Faye was huddle with a blanket over her shoulders as she sat cross-legged on her bed in the dorm. She had gotten a minor cold from when she ran out into the rain. She knew it would not last long, as her aura would quickly heal her of the sickness, but until then she was still sick, and had been all day.

It was horrible to be sick again. She thought she had gotten over sickness when her aura was unlocked, and its healing abilities protecting her like a second immune system. "Aura can be protection from viruses, and heals you when something does get through," her aura teacher had said. Apparently it did not heal fast enough for her.

Just as Storm came in carrying a tray of food, and she was about to say hello, she sneezed. She sneezed so hard her ribs slammed into her stomach, hurting her. How could a sneeze do something like that? "Bless you," Storm said.

Faye smiled weakly. "Thank you," she said, a little nasally.

For a moment Storm seemed nervous then remembered the tray in his hands. He handed it to Faye, and she took it gratefully. There was little to do here, as she did not want any of her books to be covered with germs, and her Scroll offered little entertainment. Chewing on the food Storm brought was a highlight of her day in terms of alleviating boredom. Of course, there was plenty of it.

Whoever put this meal together knew the saying "feed a cold, starve a fever" and took it to heart. There were biscuits, chicken soup, crackers, a fruit salad, a cup of yogurt and a different cup with steaming hot tea in it. She set the tray on her knees, and took up her utensils. She was just glad that she did not have a fever.

As she was trying to determine what to eat first, Storm said, "So, you haven't taken the cold medicine." He was referring to the bottle of putrid tasting liquid that she had been given by a nurse when she reported sick that morning. As much as she did want to get better, she did not want to take a medicine that tasted that horrid. She looked up guiltily at Storm, who smiled. "I wouldn't want it either," he said, and sat down on his bed.

She smiled and dug into her dinner. It was good as far as cafeteria food was concerned. The soup was a little watery, and they probably used instant biscuits instead of making the dough themselves, but overall it was good. Once she was done, she set down her utensils, and placed the tray next to her, quite satisfied.

She looked to Storm and asked, "How goes the tournament?" She had not heard much at all from Azura and Rusti, who had not talked to her much at all that day, what was going on in the tournament. She was personally routing for Crystal or Athena, as she knew both of them somewhat. She was—not literally—dying to find out what was going on.

"Athena's been eliminated, but Crystal's still in it," Storm said. As he relayed the rest of the information on the tournament, it seemed like something else was on his mind. She wondered if it was about her or something else. She hoped something else, since she did not want to become a bother to him.

Once he was done, Faye asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Storm looked surprised for a moment, and then said, "Nothing you have to concern yourself with. Just some family stuff."

Faye looked questioningly at him. "What part of the family?"

Storm shrugged. "Just family in general. Like I said, nothing to be concerned with."

Crystal followed her father to the place where he sat in the Council room. It was a large room in the shape of a half circle, divided into two sections—the inner half-circle where the council sat, and the outer half-circle where anyone they allowed in to sit. The outer section had bleachers for the spectators to sit, while the inner section had desks and chairs intended for each specific council member. There were two chairs at her father's desk, and it seemed not to be the only one.

She looked at the spectators' section, and found that there were few there. It was probably due to an increase in security. While Crystal, as party to Lord Taryn, was not stopped for carrying the Crystal blades, no doubt they were some of the few weapons allowed in. Obviously this was due to recent White Fang attacks.

As the last of the council took their seat, one of the council members—Councilor Roth—read the roll call. All present and accounted for with the exception of Lord Radcliff who was currently on a diplomatic mission to Atlas.

Councilman Roth spoke first—as agreed upon mediator for this meeting and any emergency ones until the proper one in two weeks. Councilman Roth was an older man with graying red hair. While he didn't need glasses or a cane yet, he would in a few years. "Does anyone have any new business?"

Her father raised his hand. "I, Lord Taryn, do."

Roth nodded. "The council recognizes Lord Taryn. You may speak."

Before he could, a hand went up. "Objection!" Councilman Leblanc—a man who was heavily grayed despite him looking and sounding more youthful than her father—said. "Lord Taryn has been passing bill after bill through this room with little regard for anyone else's ideas. The Council must have more than one man proposing the bills, no shouldn't they?"

Leblanc was her father's enemy in the council. They'd been at each other throats for years, and always seemed to be on the opposite side of each issue. While her father was more interested in protecting Mistral and keeping it true to the original vision of the kingdom that the founders had, Leblanc was more liberal. Crystal had a bit of both, though her opinions might change with time.

Roth shook his head. "Overruled. He's just got a lot of them." Leblanc, frustrated, though not very noticeably, crossed his arms in silence.

"Thank you," her father said. He stood, and said, "My fellow Councilmen, may I bring up the unfortunate case of Headmaster Forester?" There was a general consent, and he continued. "I believe that the investigation, and all related investigations, should be turned over to particular Huntsmen and Huntresses, who will report any and all information they find to one of our members, and they will make reports to the Council."

"And who did you have in mind for the arduous task of listening to the Huntsmen's reports?" Councilman Leblanc asked.

"Well, any member of the council I assume," he replied as he sat down. "But I think if no one else volunteers, then I will."

"Ah, so you want it for yourself," Leblanc said. "I think not. While your forefathers may have been kings, you will never be one."

Lady Blackburn—a younger member of the council with black hair who was loyal to the old vision of Mistral—elegantly raised her hand. "I, Lady Blackburn, volunteer, Councilman Roth," she said in the overly elegant fashion of the Blackburns. She remembered being annoyed by more than one Blackburn at various banquets, but if one would help them then her father would have to take it.

"No, you'll be on maternity leave soon enough," Roth said. He was right; she was in the late stages of her pregnancy, so soon enough she wouldn't be available for several weeks if not months. While a cousin of hers would be taking over, she wouldn't be able to fulfill any of her duties while she was away, including volunteer duties that her replacement wouldn't necessarily inherit. "Anyone else?"

When no one answered, Crystal wasn't surprised. Most high society members didn't want to associate with Huntsmen, as some considered them to be violent, unsophisticated mercenaries with no sense of propriety. Some were considered to be exceptions, like the Taryns, but none of the Councilmen seemed excited to work with them. Since no one else wanted to, Crystal's father said, "I volunteer."

Since the position was undisputed, there was no vote. "Good, very good," Councilman Roth said hurriedly.

Before Roth could move onto the next topic—as he was about to—Councilman Leblanc said, "Out of curiosity, Taryn, who are the 'particular' Huntsmen you spoke of earlier that would conduct the investigation?"

"A few I think that are trustworthy."

"Who exactly?"

Her father, sitting in his chair, grinned smugly. "Do you really need to know?" Crystal wondered who these Hunters he spoke of were, like Leblanc, but she would wait until after the meeting to ask. For now she'd have to suffer through two hours of these boring talks, if not more.

A criticism I've heard of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy is that it can be too political at times. However, I didn't mind it, so here's hoping you didn't mind it here. I know it may have bored some, but at least this (in some ways) humanizes one of these mysterious councils we've heard rule the kingdoms. Or perhaps it only serves to show you what's going on, especially that Dustin Taryn has enemies and allies in the Mistral Council, that will either attempt to hinder his acts or help with them.

Anyway, that's it. Have a good day.