The Council Room in the Coral Bastian Palace was the second biggest room in the palace. Upon entering the room, one would be met by cream walls where elaborate murals hung, murals depicting the history of the House of Sfin and their God Sfin, the God of Divine Weapons, Crafts, and Art. The Builder of the Gods.

The room exuded both warmth and opulence. Ornate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals casting a warm, golden glow over the room. And at the center was a long mahogany table. The table was adorned with a long runner in the shade of amber. At the center of this runner was a vase that held ochre poppy flowers.

Just minutes before the meeting was set to start, one by one members of the Desert Council walked in:

* Prince Jaho III, the assumed heir and only living son of King Jaho II.

* Princess Jannar, the only living daughter of King Jaho II.

* Lady Aryiel, the only living sister of King Jaho II

* Lady Paloma, the only living aunt of King Jaho II.

* Lord Yunne, the husband of Lady Paloma and Commander of the Desert Army.

* Lord Ricard, the best friend of King Jaho II

Each, wearing white gowns, took their respective seat around the table. They sat in silence until King Jaho II entered. When the door swung open, they immediately stood and waited for the king to sit before taking a seat.

“Family.” King Jaho said loudly, starting off the meeting.

All six bowed their heads.

“You may all be wondering why I called a war meeting….” He started. “but this meeting is more than a meeting of war.”

His aunt Paloma, who was sitting beside him, gently placed her hands over his.

“Nephew……” Paloma said slowly. “Is there something wrong?”

The king did not meet her gaze. Instead, he cleared his throat before proceeding.

“There is a traitor here.” He said loudly.

Everyone sucked in a breath.

The king looked at each one of them before suddenly bursting into laughter.

Everyone frowned.

“I’m sorry.” The king laughed. “You should see the looks on your face.”

Jannar and Jaho both rolled their eyes.

“So….” Prince Jaho said slowly. “this isn’t a war meeting?”

King Jaho rubbed the back of his head with a hand. “Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?” Princess Jannar sighed. “You called us down here early. Is this not about the Reclaimants and the vote or not?”

Half of the council was on edge. A couple of months from now, a vote will be held by the Arla’s High Court on whether the charges by the political group called the Reclaimants against King Jaho II are true. If found true, if King Jaho II is found guilty of deliberately taking the lives of innocent individuals, the court would be forced to intervene in the affairs of the desert.

“I have news.” The king said loudly. “The shifter, Yatra, has sought refuge in the Meadows.”

“With the Immortal King?” Lady Aryiel gasped.

King Jaho nodded. “She is the reason why we are under careful surveillance. She voted against the Desert and with the Reclaimants. I don’t really blame her. It makes sense. Her God is no longer here. She is no longer safe.”

“Maybe she’s been in cahoots with Stefan, all along.” Ricard suggested.

“Maybe she wants to rule what she feels is rightfully hers.” Paloma countered. “She is the Shifter Princess.”

The king suddenly slammed his hand on the table. “I don’t care for her reasoning. She betrayed me. And that’s not why I called you all here.”

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“It wasn’t just her vote.” Prince Jaho piped up. “The dowers voted with her too.”

“They are beings of judgment. Maybe they feel judgment is needed.” Aryiel offered quietly. “Maybe they see something they don’t like.”

The king slammed his other hand on the table.

“Judgment is not needed.” He shouted. “I’m not guilty. And to suggest it in my presence, sister…”

“Sorry brother.” Aryiel murmured quickly.

The king rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck before proceeding.

“But….” He added. “it would not be unwise to ensure that there are not nine votes against us three months from now.”

Princess Jannar perked up.

“I’m sending each of you on an assignment,” He announced. “to ensure that there are no more rogue votes.”

“All of us?” Lord Yunne asked, a hint of concern in his voice. “As commander….”

“You’ll stay.” The king corrected. “Everyone else will go.”

Prince Jaho slowly leaned forward on the table.

“And where are you sending me?” He asked.

King Jaho smirked. “Not to the mountains.”

The prince clenched his jaw.

“Your sister will take that journey instead.” The king revealed.

Princess Jannar whipped her head towards her father, while anger suddenly shot through the young prince.

“Are you serious?” He shouted. “I am the only one of Desert blood who Mesyla trusts the most. I’m the onl—.”

The king raised a hand.

“I have already discussed this with Mesyla.” He explained.

The prince’s jaw dropped.

“Whhhatt?” He stuttered.

A smug smile formed on the king’s face.

“Queen Mesyla has a cousin….” He explained. “A beautiful, eligible cousin.”

“Father.” Jannar whispered, as her eyes began to well. “Don’t.”

For a year now, the king had been looking for suitors for his daughter much to her disliking.

“She welcomes you with open arms.” The king continued. “She said you can even learn the old ways of the God Trykar.”

“Father.” Jannar and Jaho said at the same time.

Tension filled the room.

“You’re mad.” The prince mumbled.

“No, that’s your Mesyla.” The king retorted quickly. “You should actually be thanking me for where I’m sending you since you love it there so much.”

The prince raised his eyebrows.

“Siré.” He revealed. “And Itra…and Aridisa.”

The prince quickly stood up.

“You’re keeping me here? In the Desert?”

“You are the heir. It makes sense for you to stay here…proper training of your future duties. We’ll talk more before you leave on what I expect.” The king explained. “Aryiel and Paloma will go to the Isle. Aryiel, you’ll head specifically to Ravyné in Thalassia. Paloma, you’ll head to Benna where Queen Sharra is already expecting you.”

“And what about me, your majesty?” Lord Ricard piped up.

“You will go with my son.” He answered quickly.

Prince Jaho shook his head once more. “I don’t need someone to watch over me.”

King Jaho waved his son off.

“Aryiel, you speak to Ravyné and ask for her mother.” He continued. “Those dawnwalkers love their queen and I trust Sharra to not vote against me, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Prince Jaho took his seat again.

“Why are you so worried about this?” He asked angrily. “The Reclaimants have been doing this since the war ended.”

“These are not your first political assignments.” The king responded, ignoring his son. “Any questions?”

“Is it guilt?” The prince continued. “Are you guilty of what they say?”

The king slammed his left fist on the table and extended the other towards his son. Suddenly, his son’s lips were sewn together.

“Enough!” The king yelled.

Everyone flinched slightly.

The king then turned to his aunt.

“And Paloma, I want to speak with you afterwards….alone.”

Lady Paloma nodded. “Of course, nephew.”

The king was getting ready to dismiss everyone when Aryiel suddenly spoke up.

“I have to say.” She said slowly. “It’s fairly odd Queen Mesyla is welcoming Jannar. The last time a Desert woman was sent to the Mountains, she didn’t live a long life.”

“Aunt Paloma, these aren’t the old days.” Princess Jannar groaned. “Our relations with the desert are better now.”

“He’s right.” King Jaho confirmed, then raised his hands towards his son. “And we have him to thank.”

Prince Jaho rolled his eyes.

“And what will you be doing father?” Jannar asked. “while we do your work?”

The king smugly leaned back in his chair and winked.

“Well that’s for me to know.”