Sky Swimmer

The Deep Keep, Part 11

UnderLord Hamada, resplendent in his ruling garments, strides purposefully toward the elaborately carved cavern wall where two Soiler warriors stand guard. The apparently solid cavern wall starts to move, and just as all Soiler tech seems to embody, the molecular structure of the hard wall changes, falls apart, cracks and crumbles open.

A large, hewn-rock table occupies the center of the War Chamber. Around it are seated Soiler Warlords, state ministers and Transgressa. All conversations are abruptly halted and in unison the nobles stand and nod greetings to Lord Hamada.

Transgressa looks lavishing and UL Hamada looks only to her as he acknowledges his subjects with the smallest of nods.

The council sit only after their UnderLord has taken his privileged post at the head of the table.

A small scale model of Los Angeles takes shape on the table, it is reminiscent of the one in UL Hamada's office. The model self-generates from minerals and quickly builds itself. Small sand-planes land and take off.

Transgressa opens the council meeting. "It is our King's command that we launch our assault on the Walkers immediately."

A tremor of disaccord ripples around the table.

The first to voice dissonance is Mr. Bollingsworth. "In your own laws, UnderLord, the Originals made it clear that if you upset the Balance of Natural Powers then all shall be lost, all that you have won will be dissolved back to ... ."

"The laws are old, ancient," Transgressa interrupts. "Scripted by unknown hands many millennia ago. These are new times that call for new, bold laws. And bolder action."

Bollingsworth is not convinced. "You have not thought this through, what of the remaining Palace Guard that went into hiding? They are sure to stand by the Walkers."

Warlord Gravel, a young man, not much older than Fuegar himself, stands as he speaks, "The remaining Aireon warriors are but the children of the now vanquished Palace Guard. I need not remind you that it was my father who destroyed them, may he be honored on the other side. So I think that the council has nothing to fear from the scattered and cowering children of the long dead Palace Guard."

"Children you say?" says Bollingsworth. "It was the Guard who sent your father to the other side."

Warlord Gravel stares directly into the eyes of Bollingsworth, he can barely contain his rage. "Again this slave dares question what our King commands? This Walker has for years been leading us astray with his counsel! His interests lie elsewhere, he does nought but protect his own kind."

"Watch your tongue Warlord Gravale, he is not a slave, he is my advisor," says UnderLord Hamada. "And though Walker he may be, he has proven himself a valuable asset. The Warming is in no small part his own design."

Bollingsworth cringes at the mention of his participation in The Warming, but continues, " The Laws of the Originals are in place to protect all beings, to break them is paramount to breaking the laws of nature. All chaos would be unleashed. None would survive."

"The Originals are long dead!" says Transgressa. "We have crushed the Aireons, we have fermented The Warming. Where are the dire consequences that were foretold by the Originals? No plague or famine or dissolution of our Soiler kin have decimated our numbers ... nay ... we flourish! And now, with the Aireon princess in our possession, now is the time to attack!"

Transgressa scans the table for opposition. Bollingsworth sees that the tide has turned against him. What to do now? 

UL Hamada stands and says, "Today, WarLord Gravale, you and all the Houses of Soildom will unite in our concerted attack on the Walker's ports of air-machines, which is their singular strength. Walkers are doomed to follow the path of the extinct Aireons. Our destiny is clear, this world is ours for the taking."

Transgressa takes her seat and UnderLord Hamada leans close to her ear, parts of Transgressa's ear dissolve into sand and Hamada sucks the sand into his mouth, swallows, then whispers, "You please me."