Order of Aria

Chapter Twelve: Meeting of Aria

    A few days have passed since the meeting of the mages. It is the next meeting of the kingdoms. The mages from each kingdom stand in front of their associates. Ronwynn looks to Esmeray, nervous because she isn't sure as to what she is supposed to share with this group compared to the mages.

    "So you each claim that Keyfiir's body, covered in symbols created by Zenik Vayll, just turned to ash? Right before your eyes? Because of a different symbol that wasn't found when originally investigated?" Councilwoman Astaleilles from Vaerglen asks.

    "Yes, Councilwoman." Mage Loracan responds. Trying to keep her chin held high despite the judgment from her associate. Councilwoman Astaleilles sighs and brings her hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose. Ronwynn glances at Loracan through her peripherals and sees her confidence falter for a moment. 'If she wasn't so rude to Esme, I would almost feel bad for her.' Ronwynn thinks to herself.

    "Do we have proof of these markings?" This time it comes from a councilwoman from Kalrashaw.

    "No ma'am. Nothing but the book that Miss Ravenshire and Miss Nodelor provided."

    "So there is no physical evidence of this event other than a pile of ash and a few pictures in a book? Sidus, you're just wasting our time. I thought better of you two. But here you are just joining in with the crowd." Astaleilles shakes her head in disapproval. It's now that Hallows and Loracan let their heads drop, Loracan attempting to hold back tears of frustration and humiliation.

    "Councilwoman Astaleilles, if you could refrain from scolding your associates in front of everyone, that would be lovely." Queen Emeaira says disapprovingly to her. The councilwoman is taken aback but stays silent anyway. "Now Esmeray, you and I both know how serious the implications of Zenik Vayll's name even being spoken is. It is dire that we have some other form of proof other than a book that no one knew about until a few days ago."

    "Do you not trust me or my apprentice, my queen?" Esmeray asks with an accusatory tone. Emeaira shakes her head and sighs.

    "Esmeray. That is a conversation for us to have in private, not in front of our acquaintances. Your loyalty to this kingdom is not in question, only the circumstances surrounding this body's disappearance."

    Esmeray scoffs, "If my loyalty wasn't in question, then you would believe what we said. All of us. I mean, Loracan agreeing with me of all people should tell you guys what you need to know."

    "Ravenshire, it would be best if you stop talking to your queen that way. Your defensiveness will be your downfall." King Naermyn warns. Queen Emeaira puts her hand on his to attempt to soothe him. "We understand that you and Loracan being in agreement is a rare thing but none of us were there the day of your meeting. It was only the six of you and some guards." Naermyn continued.

    "Well, were the guards questioned?" Sylbella asks. "I understand that it is not my place but, it seems unfair that we are being questioned on the events and they are not."

    "She does have a point. Has anyone questioned the guards?" A councilman asks. The room breaks into murmurs. Everyone searched the room for the group of guards.

    "The guards of Aria are being questioned as we speak." Councilman Namboo of Aria speaks. The other councilman asks to see what is going on with their respective guards. A page from each kingdom is sent to gather the guards for questioning.

    Ronwynn tries to subtly lean towards Esmeray to speak with her. "Why couldn't they do that beforehand?" she whispers annoyed.

    "I don't know but, this meeting is starting to piss me off," Esmeray whispers back. When the attention is put back on the mages, the two separate.

    "It appears as though this meeting is going to go on a little longer than we thought. You six may be seated until the guards are here with their sides of the story." Everyone goes to sit and wait to see what direction this meeting will take.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

    The guards and pages have returned from their questioning and are put in the same place that the mages were once before. Each guard stands tall, awaiting for the new line of questioning. The pages discuss the information shared with them to their respective higher-up.

    Queen Emeaira begins the questioning, "I will keep this short and sweet, you all saw the body of Syllan Keyfiir, yes?" The knights nod. "So you saw the symbols that littered his body?" More nods. "And you watched as his body turned to ash?" A final nod. "So it has been confirmed. Zenik Vayll is behind these attacks."

    "But that would be impossible considering his circumstances." A councilwoman speaks.

    "It could be him or a follower causing this trouble. However, I thought that we had last heard of him years ago. Times have changed and it appears that we must too. Miss Nodelor, if you do not mind giving me the book that led to these revelations?" Ronwynn nods and reaches for her bag on the floor. She finds the black notebook and brings it to Queen Emeaira.

    "Here you go milady. I marked the pages that hold the information we shared." She hands off the notebook and Queen Emeaira nods in thanks. Ronwynn returns to her seat and Emeaira looks through the book.

    "Thank you for sharing this book with us. If you don't mind sharing where you got this book from?"

    "Um," She looks to Esmeray for help and she slightly shakes her head, "It was given to me by Miss Violetta. I do not know where she found it but she entrusted it within my care. She had said something about hoping it could help with everything. I was unsure what she meant until now."

    "Alright. I would say that we question her too, but I fear her age might be getting to her. For now, we shall leave her but keep a close eye on her. Thank you for your cooperation Miss Nodelor, you are dismissed until further notice." Ronwynn stands and nods towards the queen in farewell. Esmeray readjusts in her chair to help her pay better attention.

    After Emeaira and Naermyn are done looking through the book's contents, they pass it around so the others can get a look at it. The room is silent as everyone observes the symbols drawn and what they are for.

    "It appears that we have misjudged your mages Queen Emeaira." Councilwoman Astaleilles says. "It appears we now have to make other plans. Are we to notify our monarchs for their arrivals to a council meeting of your own or are we to plan here and now?"

    "We shall make a suggestion and see where it takes us. I would recommend that you stay for any further meetings we must hold. After this meeting, we shall send word to each kingdom to get their opinions on what we shall do." The council members nod as the pages for each kingdom get ready to start their letters.

    "What shall we be writing to them for?"

    "A suggestion to start a group of some kind. We will need someone to help defend and investigate but, we are unsure of who. With the reveal of Zenik Vayll taking part in the death of Syllan Keyfiir, we will need to construct this group wisely." The group nods and they start their letters. Soon sending them off to their respective receivers.

    "The meeting is now dismissed, you may all go to your quarters." Queen Emeaira announces. Esmeray gets up to head towards the door, "Not you Esmeray. There is a conversation that needs to be had. It can wait no longer."

    Esmeray looks back at Emeaira, "Yes, my queen."