The Destiny of Amalah (55 page)

The remaining members arrived within minutes and when they acknowledged the Empress and each other, they settled down to business. The council, as had always been was made up of eighteen men and women in total. Firstly Amara sat as the head of the Council and then Michael as her adviser. Next there was a representative from each of the remaining eight nations and representatives who made up different aspects of society. The two representatives of the Empresses’ guard were still filled by Garrick and Häkan. The seers were represented by; the newly appointed Dale of Parades, and Yakira of Santeb. The empaths were represented by Galen of Aradene and Ella of Basimine. The council was extremely efficient and surprisingly not made up of self-interested politicos.

The council discussed the arrangements for the celebrations and when the discussions were over, Amara looked around the table and asked if there were any other matters to be discussed and when she had the question, a young tall blond woman looked at Amara intensely and then nodded her head slowly.

‘Dale of Parades,’ Amara said, still looking at her. ‘Is there something you wish to raise with the council?’

‘All is not well with our world,’ Dale said profoundly.

‘Have you seen something?’ Amara asked the young seer.

‘Not seen – felt. The world is no longer what it used to be. Things may seem normal now Empress but I warn you, there is darkness among us; but for now it is lurking and waiting.’

The five men and Amara looked at each other, they did not move their heads to alert the others but their eyes met and they all shared the same sense of alarm and fear.

‘Waiting for What?’ Michael asked.

‘The willing! Beyond that, I cannot tell you anymore, except that I sense this, this thing with great power.’

‘Yakira?’ Amara said, looking at the other seer sat next to Dale. ‘Do you sense anything?’

‘I do Empress but not as strongly as Dale does. I do have a sense of foreboding though and a sense that we must be prepared for whatever it is that is coming.’

‘Empress, all is not well in our nation. We are a peaceful and proud nation, as well as warm and friendly people, and yet – of late – the people are changing for reasons I do not understand.’

‘In what way Femi of Mantor?’ Amara asked the tall black man, who now stood opposite her in front of his appointed seat.

‘The people are more argumentative and quarrelsome of late and spates of disagreements over, what can only be deemed as trivial matters are breaking out everywhere.’

‘Among everyone?’ Amara asked.

‘No Empress but among enough people for it to become noticeable.’

‘The same is happening in Santeb, not enough to cause concern but enough to notice that a change is occurring,’ Li Wang added. ‘But there is also discontent among the village leaders, and they express their unhappiness with the council and the nation of Amalah.’

‘Why?’ asked Amara.

‘They say that Amalah favours other nations above theirs and that trade is to their detriment,’ replied Li.

‘But trade is as it has always been,’ said Michael.

‘I know, but something still stirs within them, despite my efforts to assure them.’

‘Do you agree with their grievance?’ Amara asked.’

‘No,’ Li replied flatly.

‘As in Aradene,’ a woman added. ‘The people also express discontent with me and the rest of the council.’

‘And as in Lansten,’ a man replied.

Amara looked at the other representatives from the remaining nations awaiting an answer.

‘Equer remains unaffected.’

‘As does Basimine.’

‘And Filine.’

‘I admit, we too are affected,’ the Empress said. ‘Dale, is what you sense connected to the changes occurring in the other nations?’

‘Yes, but I know not what it is.’

‘Perhaps it is the enemies of your father Empress,’ Femi said, and as he uttered the words, the atmosphere became tense and charged, as those around the table visibly stiffened and shuffled uncomfortably, as they looked at each other and then at the Empress.

‘Remember that not all of his enemies were captured or killed,’ Femi continued; ‘a few escaped from Amalah never to be seen or heard from again; now I fear that once again they are sowing the seeds of evil among our world.’

‘Why now Dale?’ Amara asked.

‘Because now it seems that there are enough willing?’

‘Willing?’

‘Enough willing to embrace the darkness and the power that comes with it.’

‘What do we do?’ Yakira asked.

‘Stop evil spreading. Ensure we lead by example and maintain the things that we hold dear: the gods, love, each other, the truth and ensure that everyone has plenty and that
no one,
is treated unfairly or harshly in everything we do. Ensure that the grievances of the people are heeded and remedied, and ensure that the trade between the nations is fair. We cannot give evil a chance to take advantage of, or manipulate any situation, nor can we give it the chance to prosper again.’

‘We can do all of that,’ Thaddeus said; ‘but evil will still find a way.’

‘I fear there may come a time when we may have to fight again,’ Garrick said solemnly.

‘That maybe Garrick.’ Amara said. ‘But at the moment, there is no one or nothing to fight. But having said that, Garrick and Häkan, I want you to send some of the guard; send only your most trusted guard to these troubled nations. Do not send them in full guard dress because I want them to walk among the people and find out whom or what, is causing this. I do not want the guard that we send to meet with the guard who are already stationed in the nations, for I fear that some of their loyalties are divided. I want them to walk freely and unrecognised, for it can only cause more trouble if the people learn that we are watching them.’

‘When?’

‘After the celebrations, that way they will blend in easily when everyone else is returning home.’

‘It will be done Empress,’ said Häkan.

‘Thank you. For now all we can do is watch, listen, wait and be ready and as Dale has indicated, we will not have to wait too long.’

The council discussed the last remaining matters and then adjourned for the day most of the members hastily filed out of the room but the Empress, Michael, Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor remained inside the room and the six of them remained silent for a few moments simply looking at one another.

‘This does sound like the work of Adriel?’ Michael said forcefully.

‘Indeed it does,’ agreed Amara.

