The Mountains Blade

Chapter Three

Chapter Three: A Council of Kingdoms

The council table consisted of twelve people. Avelina and Elwyn beside each other. And to Avelina's right, Alaric: representative of the wolf kingdom, Maeve: A harp and trusted advisor, Xavier: The vampire king, Indra: The fae queen, Arman: king of the elves, Analia: The shifter queen, Hope and Ashered Greywater, Arthur Stilwell, and commanding officer of Goldmoon's special forces, Hale Kilgore.

Elwyn had her back impossibly straight, feeling the eyes of both her generals. Elwyn squared her shoulders and presented a curious gaze. She parted her mouth slightly and widened her eyes. Feeling impossibly stupid, Elwyn's father sat in his chair and continued.

"There is war on the horizon." The only notable distaste towards that statement was Hope clenching the edge of the table, Avelina's jaw tightening and Elwyn balking like a deer in headlights at her father.

Part of her expression was true.

"There has been rumor of someone stirring up trouble with the humans. A ban of humans has infiltrated our world and are slaughtering anyone they wish. There has not been a motive that we can find at this time."

Analia bared her teeth at King Ashered. "I can show them what they're up against if you wish." Ashered gave her a pointed look and she closed her mouth, a smirk curling over her lips.

"That is another reason that we are gathered here." Ashered turned his attention to Alaric. "Lord Alaric, I am told that your king has begun slaughtering humans because of this."

Alaric growled. "Only the ones who tried to kill innocent women and children." He snapped back.

Ashered stared at him. " I see." He replied, settling back into his chair. "We need to find a way to eradicate the threat against these hunters, without starting a full on war."

Analia scoffed. "War began, the second they stepped into our world with weapons."

Xavier gave her a look that may have been interpreted into agreeance. "How do you expect us to protect ourselves from these threats if we can't use any force?" Indra asked. The fairy queen knitted her dark eyebrows together, dark skin shimmering.

"The king has enlisted a special taskforce that will be tracking down contacts in an attempt to gain more information before we go any further."  General Hale said sharply.

"We hope that this will ease any concern for the moment and hinder any from joining in the rebellion against the humans." The queen said gently.

Analia scoffed. "Says the human." She rolled her eyes.

"A human with powers." Hope snapped, power snatching across the room and slicing the shifter queens cheekbone.

Analia made to move toward the queen, a manic look crossing her rough features. Her jaw tightened and she spit her black hair from her mouth. General Hale held her in place, mummering something incoherent to her before the council table stilled.

Elwyn eyed the shifter queen curiously and nearly smirked when she bared sharp teeth at her.

"I will not tolerate disrespect to my queen or anyone in my kingdom." The king reminded sternly, reaching a hand under the table to his wife. This seemed to calm the fiery redhead, as she took deep, audible breaths through her nose.

"We will meet again in a month and hopefully have more information." King Ashered said giving his wives hand a squeeze before standing, signaling the end of the meeting.

All joined in standing with him. "Each of you will be lead to rooms if you decide to stay. If not, I look forward to having a solution in a months time."