Elemental Mage Book 3 (Tarieth)

Thirty-seven: Council

Maliban kay Foylan at Carlos, the rest of them have subdued expressions.  At mukhang na informed na ang lahat sa school kasi paglapag palang ng landaire namataan na ni Tara si Master Bris, naghihintay sa kanila.  Sgt. Gillian saluted Master Bris. It makes Tara wonder kung ano ang military rank ni Master Bris. Saglit na nag-usap ang mga ito. Pagkatapos ay muling bumalik si Sgt Gillian para sumakay sa landaire, no doubt pabalik sa borders.

"The council are waiting, move!" Utos ni Master Bris sa kanilang lahat.

For the first time Tara was inside the council chamber.  It was a huge room with tiers of seats on the other side and opposite from the seats was a high platform.  There was a disk made of wood that formed a U shaped. And at the back were high chairs and was occupied by council members.  At the very centre seated was the High Lord himself. To his left was Master Shadowwater. And then there was Master Rainstorm, the rest ay hindi pa niya sauludo ang mga pangalan. All in all including Master Bris ay may anim na council members doon. Walang tao doon maliban sa kanila at ang mga council members.

Lahat silang walo ay nakatayo sa harapan ng council members. At their back was rows and rows of empty chairs. The room was quite. The High Lord as usual was wearing his scary expression.

It was Master Wanda who spoke first. "Student mages, we heard disturbing news from the borders. Tell us what had happened. Squad leader go ahead first."

In fairness to Foylan nagsabi ito ng totoo.

"And you think you are being fair with your decision not to include student mage Windstone to border patrol?"

"Opo Master Welrien.  Before, about two weeks ago ay hindi ko kilala o ng kung sino mas studyante sa university si Miss Windstone.  And suddenly she's one of us, as a pioneer student.  I have known the rest of my squad since day one here in the university.  Prince Seregon and Miss Tempest Strongbow are known to be trained by the High Lord himself and the Commander General.  At bigla nalang susulpot si Miss Taryet Windstone.  Sa tingin ko hindi iyon patas."

"And so you put it in your hands to train her by putting her in help duty?  Is that what you are trying to tell us squad leader?" Tanong ng matandang lalaki na katabi ng High Lord.  Kahit nakaupo ay halatang matangkad ito, thin and had a face of an aristocrat. 

"Master Brightglow, in any military barracks, all yearling (newbie) will be put to mundane task."

*A yearling is a young horse of either sex that is between one and two years old.  Yearlings are comparable in development to a very early adolescent and are not fully mature physically.  And some military used this term sa mga baguhang sundalo.*

Bahagyang tumango si Master Brightglow.

"And when you say mundane task, does it includes using Miss Windstone as archery target practise?  A real human as a target practise?  Is that what you are trying to tell us Squad leader?" Tanong ni Master Bris, contrary to his sarcastic tone, walang expression ang mukha nito.

"No of course not Master!  Nagpaparaktis kami ng dumaan si Miss Windstone at nakita siya ni Carlos,  nagkayabangan ng konti.  You know how is it.  At pumayag naman si Miss Windstone."

"Sa sinabi mong "kami", you mean all of you but excluding Miss Windstone?"

"Yes Master Bris.  As I've sa---

"Yes, yearling."putol ni Master Bris.

"Student mage Boulder, alam mo ba na bawal ang gumamit ng buhay na tao o hayop bilang target practise?"  It was Master Wanda who asked.