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| Author | The Trial |
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The Lords and Ladies of the Empire gathered once again in the large halls of the Chriselleum, with its massive statues and beautiful architecture. They too were dressed in their finest gowns and suits, adorned with glittering jewelry and honorary medals. It was a time to shine, to show ones worth, and be noticed for all they had achieved. As a result, a low din of gossip filled the gathering chambers, about who was wearing what, who was being escorted by whom, and who could tell the greatest tale of valor.
It was the anniversary of the Empire and the whole of the kingdoms were gathered to celebrate.
The Chriselleum was divided into sections, the majority of the Lords and Ladies either in the center dancing in the large square or lined against the walls in their separate conversations. It was certain that many of their conversations were about Warlord Kalirosh who sat amongst the other Council members, despite his recent behavior with hurling the Green-Sphere at the ship of the being known as Hermit.
Again the Council and other honored guests were to one side of the chamber sitting behind a well decorated and provisioned table. Still above them, the Empress sat in her high throne overlooking the events.
The minstrels completed their latest song and the Lords bowed deeply to the ladies, taking their hands to join the others lining the walls. Others were waiting expectantly at the edge of the floor to take their places for the upcoming song. In the quiet of the room, with only the ruffling of the ladies’ large bell-dresses, a figure came running through the hall. He wore a black vest with a brown sash across his chest to beltline. The sound of his hard leather boots reverberated in the colossal space of the Chriselleum, alerting the entire room of his presence. They could see the look on his face, a mixture of determination and fear. | All knew the import of the man, a courier just come from the East bay; a scout to dispatch messages from the warfront to the Council members and Empress. It was also known that the waves of creatures which struck only weeks before had subsided considerably, but had never completely died out. Those men on the borders were set there to keep the creatures at bay, and until now at least they had done a good job of it.
The courier reached the steps leading up to the Council. Many of the Lords and Ladies shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, fearful of what news this may portend. Warlord Kalirosh sat unmoved in his chair, a secret knowledge apparent on his face. It was as if he knew the words the courier spoke before they had been spoken.
At last the courier relayed the message to an attendant of the Empress who then whispered the news into her ear. Her eyes showed only a moment of weakness before she calmed herself once more. She rose with composed dignity then spoke out so the Council members alone could hear, “We must speak in private.” The Councilors rose with some trepidation and uncertainty, but then fell in line behind the Empress. Before exiting she stopped, looked over to the Chronicler and beckoned him to come. Wasting no time he joined the procession of dignitaries.
Moments later the Empress, Councilors, attendants of the Empire, and the courier were gathered in the central Square – the official building of the Imperial government, though it supported no walls or ceilings. Only columns of richly decorated stone and a number of bushy trees encircled those gathered therein. The Empress spoke as soon as she sat herself in her throne-like seat, “News of the East reaches us even on this most auspicious of days. It appears that the one known as the Mastermind has incited the creatures there once more – waves of the creatures are striking our guards along the borders. They can not hold them and will soon be overrun.” | The Councilors’ thoughts were heavy. Only minutes before they were enjoying the celebrations of a victorious year and now they were thrust back into the trials of battle. Of them, Kalirosh seemed less troubled but still anxious by the news, almost expectant of the courier’s announcement. The Empress looked to him first. “Warlord Kalirosh, you have been appointed to head the intelligence concerning this war effort and no doubt have a better idea of the situation, what news or guidance do you have to give on this matter?”
The Warlord looked up, “Your Majesty, as I’ve stated many times in our Council meetings since their first attack, we knew this would happen, that it seemed highly probable that they would gather their forces in greater numbers for another attack. Unfortunately, my reports...and fears...were right.”
Councilor Feurlis snapped, “Are you suggesting that we are to blame? As if we could have foreseen this calamity?”
Kalirosh looked to him, seeing the fires that had never been quenched between them, “Actually, Councilor, I was only mentioning the facts, and was about to give my advice on the matter at hand. That is before you interrupted me.”
