Welcome to Almusilaa

Chapter Three

Early update cause I'm sick and I intend to spend tomorrow zonked out on pain meds

My whole body trembled slightly and my eyes were heavy as I tried to keep to keep them focused. Sleep had not come to me last night. Looking around at the other sleepy eyes and surreptitious yawns I could tell that it hadn't come to my comrades either.

We all sat in a waiting room of a large building where I was told the council resided. The waiting room was painted a light blue and had dark grey carpet. I sat on one of the hard plastic chairs that were a lighter shade of grey then the carpet. Charlie sat next to me while the rest of the familiars were scattered around on different chairs and on the floor with the exception of Grace, who was perched on Charlie's shoulder.

The waiting room held a couple of other people too. Across from me was a large Fae, with skin like tree bark. It had to bow its head to avoid hitting its head on the roof.

"Charlotte Miller?"

It was him again. Tom stood there in a different suit today than yesterday but he still had the same smile. Charlie smiled when she saw him and we got up. Tom lead us through a door and down a hallway before we came to an even larger room.

It had a high ceiling with skylights letting bright sunlight down to bathe the room in a bright white light. There was a large table against the far wall where ten people sat. Opposite that table were two smaller tables.

Tom guided us to the table on the left. Charlie sat at the table while we sat on the floor since the council had failed to provide us with chairs. The chair and the table both looked sturdy, made with thick hand carved dark red wood. It looked to be made room the same wood as my grandmother's coffee table. That was made out of red gum. Though it was modestly sized, it took two people to lift it.

Charlie fiddled with the cuffs of her blouse. It was white with small black polka dots. It really made her rosy skin and fiery hair stand out against the dull colour scheme of the room.

The council members peered at us in curiosity. The ten council members, were of different races and sexes. Behind them hung a banner with a picture of Australia on it framed by the Australian flag and the Aboriginal flag. The words 'Almusilaa Council' were splashes of gold against the navy blue fabric.

Another door on the right side of the room opened and there she was. Eleanor looked worse for wear than I had ever seen her. She was being led by a tall female guard with a stern expression.

As soon as I saw her, hatred bubbled up in my chest making my breath hitch. This woman had ruined my life and I wanted to see her pay. From the quiet sounds behind me, I could tell the others feel the same way.

Her dark hair was limp and dark circles were like bruises under her eyes. She was wearing a simple white t-shirt and a pair of grey tracksuit pants. Her hands and feet were in chains. It gave me a sense of satisfaction.

She barely spared us a glance as she focused on shuffling towards her chair. She tripped on her chains but her guard grabbed her arm, stopping her from falling. She made her way to the chair and sat down while ignoring the glares from this side of the room.

The door opened again and Ai was escorted by another guard to the back of the room. Unlike Eleanor, she looked unfazed by the whole thing.

As soon as everyone was present one of the council members started.

"The date is the twelfth of May, two thousand and nineteen," began a woman with dark wavy hair pulled back in a bun. Her black obsidian eyes were sharp as they flicked towards every minuscule movement. She had an air about her, very subtle, that told me she had a lot of sway over this council.