The Orb

Chapter 10

Meetings

Rumours of the events that had occurred the previous day within the Sanctum's walls caused panicked concern to spread rapidly throughout the Citadel forcing the Tri-Council to call an emergency assembly hoping to quell the hysteria before irreparable damage was caused.

Every seat was filled in the grand Arena created for such meetings, and other entertainment, but normally only the old ever made an appearance within the magnificent walls, the young having lost interest in the mutterings of old men, though this day even standing room was filled spilling over into the grand park that surrounded the massive structure. Huge crystal panels lined the outside walls allowing those still gathering outside the opportunity to witness the proceedings.

The normal proceedings of the Tri-Council meetings tended to be tedious as they were for the announcements of new laws or the induction of a new member to the Tri-Council, but all knew that this one was going to be different, as an emergency gathering had not occurred for nearly 20 years.

An expectant silence fell over the hundreds of thousands crammed into the structure as the procession commenced of the ruling leaders of the three senior factions that made up the Tri-Council. The Commander General Sean Kasim, the Commander Chief of the Military led the way followed by his 2nd and then his personal aide Captain Elsa Alexander. The Second party to enter was the High Priestess Karmella Seren of the Sanctum by herself, the obvious absence of her Handmaiden caused a ripple of whispered comments to vibrate around the Arena. The final party to arrive was led out by Marcus Bryson the Lead Councillor followed quickly by a harassed little woman whose nervous gaze darted about her as she tried her best to not attract attention. The woman was Marcus's aide Arial Tombs and all ignored her. A Parade of the various representatives of the numerous factions that fell under Marcus's control all hurried out and nervously awaited the last person to arrive who would rule over the proceedings none making any move to take their seats.

All spectators rose to their feet in as a solitary figure emerged from the tunnel, his every move followed, his face scanned by thousands hoping to see some indication of his mood, but the Leader Elect that ruled over the Tri-Council wore his usual bland none descript expression only his steel grey eyes showing any sign of life as he made his way to the central pedestal in the heart of the very Arena. Stanley Ry-Shee had lived for over 150 years, his actual age was not known. Standing barely over 5ft 7 ins. He had lost his parents at a young age and survived wandering between the various settlements until one day he happened upon an attack on a Caravan returning to the Citadel and that was the first day that Stanley-Ryshee became known to the world. His actions that day had saved the then ruling Councillor Elect of the Tri-Council. The man took young Stanley in and educated him and gave him a home. Though young Stanley refused all other help and carved his own path by his own determination to achieve his ultimate goal that he had filled for the past 50 years.

The appearance of the man was average in every respect except for the fire that burned in his eyes which held everyone at bay and his voice was always filled with passion each time he spoke. The man was no fool and served the people faithfully not tolerant of lies or deceit. He was fair in his rulings always listening to all sides of a problem before making a ruling, but his temper was a force to be reckoned with even though he had no real level of abilities to his name no one dared to openly defy him.

The atmosphere within the Arena was tense and uncomfortable as all watched the Councillor Elect come to stand his gaze piercing each member present before turning to lift his face to the masses before him.

"This emergency meeting has been called so the High Priestess and the Commander General can answer charges of treason! Their actions over the past two days have placed every living soul within the Citadel in danger with no thought of the consequences!" Stanley declared causing an outcry of horrified gasps and cries of outrage to erupt amongst most of the Councillors' present and beyond to the spectators as all had been stunned by this revelation.