The Book of Elora

IV.

Aja smooths out the wrinkles on her robe, watching the way the gold filigree glints in the dim candlelight of the council chamber. It's insane how she's become a council member without going through any of the hassle. She has Tsudaine to attribute that to.

"Nervous for your first meeting?" Councilman Sade Aragon quietly asks Aja, his grey eyes piercing through her. She shrinks under the intensity of it. Sade is an exceptionally soft spoken demon with a rugged, intimidating appearance. Most of his face is shrouded in dark facial hair, and thick brows hood his cold, grey eyes. If he were to tame all that hair even a little bit, Aja's sure he'd be a million times more attractive than he already is.

"Not at all," she answers truthfully, pulling the hood of her robe over her head. "I'm excited in fact. I never imagined I'd hold one of the highest positions in Ethyla." If someone had told her years ago that she would one day become a council member, Aja would've laughed. She barely wanted to be a soul collector, but did what was necessary to have a consistent stream of Devil's Gin. Now with a seat on the council, she's set for life. "It truly is an honor to serve our realm, and our people," she adds.

"Our work would hold more of an impact if the Elders didn't make all the decisions," Sade chimes, which piques Aja's interest. He didn't strike her as the kind of demon that would hold a negative opinion of the Elders. She's glad though, because at least he will be spared from the wrath of the conniving sorceress she answers to.

Aja was sent to infiltrate the council on Tsudaine's orders and was able to do so with Princess Lilith's personal recommendation. Her role as a spy is to report back to Tsudaine the names of the council members who are looking to squash the ongoing rebellion in the Commons and restore order in the realm.

Order isn't what Tsudaine wants; she wants chaos. That's the only way she'll be able to carry out her plan without fail.

His Majesty, King Lucifer, strides into the council chamber with his son, Crown Prince Jebin in tow, the two of them taking their place on their respective thrones. Although the potency of his dark green aura is enough to silence the chamber, His Majesty clears his throat to gain the undivided attention of the gathering of demons. "To begin this meeting, I would like a report on the status of the Commons."

"It's still in utter chaos, Your Majesty!" Councilman Ryon instantly sputters. The first seat Elder is always the most rambunctious of the five, along with the second seat, Councilwoman Olgatha. She's been grumbling about how terrible things have gotten since she sat down.

"We need to end this conflict before it turns into an uprising! There are millions of demons in the Commons. They greatly outnumber the ranks of the highly trained Royal Guard!" Councilwoman Olgatha leaps from her seat to spout.

"The commoners have been killing each other left and right. It's only a matter of time before they begin hunting anyone in positions of power. I imagine they'll target members of the council first, Elders especially," the third seat Elder demon says, her hood still pulled over her head. Judging by her gentle, raspy voice, she must be Councilwoman Eunoia. Aja remembers her from the time she spent training to be a log officer. Eunoia was a log officer herself before being allowed a seat on the council in her youth, and taught just about all the logs officers currently serving the realm; Aja included.

"There's also talk of a serial killer rampaging through the Commons, with plans to infiltrate Fenalor," Sade grumbles, loud enough for others to hum in agreement.

"Then we'll need to boost security," Crown Prince Jebin deduces, taking Sade's words at face value. "Increase the ranks of the Royal Guards surrounding the Hall, and the Reaper Stronghold. Make sure all the borders are heavily guarded as well, especially around Fenalor and Krevort." It makes sense that the Crown Prince would prioritize protecting active members of society; soul collectors, log officers, council members and the Elders. Everyone else will have to fend for themselves. Aja resists the urge to express her discontent with that favoritism.