The Council

by Phoenix Willow

  “Seriously?” Zephyr said in disbelief.

  “Yeah, Puff. Why? You thinking about tying the knot while we’re here?” Galadriel smirked.

  Rain’s face turned beet red and Zephyr’s paled as he had been rendered speechless by Galadriel’s comment.

  “That’s enough Galadriel.” Jewel said. “They’ll get married when they’re ready.” She grinned mischievously.

  Rain’s jaw dropped at Jewel’s cheeky remark and Zephyr looked like he was going to faint or run if anyone else mentioned marriage.

  Jewel chuckled, but not fully as she was having a hard time finding what they needed on the map.

  “You need help?” Sage asked.

  “Yeah, based on these instructions, the only way to retrieve the object is to go where the clouds are high but not outside, and where you sit in what’s like another world- which makes absolutely no sense to me.” Jewel answered.

  “Aw, come on Green. You can’t tell me you’ve never visited Vegas before.” Galadriel said with an incredulous expression.

  Jewel shook her head. “Nope, can’t say that I have since I was being held captive by Gertrude Bile when I lived in the Human world, but perhaps you can enlighten us because you seem to know your way around this Human city pretty well.”

  “Well, I, uh, might have visited this place a time or two.” Galadriel admitted sheepishly.

  “Like on a family vacation?” Jewel asked.

  “No, just me a couple of buddies.” Galadriel stated.

  “Galadriel Ritari! I’m surprised at you.” Rain said disapprovingly. “How could you come to this sparkly city and not invite your mother. She’s going to be so mad when she finds out!” She teased.

  “Yeah, shame on you, Trickster.” Jewel smiled.

  “Well, we can all come back when Puff and Rainy over there decide to tie the knot, but back to the task at hand- we need to go a hotel called the Piazza Venito. You’ll understand why once we get there.” Galadriel said mysteriously.

  The six of them walked through the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip, enjoying the lights and side shows as they went. Galadriel led them to a beautiful white hotel with large columns lining the front. It had a black and gold sign with elegant script that read, ‘The Piazza Venito’, and Jewel knew that they had arrived. Galadriel took Jewel’s hand and led her inside, with a very excited Rain and Sage, a very skeptical Zephyr, and a very uncomfortable Foster, since he had to wear an oversized coat to hide his wings, in tow. The Piazza Venito was a beautiful hotel, inside and out, and Jewel immediately saw why this was the place they were supposed to go to. Galadriel stopped once they had reached the main level of the hotel, and there was a literal sky painted on the ceiling that looked so realistic that Jewel wondered if a little magic hadn’t been added to it somehow.

  “Okay, so this is definitely the place. Now where do we go?” Jewel asked Galadriel.

  “To the gondola ride. It’s where you sit and it’s like being in a different place. The different place being Italy, for those of you still confused.” Galadriel explained with a smirk.

  “And you came here with some of your buddies, huh?” Rain smirked. “How romantic.” She said with a waggle of her eyebrows.

  Now it was Galadriel’s turn to have his face redden. He glanced nervously at Jewel, before saying, “Well, maybe it wasn’t just some of my buddies, but it wasn’t a family vacation.”

  “You brought a girl here, Trickster. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. And it’s fine. No worries, and no need to feel embarrassed.” Jewel said as she continued through the hotel. Noticing that Galadriel had stopped, she turned and gave him a questioning look.

  “You don’t care at all do you?” Galadriel pointed out with what appeared to be a look of disappointment, although Jewel didn’t understand why.

  “Care about what?” Jewel asked in bewilderment.

  “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” Galadriel muttered. “The gondola ride is this way.”

  “Do you think we’ll be able to stay and play for a little bit, or is that out of the question?” Zephyr said, obviously enjoying all the sights.

  “You can stay here as long as you want, Puff. I for one, wouldn’t miss you.” Galadriel stated nonchalantly.

  “Uh excuse you. Rude much.” Rain said, throwing Galadriel a ‘don’t you say another word’ look of warning.

