Chapter 22 - Part 1

It was a scorching day in Red Keep and the meeting Araya was attending was taking longer than usual. The lavishly decorated circular room was filled with concentric desks and seats for each Councilman, thirty one in total. Thirty two, with her and thirty three with the Emperor, which never attended these meetings, but today was an exception. The subject in debate was one of serious and sensitive matter. The invasion of Bahal.

Araya looked around the room, everyone was already bored and hungry aside for the Emperor and Councilman Ameral who were at each other's throats trying to undermine one another. He was the only one with high enough rank and power to actually disagree with the Emperor. The rest of the Councilmen stood silently as the two men did everything they could to end up on top. While Ameral was unapologetically visceral and cutthroat in his well thought out arguments, that even if they were fallacies, his gift for twisting the truth and spinning his lies, would make anyone who didn't know better believe the sky was green and the oceans red.

The Emperor knew this very well, and he was prepared. With methodical ease Ryel dismantled each argument that Ameral made with logical exercises.

Araya was surprised to see Emperor Ryel handle such blatant attacks from the Councilman with such composure, and his counter arguments were worded not only to destroy his opponent but lose his credit and credibility as well. She always passed him as a brainless spoiled man-child that just wanted power and wanted to see simple tricks now and again. This was a new side of the Emperor, and it made her fear him. His whole life was a game of politics and getting away from assassination attempts, it was foolish of her to assume he was just a mindless stooge that happened to be born as the sole son of an Emperor.

"I fully understand your concerns, Councilman." Emperor Ryel said with a stern look. He did not give away any emotions, just like his opponent.

"I'm afraid your Imperial Majesty does not fully comprehend the ramifications of a war with Baha." Councilman Ameral immediately interrupted.

"And what ramifications are there that I, Emperor Ryel along with my trusty inner circle and advisors, have not taken into consideration, Councilman." he refused to address his opponent by his name to show him where he stood and pull away from the fact that this man, in front of him, was next in line if something were to happen to Ryel.

"Our people are not ready for another campaign of this magnitude, your Imperial Majesty. We're still rebuilding in the Majhora plains, the farms are still not proving profitable as the land need to heal from our own foolish actions against -"

"I am well aware of my father's poor decisions, Councilman. That was well over ten years ago. The Empire must expand, and we need Bahal's resources."

"Majhora plains border Bahal, your Imperial Majesty, "

"I do know geography, Councilman."

"It was not my intention to assume you do not, your Imperial Majesty, however, I fear that if war pushes into the Majhora it will set back the people there by years."

"I assure you, Councilman, and esteemed Councilmen," Ryel looked around the room. "The strategy we devised will not impact any territory that is bordering Bahal."

"And what is this marvelous strategy, your Imperial Majesty? We, the Councilmen, with the power invested in us by your grace, will need to be made aware of what we stand to lose before we make a decision on whether we go to war or not. I believe it is within our dutiful right to refuse such request if our people are to lose greatly."

"I fear I cannot share that information with you, I have strong reasons to believe we might have a spy among us at the Red Keep, Councilman, and such sensitive information will remain with me and my inner circle until it is upon us to act."

"How are we supposed to go by blind faith, your Imperial Majesty. There is too much to lose, the monster tamers of Bahal are known for their strength and mercilessness. Are we to fight something we do not understand."

"Have faith, my good people. For I, your Emperor, chosen by E'a and the Creators, will protect our people and our territories and will continue to expand the glorious Empire we all call home. Rest assured Councilman that in order for me to conquer Bahal we shall need the minimum of troops and resources. Your loss will be little, but your gain will be so much more." The Emperor looked at Araya and nodded. "Imperial Advisor GrandMaster Araya, please share with these gentlemen the plans we have for Bahal."

"Yes, your Imperial Majesty." She replied and moved to the center next to the Emperor, her elegant black robes billowed as she descended, taking the podium. "Esteemed Councilmen, Your grace." She bowed. "Upon conquering Bahal, a very precocious resource will become available to us. The resource is what will drive this new advancements with the Empire and allow us to hold our position of power among the World. These," Araya raised a hand and from her robes four stones floated above her head. There was a green crystal, a deep purple one, one had dark brown, almost black color, and the last one was a milky white with a tinge of blue.

The room was now filled with whispers and gasps.

"Settle yourselves, Councilmen." The emperor commanded and silence fell immediately.

"These are similar to the stones that light up this room, to our bonding stones, and rubies. As you can see these look nothing like our own, and just as you probably assumed have different abilities."

"Very good, Advisor Araya, and how, might I wonder, these stones would revolutionize the Empire. I don't want to spill our people's blood for a mere handful of stones." Councilman Ameral spat back.

