Safe Haven - The Hidden Charter

Chapter One: Amirah

"Amirah, what do you think it'll be like? I mean, I've never been in such a crowd before!"

Amirah trailed along the well-kept wide dirt pathway that led to the guarded stone-barred entrance to her colony, Ylore, and headed towards the center of the nation; a gathering place outside of Roshai's capital. It was strategically placed in the center of all four colonies that made up Roshai. Uvario, Klumond, Grathe, and Ylore, where Amirah and her half-sister, Skye, came from. 

"What about the leaders? I heard Leader Isolde of Grathe was starting to become grayer, but that's just me and the rumors from our pod. Well, I suppose she is the oldest of them all. . ."

Amirah and Skye approached a guard that stood in front of the gate, who nodded as he scanned their ID certification; a permanently clipped on earring that was placed on the moment you were born, giving their date of birth, name, and the colony they belonged to. The guard took a small metal device to her earlobe, and after a few seconds, it clicked. He then looked at the device and grunted. He did the same for Skye before holding a half-hearted smile. After a nod of approval, he moved out of their way and let them pass through.

"I can't believe we're on our way to our first gathering! I've been waiting for this day ever since I started my training to become a scribe! " Skye bounced slightly on her feet in anticipation.

Same here!" Amirah exclaimed. They both smiled at each other, amazed about what would soon happen.

Amirah and Skye both took up training to become scribes at around the same time, with both having similar interests. They loved to learn, and write. They also loved the fact that they could possibly be a big help in their community. When they were offered training to become scribes from their leader who secretly knew of their interest in politics, both Amirah and Skye adopted the daunting path of becoming scribes and had begun their studies. 

It originally felt like they were in confinement for the fact that they had to keep quiet, and that they were never told any other information because they weren't of age. But now, they hoped that things would change since they're both finally of age, and heading to their first gathering.

They had both just turned fifteen a few weeks before the monthly gathering, which only allowed citizens aged fifteen to fifty to attend because it was deemed unfit for anyone older, or younger, to be present—except for the leaders, of course.

Leader Isolde of Grathe, Leader Quade of Klumond, Leader Alaric of Ylore, and the youngest of the four, Leader Kinsley of Uvario, who took the leader position in Uvario a few months ago. Even with such a small time being a leader, she was already well respected. Leader Kinsley was known for her sharp wit and for being tough for someone who used to be a poor man's daughter. Everyone in the nation was proud of Uvario's leader, especially the impoverished, who was inspired by her position.

"I wonder what the other colonies have to report! Maybe some action, like a border skirmish with a neighboring tribe or something-"

Amirah tapped Skye's shoulder, cutting her off. Skye's chocolate brown skin reflected off of the sunlight and her eyes shined. She patted her black, coily hair before wrapping her arms around her body. They were just about to enter the gathering place at the courtyard of the capital. 

Four figures sat in exquisitely decorated wooden chairs that were placed on a high platform that was raised high enough so the leaders could look down on their people. A crowd of citizens from all of the colonies entered at different entrances on each of the four sides of the courtyard. 

Klumond's citizens entered the north corner of the gate and were closest to their leader, Quade. 

Grathe's people poured in at the eastern entrance and lined up in front of their leader, Isolde. She looked at her people with a proud stance. She sure was old, but at least she had faith in her citizens.