by Bill Albert
“I imagine you are working your way up to the Council chamber,” Kellis said. Gallif responded with a slight nod of her head and Kellis continued. “That’s good. The First Minister will be happy to see you.”
“Are you an agent for him?” Luvin asks just to make sure it was clear.
“One,” Kellis nodded.
“How many are there?” Rosario asked.
“One. How many more does he need?” she answered taking the offense.
Gallif smiled and immediately started liking this woman very much.
Kellis informed them there was only one route they could take up to the Council chamber without being stopped or seen. After Gallif got into her armor she led them around some of the closets. She opened a secret hatch, told them to follow, and crawled inside. Luvin immediately followed her, Rosario looked wide-eyed at Gallif before she entered, and Gallif close the hatch behind her.
The passage was clear, and they traveled quickly. Soon they were on a ladder heading up and through a very small gap in the skin of the tower they could see all of the western side of Spring Field and into the rainbow mountains. Gallif was the only one who truly appreciated the beauty of the colored ranges and hope that, one day she could tour them up close.
When they reach the top rung and enclosed path buried inside the building led them on a circular course until it ended on the outer wall. Here there was just enough room to stand and one by one, with a little coaxing from Kellis, they climbed the meticulously placed stone ladder on the outside of the building.
***
“And the rest,” the First Minister said knowingly to Mekon as he smiled wryly. “We are at the point of no return,” he said looking at the other Ministers.
They all followed his gaze and saw a woman that none of them had ever seen before entering the chamber from a spot just outside the open wall.
Mekon wondered who she was and how she had gotten there but almost forgot her one Rosario climbed into the chamber as well. She looked around and, despite her disdain for the Giant Lords, couldn’t help but be impressed by their presence.
Luvin was next and stood and stared at them and off as Rosario pulled him away from the edge. He nodded to them and stayed quiet.
Gallif came last and took her spot right next to Mekon. With the determination in her eyes and certainty in her stature no one doubted her authority to be there.
“My Lords,” Mekon said as he bowed his head to each of the Ministers. “For my entire life, I have served you faithfully. I worked hard to uphold your beliefs and decisions in guiding the Land of Starpoint. I have been and always will be loyal to this land and its people,” he said earnestly and then took a deep breath.
“However,” Mekon said making sure they could clearly see his face. “Lately I’ve seen darkness fall upon us. Factions inside our society who are no longer interested in our well-being and prosperity. People whose main goal is their own power and greed.”
“He means people like me, I expect,” the Third Minister said he said from the top of the curved staircase. He stepped onto the main floor and gently, as if he had plenty of time, walked to his chair and sat down. “I don’t recognize your presence here,” he said looking and Mekon. “Neither the continued existence of a royal assassin who should be executed immediately.”
“Try it,” Luvin warned him and stepped next to Gallif.
“This child shall be executed is well. He is Fugitive Kind and, as we can see conspiring against the Giant Lords with her.”
“Not the Giant Lords,” Gallif said calmly. “Just you. You are the one who was responsible for this day.”
The Third Minister looked at her calmly.
“You were the one who brought down Starpoint Mountain. This was a happy and peaceful land before you became famous. Before you got involved.”
“He is correct about that,” the Ninth Minister said. “It wasn’t until your supposedly attempted to rescue the Third Minister that anyone ever heard of you.”
“We rescued you when we believed you were under attack,” Gallif said nodding to Luvin. “Turned out it was rebellious servant just trying to flex his own muscles.”
The Third Minister felt even those that were on his side were looking at him suspiciously. The First Minister had been correct, there was no going back now, he had to play the hand.
“You have proof of this? Some way to back up your claim? Let’s see it then.”
“Lost,” she admitted without guilt. “Somewhere in the crumbled remains of a mountain.”
“How convenient,” the Second Minister said shaking his head in disgust.
“I can back up her claims,” Mekon said. “I support this woman completely.”
“But you have been discredited as a traitor to the Giant Lords,” the Seventh Minister said not hiding his contempt.
“He has been accused,” the Second Minister said boldly. “Unfortunately, in most close the minds, simply an accusation makes you guilty.”
“I say we let Mekon explain his support for her,” the Sixth Minister added.
“As we should,” the First Minister agreed, and they all look at him in surprise.
“It strikes me odd,” the Third Minister said calmly. “That you are willing to set aside the accusations against him but are willing to support the accusations against me.”
“Those against him were brought by others,” the Second Minister countered him. “Those against you we have witnessed on our own.”
“Fine,” the Third Minister said angrily forcing himself to stay seated. He knew the tactical advantage of standing while they were sitting but decided to hold that option until later. He had often used body language to get control in complicated situations. “Then let’s bring our real purpose for this meeting into the light. I propose to you that I should be the next King. These, excuses,” he said waving a hand at Gallif and the others, “should be dismissed.”
“Watch it, Buster,” Rosario warned him.
“The people of Starpoint are the lifeblood of our kingdom,” the First Minister said. “Without them we would be nothing.”
