Dedication is a hallmark in the Corners of Khorvaire.
The mirrors of Fort Light are a famous innovation from the Last war. As I visited on my recent stop en route to Passage, I had the opportunity to observe the mechanism in action. The soldiers worked in precise coordination as they rotated the reflective plates that can shine light to any part of the fields surrounding the fort. After an inspection, one plate was found to be dulled and scratched. That's when I met one of the most interesting occupants of the fort. The plate was removed and taken to a small stand in a lean-to occupied by a Forged named Buff.
Between Thrane, Breland, and Aundair, Fort Light changed hands several times during the War. At one point a squad of Forged was left behind by Breland when Thrane reclaimed the Fort. The others left after the Treaty of Thronehold granted them their freedom, but Buff remained behind.
With various tools, cloths, alchemical creams, and plenty of "elbow grease" (which Buff assured me was simply a metaphor for hard work), he takes loving care with each reflective plate. Humming to himself, he expertly brings the formerly dull and scratched plate to a mirrored shine. Between the repetitive strokes and the humming, I began to understand the meditative calm Buff says he experiences as he works.
When he finally finished, he stood in front of the plate until the soldiers came and took it away. When I asked him what he saw when he looked into the mirror, he simply said:
"Myself."
When you work hard enough, you might just find yourself in the Corners of Khorvaire.
Genbo Santor d'Sivis
