INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

CHAPTER XLVIII: THE CONSORTIUM

Three days passed.

The dark underground chamber was transformed for today's meeting. For the first time in three years, the sealed underground room was lit, making it look spacious and modern. Five rosy chandeliers now hanged on the ceiling. The branches were spiral with crystals dangling on each. A long rectangular table now replaced the 30-year old round table. The golden C engraved on the back of the modern king chairs and golden candle holders looked more aureate under the bright light. The heat from the fireplaces kept the unoccupied room warm. A 110-inch flat screen placed on one of the ivory walls showed a picture of two people's back walking beside what seems like remains of a temple. It hanged above a fireplace. It faces one side of the table without a chair. The 13-feet Sal wood door suddenly creaked open. The footsteps on the black tiles were rushed and impatient.

Three people occupied their seats and started organizing the papers they were carrying. For 10 minutes, the only noise in the chamber was the rustling of papers. The door opened again and the remaining four individuals came bustling in carrying laptops and papers. It's the first time in three years that they bought devices underground. Security made sure that they are not recording anything. Everyone looked at each other when everyone was finally seated. It was a school day so they were in their usual attire. They knew each other's faces. But despite their differences in status, they are members of the Consortium.

The past three days were hell. Every hour there's bad news, horrible news, and more horrible news. They were collecting information, planning, interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and preparing for possible attacks. The future of the Academy lays in the palm of their hands.

"I hope everyone is well," Larimar commented with a bright smile.

"We don't have time for pleasantries," Pietersite barked.

"Ok, relax Pietersite." Larimar looked like he was having fun teasing the irritable Pietersite.

"Pietersite is right," Flourite commented. He sat on the chair on the other edge of the table. Even if there is no hierarchy in Consortium, it was evident he is leading the group.

"Zircon." He looked at the person nearest to the flat screen. Zircon nodded then stood up holding a black remote. He walked to the opposite edge of the table. He clicked the remote and the screen showed a table with names, ages, addresses, and details of their whereabouts for 20 years. Arthur Wright, Silver Price, Skhy's parents, and Margarette Whitemoore were on the top of the list.

"As you can see Wright and Whitemoore had contact until three years ago. Whitemoore was in the war but disappeared after. Whitemoore was entrusted to protect Althea Forskleigh as her guardian but Whitemoore left her in the care of another guardian," Zircon explained.

"She will attract more danger if she was with the kid," Druzy murmured.

"I agree. She wasn't a high-esteemed individual so she was the perfect person to entrust with the child but someone might have found out about her so she left," Zircon added.

"And the kid?" Flourite asked. Zircon looked at the ground then sighed.

"I see. The Mortemians found her first," Flourite empathized. There was a heavy silence in the room before Pyrite interrupted.

"Miss Emmy," he read the fourth name.

"Yes. It was a lie that she left the country to travel. She found another child and trained her. The kid is no longer with her today. But Miss Emmy..." Zircon stopped. His jaw clenched. "Her secret house was attacked by Mortemians weeks ago." Several gasps were heard.

"The...body?" Pyrite asked in his soft voice. He was internally praying that she had escaped.

"Nothing as of this moment. She might have escaped before the attack."