“I am aware of that,” the Third Minister said. “We witnessed this woman murder our King. She has lost her right to have a say in our land.”
The Sixth Minister, Eighth Minister and Ninth Minister agreed loudly.
“I’m sure, as King, you’ll have her executed immediately. Don’t want to let the blade of the axe get cold,” the Second Minister said icily.
“No,” the Third Minister claimed calmly. “To show that I am a kind and forgiving King I will show mercy on her. She will not die,” he said looking at her. “Of course, she will never see sunlight again,” he added. “I will be merciful, but not totally forgiving, of her crimes.”
“You haven’t gotten the throne yet,” the Sixth Minister said angrily.
“As the originator of the special session I claim my right to speak my business,” he said with a smile. He knew that under their own laws, he had every right to make the claim, so he chose not to wait for their agreement. “The Land of Starpoint Mountain is in desperate need of a leader. We have lost our mountain and our King within the space of a year. To the disgrace of the Giant Lords the guilty party escaped the execution. I put it to you that the longer we wait to show our strength, to flex our muscles and leadership, the weaker we look. Whether you believe in me or not you cannot deny that we must act quickly.
“I have visited more parts of our land then not only any other Minister but more than the entire royal family, Giant Lords counselors, or even judges. The citizens have seen me on many occasions and, more importantly, they trust me.
“In this time of conflict, I can do so much good for our land.”
There was a round of applause from the Seventh Minister, the Eighth Minister, and the Ninth Minister. The Second Minister and the Sixth Minister shook their heads in disgust and the Fifth Minister quickly looked at the others.
“Quiet,” the First Minister said calmly, and the rest
immediately fell silent. “We are in a time of need,” the First Minister continued in his crackling voice. “In our previous meetings we declared this an emergency situation and, according to our own rules, he does have the right to nominate himself for the throne.”
“You can’t be serious,” the Sixth Minister growled.
“He did call this session, so he does have the right to chair the meeting and to make his proposal,” the First Minister said. “It is also the authority of the Council of Ministers to choose who will take the throne.”
“You can’t let this monster take the throne,” Luvin shouted.
“Quiet,” the First Minister warned him, and he held his resistance.
“If any of you can find any rule violations against what he is trying to do I suggest you exercise them now,” the First Minister said.
The Second Minister desperately thought through the rules and regulations for clause that would trip them up. The Sixth Minister, like the rest, had familiarized himself with every word in their own procedures but nothing said that what was happening was wrong.
“It’s simply that, in the past, the next King has been chosen after some consideration and a very lengthy process,” the Sixth Minister said slowly.
“We have done that out of necessity and practice but there is no legal standing that says it has to be done that way,” the Eighth Minister said.
“In all instances, we knew the approaching fate of a king. We can prepare for it. We’ve never been forced to move this fast,” the Ninth Minister said.
The Sixth Minister Titans hard on his beard in frustration. He raced over his memories of the rules desperate for an excuse to delay the Third Minister’s plans.
“Is there anything you would like to add,” the First Minister asked slowly.
“No,” the Second Minister admitted sadly as he looked at the rest of the Council. He read their faces and knew that at least half of them would choose to make the Third Minister the King. He feared that the Fifth Minister would make his kingship permanent.
“No,” the Sixth Minister said suddenly looking up with a smile and bright eyes. “I do, however, reserve the right of opposition,” he said. “I do claim my right to speak.”
“As long as his hostility is noted,” the Third Minister said.
“Noted and proudly so,” the Sixth Minister said.
Gallif, Luvin, Rosario and Mekon smiled at his look believing he had found an upper hand. Cokinis and Tuttrup were still overwhelmed by the rare moments they were witnessing. Every move they saw was recorded in their memories. Whispers of these moments would come back to them the rest of their lives.
“Yes, our Third Minister has traveled too many points of the Land of Starpoint. He has made many appearances in front of the people and they are familiar with them. I’ve heard stories and, in some cases even admired, his work in Atrexia, Primor, and even as far east as Outbound. Bravo on the eloquence of the speeches and encouragement you have given,” he said nodding and giving a short round of applause to the Third Minister.
“We’ve all heard them. We have seen the results. However, he has made several trips that we are not openly heard about. Unofficial trips that, while not representing us directly, but will affect our future. Trips to the west. Trips into the heart of the Rainbow Mountains.”
“The Rainbow Mountains are not off limits,” the Fifth Minister summoned the courage to speak.
“Yet travel there is very small. There are very few inhabitants and it is mostly untamed wildlands,” he said looking directly at the Third Minister. “Officially. However, over the past several months, at the guidance of one of our very own, there is been very much activity in the Rainbow Mountains. Giant works beyond anything any of us could imagine. Buildings, bigger and scale than anything in the land, that have been designed to create one thing. Weapons! Weapons that no one has ever seen or heard of before. Weapons that could only lead us down a path of destruction.”
