Chapter Ten:
The Council of Hydrolonia

"Welcome to Hydrolonia, warriors from Anegon," said a voice to their right.

"Yes, Agomob, I have brought them," replied Brooke.

"Excellent," he sneered. "Now run home and tell your parents you're actually good for somethi-" His response was cut short when he turned into a block of ice. Brooke looked ready to kill him, but then a girl's voice rang out.

"Brooke! You're back!" A girl with short brown hair came running up to them.

"I've been hoping to see you again, Blair."

Except for the hair, the two girls looked like twins, and most Hydrolonia acted as if they were.

Blair and Brooke led the Adepts through Hydrolonia's maze of streets with ease, bringing them ever closer to the heart of the huge city. The pair talk, both to each other, and to the others, and the group found that they were actually quite the people to be around. They also knew the city very well, better than most others, but they wouldn't specify why.

Richard moved up to talk to Blair, and Mekae joined him.

"How long has this city stood?" Richard asked as Mekae walked up.

"A few millennia," replied Blair. "You could ask the council for the exact date when we get there."

"Council?" asked Mekae.

"She didn't tell you? Brooke, we're going to have to work on your explanation skills."

"And where did you leave that guy?" asked Allen.

"Agomob? In a dump, where he belongs," laughed Brooke.

"That wasn't very nice," said Allen.

"Maybe not, but the elders say I'm not old enough to say what I really think," Brooke said, laughing even harder.

As they all laughed, the council's meeting place came into view.

"This is the Hall of Hykos, the first ruler of Hydrolonia," explained Blair. The looks of awe on the boy's faces were unrivaled with anything yet.

"Yes, I believe you are the Anegoian warriors," said a guard. "Please come in. Blair, Brooke, you can come also, as you have already played a part in this tale."

Inside the farthest hall, a council of twenty-four was waiting for the Adepts. Most were in varying states of antiquity, but two or three were still in their prime.

"I am Chris, leader of the council of Hydrolonia," said the one farthest from the door, standing. "Despite what you see, we have no relation to the Lemurians. We have normal life spans, though granted, ours are a tiny bit longer."

Another younger person rose. "I am called by many names, though I am a stranger. People here know me as Mute, because I usually have nothing to say, but when I do, my wisdom is unmatched."

Hours passed as the council described their choice and actions.

"And that's why we sent Brooke to ask for your help," concluded Chris.

"Wait, wait a second…" asked Allen. "You want us to go where?"