"In life there are always people working, struggling and sacrificing behind the scenes who go unnoticed not seeking reward, praise or power. They are 'The Keepers'."
It had been many centuries since Khannis was summoned before the High Council. They had parted ways after the Fae wars over the so called resolution the council and the Blood King had come to. Since then Khannis decided to take matters into her own hands and since she killed 2 members of the council she was no longer welcome. There were 12 members of the council 4 were Manu, 4 Fae and 4 Human. Khannis was the 13th neither Manu, Fae or Human she was equally 1/3 of each a genetic impossibility yet a fact. Her "powers" were mostly unknown except she had a biological imperative to direct Chi to give Chi. This is why she was chosen to be the 13th – The Keeper. Her unique gift of giving life force, life energy uniquely qualified her and burdened her. The weight of her gift became to much to bare during the Fae wars when she could had to stand back and allow the senseless deaths of hundreds of thousands of Fae. Or when the Fae were allowed to feed on the humans indiscriminately causing millions of deaths and she was called to cover it up with an epidemic so the humans would not be aware they had been used as a life source by the Fae. Khannis had always believed as the prophecy had foretold that there would be a time of peace and balance between all the peoples until she became The Keeper and the 13th member of the High Council and realized that the people had no desire or intention toward peace and balance… it was about power…. It was about control. So Khannis walked away from the Council millennia ago and choose to live among the Fae and Humans and give council and assist them toward a more unified peaceful existence. But now that was in jeopardy and that is why she responded to the call of the Council.
Khannis was wearing a white tunic and red robe of a knight with the crest of 3 circles ENTWINED with the symbols of the Manu, Fae and Humans she was kneeling on one knee in front of the 12.
"Thank you for coming Khannis. Please rise before your brethren" The Manu speaker for the council said.
Khannis rose and revealed her great presence and stature. She was tall, broad shouldered, muscular and her movements were precise. There was not clumsiness or hint of insecurity in anything she did or said. She nodded in reply to the Speaker and made eye contact with each member of the Council.
"As you know Aldofr has called, "The Congregatione" (The Gathering) is taking place as we speak. And he has the "clavis". The speaker said as he watched Khannis intently.
"Yes, I know." Was Khannis' only response.
"What do you propose to do about it?" a human elder shouted out in a typically forceful manner.
Khannis looked at the man she knew him, he was the man working behind the United Nations. "I intend to allow the prophecy to unfold as it should." Khannis responded looking at him directly.
"You will allow billions of humans die? For some prophecy?" the emotional man spoke out of turn once again shouting.
The Speaker used the hammer onto the table to gain attention and said, "We will not speak out of turn here." He then put down the hammer and walked from behind the long wooden table toward Khannis.
"The situation is grave. I am sure I do not have to tell you how close we are to coming to a war between all our people." The speaker said.
"I am perhaps more personally acquainted with the gravity of the situation than any of you Tobias." Khannis replied.
"Billions will be killed, maimed or genetically altered from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Humas (earth) will be scorched, vegetation destroyed, air, water and soil toxic with radioactive particles. It will take hundreds of millennia for Humas to recover and only those of our people who are marked will be chosen to survive." Tobias said.
"Did you call me here to relay the facts Tobias?" Khannis was irritated she did not need to be reminded how serious the situation had become. She was waiting to be accused of allowing, encouraging and helping the humans to evolve beyond their usefulness to become a real threat to the existence of the all their people.
"No. The Council has voted 6 to 6 on whether we should intervene or not. We are clearly split." Tobias reached out to grasp Khannis hands. "Khannis you are the deciding vote" She refused his touch and laughed out loud walking around him toward the table where the other 11 were seated.
"Which of you voted to intervene?" Khannis asked as she looked at them. 6 raised their hands. 3 of the Humans, 2 Fae, and 1 Manu – Tobias.
Khannis walked back around to stand in front of Tobias. Looking at him she said, "I will participate in your vote on one condition…. Whichever way I choose I have soul authority and support of The Council and its members to execute the outcome ….. Without question!"
The council members were unified in their responses of "No", "Impossible", "We will vote on our next steps" was echoed throughout the hall.