  Jewel kept her eyes peeled to anything out of the ordinary, but she couldn’t help glancing Galadriel’s way every now and then too. She couldn’t figure out why what she had said might have bothered him, and lately that seemed to be happening more frequently.

  “Well, Spitfire. Looks like we’re up next.” Rain nudged her. Jewel snapped out of her musings and saw that they were indeed up next for the indoor gondola rides. The gondola was a tiny wooden boat that seemed to move by some underwater mechanism, keeping it on track and away from the other gondola boats. Jewel could only imagine that the water itself wasn’t very deep, based on the first assumption, which would be good if they needed to get away quickly. Sad to admit, but it seemed that Jewel always found herself planning a route of escape no matter where she and the group went. Not that it was always helpful to do so, but she couldn’t stop herself from doing it.

  “Buona sera.” The gondola driver said in a thick Italian accent. Rain giggled as she took his outstretched hand and stepped on board, smiling at the driver all the while. The driver helped Jewel onto the wobbly boat’s platform next and as she sat, she saw Zephyr out of the corner of her eye fold his arms and stare daggers at the driver which made her snicker in response. Sure, Rain was enjoying the attention from the driver, but Zephyr had nothing to worry about, of that much Jewel was certain.

  “Isn’t this romantic, Spitfire. And how dreamy is the driver? Even if he is a Human.” Rain whispered with a goofy smile plastered on her face.

  Jewel looked at Rain incredulously. “I guess it’s romantic if you count the fact that it’s us in here together and we’re on a mission where we are supposed to find some unknown object in order to begin said mission.”

  Rain stuck her bottom lip out. “Well, when you put it like that, I guess it’s not so romantic.” She frowned, a few awkward moments of silence passing between the two of them before she switched gears. “So, what are we supposed to be looking for anyway?”

  “I honestly have no idea. The instructions are vague.” Jewel admitted as the driver began to sing in Italian. Jewel had no idea what he was saying, only that she thought she had heard the tune on a pizza commercial before, definitely different words than what the driver was saying though.

  “Hey, Raindrop. What if…..Raindrop? Raindrop?” Jewel said frantically as she noticed that her friend’s eyes were glossed over as though she was in a trance. Jewel looked at the driver who was staring right back at her with disbelief in his caramel eyes. He was still singing aloud when he began to communicate with her telepathically.

  Who are you that you can withstand my Siren song, and what is the purpose of your visit?

  Uh. I’m Jewel and aren’t Sirens supposed to be female?

  The male Siren rolled his eyes. That is such a stereotype. I’ll have you know that there are plenty of males with the gift, thank you very much.

  Hey, I wasn’t trying to offend you. I’m just surprised is all. Jewel admitted as the boat entered a dimly lit tunnel.

  Apology accepted. The male Siren smiled. So, again I ask, what are you that you cannot be entranced by my song? Because the other’s in your group clearly can be.

  I’m an Immune, and a Hybrid, and have a few other tricks up my sleeve. But to answer your other question and what’s more important than what I am is my purpose for being here- which is to find an object listed in some really vague instructions that were given to me by the Council. Jewel explained, feeling like it was probably better to just cut to the chase.

  The Council. Like, the actual Council? The male Siren asked in disbelief.

  Yes. The Council.
I have been tasked with an important quest, and failure is not an option. The instructions for retrieving the object are to go where the clouds are high but not outside, and where you sit in what’s like another world.

  Then you are definitely in the right place. Tell me first though. Why is it that the almighty Council has given you, someone not of their own world, this task? The male Siren inquired, a curious expression on his face.

  Jewel couldn’t help but notice the Siren’s sarcastic tone when he had referred to the Council as the ‘almighty’ Council, and her own curiosity was piqued.

  Perhaps because they know that I am the only one who can successfully complete the task because of what I am. Or perhaps because we have an alliance now. But now it’s my turn to ask a question. Why is it that the Siren’s aren’t represented on the Council? The Merpeople are, the Ghouls, the Pixies, the Transmuters, the Djinn, and some other group that I haven’t met with yet. Is that group the Siren’s? If not, why are you not a part of the Council, because I know for a fact that you were not part of the Pentad.

