With great sadness I write on the peculiar events that occurred 20 years ago. Only now that the importance of this series of events has started to outweigh the tragedy, have I decided to document the story ending in the disaster we can now observe on the western isles. I do not fear Arthfael, since he can't offer me a greater punishment than he already has. However, before I take it upon myself to guide you through the coincidences and plots of that time, I will introduce myself. I am Lycon, the cursed god. I was once one of the greatest strategists on Ataria, until, at the end of my life, Arthfael, master all gods, bestowed upon me eternal life, damning me to watch mortals live their lives for all eternity, for he made me god of observation. For 2000 years I sat in boredom, until 20 years ago. The first event to ever catch my interest occurred.
Our story begins in the beautiful city of Oliron. Oliron is a quiet and rich city, where most people are in the mining industry, for Oliron is built a an enormous quartz deposit. Here we focus on a young council member new to the council of Oliron, who is about to change the world as we knew it.
While the sun has just risen above the horizon, Archil, a young wealthy man adopted into a rich family and now council member of Oliron, wakes up, after being awoken by his servant, a boy named Gilbert. Archil is a slender man of the age of 20. He has black hair, blue eyes and is taller than most people. People who know him have always describedhim as being an energetic man, a man of action. If you ask a council member on the otherhand, he would tell you that Archil has a way with words that not many people possess. This is also the reason such a young man could ever be part of the council.
Gilbert on the other hand is a very silent person, who is always worried something he does is wrong. This would make for a very useless servant without a job if it was not for Archil having a sweet spot for those in need. Other than being shy he is not as bad of a servant as he might seem. He is a good cook, can wash clothes and dishes and he somehow has the ability to always know the time. He has brown hair and eyes and is rather short. Most of all his loyalty to Archil is what defines him best though. He would follow Archil anywhere. Archil is also the only person Gilbert really speaks to.
"Today is the meeting, sir." Gilbert says.
"Yes, Gilbert." Archil mumbles sleepily. "Today the council discusses the amount of quartz each of the ruling families is allowed to mine."
"A messenger just arrived, sir." Gilbert says. "He said that the other council members have already arrived ahead of you."
"What?" Archil says, jumping out of bed and getting dressed. "No time to waste, Gilbert!"
"I have a meal ready for you downstairs, sir." Gilbert says.
"Never mind that now, Gilbert." Archil says. "Time is of the essence!"
Archil and Gilbert soon leave the Jardine estate and move towards the council building in the centre of town.
Four families rule over Oliron. The four families are: Jardine, the family Archil belongs to; Virgo, the family that is by far the richest; Allard, the family that was given to most workers last year; and Layton, the poorest of the four families.
Each family has a part of the city; Jardine has the southern part, Virgo has the northern part, Layton the eastern part and Allard the western part. The centre of the city belongs to the council and is used to support the city's expenses. Some miners believe that the council mines gems there, however there is no proof of this being true.
"Why are you so interested in this years debate, sir?" Gilbert asks.
"It's the Laytons, Gilbert." Archil explains. "For four years they have been getting the lowest amount of workers. This has never happened before. If this years vote doesn't turn out in their favour, the chance would be high that the amount of noble families is decreased next year. For some reason Virgo got the most workers in the previous three years until Allard finally got the council's favour last year. I am going to try and help the Laytons, the best I can today. A royal family cannot be allowed to go bankrupt."
While walking through the town Gilbert and Archil are greeted by the citizens shopping in the market. Archil is a well know man, since he visits the marketplace often to see how the townsfolk are doing. It is a five minute walk to the council hall, so Archil decides to walk slowly and greet the townsfolk back.
After ten minutes they arrive in the council hall. Five out of nine council members are already present. With Archil there are now six.
"Take your seat Archil," Maxwell, leader of the council, says.
"Would you please wait outside Gilbert," Archil orders. "I will fetch you when we are done here,".
"See you at the end of the meeting, sir," Gilbert says uncomfortably as he leaves the room.
