The Golden Court

•cinq•

"MY PRINCE, I'm sure you've heard the rumors"

Elijah watched from a corner in the expansive council chamber. All 12 Fathers of the Light sat at the oaken diamond shaped table with the prince sitting at the northern angle. There were no backs to the chairs where each figure sat for there were no backs to any chairs in Wyalla. Wings made things such as backed chairs uncomfortable for meetings that would usually last hours on end. It would be an insult to any angel to be seated in a chair with a back that might hide the illustrious glow of the feathered appendages. The Saldyne Sun shone brilliantly through the tall windows that spanned each wall of the meeting chamber, casting a red glow about the room that highlighted the beauty of each angel Lord present. The splendor of Wyalla's prince was only amplified by his surroundings as every movement he made seemed to cast a warm glow in each heart and mind.

The Prince was much beloved, not only for his charm but his obvious radiance. Angels obsessed over beauty and material things. Who better to lead and represent their kingdom than one who exemplifies the high standards of his subjects. Warm golden locks of wavy hair flowed like a smooth river of honey to end at the high angel's tapered waist. Shimmering brown eyes set above a strong nose and a full laughing mouth. Currently Elijah, the prince's assistant and secret confidante, watched the prince's laughing eyes flit from each of his appointed district leaders heads. He was amused, but not for long. Father Suth had been the first to speak and gain the attention of Prince Adriel. He was also beautiful as all angels are. His district was not a special one but he was the Father of it nonetheless and therefore invited to every tribunal- emergency or not.

"Rumors? What rumors Father Suth?"

The Prince leaned his clasped hands forward onto the sacred table. A smile on his lips and in his eyes as if a particularly amusing joke fell from Suth's mouth instead of a serious inquiry.

Father Suth started almost imperceptibly. 'Could the prince really be ignorant to the whispers floating throughout his kingdom', he wondered. If so, Suth also wondered at the benefit he would reap from enlightening him. "Well, there is talk of-" he began, but was immediately interrupted by the screeching of the prince's chair as he abruptly stood and cast his wings about him. The feathers rustled and glistened in the sunlight and a few present became speechless at his obvious glory. With a bored sigh, his golden white wings fell to his side as he began to walk about the towering room.

"Silence. I am only being coy." the prince spoke softly as he walked, his footfalls made no sound.
He walked behind each of the Fathers with a contemplative look on his beautiful face. Elijah lowered his head as his heavy brunette locks concealed his angular face, he knew what was coming. The Prince would not answer, he would only charm his council as he always did. The Fathers were really just a group of glorified spies, no, more accurately- place holders. None of them held any real weight in this room where the politics of life and death ruled. Prince Adriel continued his show, seemingly oblivious to the effect he had on all present. His long fingers danced prettily against each other at level with his broad chest.

"Do you presume I have ruled this kingdom for so long without hearing of each and every tiny...rumor?"

The right side of his mouth quirked up into a microscopic smile at the end. Almost as if he was tasting the last word with chagrin. His hands and smile fell as he abruptly turned to another of the Lord Fathers who was breathing heavily in distaste for the prince's attitude. Father Genyo was the eldest member of the council. His district was also one of the most populated and sophisticated in the kingdom of Wyalla. Many trusted his wise judgement although his outdated beliefs oftentimes condemned him to many ears.

"Calm yourself father, there will be no harm to this kingdom nor it's districts." Another smile flashed across the prince's mouth.

"But if the rumors are to be believed-" Father Dundiel this time. His fathership was most recent. He was ordained only 3 short moon cycles before the meeting, having only just completed his divine journey. He was the youngest and the most inexperienced. Elijah swore the Prince had only appointed him due to his unique features. Red hair and the lightest blue eyes. If the Prince had a weakness, like all his patrons, it was pretty things.