Thank you for reading the first chapter of 'The First Arbiter', I admit I attempted to start this last year, however I did lose interest. I have decided now is a good time to start putting some effort in again. I hope to upload at least 1 chapter a month (since I have a habit of changing things, as well as the fact I have to take into account my A-Level studies), so I hope you all enjoy.
I do appreciate any criticism provided it is constructive, and I appreciate if you point out any grammar or spelling errors. Thanks.
The council room was full of murmurs as he skulked in, his footsteps echoing around the great stone hall. The muttering instantly silenced as an elder sangheili raised his hand. "What have the San'shyuum said about our terms?" The elder asked, apprehensively.
"They agree to most of our terms; however they request that only one may come in order to represent our people"
Those who were not paying attention soon did. "But that would mean there would have to be a declaration of an arbiter, which has not happened in over 300 years!" exclaimed a representative from house Xah.
The elder sangheili stands up, and everyone grows silent. "Then we must decide upon an Arbiter to lead our people. If the san 'shyuum propose an alliance, we cannot afford to decline, it will cost us our planet and our lives. If an Arbiter must be declared, so be it, though it will take time to decide upon whom will lead our entire species!" The elder sits back down and signals for the meeting to be adjourned.
The Sangheili General silently returned to his quarters, his footsteps echoing along the grand halls. He turned into his quarters and the doors silently closed behind him. It was a spacious room, however considering his height; the ceiling was only about 6" (15.2cm) above his head. He looked toward the bed, which was curved in-order to support the sangheilis curved back and moved to it. He removed his maroon robe and laid there for a few moments, thinking about what had been said.
"Another Arbiter must be declared." He thought to himself. "One hasn't been nominated since Ler 'Hejera, who united several of the Sangheili Clans during the civil wars and bought an end to it. And yet, here it is, another being declared to end yet another war. Who would the council choose though? There is no house neutral enough in council affairs to take up the title..." His thoughts continued until he eventually dropped off to sleep.
The following morning, distress could already be heard, as the General stirred he heard shouting from further down the hall. He groaned, before pulling himself to his feet and taking his robe. He fastened the soft belt around his waist and stepped out his door. Many other Sangheili were rushing too and thro, trying to keep up with the councils demands, and further down the corridor to his right he saw two clan representatives in a heated discussion. He sighed before turning himself reluctantly toward the council chambers and the continuous argument that was his species.
He entered the chambers and moved himself to a corner in the room, and there he stood silently listening to another territorial claim between clan Kal and house Ras.
"The second moon of the planet Jar 'kal in the Jey v'rai system belongs to us by right. We secured it from the San 'Shyuum, not you!" Yelled house Kal's representative.
"Yet you did not complain when we offered twice as many ships then you to help secure it. We lost many more lives than you, so we have a claim by blood!" Retorted house Ras' representative. The steward simply placed his head in his hands at the two.
A young warrior, easily noticeable as only to have just passed his joining marched toward the General. "Sir, I have a message for you." The young warrior said eagerly.
He sighed, before taking the letter. "General Lak 'Rejeka, Elder council member Gad 'Kenhas has demanded your presence, report to his office immediately." He re-folded the note and nodded to the messenger. The young warrior quickly scurried off, obviously with more duties to perform. He turned his attention back to the meeting to see both house representatives shaking their hands in some sort of agreement. He shook his head in confusion, before leaving the room once more.
"You want me to become the Arbiter?" he exclaimed, with fear in his voice.
"You are the obvious choice for such position. You know the San 'Shyuum better than anyone within the council and your house is generally neutral in council affairs. If anyone deserves to lead us, it should be you."
"But, I don't know the first thing about politics!" He trembled slightly at the idea.
"Listen, Rejeka, you know better than any of us the costs of this war, and what we must do to end it. Please, do what must be done; you can do it! I assure you it will not be as difficult as it sounds. This will be temporary until a better solution is found."
Rejeka sighed. "I will; consider what you have said... but I cannot promise anything."
"Very well, but make your decision swift, we have limited time before the negotiations must be made."
Rejeka paced too and thro within his quarters. Clearly he was the obvious choice, but how had he not seen it coming? He thought back to the night before, and realized it had not even crossed his mind that his clan avoided the council as much as possible. True, he had experience with San 'Shyuum battle strategies but that does not mean he understood their motives. He suddenly halted in front of a portrait of his great-grandfather. Lak 'Versudas. He had been a political motivator, always wanting the clan to gain more influence in the council. He chuckled slightly at the irony.
Thanks for reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 is also up.