Chartile: Prophecy (16 page)

Ulfwyn sat, and there were many smiles and
small gestures of toasting, but nothing more. The boys dared
glances at each other. This was going to be a long meeting.

A younger woman rose from her seat to
address the council. She was Lady Ulfwyn’s opposite. Her hair had
been brushed straight without the traditional beads. Rather, a
pattern of gold runes and symbols had been painted down her long
plait and matched the gold painted around her eyes and lips.

“
I am Ygdalla of the House
of Dryfinal of the Amethyst Quarter of the Tutarian Mountains. I
speak for Princess Faeridae of the House of Gudvor. Faeridae was
made Princess when our Queen Isla unexpectedly succeeded Queen
Carendeil. She chose to be trained in War like her Queen before
her, but has also shown a great aptitude for negotiations amongst
the elders and wisdom beyond her years. If Queen Isla succeeds as
Empress, Princess Faeridae would indeed complement not only our new
Empress, but work well with Queen Una and Princess Gemari of Mount
Kelsii. I vote that Queen Isla succeed Nefiri of the House of
Auldfr as Empress of the Dwarves of Chartile.” Jack Leo, and Jayson
saw Ygdalla flash them a quick smile and a wink as she sat. She had
the air of a woman who knew her beauty, and knew how to use
it.

The elder who had first spoke stood again.
“Thank you, Elders. Who now will speak on behalf of Queen Una and
Princess Gemari of Mount Kelsii?”

Another elder stood to address the Council,
and the boys’ shoulders drooped. As nervous as they were, their
attention was waning. Or the feast prior to the meeting was
beginning to kick in. The elder was the same wispy woman, Frejah,
who had approached Piper earlier at the pre-banquet. She still
looked as though a single sneeze could knock her to the floor. But
her voice had turned unexpectedly firm and commanding.

“
I am Frejah of the House
of Berkhildr of the Carnelian Quarter of Mount Kelsii. I speak for
Queen Una of the House of Ulfra. Queen Una is the first Queen in
over five appointed Queens to Mount Kelsii to apply herself to the
study of both peace and war. Her skills will come as a valuable
asset to our people in this time of uncertainty. I vote that Queen
Una succeed Nefiri of the House of Auldfr as Empress of the Dwarves
of Chartile.”

Elder Frejah sat. She was winded but still
threw back a glass of ale. She snapped at the passing human to
refill her glass as soon as she set it back on the table. It was
the first time Jayson, Jack and Leo noticed the symbol on the
woman’s sleeve. A rose crossing a sword. Gemari had told them it
was the symbol for the warrior class of women. Only Empresses could
be granted this special privilege after being succeeded by an
Empress of peace. Nefiri must have succeeded Frejah and asked her
to command the armies as Nefiri was trained in peace, not war. A
recommendation for Empresshood coming from a previous Empress would
surely make this a cut and dry case in Una’s favor, the boys
thought.

Nefiri stood again from her throne. This
time, she did not step forward. “I am Nefiri of the House of Auldfr
and Empress of the Dwarves of Chartile. I speak for Princess Gemari
of the House of Jetari. Gemari was chosen as our Princess after
Princess Thora was called back to the stone too soon. Though young
in years, Gemari has shown wisdom beyond her age. She was
instrumental in the negotiations concerning the reopening of the
Eastern mines of Mount Kelsii for their refortification and the
safety of our patrols. As an emeritus Empress and priestess of
Rashiri, I vow to this council that I will take it upon myself to
continue to train Princess Gemari until such a time that she
ascends to Empresshood, or the council deems my instruction no
longer necessary. I vote for Queen Una to succeed me as Empress of
the Dwarves of Chartile.”

Nefiri sat. Dimitri stepped from behind her
high-backed throne and handed her a crystal chalice. She sipped
daintily and stared hard at the elders. The elder who had opened
the council meeting stood again.

“
Now that the
representatives of the candidates have spoken, the floor is open
for any who wish to speak on behalf of Queen Isla, Queen Una,
Princess Faeridae or Princess Gemari.”

