Steven Burke - The Broken Council

The design used to build this enormous keep was patterned after the impenetrable dwarven strongholds. The queen and her family resided in a castle located at the very heart of the city. This building was surrounded by another massive wall that was twice as thick as the outer wall. The dimensions were double that of the first barrier in every respect. In addition to the trebuchets and archers, there are swordsmen and knights patrolling this inner perimeter atop the massive bulwark. There were catapults situated strategically behind the defensive barrier as an additional protection against intruders. The defenses were most impressive and awe inspiring to anyone who saw them. Those who did see these deterrents believed that no one would be able to penetrate the impregnable fortifications of Queen Kira's inner sanctum.

Queen Kira felt it was vital to have protection and security this intense. She did not know how the elves would react to the division she had caused. Also, she could not predict how some of the other races like ores and goblins would react to this new power in the north. They might view the high elves as being weak and possibly vulnerable to an attack. They might take steps to destroy them before they got an opportunity to grow. She secretly wondered how the other Elementals would react to the intervention of Mistress Kana. The only time a guardian got involved was to punish or destroy lesser beings. Her confidence wavered at this thought. She did not know if Kana would be able to protect them against the other guardians if they too chose to get involved or if they wanted to rectify the situation that the high elves had instigated.

General Yukio had a small group of high elven warriors with him to help protect the chairman of the high elven Council as they carried out their diplomatic duties. Bronwen Merindiel was the leader of the council and was a very close friend to Queen Kira. He was also a good friend the queen's father King Ciel of the elves. It had been a difficult choice for him to leave the Black Forest, but he knew that Kira's ideas and beliefs were more in line with his. He knew that the elven kingdom was headed down a path that would diminish their standing in the Tuwa over time. He could not bear the thought of such weakness when he knew that there was a better way. He truly felt that the queen was inspired in her actions. The fact that an Elemental was on their side brought him a great deal of comfort and resolution.

Chairman Merindiel had long silver hair that glimmered softly in the early morning sun as he rode along the eaves of the northern edge of the Black Forest. He had very dark skin that contrasted this shimmering silver mane. He was so dark that many of the elves referred to him as "the dark elf." Any person who had never spoken to this wise and gentle leader would probably assume that he was evil because of his ominous appearance. There were many of the high elves that distrusted him and worried that he would betray their new queen. This line of thinking could not have been further from the truth. Next to General Yukio, Bronwen was the most faithful and loyal supporter of the new monarchy. This skewed perception of the council leader would cost him dearly in the end.

"Where are we off to first, General Yukio?" the chairman asked airily.

"I have been absent from my responsibilities for too long, so we are going to make our first visit to Queen Daria," Yukio replied. He had been gone for over six months without returning to Nairi since his initial report after his union. Queen Daria would want to have an update from her general. She would be very pleased to make an alliance with the high elves. King Ciel had denied an equal partnership with any race, so this was an opportunity for mutual trade and for developing a strong relationship that renewed old ties. He was confident that this first meeting would produce the best results out of all their visits.

"That sounds like the most prudent course of action of course," Bronwen agreed. "We could definitely use a strong ally like the people of Nairi. Their proximity will allow a new nation like ours to grow quickly and safely." The chairman truly believed that this plan was a good one. I hope that Queen Daria is as accepting as the good general believes. His dark face hid his reservations while he put on a confident smile to shore up Yukio's diplomatic plan. It was still difficult for him to overcome his prejudices about men.

Queen Kira sat in the newly constructed council chambers pondering a course of action she would need to take if diplomacy did not work. She was fairly certain that her husband and the chairman would be successful as ambassadors for the high elves; however, she was worried about their last visit. She did not think her stubborn father would want to have anything to do with her or the elves that followed her. She stood up and began to pace around the open space where the council table would soon be situated in front of her throne. I certainly hope that we are able to ally ourselves with the race of men and dwarves; that way we will be able to withstand any retaliation from the elves. She shook her head at such a dubious thought. This was going to be much more difficult than she had originally thought.

The door to the hall opened slowly to admit a slight dark figure. After a moment, Queen Kira recognized her sister as she walked further into the light that shone through the stained glass dome. She immediately sensed something different about her sibling, but she could not attribute the change to any one thing right away. Kishi did not have a favorable look on her face as she stared at her sister. Clearly something was amiss and, from the look of it, it was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

"Kishi, what brings you here?" Kira queried pleasantly.

"Why you of course, my queen," Kishi replied sarcastically with an equally mocking bow. She had a wry smile on her face.

"Kishi, there is no need for formalities between us. What is it that I can do for you?" countered the queen. She had knots forming in her stomach at this point. She had never seen her sister act like this. What is going on? What is she playing at?

"My queen, do you truly think it wise to trust a god to help us without reciprocation?" Kishi was not going to waste time; they did not have much left. She did not trust the guardians and was even more concerned by only one of them showing any interest in them. It also was troubling that the other Elementals did not choose to involve themselves in something as trivial as a coup. Something does not add up. What is Kana doing getting involved with lesser beings? Why help my sister of all people? What makes her so special?

"You do not believe that the guardians would help lesser beings like us. You do not believe that they help others for the purpose of doing good. You have never trusted anyone but yourself," Kira retorted angrily! "You have always looked out for yourself and cared for no one else. Why did you even bother coming with us if you did not believe in our cause?" Her face flushed red with anger. This is pointless to fight amongst ourselves. Why is she really here? What does she want?

"I do not need your permission to do anything, dear sister. I am more capable than you in every way imaginable, and you know it." She was not going to tolerate her younger sister's idiocy. "I came here because I too believe that the elves were on the wrong path. Politics had taken place of traditions and freedom. I believed the bureaucracy had taken over and that our inept father could no longer control them or use them. I do not believe, however, that you should be the one to lead these people!" An uncomfortable silence fell between the two powerful sorceresses.

Kira straighten up and walked toward her sister who stood in the very center of the room. "What are you saying? Do you really believe that you could lead the people? You only care for yourself and your own rapacious needs!" The words were like venomthoughtless, but lethally intentional.