Feurlis shot back, “I think that if you knew that this tragedy was upon us once more, you might have made the importance of the situation a little clearer to this Council, Kalirosh!” The two remained locked in a heated stare, silence speaking their bitter hatred. | Finally, Kalirosh returned his attention to the Empress, “As I was saying, I had known something was brewing in the East and so did some further planning once I met resistance within the Council about action being taken.” Some of the Councilors seemed hurt, others indignant that Kalirosh apparently went behind their backs. He ignored their jeers, “As well as many of the reports I received, I have an old friend I had spoken to about this. If the Council deems it necessary I can get back in touch with them to learn further about what is currently happening-”
The Councilors sprung to life, harsh words accusing Kalirosh of harboring informants and spies, while others defended Kalirosh’s actions. He sat quietly, his back firmly against the seat with his hands crossed in his lap, eyes looking upward.
Feurlis rose from his chair and speaking to the other Councilors and Empress. The others calmed and listened. “Our hand is forced in this matter. We know what needs to be done with these vagabond assaulters. We crush them! Our Lords and Ladies will come to the aide of the Empire once more. But this time, we don’t stop until they are defeated!”
Kalirosh couldn’t keep quiet, not with the pompous Feurlis speaking without the guidance of wisdom. “And where do we strike Feurlis? No doubt, the Lords will answer and go off to war, battling countless waves of monsters. But where would you have us send them? Where do they go to find the source of these attacks?” | Before Feurlis could retort, the gentle voice of Lady Quetlisse spoke up. She had been listening to the arguments of the two enraged Councilors without seeing end to their feuding. It was time, she felt, to end it. “Gentlemen. Councilors. Friends.” The entire court focused on her, as if she were a star cast in a sky of darkness. It was not just her beauty that encapsulated the others; it was her very bearing; noble and graceful. As the representative of the elves, she was both regal and elegant, dressed in forest green sheer silk over an emerald toned bodice, and adorned with shimmering jewels and a large butterfly brooch. Amongst the elves there is a saying, ‘As for plants of the field, she was the flower’. This was the Lady Quetlisse.
Having the attention of the court now, she continued in her musical tone, “There is work to do here, and we need to be in union on these matters. Let us put aside our quarrels for another time.”
Feurlis had found his seat while Lady Quetlisse was speaking. He now sat at the edge of it, his hands out in front of him, as if pleading his cause, “My Lady, I seek the good of the Empire, you know this. But our action must be swift, and powerful.”
“Yes, I see there is no other way than conflict in these matters. I believe Feurlis has spoken well, that we summon the Lords and Ladies of the Empire once more. To war.” She paused purposely, giving importance to her measured tone. “And I believe that more must be learned of these assaults. Why do they come, and who is behind them? In this I trust that Warlord Kalirosh can lead us to an answer in the near future.”
The Councilors sounded their approval, recognizing the wisdom of the Lady Quetlisse; finding peace between the two opposing Councilors. Even Kalirosh and Feurlis found it hard to dispute what she had spoken.
When the noise of the Councilors subsided, the Empress said, “It is agreed then what must be done.” | After the Councilors and Empress had left, the noise and gossip of the Chriselleum grew so that the minstrels were forced to play exceedingly louder. When at last they realized that only a few couples were even dancing they refrained, at last giving into the will of the people they played softer for the few who remained.
Instead of the normal festivities, tables and corners alike were being filled with Lords and Ladies, as if the very tent of the warfront had been brought to the Chriselleum. Similarly, scouts and lesser Lords ran from the tables and corners to learn what morsel of news they might have learned or guessed there. They would then carry it on to the next table to share and learn even more. As the night wore on, the gossip had spread like wildfire.
The music stopped immediately and the voices were silenced. All ears were perked for a noise that filtered from outside into the great Chriselleum.
Horns could be heard throughout the town, resounding from different locations as the news was spread. War had been declared, and the citizens of the Empire had been called to serve once more… |
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