Elements: The Chronicles of Katerina Starling

Chapter 21: Councils and Gods

Kat was fuming.

Although these days it was hardly a rarity.

The past few months had been a scramble of signing documents, meeting various important people, dinner parties, expensive dresses and trying to discuss important issues with her obnoxious but 'oh-so-adorable' cousin, Gray.

Kat had grown accustomed to her life as a queen the past six months she had spent in Element. Her parents were her advisers along with Ruby and Brad who oversaw the Elementian C.A.N.D.I.E division with their new co-worker and third in command Scott Harris.

But none of that compared to the agony of those council meetings she had to attend. Though she was the queen, most of the power came from the Council of Elemental Magic which runs all of Element. So, whenever there was a meeting, Kat forced herself to sit in a ginormous room and sit regally while she felt the eyes of dozens of people silently judging her every move.

She worked so hard to help Gray with his cause. She dared to speak against ministers and often elaborated on small ideas to work on getting equal rights. Nevertheless, the outcomes remained the same. Some councillors agreed with her ideas considering the more younger members of the council however they were outnumbered with the painfully large number of them who were hell bent on tradition.

That morning Kat and Gray once again subjected themselves to another painfully dull meeting. One of the ministers, an elderly lady who had always stared scornfully at her whenever Kat spoke, had finally voiced her own opinion.

"Your Majesty, you speak of great things and bright futures in the reunion of the Light and Dark Elements. You are aware this goes against our traditional way of life for the past thousand years." She said distastefully.

"Those traditions are out of date and if our laws are not change, then the rebellions will only get worse." Kat replied calmly

"Katerina, I am aware that you do not regard our traditions as you lived mainly on Earth but your disrespect towards our culture will not be forgotten."

"I respect our traditions just as much as you but as you can see. This has led to the loss of thousands of innocent Dark Elementian lives." Kat said gesturing slightly to Gray.

The minister laughed. A cold, throaty cackle.

"If you mean to tell me that Isabella and the young prince is what is striving you to fight for this. Trust me child, I knew Isabella long before you were born and she leapt at the chance of destroying us."

Gray stood up from his seat.

"Light Elementians killed thousands of Dark Elements for fighting alongside my mother. She fled this capital after there was an assassination attempt at her and the deep hatred that was thrown at her ever since she was born. She was denied her spot in the royal court and had to give up her entire life devoting to her people. Do not shame my mother for fighting back to what you did to her." Gray said, his words had an icy edge to them.

The council murmured as Gray began to exit the room. Kat felt the anger bubbling up inside so before she managed to make matters worse, she followed her cousin. But before she could think it through, she turned to face the council and said.

"We are not as different from them as you think."

And with that the Queen and Prince of Element left the council room as they all stared in shock and awe.

Which came to Kat furiously walking the courtyards of the castle. Autumn and Winter had passed leaving spring to flourish around them. The trees surrounding the castle had a soft green hue and the palace grounds were abundant in exotic, colourful flowers.