"Khannis, I implore you be reasonable. You cannot ask The Council to give up all authority to you." Tobias was almost pleading.
"I am not asking you to give up authority. I am asking you to recognize mine…" Khannis said.
There was along pause and then she continued, "Before I vote to break the tie. Let us vote on the outcome."
"How can we vote on that when we don't know if we are to intervene or not?" a Fae council member asked as the rest chimed in agreement.
"It is exactly how we should vote! We should decide what result we seek not on how we achieve that result. So it goes… I propose we vote that no matter how the question is broken we seek to guide and direct our efforts toward peace and unity between our people. That all thought, decisions, action or inaction is solely for the specific purpose and outcome of brining peach and unity between the Manu, Fae and Humans. We shall vote!" Khannis looked at Tobias demanding action.
"Certainly, we can all agree on that outcome. Can we not Council Members?" Tobias was directing his comments to the council. "So let's have a vote then. All in favor of determining our decisive actions from this point forward toward the outcome of peach and unity of our people say 'I'. Those against "Nay"." Tobias turned to face Khannis "The I's have it, we have all agreed unanimously that we will only take decisive action that leads our people toward peace and unity." Tobias said as he returned to his seat.
"I vote to intervene!" Khannis said."And I have a solution to the pending conflicts between our peoples"
There was an audible sound of signs and breaths from The Council members they had been duped. Khannis had effectively given herself power over the council with one vote. Khannis was "The Keeper" which meant she had total autonomy over how the council's votes were employed. Khannis broke the tie to intervene in the situations that were happening between the Fae and Humans and the council had unanimously voted to direct all decisions toward peace and unity and it would be Khannis who decided if those objectives were being met. The Council had been rendered impotent.
"There are four "Calls" by the Light and Dark elders we must put to a vote." The scriba was standing on the stage giving directions for the next phase of The Gathering. As we enjoy the fellowship of our fellow Fae please remember to cast your stones for the following questions:
(Q1) Shall we declare war with the humans for the heinous acts of torture committed against our brethren? And in doing so we shall bring to justice those responsible for those acts.
(Q2) The medical breakthroughs discovered at the expense of our brethren should we use that knowledge to further the Fae?
(Q3) We shall unite the clans under one Fae. One Fae governance, one leader.
(Q4) The Fae elects Aldofr or Fitzpatrick Corrigan to lead the Fae.
"Please cast your stones for each of the questions – we will have the results after dinner."
Bo did not want to vote. She hated choices. Hated making decisions. She knew she had to get rid of these stones and considered throwing them into the river rushing behind her.
She walked past the first of the glass cylinders one labeled "Q1 I" and the other "Q1 Nay" – she dropped her stone in Nay, and "Nay" again for Q2, and" I" for Q3 and when she got to Q4 she read it several times. Her father or Trick. This should be easy Bo thought. But something held her back from casting her stone for either man. Aldofr had shown his controlling nature, his intolerance for humans and his arrogance. And Trick …. Trick Bo thought he lied to her, manipulated the Fae, and her mother destroying her life for his own purposes. Bo put the stone in the crevasse of her bosom. "Neither she thought" and walked back toward the festivities.
Oh gods the Fae and their Fu &in parties. Can't we just get to it – whatever it is. Bo thought she was restless beyond belief and had the urge hop onto the banquet table and jump up and down kicking all the dishes off. Enough is enough Bo wanted to go back to her family castle, grab Lauren a bottle of wine and make love all night on the beach. "I am horny" Bo realized, this must be what its like to be human and horny. Umm, pretty intense.
"Bo, there you are." Trick said.
"Hey, I am really tired all this fun has worn me out I am getting out of here." Bo said.
"Bo , you can't leave your going to be called. And besides the portals are closed." Trick said.
"Called? For what?" Bo nervously asked.
"It's not important now I have to tell you… Lauren…"
The drums sounded alerting everyone the socializing was over and to take their seats.
"Trick, what about Lauren?" Bo asked.
"Later, we have to sit down." Trick said as they made their way back to their seats and the stage.
