Lares’ expression is distressed.
“We conquered the Berbers? That’s… distressing. We must have inflicted no small amount of suffering and built grounds for resentment. I certainly preferred the role of savior. As for my other feelings,”
he thinks for a moment,
“I don’t think my life up to this point is as different from this situation as you think. I grew up in a large covenant, part of a language minority, with religions galore, and a strict hierarchy, even slaves. See the analogy? This does not mean that I know the Berber people, of course, but I think I’m well equipped to try and relearn those lessons that you speak of. I hope you, your brother, and, with time, Barshako can help me with that.”
He clears his throat.
“The issue with Gift familiarity is likely to be pressing. Everything else has reverted, so why would that be any different? I think we should explain the effects of the Gift to everybody, so they can learn to recognize them in themselves.”
He pauses.
“I don’t think we can progress any further with the ledger. We should, however, urgently address this information Izri has provided about the social tensions in the covenant. You are right in emphasizing the leaders, Argentius. Izri, could you take us to persons who used to be the most prominent opinion leaders on each side? We should gauge their mood. It is important to tread carefully, however, to make sure we do not worsen the situation. Does this seem reasonable to you, Argentius?”
(If they agree to go, Lares will stop by his lab first to spont Aura of Ennobled Presence at range:personal, so level 5.
His total is 3 sta + 5 mu + 3 Im + 8 aura + 2 gest&loud = 23, so 1 fatigue. He rests for a few minutes before proceeding.)
[Edit to the above plan, if allowed: I'd like to cast this ceremonially instead, then divide by five, which means no fatigue and no botch die. It takes fifteen minutes for magnitude 1.]