Fate always had the power to screw you over.
And Alexandra always thought that she had everything she could ask for: a caring family, a best friend and an attentive boyfriend. That is until she discovered the latter two alone in a car together.
Sin...
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"Since these two girls brought up the matter of custom and our traditions, I have decided to lecture you today on our history of the Council of Ten. Many of you know of what I speak." Decennia's gaze swept over the circle of students, causing them to avert their eyes awkwardly. "However, I sense that some of you want to know more, whereas others do not know much on the subject. The question is not what it is, but who." A shiver ran up my spine.
Some people stirred at the end of her sentence, but I was stunned silent, listening to her lilting words. It was like she was a poet reciting a difficult, yet beautiful poem. She continued like that, lifting her arms in a motion to emphasise her words. "The Council of Ten was initially mobilised by the first rulers of Atlantis, of course. Not many of you have heard much of them, so I tell you this: they were the first of our race and were known simply as the Royals. Together, they numbered ten, related by blood to the same mother figure, as we are.
"Ten Royals, close-knit brothers but thoroughly independent in their own strength and power. As one king and nine princes, they divided the land among themselves, each claiming a tenth of the fledgeling Atlantis. They erected cities for themselves, remnants of which can still be seen today. The castle ruins to the north of Menopolis are a well-known example of this."
Decennia closed her eyes for a few seconds, her arms limp by her sides. She had everyone's attention now, even those who'd smirked at those who appeared guilty of ignorance. It seemed this was something they hadn't yet heard of.
With her eyes still closed, Decennia went on, appearing unaware of the students engrossed in her tale. "Then they formed a council and decreed the Law of Atlantis. It was a council that gathered once every three years to discuss the Law. Many of you know this already, but I shall repeat it. The Law does not consist of one system of rules that dictate our island country, but entails many systems conjoining into a network. Betray one rule, you fracture the whole network, hence the Law. No questions asked."
Now I joined those who fretted uncomfortably when Decennia opened her eyes and stared sternly at us. My heart climbed into my throat. "As is part of the Law, I am not at liberty to mention the consequences, and neither are you if it so happens that you have been apprised of the Law in full. That's the only exception, one provided within the boundaries of your families."
I don't have any, my mind reminded me. Well, no real relatives that I know of.
"Getting back to the real subject, the council assemblies were later entitled the Royal Congress, held in the heart of the year on a half moon. Whenever that occurs varies with the moon."
I scratched at an itch, though I was irritated to note that my attempts didn't help much. It wasn't an itch I could reach, it seemed. I raked my nails into the skin of my arm but only ended up with raised welts.
