Sins of Greed - A Tale of Two Fools, Book One

Chapter 9 - The Council

Just off the main hallway to the Bidvale Palace Throne Room, in a large room with a massive oak table, was the Council Hall. The room was adorned with many different Lurinlian banners from each of it's provinces; Marrensdale, Aelbourne, The Rose Coast, Everwood, Wellwyck, Westholt Cay, and of course Bidvale. There was Lurinlian-made art on the walls (much of it paintings from Lurinlia's, and perhaps all of Olvion's, most celebrated artist; Rignus), Lurinlian-made and fashioned arms and armor, even three separate shrines to each of the Gods in the Lurinlian Tribune. The room was a true testament and celebration to Lurinlian culture and, in fact, many of the nation's most important decisions that shaped it's culture were made there. 

However, today's meeting in the Council Hall was not a joyous one. The mood in the room was grim and somber, tense and full of stress and worry. This was a Council of War. 

At the massive oak table sat Sovereign Jording along with his entire Council: Royal Sibyl Evelia Ingrin, Chamberlain Endis, High Augur Petris, Coinmaster Jerrold Hildis, Advisor Kima, Mistress of War Ilka Gnash, and the six Electives from each of Lurinlia's provinces (Bidvale, although legally a province, did not have a Council Elective due to the Royal Court's presence there); Leastin Leslin for The Rose Coast, Kigris Dawn for Wellwyck, Resawna Taym for Westholt Cay, Antoney Gwynne for Everwood, Alwyn Biven for Aelbourne, and Morwenna Rhys for Marrensdale. Also part of the Council was the newest member and one that Sovereign Jording himself brought in; Director Sarvis of the Wizardry Subservience Division of Bidvale. 

In this very room sat perhaps the fourteen most powerful people in Lurinlia. 

Chamberlain Endis, always prim, proper and formal, began the politics. He sat with his back very straight, his hair perfectly coiffed, his hands clasped together in front of him on the table. 

He cleared his throat. "As always, Electives, Sovereign Jording and the Bidvale Royal Court welcome you to the capital. We're glad you could make it here safely, and we appreciate your coming on such short notice." 

Advisor Kima smirked to herself. 

"What's this about, Your Majesty?" remarked Leastin Leslin, Elective of The Rose Coast. He was a stout, broad-shouldered man, an exact replication of the hardened people who called the easternmost province of Lurinlia home. Many Coasters, as they were called, were sailors, seafarers, and fishermen. They made their living through trade with Keffin and The Isle of Summer, capitalizing on the exquisite sea specimen that lived off the coast of Lurinlia, in The Bay of Blue, and selling it at a nice profit. They also made a small but nice portion from the Royal Court's levied tax for protecting the inner provinces from dangers that came from the sea; Nereids, Sirens, Krakens, pirates, among others. Leastin Leslin looked exactly as you'd imagine Coasters would; tanned, browned and dried skin from the sun, sun-bleached hair and beard, and heavily muscled. 

Sovereign Jording spoke, for the first time since entering the room. 

"Chieftain Zardu and the nation of Epria have, although not officially, declared war on Lurinlia." He was dressed in his royal attire; a black tunic with white and bronze embroidery, black trousers, black boots, his beautiful but rugged gray wolf pelt cloak, and of course the Crown of Lurinlia on his head. Elegant, but practical. 

"'Although not officially?' What exactly does that mean, Your Eminence?" This from Morwenna Rhys, of Marrensdale. She was a fat and heavy woman with an undeniable beauty albeit her weight. Shrewd and good with coin (she had her nose in all the exporting of Marrensdale wines from her province), Elective Rhys was a contender for the title of Coinmaster when Sovereign Jording rose to power. In the end, though, he chose Coinmaster Hildis. She had dark brown hair and her cheeks always seemed flushed and red. Too much wine drinking, was one of the popular rumors.