Whispering ensued amongst the council, but
no one stood. The boys could feel Nefiri’s eyes on the back of
their heads and the hairs on their necks stood up. Neither Piper
nor Valar made a move to stand. Jayson and Jack half expected Leo
to stand and address the council. Follow my lead, he had said. Jack
had prepared a small speech in favor of Una and Gemari, but he held
back, waiting for some signal from Leo. After several moments, the
elder spoke again, “If there are no further favors to be heard,
then we shall move to vote. Those voting for Queen Isla please
stand.” The chairs shuffled and scraped against the stone floor and
over half of council members stood. They waited until one of the
elders had finished counting and recorded her notes before sitting
again. “Those voting for Queen Una, please stand.” There were fewer
council members. At least four fewer, the boys noted, and they
began to feel sick. “Then by the witness of this council and Mother
Rashiri, I am pleased to announce the succession of Empress Nefiri
by Queen Isla of the House of Arnkatla. The Rite of Passage shall
take place at the nearest sunset after this meeting.”

“
NO!” someone shouted.
Their voice echoed off the high domed ceiling and brought the
council to a dead silence. “I will not stand for this!” It was
Queen Una. She rose from her throne, her face red even under her
ebony skin. “I will not allow someone who has been meeting in
secret with The Black Diamonds to sit on the throne of the Empress!
We have intelligence that Isla has not only been meeting with these
dangerous people, but is also in an unauthorized and illegal
relationship with one of its leaders! Elders, I implore you to
reconsider!”

“
Isla, is this true?”
asked one of the elders. The frantic whispering that had followed
Una’s words stopped. Isla looked at the women before her as they
waited with baited breath for an answer. She stood, and, to Jack
and Jayson’s surprise, so did Leo. They joined him, though unsure
of what plan they were about to execute. They had to leave their
weapons in their rooms, but there were far too many guards to
attempt any kind of hand to hand combat anyway. They dared to look
at Nefiri. Her eyes were wide, almost maddening with anger. Gemari
was on the verge of tears.

Isla reached beneath the neckline of her
tunic and pulled out a small but unmistakable amulet of a large
black diamond.

“
It’s true,” she said. The
council gasped and immediately began arguing amongst themselves.
Leo looked at the man at the door while everyone watched Isla. He
nodded. The doors swung open, and in marched a string of warriors.
They were clad in the black leather and sparkling black jewels of
the soldiers of The Black Diamonds. The elders ceased their
arguments. No one moved. Not the guards, not Leo, not even Isla who
had been caught off guard herself. Soldier after soldier marched
into the room. Their footfalls echoed as one, creating a drum beat
that shook the hearts pounding wildly in everyone’s chests. Some of
the council members rose to stand beside Isla, also bearing the
amulet of The Black Diamonds around their necks. Ulfwyn and Ygdalla
were among them. Retainers and kitchen staff left their posts to
stand beside Isla as well, unafraid to show their black diamond
bracelets, rings and necklaces. Kylani, Brande, and a few other
members of the Black Diamonds joined the throng of people
surrounding Isla and Faeridae.

When the last of the soldiers had filed into
the room, the doors were closed. Six Black Diamond soldiers stood
guard against it. Leo descended the steps from the platform. He
bowed in perfect Dwarvik fashion to each of the Queens, Princesses
and Nefiri. The fire and rage in the Empress’s eyes was even worse
than before. Leo gulped and turned to address the remaining council
members at the long table.

“
Good Elders! I am
Leonardo DeHaven, the reincarnated soul of King Florine. I present
to you, your future.”

Chapter Twelve

Foundations
Shaken

Leo’s speech had sounded much cooler in his
head, but he was no Jack. Regardless, the entire room’s attention
was fixated on him. Queen Una had sat back on her throne when the
Black Diamonds had marched in. She whispered frantically to Nefiri
who remained stone faced and emotionless to Una’s words.

The Black Diamonds had filed into the room
and covered the entire perimeter at least two deep. As one, they
drew their swords with their right hands and touched their left
shoulders with the hilt in a kind of salute. There was a unified
clank of hilt against armor, then quiet. The silence was as
tangible as the effects of the pearl wine.