  No, you are correct. We are not a part of the Pentad. And no, we are not a part of the Council either, and that is because our world was taken over by the Djinn. They enslaved my people, and only a handful of us were able to escape. We sought refuge here in the Human world, but it isn’t the same as being home. The male Siren frowned.

  That’s horrible! So you’re basically stuck here. You have no home to return to.

  The male Siren nodded. That’s pretty much the jist of things.

  What if I told you that I could help you with that? Would you be willing to help me find this object? Because I have a strong feeling that you know what it is and possibly even where it is. Am I right?

  You are, but how can you help me? He asked simply, his eyebrow quirking upwards.

  By adding a clause to the alliance that I formed with King Jazere. He, along with the Transmuters and Ghouls, want access to the Human world, but I feel that it’s only right to release your people from their enslavement before I do that. I believe that if I am successful with this quest that I’m on now, that I will be able to get the Council to agree.

  The male Siren seemed to be mulling things over, because at least a minute went by before he sent Jewel another telepathic message. You have a deal. I will help you and I am trusting that you will hold up your end of things. If not, the Siren community would be very upset and that won’t be good for anyone.

  Understood. Now, what is it that I’m supposed to be looking for?

  An entrance. And not just any entrance, but “the” entrance. It will lead you to the object you seek and then you’ll need to follow the rest of the instructions you were given. I wish I could be more help, but the only reason I know of the entrance and the object at all is because my parents were the leaders of the Siren nation before they were executed, and they entrusted me with the task of protecting both. There are a lot of rare and valuable artifacts through the entrance. It’s all we could salvage of our culture from the Djinn, but at least it’s something. And one last bit of advice…..know that once the object is taken that there is no turning back. No returns or exchanges. You will have to proceed forward whether you want to or not.

  How will I know what the object I need is?

  Oh, you’ll know. It’s sitting in the center of the egg-shaped room, and it’s impossible to miss. Most Sirens won’t even get near it. It’s very powerful, and the only thing the Council knows we have here. They don’t know exactly where it is, only that it is somewhere in this building. The driver explained, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. I would daresay it’s another reason why they sent you to do the quest. Only an Immune such as yourself would have been able to find it with a Siren’s help. As you can see from your friends, almost all are susceptible to our singing.

  Jewel nodded her understanding. Well, thank you for your help. You have no idea how appreciative I am.

  It’s no problem. Just don’t forget about us when you complete your quest.

  I won’t. Jewel vowed, before looking over at Rain and at the two gondola boats behind them where Zephyr, Galadriel, Sage, and Foster were sitting as still as statues, all with weird grins, and glossed over eyes. Uh, but I definitely need my friends so would you mind telling your friends to stop singing so you can show us the entrance.

  The male Siren nodded, stopped singing, and did a weird whistle noise with his lips. The two boatsmen behind him immediately fell silent and Jewel could see the trance-like state leaving her friends.

  “We must go quickly.” The male Siren stated as he jumped to the sidewalk of the tunnel. He held his hand out, which Jewel quickly took. Rain followed suit, looking quite bewildered, but answers to her million questions would have to wait until later, because the male Siren had already begun to walk briskly to the side of the tunnel wall. He chanted something in a language Jewel had never heard before, but a language that she found to be quite beautiful, and within a minute the wall began to glow and form a door.

  The male Siren pushed it open for Jewel, and said, “Good luck, and don’t forget us.”

  “I won’t. But tell me, what is your name?” Jewel asked, wanting to make sure she put him in a leadership role when she finished the quest. Another alliance would be a big win for Jewel as they needed all the help they could get.

  “Casimir. My name is Casimir.”

  “Well, thank you again Casimir. I won’t forget about you and how you helped me.” Jewel said.