‘And my son is potentially involved,’ Garrick said bitterly. ‘That is another reason why I must speak with you. Empress I have spoken with Rakan before the council met and he asked me if I could ask you if he could have an audience with you?’

‘Regarding what?’

‘He wishes to be considered for a seat on the council.’

‘Do you understand the implications of his request?’ Amara asked.

‘I do,’ Garrick answered.

‘What do you think?’ Thaddeus asked.

‘It maybe a chance to discover what he and the others are planning but I think it is far too big a risk to allow them on the council,’ said Garrick.

‘Agreed,’ said Häkan. ‘The damage they could does not bear thinking about.’

‘I agree,’ said Michael; ‘and I would caution against putting anyone on the council for now. I fear that it could divide the guard and the nations further.’

‘Perhaps.’ said Michael. ‘Garrick we must find out what is causing this and find out now, before the guard leave for their duties in the troubled lands.’

‘I will try.’

‘Garrick, Rakan knows the council is full; all of the nations and people are represented. Did you tell him that?’

‘Yes I did but he insists on meeting with you.’

‘Perhaps…’ Häkan began in a thoughtful manner but Garrick cut him off and said what he was going to say.

‘I know Häkan, perhaps this is Rakan beginning to show his hand. I have thought of nothing else.’

‘He would be in a powerful position if he were placed on the council,’ Michael conceded.

‘Too powerful,’ Häkan added.

‘Perhaps if he is on the council we can observe him more closely,’ Thaddeus said.

‘And perhaps if he is on the council he can inflict much damage. We cannot watch him every minute of every day,’ Thaddeus said, disagreeing strongly with Häkan’s suggestion.

‘At least we may have a chance of discovering whatever it is that Rakan and the others are up to,’ Thaddeus countered.

‘It’s only a chance Thaddeus, not a guarantee that we will actually find anything out and I do not believe that it is worth the risk,’ Häkan continued.

‘I agree with Häkan,’ Michael said. ‘It is not worth the risk and the council members are all deeply trusted.’

‘I too agree with Garrick and Häkan,’ the Empress said. ‘I cannot justify giving Rakan that much power, nor can I justify the risk and after everything that we have just spoken about; I can ill afford to alienate the council, with what would only be blatant nepotism, Garrick you know that my answer must be no.’

‘I know Empress but Rakan will not understand that, he considers he has much to offer and will not take no for an answer – not from me anyway.’

‘Rakan always was stubborn, for as long as I can remember; he has been that way, very well Garrick I will speak with him.’

‘Thank you Empress, he accompanied me to the palace today and awaits my return.’

‘Michael and I will accompany you to meet him.’

The three of them made their way eastwards to one of the palace lounges where Rakan was waiting, on their entry he stood up and walked towards them.

‘Father,’ Rakan said acknowledging him. ‘Empress Amara,’ he said bowing slightly. ‘And Michael, good afternoon.’

‘Rakan,’ Amara said greeting him pleasantly. ‘How nice to see you; it has been a while since we last talked. How are you and what have you been doing of late?’

‘Practising magic and training with the guards mostly.’

‘You are a busy man.’

‘Indeed Empress.’

‘Well your father tells me you wish to have an audience with me so, please let us sit.’

The four of them sat down in the luxury palace chairs that were common to every palace room.

‘Empress, I have accomplished much power in the art of magic and much strength while training with the guards, these are troubled times and I can help lead and ease the troubles.’

‘What troubles Rakan?’

‘Can you not sense the unrest in the north and the east Empress?’ he said, not hiding his surprise that she was unaware of them. ‘It needs to be taken under control, the people must be controlled.’

‘Rakan, there are troubles, but putting people under such control can only make matters worse.’

‘Then how do you suggest we deal with it?’ Rakan asked, rather confrontationally.

‘We find out what is causing it, get to the root of the problem and fix it.’

‘And in the meantime, while you’re trying to find the root cause, the people are running amok.’

‘I wouldn’t say that a few disagreements constitute “amok” would you?’

‘Empress, I can help to quell this rebellion; put me on your council and give me the authority I need to stop this situation.’

‘Rakan, from our conversation I gather that you wish to abate any troubles that may arise, but your way is not the way of the council and by the sound of it, I do not think that your methods would be for the benefit of the people, furthermore the current members of the council were elected fairly, as you know and all of the seats are filled. Therefore, it is with regret but I cannot offer you a place at the council’s table, I am sorry.

‘Those on your council – many are old and many – lack vision,’ he said boldly.

‘Rakan,’ Amara said firmly. ‘Those on the council are there because the people asked them to be and they have the skills and the disposition to do what is needed and they respect and listen to each other.’

‘You would be the exception then,’ Rakan sneered.

‘Rakan!’ Garrick snapped. ‘Remember who you are talking to.’

‘I remember, but it is true Empress, you were not chosen for your role, you were there simply by birth and by blood and that does not necessarily make you suitable.’

‘Rakan!’ Garrick snapped again. ‘Empress I am sorry.’

‘Garrick this is not your doing,’ Amara said, looking at Garrick and nodding before she turned back to Rakan and gave him a steely look. ‘Rakan understand this: yes, I am the daughter of an emperor and I know that birthright alone does not make me a suitable Empress, what makes me a suitable Empress is a deep sense of duty to Amalah, to the nations and to all the people within them. I do not rule out of self interest, or greed and I do not rule in tyranny. You on the other hand seem to be driven by a lust for power and self interest and you do not seem to put the interests of the people first,’ she said sharply.

‘The world is at peace for the most part and there is prosperity – that is a testament to the Empress, a testament to who she is, not just her birthright,’ Michael said, looking sternly at Rakan.