The horn and drums played announcing the scriba to the stage.
The Dark and Light elders had taken their seats on the stage.
The scriba looked out into the audience and said, "You have just heard the 'Gathering Call' by the Light and Dark elders. We have voted to resolve the disputes put before us. It is time to reveal the results of the casting of the stones.
As to the first question:
(Q1) "Shall we declare war with the humans for the heinous acts of torture committed against our brethren? And in doing so we shall bring to justice those responsible for those acts." - 243 "Yes" to 118 "No" The questions is affirmed and agreed upon - Yes!
Bo had a sinking feeling in her stomach. How could they vote to go to war?
As to the second question:
(Q2) The medical breakthroughs discovered at the expense of our brethren should we use that knowledge to further the Fae? ." - 192 "Yes" to 169 "No" The questions is affirmed and agreed upon - Yes!
As to the Third question:
(Q3) We shall unite the clans under one Fae. One Fae governance, one leader. ." - 323 "Yes" to 38 "No" The questions is affirmed and agreed upon - Yes!
Bo was anxious, this was the deal breaker. God what if they elected Aldofr how would things change? And Trick? Suddenly, Bo thought that begin divided had its advantages. Divided the Fae would never have declared war against the humans for fear that the other clan would sense a weakness and attack them. The Light Fae would never have taken Lauren's discoveries and used them for anything but curing the sick and diseased. Bo never thought she would believe that maybe divided the Fae were actually better off.
As to the Fourth question:
(Q4) The Fae elects Aldofr or Fitzpatrick Corrigan to lead the Fae. - 180 "Yes" to 180 "No" and 1 abstaining vote. The questions is neither affirmed nor denied - we have a draw- a tie!
The crowd hushed and whispers were heard, "who abstained?"
Bo uneasiness was apparent as she felt the deciding stone in-between her breasts. Oh gods, what if I choose neither to lead the Fae?
"As to the fourth question: we must have Aldofr and the Fitzpatrick Corrigan present an "Arguendo" (argument) to speak to the final question. Once they have presented their cases we will cast stones once more. If after the second casting of stones we still remain equal the rules of governance and order require the decisive vote be cast by 'The Keeper'". The crowd was eerily silent, only the sound of the rushing river could be heard in the background. No one wanted the fate of the Fae to be decided by someone on the outside. The sciba continued. "In accordance to the rules of governance and order in 30 minutes time each will have 5 minutes to present their final case. Once completed there will be allotted additional 30 minutes to cast stones." The scriba looked at Aldofr and Trick and said, "Your time begins now gentlemen."
Trick and Aldofr were engaged with the other Fae elders. Getting advice no doubt on how to sway votes. Bo thought as she retreated from the dining and stage area. She did not want to speak to either one in case they realized she was the abstaining vote… she had no idea what she would say to either of them as to why she would not…. Could not vote for either of them. She retreated toward the darker part of the canyon where the falls met the river. She need some alone time to think.
The first three measures had passed. The Fae were going to declare war on the humans, they were going to use Lauren's research for whatever purposes they choose, and the Fae wanted to be unified under one leader these things would come to pass. The question is who would lead the Fae into battle with the humans? Who would direct Lauren's research and ensure it was used for good not evil? Who could unite the Fae toward the greater good? This should be so obvious Bo thought. It should be Trick. Why do I hesitate she was frustrated. She had come to a place in her life where she listened to the words of her inner voice. It never lead her astray. And her inner voice was telling her neither man would bring about peace and unity between the Fae and Humans. She also knew there was always a way she just had to find it… what could be the resolution to this quandary? How could we unite the Fae without subjecting them to a dictator or a monarchy?
Those all to familiar drums and horns began to sound it is time for the Arguendo.
"Lots were cast and Aldofr won and elected to deliver his Arguendo last." The scriba announced.
The stage was clear of everyone except Trick. He stood behind the podium and began,
"You ask what is my position? It is to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the lamentable catalogue of Fae or Human crime. The greatest crime committed is not that of the humans… as heinous as it may be… the greatest crime is the apathy that allowed inferior species to gain a strangle hold on our people. We have become more concerned with pleasure than with securing the destiny of our peoples. First we must wage war on ourselves… eliminating our own demons of complacency. Then we can in strength begin to mitigate the position of the Humans and retain our Fae destiny.