A frail and fierce old woman finally
whispered against the stillness. “Wh-what is the meaning of this?
What in Verika’s good name is happening here?”

“
Is it not obvious,
Imohan?” asked another silver haired elder a few seats from the
first. “We are being threatened to change or die. Apparently, the
traditions we have worked so hard to keep strong have been
undermined and thrown to the wind under our very noses.”

“
Lady Jarvae, please, that
is not our aim,” said Faeridae sweetly from behind the
boys.

“
Isn’t it?” shrieked
Jarvae. She stood from her seat so swiftly, she nearly knocked her
chair over if the woman beside her had not caught it. “The Black
Diamonds have been after us for years to put a man on this council.
Now it appears we have no choice. We have been surrounded, quite
literally in fact. We surrender to this new regime or die, I
suppose.”

“
Hear me, good elders,”
said Isla. The boys turned to see her unwind her fingers from
Kylani’s as she stepped forward. The gesture was noticed by several
of the elders as well. “We are an organization of the people. Your
very presence upon this council is proof we govern not ourselves or
our people, but that our people govern us. Since my rise to
Queenhood, whispers in the shadows have reached my ears of the
pleading of our people for change. For equality. Not just our men,
but our fellow women have joined in secret and taken up support of
a new era for the Dwarves. An era in which our hearts, and souls
are not governed by the gender bestowed on us by Rashiri, but by
our actions. The people have cried out for change, and we have
stood idly by, unwilling to move beyond the laws that are
comfortable and familiar, not necessarily the ways that are right
and just. Within every Quarter, every household, every caste from
the elders to the miners, we have listened to our people and have
grown. Your men and women have not been killed and kidnapped. They
have run away to live amongst their fellows as equals in the mines
that Princess Gemari so very graciously reconstructed for our use.
Unbeknownst to her, of course. We are great in number. Your people
have spoken, and it is our right as the leaders of our people to do
the bidding of those we have been called to represent, regardless
of our own personal aims or beliefs.”

“
How can you expect us to
simply give up what has taken us centuries to create? You are
asking a great deal, Isla,” said Imohan. “Might I add that the
actions you have admitted to this day disqualify you from
succession to the Empresshood.”

“
Only if you let it be
so!” protested Isla, the fear rising in her voice. “Elders, there
is a war raging at our heels, outside our very doors. Sooner or
later it will descend on us. Unless we fight back and take our
stand before it’s too late.”

“
Our intelligence tells us
Princess Taraniz is planning to strike Mount Kelsii at the end of
the month,” said Kylani. He stepped forward to stand beside Isla,
and several of the elders sneered. “Our forces in the Tutarian
Mountains may not come to us in time. The force of soldiers
stationed here will not be enough to hold back the Elves and
Taraniz’s allies.”

The elders narrowed their eyes and flared
their nostrils. Their disgust at being spoken to as an equal by a
man was obvious.

“
What allies are those, I
wonder?” spat Jarvae. “Do not think we haven’t heard about the
Black Diamonds joining with Princess Taraniz.”

“
It does not have to be
that way,” said Kylani.

“
So you admit it! You
admit you have turned your back on your own people to gain what you
seek! You would have us all dead or under Elven rule. You may be
free to make decisions without a wife if you succeed, but the name
of Rashiri will never be spoken again, I can guarantee you that.”
Jarvae sat abruptly. She folded her arms before her and nodded to
those around her.

“
Everyone makes mistakes.”
Eyes turned to Jack who stepped off the platform to join the crowd
around Isla. Jayson glanced at Leo. Leo raised his eyebrows and
shrugged. They both stepped from the platform to join Jack. “What’s
important is we need to band together now. Change isn’t easy. Like,
in our world, we’ve had a lot of changes. At first there were civil
wars, and fighting, and stuff like that. But, in the end, there was
peace. Change is totally scary. We’ve been through that. We were
brought here against our will and we’ve had to change the way we
live every day just to survive. If change is what your people want,
then give it to them. Especially if that’s what it takes to save
them.”

“
If it doesn’t work out,
you can always go back to the way it was before,” chimed in Jayson
with a shrug.