“The Fogbound attacks have been decreasing for years now, and the Empress herself has not been seen for at least five!”

“That doesn't mean that there is no longer a threat, even if we all believed your so-called report!”

“This report comprises years of solid research by the esteemed scholars at the Great Library! It proves that the mandatory service time on the Fogwall is a detriment to our society. We must look to the future and divert our resources to increased studies if we are to remain the most advanced civilization on the Amalgamation!”

“We cannot be the most advanced if we are overrun by the Fogbound! One simply needs to look at what happened to the Teh-Vaarie to see sense! If we pull back forces from the wall we will appear weak to the other nations who contribute and our downfall is assured!”

“That is another issue addressed in this movement! I ask the monarch and the body here assembled to consider the ramifications of continuing to present ourselves as merely the top military power in the Amalgamation, if we truly wish to succeed the Teh-Vaarie, should we not seek to be a source of enlightenment?”

Raffin rolled his eyes at the two council members arguing across the podium on the floor below. He yawned and flexed his wings, looking around the large hall. It had been carved out from a massively wide tree trunk and had no ceiling, the open sky above seeming to stretch out until it hit the mountains around them. The walls were coated with other platforms holding many more Sao-Vaarie, all of them watching the exchange below. Each one was a representative member of the monarch’s council. Each one was also dreadfully boring. They had been arguing about this same movement for days now. Going over the same points in different ways two by two at the podium on the floor below.

“Father, why do you let them go on like this if you already know what you are going to say?” He asked, leaning to the side.

His father sat there, unmoving and regal like a gnarled old pine tree. Orrin Slader was a tall Sao-Vaarie with rich yellow skin and a full silver beard. He had once been as muscular as Raffin himself, although years sitting in the monarch’s chair had softened his large frame. He spoke quietly, still listening to the argument below.

“Prince Raffin, if you are to not look like a fool when making a decision you must have a thorough understanding of both options. Even when one is already out of the question.” Raffin rested his chin on his arm.

“I just don't see the point of having a council if we are the ones in charge. They just sit around and argue, they have no real power.”

“Why are we the ones who are in charge?” The monarch muttered.

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“Because we are in command of the army, we have the power.”

“No, the army has the power, why does the army listen to us?”

“Because we are in charge, obviously.” Orrin gave a deep sigh.

“You still have so much to learn. What is the army made of?” Raffin sighed as well.

“Soldiers.”

“And where do soldiers come from?”

“Just tell me what you are getting at, you are almost as bad at getting to the point as those council members.” Orrin closed his eyes and then turned his head. Deliberately looking at Raffin.

“The army is made of our people, and if our people don’t feel heard they tend to get angry and we lose control.” He shook his head. “You are so like your mother, never stopping to think about why things are the way they are.” He turned and looked back down at the assembly. “You could stand to learn from that Chu-Vaarie friend of yours. He excels at paying attention to things.” He pointed down at one of the platforms.

One of the Chu-Vaarie representatives sitting on it seemed entranced by the argument below. He was a tall bookish looking fellow with the typical Chu-Vaarie green skin and dragonfly-like wings. His garish orange robe clashed horribly with his skin tone. Every so often he would adjust his large spectacles and jot down some notes.

“Tain? Oh, I just keep him around because he says something funny every now and then.”

“There is more to him than he lets on. There always is with the Chu-Vaarie. You would be wise to remember that.” Raffin scoffed.

“Chu-Vaarie are only good for their healing. Their oaths keep them from being a threat, or useful in anything else.”

“That may be the case. But I find them far too observant to shrug off lightly.”

They both looked down again at the bickering Vaarie below. Useless conversation now finished, Raffin returned to what he continued finding himself doing most these days. Being bored. Eventually something caught his eye. A messenger hovered up to their platform and then stood respectfully on the edge. The young Sao-Vaarie was dressed in the typical messenger uniform with a red button-up vest covering his orange robes. Orrin noticed him and nodded, then he stood up and loudly announced,

“I believe we have discussed the movement thoroughly enough. I will consider the arguments presented and have a decision made public tomorrow morning." Then he turned around and began speaking with the messenger in hushed tones.

Raffin stood up and stretched, if he continued sitting around like this all day he would start looking like his father in no time. He leaned forward, looking down off the edge at the now mingling crowd of Vaarie below. A soft hum of conversation echoed up towards them. He noticed that Tain had put away his notebook and was now speaking with another messenger, who had handed him a wooden tablet.

He felt the weight of his father’s hand on his shoulder and turned around to look at him. Orrin’s demeanor had taken on a dark tone.

“Son, there is something of grave importance we must discuss immediately. Come with me.” Raffin nodded. Finally something interesting was happening.