Dreams of a Fallen Crown:Characters:Oath Graven Diamond

Youth

Cathak Suraga was firstborn of a powerful clan within House Cathak. He was raised on the family estate near Nishimo, where tutors taught him of the world and his place in it. He was part of one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world; and, Dragons willing, would Exalt and continue the family traditions. Growing up, his brother Kiru--barely a year younger than he--was a constant companion, while his sister Susuki did her best to make their lives difficult. At first she simply tagged along with the brothers, but later used her wide-eyed, innocent face to cause trouble for her siblings and silently laughed at the results.

When Kiru Exalted at the age of ten, he became the pride of the family. His training intensified such that Suraga rarely saw him any more, leaving Suraga as the sole target for Susuki's pranking. The brothers gradually grew distant as Kiru was trained to control his new powers. Suraga more and more immersed himeslf in studies and training, first to stay away from Susuki, and later in an attempt to prove himself the equal of his Exalted sibling. When he graduated from Primary School, he immediately joined the House of Bells to study warcraft.

Then, at thirteen, Susuki manifested the power as well. Suraga's parents were ecstatic, but Suraga felt bitter disappointment growing in his heart. He resented his siblings, promoted above him, and feared he would never Exalt and make his parents equally proud. Now fifteen, he threw himself into his training, daily submitting requests for the Immaculate Order to pray for his Exaltation. Kiru joined the Wyld Hunt, and Suraga heard little from him besides secondhand tales of his valor. He wished he could see his once-beloved brother as a hero of the Realm, but he could feel little but resentment. The seasons came and went, each one taking with it more of his hope. His relationship with his parents degraded steadily, and it became clear in his seventeenth year that his mother could hardly stand the sight of the only disappointment among her children. Romance evaded him despite his increasingly good looks; the only women who wished his company were interested in him for his family's rank or the possibility of Dragonblooded children. It was almost a relief when he was assigned as Subaltern to a major in The Lap after graduating from the House of Bells while his family arranged a suitable marriage.

Adulthood

Leaving behind the politics of the houses, Suraga discovered that his high cheekbones and fine skin earned him more success with the ladies than he could have imagined. He filled his time with carousing and romance, though no woman truly touched his heart. Even the woman chosen to marry him, the plain-faced Radiant Crane, failed to catch his love. He didn't bother to keep secret his several mistresses throughout The Lap. He performed his duties adequately, but no more than that, unable and unwilling to bring more to the task than obligatory effort.

That spring, however, the armies deployed to fend off Dune People raiders from the small settlements south of the Lap and Suraga was placed in charge of a Scale. Still a young and inexperienced commander, he allowed his troops to be drawn off by a feint, pursuing raiders who seemed to melt into the sand once they were away from the settlement. When they returned, Suraga found carnage. The settlement had been brutally raided and set aflame, every inhabitant put to the sword who wasn't kidnapped. Suraga realized then that he wasn't here merely for family or obligation, but for these people who relied on him to protect them and their way of life. With new resolve to lead his men as best he could for the sake of those under his protection, he trailed the escaping raiders and exhorted his troops to bring righteous justice to these barbarians. The battle was bloody, but the survivors were finally rescued, and his Scale made an excellent showing. It was a bittersweet victory, however. Suraga helped to cremate the dead of the village with his own hands.

In time, Radiant Crane bore him a daughter, Jade Singing Sand, and grew large with a child he would never meet. He hardly saw his wife longer than necessary to perform his duty anymore.

Exaltation

Stuff happened