THE SKIROSS GATE INCIDENT.

Arc 2 part 1

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"It seems the ambush didn't go as I predicted, hm. It was another one of my half-truth visions." Oculus thought to herself.

She stood within the courtyard of a grand palace, belonging to her dear friends, Theodora and her father. A palace that served as the center of governance for Eastern Keralia and where Theodora and Maximilian manage local affairs and local issues --- Oculus couldn't help but feel somewhat relaxed, yet, she also knew how old this palace was, this place has been here even before Theodora was born and though it was quite old, it is clearly well cared for, and the service here was beyond compare, as expected of the Nobility of the Archedian Empire. The scent of the flower gardens was strong as gardeners tended to the flowers, some of the patches set aside from potatoes and other produce.

Yet, this palace was modestly sized, revealing the character of the father and daughter who called this place their home and place of work.

Though they were summoned by the Emperor to the front, they still had other obligations, such as the administration and governance of the region, of which Maximilian and Theodora were accustomed to.

Oculus sat down on a chair, with her two friends sitting across from her. The maid came through the door and served up tea and snakes for the enjoyment of the group.
Much to the Eye of Heaven's pleasure, of course.

"So, who exactly do we talk to?" Asked Theodora.
"Surely, there's someone within the Kovenant ranks that is willing to talk to us."

"There's someone I know." Said Oculus.
"In fact, he is on his way right now, though be warned, he is a giant of a man."

Maximilian sipped his cup as he read the newspaper.
"Well, I hope he is someone of authority. I just read here that the Frontlines lost another 15,000 in a continuous 3-day assault across the Fuscene River, either wounded, killed, or missing."

Theodora answered.
"I admit... The slow progress is rather frustrating, I know we're forging a peace and all, but I'm not used to this slow, grinding warfare. We haven't seen that in the last thirty or forty odd years."

Oculus replied.
"I'm sure the troops can handle it." She grabbed a biscuit from the table and took a bite.
"Tasty... But, as I was saying, this wouldn't be the first time they had to deal with trench warfare. That was what happened in the East decades back with the Nirene invasion --- The terror of the Trenches, the first widescale deployment of tanks, new shock trooper tactics, tunneling, and grinding trench warfare that took the lives of many good troops... I'm confident they can hold the line."

Theodora then asked.
"Oculus... Out of curiosity..."

"Yes?"

"How exactly does your precognition work? You said earlier that I had some misconceptions." Theodora said.

A strong breeze hit the group, as Oculus sipped from her cup, placing it back down half finished.
"Well then, my friend, it's important to understand that I am not perfect, not by any means... My precognition is the same. It has inherent limits."

Oculus took a deep breath.
"Say, for example, I want to see what will happen, with relative accuracy in, let's say... A year or two years, I can do with a high degree of accuracy in regards to events, their consequences, and what will come as a result of those actions being taken...
Simple enough, right? Well, it gets harder the farther into the future I want to see."
She took a brief pause as though coming up with words.
"Generally, the farther into the future I look, the less accurate my interpretations, sure, I can see what will happen in one thousand years, but all I'm seeing is vague visions and semi coherent ones, it's hard to make out what's happening."