The council hall is a large, tall, round tower, with nine throne-like seats centred around an altar. Opposite to the door is the biggest seat, where Maxwell is seated. To his left and right the smaller seats are located. Archil has a seat closest to the door, meaning he is one of the less important or newer council member.
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It took another ten minutes, before the other three council members were assembled.
When they finally showed up the meeting could begin.
"Welcome fellow council members!" Maxwell begins. "On this day we discuss what our island needs from us. We will decide what family becomes richer, what family becomes poorer and what in our city needs our attention. First, let us discuss the territories so we may conclude our budget for the year."
"Layton must be saved!" yelled Layton's representative. "I beg of you, give us a reasonable amount of manpower to work our mines. We have been left out for so long, we are almost bankrupt. We ask all of you to please consider our fate if we were to fall. A royal family cannot be allowed to go down like this!"
"I agree with Layton!" Archil begins. A royal family, especially one as good as them cannot be allowed to fall. We all have to consider the effects it would have if one of our main trading figures were to disappear. It would leave hundreds out on the streets with not even the mines to work in!"
"Should we not distribute our workers equally so none of us suffer a loss." says Allard's representative. "It is the best way to satisfy all of us."
"No, we need to see what family needs more support for their local public facilities." Maxwell interrupts. "If we give everyone the same amount of workers some of us would have less profit than others. Virgo for example has by far the most of the facilities, Layton the least. This is why Virgo would need more workers than Layton to sustain them."
"This still does not justify the way Layton has been treated these last few years!" Archil objects. "Giving any family less than a tenth of our workforce is outrageous! I say that to make up for this 'oversight' we should let Layton have more workers than usual for a year to boost their economy! We cannot afford to lose one of our families."
"Then what should we do with the cities defences." The military representative suggests. "Should we demolish it altogether? We need more resources to build up our strength. To achieve this we must give Allard a bigger working force, since they are the one supporting us."
"We should not forget the council's workers." Says the representative for the council building. "If our resources are to low we won't be able to assist economically when a family needs support in a public matter. I suggest the majority of our workers goes to Virgo and the main council building's mines."
"Virgo has no need for these workers!" Says the Jardine representative. "Let them sit on the piles of gold for a while. Jardine has barely turned a profit over the last ten years. Isn't it our turn to get a larger group of workers for a change? Let Virgo feel how it is to lose money due to the council deciding so. It is also necessary, as has been pointed out so clearly by all of you, the Layton is in serious need of workers. If you will not send the workers to Jardine, then please help Layton. Now if I look around I see that most of us have decided on their votes. I suggest we collect them Maxwell."
"Very well." Says an annoyed Maxwell. "But remember, you will tell no one what you voted!"
"The votes have been cast and counted." Maxwell declared. "I will now announce the workforce lend to all present representatives. Allard: a thousand men shall work for you. Jardine: seven hundred and fifty men shall stand by you. Council grounds: eleven hundred men serve you. Layton: five hundred men stand by your side. Virgo: sixteen hundred and fifty men are yours to command. Together they are our mining force of five thousand men.
Good luck to all families. I hope I see you all next meeting."
Having said this he left the room through a backdoor. To Archil's right the Layton representative dropped down with his head between his hands mumbling to himself.
"It is all over, our family is finished..."
Archil was filled with anger himself. He got up and rushed to the backdoor Maxwell left through, however he was stopped. However Layton stopped him.
"Let go, Steven." Archil said.
"Thank you for trying to help, but don't trow your life away on something like this." Steven replied. "I am Steven Layton no more and that is all there is to it. You have been a true friend Archil. From now I walk my own path and with some luck Layton pulls through this year."
Both men know this is impossible, however at this moment the idea seems so real that they almost believe it. Layton is done for, no doubt about it.
"I wish you luck on what lays ahead Steven." Archil said after a pause.
The mood has changed in the council hall. With the loss of Layton most council members are in a grim mood. The only people who look cheerful were Virgo's representative, the representative for the council building and Maxwell, after he reentered the room.
"Now let us continue our meeting." Maxwell says.