Chapter 3: Betrayal
Councilman Ming, the oldest and most respected of the five councilmen stood up. "Meetings are dismissed for today, guards, clerk, leave us, the council must talk, in private." Everyone left the room promptly and the guardsmen closed the large wooden doors. Ming began to talk. "By the gods, this plan was going so well, but no, the Elonians had to show their faces, BEFORE the allocated time. They were supposed to arrive and help us take control of the continent, and this measly alliance after our men murdered Tang on campaign. Now, only the five gods know what will happen, perhaps one of Tangs loyalists will send him the message of the Elonians arrival and he will return prematurely or maybe he already knows and is on his way back as we speak." Ming put his hands over his face is annoyance.
Councilman Tao stood up "You guaranteed the success of this scheme, Ming, if he comes back and finds out we tried to have him killed, he will destroy us, the people of this alliance hate us enough already, the last thing we need is Tang coming back, the people adore him, he is the only reason that we have ANY outposts on the continent, gods, he practically founded this alliance, the people and most of the army are loyal to him, with one fell swoop he could take us out, and don't get me started on his son, Captain Tang, he's a champion of the Zaishen arena, the people adore him almost as much as they adore the General. If those barbaric Elonians have killed him and not taken him prisoner as we requested, I may as well turn to his side myself." Tao threw his papers and ink off the bench and stormed out.
"Guards!" Ming shouted, "Seize that traitor and bring him to me!" Four guards surrounded Councilman Tao promptly. "What is this madness Ming, you have been my friend for over 40 years, and now, you betray me?" A tear tickled out of Tao's eye. The guards dragged Tao before Ming. "Old friend, you do not understand, you have displayed your hostility to my cause, and thus you are a threat to its success." Councilman Ming raised his arms, a pulsing ball of flame appeared between his hands. "No!" Tao cried, he stomped his feet on the ground and brilliant white wave of energy threw back the guards. "I will not go down like this!" he said pointing his finger at the other councilman. Ming's fire ball hurled itself at Tao, the councilman knelt and cast a shield, one last attempt at saving himself, but Ming's mastery of the elements was too powerful for Tao to resist, the councilman was consumed, all that was left was a large charred impact mark stamped upon the floor. The Tsi-yan guard rushed in to secure the area. Ming addressed the guards "Get moving, there is much work to be done."