,
“And do you think that the nations and Houses have an appetite for war so soon after the last? They know the price of such a thing themselves very well.”

“For this prize? In a heartbeat,” the elf exclaimed. “And with the Jade Dragon lands could easily be replenished, renewed as you suggest, almost any devastation could be undone, only this will not be for all, but for those who finally possess the shard” The steel was gone now, once again replaced with tiredness and resignation at perhaps even his own words.

It was no small wonder that the elf’s stubbornness had not already got him killed. “But who knows of the Shard? It seems a precious few at this time and they aren't going to make the competition harder. Your pessimism condemns the shard and the people Khorvaire, it doesn't save it.”

“This knowledge is more widely known than you think youngling. If word spreads the shard is claimed, this world will burn - torn apart in a pre-emptive strike to ensure it is not used”

Auron sighed. How could Cal be willing to risk so much for people he has so little faith in? “Again this pessimism. Then do not let it be known the shard is claimed. Or indeed, let it be known it has been destroyed.” Auron lowered his voice, “And do not call me youngling again elf.”

Again he spoke and again with that tone, like a lecturer repeating the same lessons he has taught before, bordering condescending even if that were not his intention. Cal retorted, “Your academic mind blinds you to the realities of the world. This shard when harnessed will be capable of shattering nations in a day, blasting civilisations from the face of the world leaving no trace they ever existed and you would trust this power to a single group? With this power even a good man with good intention could deliver this world a blow it would never recover from, imagine the devastation it would cause in the hands of someone with a true lust for power. Your misplaced faith would doom us all”

“Your elven insight fails you if you think I am a mere academic. I have seen and experienced more than you know.You can’t fix this world one small problem at a time. If you truly wanted to help people you wouldn't destroy the shard so casually. Anyway, when you finally pass from this world, who will take up your blade? The shard would help ensure that no-one need to.  You are blind to the possibilities because of your fear!”

Why couldn’t he even show some passion in this, simply stating his opinion as if facts he knew were true, as if he had simply accepted them and moved on. “In an ideal world perhaps, and maybe one day I will find one. The shard however, will cause nothing but war - Eberron’s people are not ready. There is too much strife, too much hatred, the shard will throw fuel into the firestorm and consume this world. It takes a watchful eternity to use the shard well, a spiteful moment to destroy everything. In all your high hopes I have yet to hear the name of anyone who could be trusted to use the shard for the good of all, and certainly no-one with the power to keep it from those who would not.” With that the elf sat, rigging supporting his weight. Seeing him like that finally showed just how many years he was carrying.

Auron, face turning impassive, said simply, “Who? You, perhaps. If only you were not so blind.” With that Auron turned away, a deep silence pressing upon his back as he walked up the deck and toward the cheering crowd.