A.N. well well my people I was on a roll last night and managed to get two chapters and a mini glossary up and ready to go. I apologize for the last chapter but it was necessarily slow I had to fight writers block the whole way these two however cooperated better. These tend to focus on the Elites and the Shal'qui a bit more so I hope that you like them. The next one is ready so just give me a review so I can post it. I'm posting this one because I got hits on the last chapter if nothing else.

Chapter 7

"Councillor, one would almost think that you were reluctant to come?" Ayza gave a low hiss. Immediately the Elites stiffened and their hands went automatically to weapons that were not there. The wisdom now of choosing for both sides to leave their weapons behind now appeared to have been forethoughtful. Though the warriors were less then comfortable in the robes garments that they wore off duty, the house sashes draped over their right shoulders and tied on their left hip were immaculate and well cared for.

"Silence." Another voice broke in before the Councillor could spit out the reply that burned in his throat. Immediately Ay'za withdrew a step her head bowed respectfully. The Councillor allowed his shoulders to relax as well. With an attendant flanking her on each side the Speaker flowed into the room her white robes billowing behind her. The Arbiter and Rtas stood on either side of the Councillor and the other Elites stood behind them were a guard that was there to ensure that this first meeting went peacefully, at least in theory. The Speaker took her place at the central seat and fixed both parties before her with hard eyes. That she apparently showed no favouritism was something that the Councillor took note of. Next to him the Sahl'qui party didn't seem surprised at that. Of course they knew her while to him and his fellow Elites she was a legend come to life.

"Now my children, it is time to put an end to this foolishness or are you going to continue this ridicules feud that the prophets began millennia ago?" Her voice and her words were merciless, her voice echoed strangely as if more then one spoke the words with her. Unintentionally both groups lowered their gaze from hers in shame. Instinctively they each heard the disproval of their own blood and ancestors in her words. "The question remains however how do we keep pride intact and turn to the future now together?" She motioned for the Councillor to step forward. At a signal the cool headed leader of the Shal'qui joined him at his side before her. "The rest of you be seated." She said with uneasy looks all around the Shangeili in the room did as they were bid.

"Begin Councillor. You and Y'lii will forge the solution. This order of business must be taken care of first." With that she templed her albino fingers before her and leaned back in her chair to supervise as the two turned to study each other.

"What seek you Dormorr?" Y'lii began with the traditional greeting among allies. The councillor studied her though clever eyes then a smile slid onto his lips.

"I seek an alliance through blood Dormorra. I come with the offer of my house to join with yours. We are the last of two great families let us join them in marriage and therefore increase the power of both." Y'lii studied him in silence a moment as she considered his words. In elite custom arranged marriages were both common and necessary. Due to a fluke in Elite genetics, a fluke that had been traced into their DNA which was essentially devoid of any code that wasn't necessary fertile pairs of males and females were very selective. Males could only breed with certain females and the process of marriage was overseen very carefully. Due to the stability of the code mutations were very rare and the only one that was prevalent was the color of a females head spikes. Also in Shanglii marriage custom both partners were equal in power. Y'lii, who had carried doubts about the possibility of sealing this rift, was very pleased with this solution which she had not even considered.

"I must ask that you name the house for which you speak and whose bond you wish to claim." The formal words were ones that had not been spoken in eons, since the Covenant had first stolen away the males. Tw'bwasee thought for a moment trying to remember the old ritual.

"I speak for the Elites, we have come before you seeking the bond with the house that you represent." The words weren't exact but by silent agreement they believed that they were close enough.

"My house, the house of the Shal'qui, will consider your offer on the following terms." Here was where negotiations got trickier as they always had and both parties braced themselves for it. "My house demands equal rights to all that you would offer yours."

"As my house would ask of yours." He gave the ritual reply. It was always the female's house which set the demands.

"We will not yield unless loyalty to death and beyond is promised and delivered." It was a part of the ancient right which demanded fidelity. The Councillor believed it as well.

"As you ask it so must it be received." There were a few murmurs from the others of the parties but no objections came. Not that they would have been heeded anyway.

"Then my house finds the terms of this first meeting to be agreeable, but must ask the dowry which you would offer." Here the Councillor bared his teeth in a grin of a warrior scenting battle.

"We offer the dowry of an empire. We offer you the fall of the Covenant and the blood of the prophets." Y'lii listened to the eager murmurs behind her and an answering smile slid onto her features.

"My house finds these terms acceptable for now. But insist upon a first meeting to truly observe the match.

"The ancestors would not have it any other way." He answered honestly and the ritual was sealed. The alliance was complete, rickety, but binding.

"The Marriage Treaty," the Speaker said trying out the name, "well done Councillor. Please now," she activated the switch on the chair next to her and out of the floor rose two semi circular tables which combined with her seat formed a ring with three gaps, "take your seats we have other business to attend to this night." As the Arbiter rose with the rest of the Elites a word stopped him. "Stay where you are Prophets Fool, you are before this council now for two matters." Swallowing but showing no other sign of emotion the fallen Elite remained were he was while the others settled themselves into their chairs.

"You are branded with shame and we all in this room are well aware of the circumstances of that dishonour." That wasn't precisely true. The Elites knew of his charge and sentence as a heretic but they knew no more of the story then that. Aside from the Councillor none of them had been part of his trial and none of them knew who he had been before. "However, it was a dishonour that has been placed upon you by broken allies. I ask now where does he stand before our court?" the last question had been addressed to those who sat that the tables both Shal'qui and Elite. "Where does he stand Councillor?" she asked Tw'bwasee. He studied the warrior standing uneasily in the centre. When he had heard of the charges and the sentence the prophets had declared he had thought them a harsh dishonour. However the sentence of death they had decided to carry out by making him into the Arbiter a position in the Covenant that was suicidal and rather short lived. The one before him was a great warrior and would be greater yet, it was time for an Elite judgement of him.

"A great warrior went before the prophets and was sentenced to his death. I say that he has died and his shame with him, now allow this warrior to live. That is the decision of this councillor." Tw'bwasee said then seated himself back in his chair.

"What say you House Councillor?" the Speaker asked the Shal'qui. They looked among each other and whispered softly. Slowly Y'lii rose from her seat.

"We had heard of this warrior before his shame declared. And shame once given cannot be removed." The arbiter clenched his fists. "However it is the belief that honour once tarnished can again be reforged and we grant this warrior that." The speaker was silent a moment.

"Come forward and kneel son of my blood." The words were ancient and carried with them a power that nothing the Arbiter possessed could deny. Slowly she rose, ethereal in her robes and a ghost in appearance, all the ancestors that had ever lived stood before him now to speak their all knowing judgement.

"As Vel'hidii rose from shame to power so we grant you this our son. Redeem your honour from this shame, in time you will relearn your name. But your rank we cannot give back, so stay as you are for no rank do you lack. You are our warrior our son apart but live with us till you depart." The voice that came from her throat was male and female high and low. The silence of the hall echoed as the whisper that she'd spoken in faded.

"Arise Arbiter and take your seat. We have other business yet to attend to before you come before us again. The Ancestors have spoken." The speaker said taking her seat once more.

"Their will be done." The ritual response was as natural as breathing, even to the Elites who had never said or used the words in their lifetime. They had come home…

A.N. well what do you think is it an improvement over the last chapter? I hope so. Anyway Chapter eight is ready and waiting for a review to set it free.