Seasons in the Abyss (Book 4 EptaBorromean Realms)

Chapter 4.23

Beneath the towering mountain temple of Olympus and seat of the Mobocracy, the joined forces of Nephilim, man,and magickal fighters settled their camps. The winds carried the sounds of smiths hammering weapons in rudimentary forges and the whispering of incantations and spells. The air carried a mix of smells and scents from herbal poultices on the wounded to pill furnaces and cauldrons stocking the apothecarist; heated metals of alchemy to the pungent stench of sulfur and sea.

At the front of the camp, Angeline sat with a small council of advisors and generals from each of the represented factions. The gathering space was nothing more than a series of logs and stumps arranged around an open fire.

Though Gaius ruled the whole of the Nephilim as king, every race was represented. As such the Khoeccean, Ukhoecce, Lozelean, Stiphin, and Rervanesh sat among former enemies of battlemasters, beast masters, witches and warlocks. Unlike the top families of the realms, the representatives seated gathered were elected among the people to speak on their behalf.

"What of Hebder? It doesn't seem right that we don't have a representative for the dragon keep in all of this," A young woman seated with the Rervanesh representative began mumbling.

It was impossible not to hear the girl, despite her best effort to appear quiet.

"Alfa, do Rervanesh have a problem with the representatives present?" Gaius growled, softly without looking at the man leading the beasts. Though Gaius, a minotaur, was Rervanesh, he was the chosen king of all Nephilim and could not represent any one group.

Alfarios, called Alfa for short, was a well and truly hen pecked sort at home, despite his ferocity on the battlefield. The strongest Chimaera in the past two hundred years, Alfa had worked his way up through the ranks to lead the beastmen. The young woman beside him was his sweet bride of many years, despite her young appearance. She was a human well over a hundred, and very crafty at using her seeming naive look to get away with things. Whether it be inappropriate comments, reckless behavior, or just flat out gossip for the sake of causing dissension. Among the Nephilim, it was known that Alfa generally ignored her antics in public. They had been together for so long, yet he still enjoyed the sound of the endless prattling; content to hear her voice, regardless of what she was saying.

Alfarios shook his head. "No, my king. These are some of the finest people from across the realms," he responded, dipping his chin in respect.

As Angeline began to speak, the same needling whiny voice started up. "Isn't anyone going to represent the dragons here? Why aren't they represented? I understand why the king is leading this, but who is that woman? Do you think she bespelled him?"

"SILENCE!" Gaius barked, unwilling to hear another word from the woman. He was on his feet in an instant, towering over the group. "Alfarios, so help me, if your mate breathes another word I will end you both," he snarled.

Angeline, who had kept very quiet up to this point, now turned her full attention to the couple seated across from her. Her slim hand reached up to touch Gaius, immediately redirecting his attention back to the woman beside him.

"She has no place among these leaders of the realms," he growled.

Angeline smiled. It was a look that most would associate with placation, but Gaius recognized it as scheming. It was a gentile smile that never reached her onyx eyes. He didn't know what she was thinking, but he knew beyond all certainty that Angeline herself was allowing the woman's whispers to continue for a reason.

Without another word, Gaius dropped back to his seat beside Angeline. Behind them, Elias and Jun stood like two sentries awaiting orders. She sighed and continued to speak.