You ask why choose Fitzpatrick Corrigan to lead the Fae? I say to you because I al ready have! Under the reign of The Blood King the Light Fae was united, peaceful and prosperous. There were enough resources for all the Fae because under my rule me learned how to manage… how to maintain and how to mediate the human population. Some have called this the age of the Fae – The Faepex! Perhaps, thus far it had been the time in our histories that we have reached the farthest and enjoyed the greatest peace. But it does not have to be the only time. I Fitzpatrick Corrigan – The Blood King will once again take the Fae to even greater heights.
I will endeavor as I have in the past to be a great leader who leads a Greater Unified Fae"
The crowd erupted with clapping, cheering "Hail Blood King", "Unite the Fae" and "Gods save the King". Trick left the stage and took his seat next to Bo as Aldofr made his way to the stage.
This time of historical significance is drawing to an end. Now the greatest decisions lie ahead. In these serious times, I speak to you, Elders, Founding Families and Dignitaries of the United Fae clans. as to the representatives of the Fae peoples. You know me, my old Fae companions: you know I have always been an enemy of half measures or weak decisions. If the Fates has so willed that the Fae people cannot be spared this fight, then I can only be grateful that it entrusted me with the leadership in this historic struggle which, for the next 500 or 1,000 years, will be described as decisive, not only for the history of the Fae, but for the whole world. Today, we have overwhelming and authentic proof that the Humans intend to attack. This pending destruction brought on by the Humans has been made possible by none other than Fitzpatrick Corrigan and his clansmen. They harbored, sheltered and educated the very human doctor who would turn her knowledge onto the Fae; murdering, experimenting and finally discovering a way to destroy the purest of the Fae bloodlines through genetic fusion. Such Fae as this cannot … should not …. Indeed will not be allowed to continue their march toward a week Fae. "
As if on cue, Tamsin followed by an ogre carrying a lifeless Dr. Lauren Lewis marched up to the stage where Aldofr suspended his "Arguendo". He was smirking as he watched Tamsin walk past Trick and Bo with Lauren in the arms of the ogre guard.
The crown watching the events unfold were shocked to see the interruption of non Fae gentry. They began talking amongst themselves, asking who these Fae were and why they were there.
When Tamsin passed Bo she made eye contact and held it until she knew for sure Bo saw a listless Lauren in the arms of her guard. Bo stood up when she recognized Lauren and began to move toward them when Trick grabbed her arm and Hale the other forcing her to stop her advances. Bo was shocked to see Lauren. She was hurt, beaten and bloodied and the rage began to build inside Bo as she shook the grasps of Hale and Trick off. She walked up to the stage where the ogre had laid Lauren at the base of the podium in from of Aldofr.
Leaping onto the stage and examining Lauren Bo wanted.. needed to be sure her injuries were recoverable.
Aldofr seeing the spectacle of his daughter giving undue attention to the human doctor he took the opportunity to continue,
Let me be clear. The Fae have not failed. In their need the Fae have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift I take it. And in return I present to you my first act as leader of the United Fae – The Human doctor who is responsible for many deeds against our brethren and pledge to you that justice will be my second act. As for the Fae nation, it needs charity neither from Fitzpatrick Corrigan nor it needs charity neither from Fitzpatrick Corrigan nor from The Humans, let alone from the Gods themselves. It wants only its rights! I will secure for itself this right to life even if millions of McCorrigans and Humans and the Gods themselves conspire against it."
The place exploded with jubilation and exaltation for Aldofr. There were few Fae who remained seated and the writing on the wall was clear Aldofr had made his argument and it had won the day.
The canyon was filled with the echo's of the cheering as Bo became more and more agitated. If she had her powers she could stop this madness by taking the chi from a number of them. But she was powerless and out numbered she looked to Trick who remained seated and clearly dejected. They made eye contact but Bo knew he too was powerless.