"The green crystal, Councilman Ameral, when charged, produces a light that induces accelerated growth with plantlife. I am sure you can imagine how the Majhara plains would benefit from such incredible power. Even the lowest of Wilders with a tinge of power would be able to charge this simple stone and be able to cast one of the most complicated spells in the Advanced rank."

"Impossible!" Councilman Ameral's face dropped.

"Just imagine how powerful and how much the Empire will thrive if we can feed even the poorest of families in the lowliest of slums and poor villages while just this stone, producing crops not just yearly, but monthly!" a riot of chatting ensured but she did not let those old men take over her time. "This is not all!" She raised her voice and they settled. "This one," She highlighted the purple one. "can mimic powerful healing spells. It is still being tested by our own Mavens. These can be distributed as emergency aid where we lack Wielders. The white one, I'm sure you all heard rumors about the levitating stones! We have finally found their origin, which is Bahal!"

"Silence, Silence." The Emperor interrupted the crowd and his advisor before she could get to the dark brow stone. "Thank you, Araya. Councilmen, as you can clearly see the resources are indeed valuable."

"Indeed they are, your Imperial Majesty, but - "

"But nothing!" Araya raised her voice again. "Esteemed Councilmen, with the conquering Bahal there will be need of someone who will rule over for the Emperor -" Araya stopped abruptly while the men in front of her began to chat amongst themselves again. She felt Lwora trying to reach her.

This is not the best time. She told herself but relented. ""Lwora! What is it? What happened? I'm in the middle of an important meeting."

"It cannot wait, Araya. They are planning on killing innocent people, and disposing of both of us!" Lwora sent via the brooch Araya had gifted her some time ago. She felt the intense fear underlined by anger Lwora was emanating

"What are you saying?" Araya asked. She glanced at the Emperor who was now looking at her in concern beside her, he shook his head and his brows furrowed.

"Listen to me carefully, Araya. Councilman Ameral is sending orders to the Head of the Order, Cornelius to commit genocide in the name of the Emperor in the lower levels, then they plan to discredit you with all sorts of fake documents. They are insane, Araya. Here!" Lwora sent mental images with what she had discovered. Araya gasped audibly as she saw the conversations in the scrolls.

No, this is too early. They're planning to strike when we're vulnerable! She thought, anger surged through her, then the fear for her friend's life took over.

"Lwora, you need to do exactly what I'm going to tell you. Stick those seals back to the parchment with Wielding, as best as you can and get out of there. Meet me in my town office. You got the key, stay there, and do not open the door to anyone. Do you understand?"

Silence fell. Araya felt the connection breaking immediately after she finished her words. All blood drained from her face, her heart trying to escape her chest beat intensely.

"Lwora!" She tried again, but she knew it was futile. Please stay alive.

"Your Imperial Majesty, I think it is wise to resume the meeting tomorrow." She said out loud then approached and whispered. "I have grave news and must act quickly.

Emperor Ryel looked her in her eyes and gave a curt nod in acknowledgement. "I will leave you, fine men, to think this over until tomorrow. I call this meeting to an end." And with that everyone began to depart. Araya began following the Emperor with hurried paces. They went through the richly decorated halls with gold and silver, with paintings that were worth as much as her own year's pay. She hated the opulence the emperor displayed.

Once they arrived in the Emperor's study where they would speak freely, he invited her to sit in the chair across his desk. Araya obliged but could not help feel watched with the being in the pod ever watching them.

"You understand that we were close to winning them over?" He said with a grave voice, his eyes never leaving her own.

"I do, and I apologize, your Imperial Majesty. But this is of great import. Araya began detailing the conversations she saw through Lwora. Emperor's Ryel face did not show any surprise. Not even that it was Councilman's sigil on the seal of wax or that he was in cohorts with the head of the order Cornelius.

"So they decided to act." He simply said. "False prophet." he whispered.

"You... you knew?" Araya raised a hand to her mouth in shock.

"Of course, Araya. I know everything that goes on within my Empire." He chuckled.

"You understand what this means?"

"A spy." both said at the same time. Ryel nodded knowingly.

"But how?"

"It was just a matter of time." He got up from his ornate chair and walked to the pod that housed the husk of a Creator, studying it carefully. "I knew the information in those texts that Ad'hm and his team retrieved was too precious and sensational for them not to be leaked. I already have spies within the Mavens and everyone who handled the texts. I'll run an investigation and -"

"We don't have time! Lwo-" Araya froze in place as soon as she realized how loud she was. A single burst like this could cause her her life.

"I understand that you worry about your friend, but my hands are tied with the Order. There is not much I can do. My foolish great-great grandfather placed too much trust in them, too much power."

"But, your Imperial Majesty - "

"I advise you, Advisor Araya." It was the first time he actually used her title when it was just the two of them. "that you let go of this friend. I cannot take action now, not without any evidence."