There was an explosion of shouts from the Ministers. Kellis, still unseen by anyone but the First Minister, was shocked by his response. She had never once seen him surprised. She watched him and waited for any signal, a glance, or a nod, that was meant for her.
“Yes,” the Sixth Minister admitted to everyone’s surprise. “I have been working to develop weapons of defense. I received information from my, our, agents in the north that the Druids have been encountered again. Mekon himself told me the belief was that they were in search of a missing druid Princess,” he trailed off and let the threat sink in.
Everyone knew the Druids had once ruled the Land of Starpoint. Only after they willingly gave up such authority did the Giants take the kingdom. Deep down inside there had always been the question of exactly why they had left. Also, what would happen if they decided to come back.
Gallif looked wide-eyed at the Third Minister but do not doubt his words. She had encountered the Druids herself and had heard their claims about the secret heritage of her own. She prayed to Tebiet that it was not true.
“If the Druids are coming, and, as history shows us, there are other enemies out to ruin us, we must be prepared for defense.”
“By creating a weapon of such massive destruction is this?” the Sixth Minister asked.
“Even in our most dangerous conflicts we never chose weapons First,” the Second Minister added.
“These could be considered our First and only strike against an enemy,” the Sixth Minister claimed. “We must be prepared.”
Gallif was watching the faces of the other Ministers intently. The Seventh Minister, Eighth Minister, and Ninth Minister were stone faced and showed no emotion to what was being revealed. There was no doubt and their eyes, however. The Fifth Minister looked quickly from one Minister to another and it was obvious he was unsure which way to choose.
“I have no regrets of my desire to protect the Giant Lords,” the Third Minister said. “I’m sure, I’m sure if there were any left, the fairies would understand the need for caution.”
Gallif swallowed hard desperately wishing she could hear the fluttering of Lincilara’s wings.
“Why do it in secret? Why not confer with the rest of us,” the Sixth Minister asked.
“A project this size is hard enough to keep secret on its own,” the Sixth Minister replied. “I felt it would be in the best interests of the Giant Lords to keep this confidential. I’m sure I’m not the only one who skip secrets to protect someone,” he said looking hard at the Sixth Minister.
“I agree with you, but my secrets only involve myself, my friends, and my family. Not the resources of hundreds of workers and all the aura and minerals the rainbow mountains have to offer.”
As each of the Ministers took a moment to decide where they wanted the conversation to go next Gallif watch the Fifth Minister trying to if she could read which way he would vote. He reminded her of a deer in the force that suddenly finds itself between two powerful predators. Except, in this case there was no easy escape route. He would have to choose one and fight off the other. She wondered if she could find a way to lead his vote.
“These...things you’ve created,” the Second Minister said staring at his opponent. “You don’t even have a name for them yet. From what our sources have learned you swear these weapons are able to create mass destruction of the enemy. What do they do?”
“Of course, you’re reacting against what you don’t know out of fear, I’ve seen the way human children react sometimes. Just like you,” the Third Minister said and continued before the Second Minister could react to the insults. “What we have now is the ability to protect ourselves against massive armies from great distances. These, machines, are capable of sending large spheres great distances. Using a special black powder that was discovered in the Stack Black mountains, packed into an enclosed end of a giant to, this powder explodes and causes great force in any objects not secured. These spheres, once, for lack of a better term, fired at a location will completely destroy anything near the ground it zeroe
s on. In short, they protect us.”
Gallif could read their faces and knew that even those who supported the Third Minister were surprised by his claim. The Fifth Minister was stunned into silence and the Second Minister and the Sixth Minister looked out over the open wall with four.
“That is inexcusable,” the Second Minister said in a sharp whisper. “That kind of power could lead to nothing but self-destruction.”
“Agreed,” the First Minister said, and they all look at him in shock for him showing his stance so soon.
“We’ll have to see what the king has to say,” the Third Minister said. “I also assure you,” he said as he rose to his feet and faced them. “I will be much more involved with the affairs of the kingdom than you’re used to. I will not be a well-treated child like Paleth was, or a mindless dolt like Sawar was before him.”
“You still do not have thrown,” the First Minister reminded him.
“Then let’s take our stands right now,” the Third Minister said. “Will end this game now.”
“I stand with the Third Minister,” the Ninth Minister said as he stood.
“I stand with the Third Minister,” the Eighth Minister said as he stood
“I stand with the Third Minister,” the Seventh Minister said as he stood.
Gallif leaned to one side so she could see the Fifth Minister’s face. He was breathing heavy and glancing from the Third Minister to the Sixth Minister and back again quickly.
Out of eight she correctly placed four of the votes in the Third Minister side. She was unsure of what could happen if there was a tie but hoped there was still a way for her to change their minds.
“He knew!” Gallif spat as she burst forward. Luvin, Mekon, and Rosario knew how danger was for her to confront them and forced her to stand back. “He knew the truth about the elves! The Dragon, before the fall of Starpoint Mountain, told me the elves were cursed! Cursed by him during the Dragon war.”