  Casimir nodded as Jewel, Rain, Zephyr, Sage, Foster, and Galadriel entered the door and began making their way through a dimly lit stone hallway of sorts. Jewel watched as Casimir waved his hand and the doorway behind them sealed itself. Only way out was forward now, so Jewel kept her nerves steady and continued walking. They passed by a myriad of artifacts, painting, scrolls, and musical instruments that Jewel could only assume were what Casimir had referred to as being the last of the Siren’s things that King Jazere had been unable to destroy before enslaving the Siren race.

  “So, uh, does anyone understand what just happened, because I feel like I am definitely missing some time.” Sage stated.

  “It’s probably because you are missing some time.” Jewel chuckled. “Those boat drivers are Sirens and their song put you all in a weird trance.”

  “Chocolate covered peanuts.” Rain muttered.

  “Well, at least no one was hurt in the process.” Sage smiled.

  “Your optimism is about as welcome as your morning cheer.” Galadriel grumbled.

  Sage chuckled heartily. “What can I say? I’m like a little ray of sunshine.” He grinned.

  “Hey! Ray of sunshine. How about you focus and help us look for whatever it is we need, because I just saw something crawl up the wall and I’m not trying to take any friends home with me. That’s Spitfire’s job.” Rain said, glancing left and right and back up to the ceiling as she walked.

  “Hey!” The largest renuviant squeaked. “We aren’t some weird creepy crawly Human bug.”

  “I agree. So rude.” The skinny renuviant remarked as he scuttled down to Jewel’s hand.

  “I second it.” The small renuviant said.

  “Technically, I seconded it.” The skinny renuviant argued.

  “Fine. Then I third it.” The small renuviant said snidely.

  “Well, I fourth it.” The renuviant with mismatched antennae squeaked out.

  “Holey buckets.” Jewel muttered. “Great job, Raindrop.” She said sarcastically. “You’ve got the renuviants all upset with your comment about bringing friends home with you and making it sound like a bad thing.”

  Rain merely shrugged. “Hey, I think it’s great that you don’t mind the renuviants literally hanging out with you all day and night, but I don’t do bugs, even sparkly ones.” She wrinkled her nose.

  The four renuviants dropped their invisibility to everyone and began parading up and down Jewel’s arms with their silver wings outstretched and their green heads held high.
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  “Do we look like bugs to you now?” The largest one said, puffing out his purpled oval shaped body.

  “Don’t mind Raindrop. She’s just jealous that she doesn’t have you four.” Jewel said soothingly to the four agitated renuviants.

  Rain snorted her disagreement, but Jewel sent her a ‘not now’ look, and she didn’t say anything further. The last thing Jewel needed right now was four renuviants throwing a fit, so Jewel reassured them once again, stroking all their egos, until they all went back to sitting on her shoulders. Calm for the most part, but Jewel could tell in their dark eyes that they still weren’t happy with Rain.

  Zephyr must have walked into a cobweb of sorts, because he began swatting at his face and trying to wipe something off that Jewel couldn’t see.

  Galadriel chuckled. “Good one Puff.” He smirked, earning him a scowl from a very disgruntled looking Zephyr, before turning to Jewel. “So where exactly does this lead, Green?”

  “Not sure where it leads, but where we need to go is an egg-shaped room with a powerful object in the center. That powerful object is what we’re here for.” Jewel stated, making sure to keep her distance from the narrowing walls. Like Rain, she too had seen a few things crawling around that she had no intention of getting any closer to.

  “What are the next set of instructions after we get to the object, Spitfire?” Rain asked.

  “Um, hold on.” Jewel said as she fished the instructions out of her zippered jacket pocket. “Okay, go where the clouds are high but not outside, and where you sit in what’s like another world. Did that, check it off the list. Okay, so the next set of instructions say that we are supposed to get the object that we seek and find it’s home at the strangest peak.” She said, tucking the instructions back into her pocket. “Fantastic.” She rolled her eyes. “Back to rhyming instructions. How original.”

  “Aw, Green. I’m surprised at you. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Galadriel grinned mischievously.

  “I have definitely had my fill of adventure. I just want to get this done, free the worlds of Gertrude and Shade, and relax for a few decades. Is that so much to ask?” Jewel said dramatically.