'Guard, what are you doing here and why in the name of all that is holy were you out in this storm?' asked the queen genuinely. She was concerned for his welfare, something that she had not felt in hundreds of years. Ever since she became queen, she had had these feelings and felt more complete and whole now that she cared for others. Her responsibilities of leading a nation had helped her rise to the occasion and become a better person. Her people loved her all the more because of it. Still, there were many who feared her powerful magic.
'Milady, Lord Aellenas commanded me to deliver several messages at once to various people. First, I was instructed to find Commander Harley and tell him to prepare to defend the city. Second, I was told to find General Jaali and inform him that he needed to prepare the entire army for departure. They would need to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. Finally, I was told to come find you all here in the council chambers and relay what I had told the others,' said the guard, shaking violently from the cold that he had been exposed to outside.
'You have done well in your errands. Let me help you warm up a bit,' said Kishi kindly. She reached for his hands and took them in hers. She sent warmth and some cleansing magic through his hands into his body. He immediately stopped shaking and looked at the queen with gratitude in his eyes.
'Thank you, my mistress,' he said breathlessly. 'You are too kind.'
'Nonsense, it is the least I can do. Now, continue with the rest of your message,' she said soothingly.
'Yes, Milady. I was instructed to tell all of you that a massive number of high elves are heading toward our front gate and are coming from the direction of Alanderas. Lord Diikker is allowing them entrance into the city. He has is under the impression that something has gone awry and that the people approaching are actually refugees. He also said that this storm was magically created by a power far greater than any one person could manage with their own strength. He wants you, Chairman Rinelyn, to call an emergency session of the High Council. Queen Kishi, he asks that you meet him at the outer wall as soon as we are done here. Finally, he asked that I accompany you and the druid Nita,' reported the guard.
'You have done well. Elgin, call for the council members to meet in the hall within the hour. Prepare extra seats for our guests. I believe that some of the council from Alanderas will be joining us,' she instructed quickly. 'Nita, please join us as we go to the outer wall to find out more about these strange events. Your healing ability may be needed, I fear.'
'As you command,' replied Nita dryly. She did not fully trust the queen because of her immense power and her willingness to use it. She believed that Kishi wanted to unify the high elves for her own reasons and not for the greater good. She thought it laughable that this sorceress cared for other people, let alone their welfare. She had the feeling that something was amiss and that she needed to keep an eye on things or they would quickly spiral out of control.
Kishi looked sideways at the druid but did not say anything more. She knew that Nita did not approve of uniting the high elves through force. She also knew that the only reason the healer left the woodland elves was because of Kira. With her sister gone, Nita did not see why she should remain with Queen Kishi and her people. There were other healers in Kishi's army, but none were as skilled as the shape-shifting druid. They were going to need her, and it was up to the queen to give her a reason to stay. That would not prove to be an easy task.
The threesome walked quietly toward the front gate as the rain pounded on them relentlessly. Kishi used her magic to keep them dry as they walked, but she could not soften the blow of the enormous raindrops as she needed to conserve some energy in order to be prepared for the unknown. No one spoke as they came around the final bend and saw a massive body of people huddled together just inside the gate. It appeared that they had arrived just in time. Queen Kishi looked around to try and find Lord Diikker, and she finally caught sight of him listening intently to a small group of people by the main gate. She ran up to him so that she could join in the conversation right away.
'Excuse me, Lord Dukker. I apologize for being late. What has happened here?' queried the queen. She was shocked to see that the small group of people was in fact members of the High Council of Alanderas. What in the name of the gods are they doing here? This cannot be good.
'Kishi, I am glad you are here. These good people have been telling me a rather distressing tale that I think you should hear,' he said in welcome. 'Please, tell Queen Kishi what you have told me.'
'Of course, we will begin with the treachery of General Yukio then,' one of the council members stated. He then related their escape and the surprise attack by the army of General Yukio. He also explained how Yukio blamed the council for the murders of Chairman Merindiel and Queen Kira. He then described how the general tried to wipe out the entire council all at once.
'This is outrageous!' exclaimed Kishi, now full of rage. 'My worst fears have been confirmed. I knew that if Yukio tried something like this that I would then know for sure that he was the one responsible for my sister's death. Kana warned me of such treachery, and she was right. He must be stopped at all costs!'
'You are right of course. I would suggest a different strategy than what you are thinking,' said Dukker knowingly to Kishi. She is so easy to manipulate.
'What did you have in mind?' asked Kishi earnestly. Hopefully he has a plan already.
'I believe the best way to put an end to this madness of General Yukio's is to destroy his homeland. That way we will outnumber him ten to one. If we only have to face Yukio's small numbers, then we will be successful in ending his bloody campaign and shield ourselves against retaliation,' explained Dukker darkly.
'So, you are suggesting that we lay siege to the Nairi Canyons and cut off any reinforcements? I like that plan every much. We must prepare right away. We will leave some forces here to defend the city while the remainder of the army will head straight for the canyons,' said the queen decisively.
'I will oversee the defense of the city and while our good General Jaali gets retribution against those vile men. ' said Lord Aellenas, full of rage. He had a wicked gleam in his eyes as he stood there, anger coursing through his body.
'I share your feelings in this matter, Diikker. I will deal with our guests while you shore up the defenses,' Kishi said confidently.
As they both sprang into action, the rain ceased and the clouds dispersed in an unnatural fashion. Kishi sensed a higher power at work and knew immediately that it was Mistress Kana helping them during their time of need. She knew that the Elemental had been angered by Yukio's lies and murders. This gave her the courage and inspiration she needed as she climbed the outer wall to make a speech to the huddled mass. As she turned to face the refugees, she saw that they were shivering from the penetrating rain and harsh winds that had accosted them. She smiled warmly as she raised both of her hands, sending out a hot, dry wind that eased the peoples' discomfort instantly. Though this gesture drained her energy considerably, it was worth it. A cheer of gratitude sprang up immediately and was quickly drowned out by a louder call for Kishi to be their queen.
'People of Alanderas, I bid you welcome. I know that a tragedy has befallen you, and I would like to assist you. Who will speak for you?' she asked kindly. Warmth was still radiating from her as she spoke. Immediately a small group approached the wall and bowed themselves before the queen.
'Oh powerful and wise Queen Kishi Tiranidrol, we will speak for the masses,' one of the council members said humbly.
'Rise, noble council members. Why are there only eight of you? What happened to the other three?' she queried.
'Milady, yesterday we were to have a meeting with General Yukio regarding the mysterious deaths of your sister, our chairman, and our good general. We prepared for the worse by having the home guard stationed in new places because we feared we had a spy among us,' said one of the shaking council members. They were still in shock at the carnage they had witnessed, and they were afraid of the awesome power of Queen Kishi.
'Please continue, you have nothing to fear here,' she said soothingly.
'When in the council chambers for the meeting, we hid several guards in the shadows to protect us against a surprise attack. When the general walked in the back door for the meeting, we knew that we were betrayed. He came dressed in his full body armor and was armed to the teeth. Many of us felt that we should have had the guards seize him at that moment, but we hesitated. That is why three of our number did not make it,' the council member said with a look of horror on his lined face.
'It is all right. I will take it from here,' said the council member standing on the right of the trembling speaker, the spokesman for the council. He stopped shaking and looked dejectedly down at the ground as if he were envisioning what had happened all over again in his mind.
'Please forgive him, Milady; we have seen such horrors that none of us had ever witnessed before,' the new speaker said pleadingly.
