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Dealings in the Council of Avalhein...

Chapter 1

A sliver of the golden ball shone above the horizon, barely enough to illuminate the landscape. The first rays of the sun’s light already streaked across the grassy plains of Malleithen, reflecting on the golden paved streets of the city in the distance. Buildings that stood on foundations of solid gold glinted in the early morning light and they cast a brazen glow upon the surrounding flatlands.

The streets were just beginning to bustle. Ceree slowly began streaming into the alleyways, their half-elven, half-draconic quadripedal bodies flowed along the streets gracefully. An atmosphere of hushed conversation hung over the paths that crisscrossed the golden city. “I can’t even sleep without fearing that something will carry me off in the dark.” said one of the Ceree passing by, the four thin appendages surrounding her head with feathers on their ends were raised in agitation.

“Sister, your alerons, put them down.” said the other Ceree’s companion.

One Ceree stood out above the rest, she wore a cloak that covered her back and the cowl was drawn over her head. She heard whispers around her and she listened attentively. “If only he wasn’t stirring, it would be much more comfortable walking in these streets especially now that those blasted hawkers don’t plague them…” said one storm gray Ceree beside her. She was elbowed forcefully off her way and she considered lashing out with her alerons, but the other had the look of nobility and harming a noble was more trouble than it was worth.

“It do be true sister. It do be true. Do no get me to start on those accursed pink-skins.” Said the noble’s companion in the accents of one well immersed in the guild of foreign ties. Even that one elbowed past the Ceree under the cowl and she glowered indignantly.

The one under the cowl gave a start when she found herself in front of a massive golden pedestal in a massive square. The sun was well over the horizon now and it illuminated the statue above the plinth. “This is a statue of the first purple Ceree, Malkknrre. He currently leads the Avalhein council. You would do well to remember his name, children.” The elderly voice drifted across the buzz of conversation to the hooded Ceree.

The old female smiled at her as she passed, leading a group of ecstatic youngsters behind her. One of those, a blue Ceree with bulging green eyes looked at her with innocent playfulness and tugged at her cloak. The hooded one looked at her fondly and the pulled her cloak from the child’s grasp and then shooing her towards the other youngsters.

She took the entire square into her gaze and she stalked over to a large building with a glittering dome made from colored glass. She walked up the steps, along with elves among others. Individuals of other races streamed up from the apartments set for them.

As she strode into the building, her world spun and a vivid memory surfaced in her mind. ”A nick was all it took…” She shook her head wildly to clear it, but the memory lingered.

She flowed into one of the rooms along the corridor. She knew it well enough. Once inside she dropped her cloak and the inhabitant of the room gave a visible start.

“Councilwoman Geirrha?” said the other Ceree in amazement. “But, you’ve been gone for fifteen years, why return now?”

“Elder Mal’ham Kimaha, that is not for you to know. What is this I hear of someone stirring?” The Ceree named Geirrha asked with cocern painted on her face.

“Geirrha, the Dark One is writhing free of his prison.” said Kimaha, and she looked around, as though feeling eyes watching her.

“Really, now?” said Geirrha pleasantly.

”A nick was all it took to draw blood…”

[hr]

This is a side story for the roleplay I work most on. It's about a time before the current period in the roleplay, an age that had been lost to the histories of the world.

Anyway, a small rundown of the world. Avalhein is a legendary city of the Ceree, it was where most Ceree lived during the Golden Age. Pointing to that was the massive amount of gold that covers the city. Anyway, the Avalhein Council was the council that directed all the preparations for the war against the Dark One who has recently been stirring. This story will cover that period, from the first plans up to the eventual sealing of the Dark One.

This is a Ceree: The four whiplike protrusions from his skull with feathery stubs at the ends are the alerons.

This sounds very good! I can't wait to read the next part, and the Ceree's sound like a very interesting species.

Thank you! As I mentioned, they're part of an RP of mine. Unlike my other species though, this one is not recurrent in the other planes.

You can read further on them here: The Planes of Shah'Haien Wiki

Here you go! Chapter 2...

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Dealings in the Council of Avalhein…

Chapter 2

“Malkknrre! Tha’ plan iz very much… wha’ the word? Ahh, yez, inzane!” a heavy masculine voice erupted down the hall. Geirrha was disrupted from her conversation, and elder Kimaha dropped her voice to a muted buzz.

“Much as I hate to agree with Councilor Hamhet, the plan really is insane, yes?” another voice floated down the corridor and the sound of padded steps came after it. Geirrha was now listening intently.

“Brother, Sister, I do be believing that Malkknrre do be knowing what he be doing…” said another voice in the thick accents of those that deal with foreigners. After that, a cacophony of shouts and growls erupted as the small body broke into heated argument.

Geirrha looked at elder Kimaha with a puzzled glance. She shrugged “It’s Malkknrre’s newest proposition on how to attack the Dark One, one that involves drawing him to Avalhein. It has thrown the council into disarray; the council sorely needs you, Geirrha, it has been waiting for fifteen years for you to return.”

“Then let them wait, I do not think it is time yet that I return. I admire your attempt at getting rid of me, elder Kimaha, but we still have a lot to talk about. Now tell, me, elder, about the circumstances of Councilor She’b’han’s dea--!” Geirrha jumped when the door flew open and the papers on Kimaha’s desk flew around in the wind created. “Who dare--!” Geirrha whipped around and was cut off when she saw Malkknrre.

“Councilwoman Geirrha?” said Malkknrre in astonishment. “It is a surprise to find you here after fifteen years! The council is in a fray, we need your skills to convince people.”

“Malkknrre… I have just returned from a very long journey, I believe I must rest for now…” Geirrha’s head swirled as another memory launched itself from the depths of her sub-consciousness. Oath snarled at her. “You Fool!” and she had laughed. She shook her head to clear it.

“Geirrha are you alright?” said Malkknrre in a voice as sweet as he was purple. “Should I get someone to bring you to your quarters?”

“No, Malkknrre, it is not needed. I am fine. I do wish to talk to elder Kimaha for a while, I think she would appreciate if I made her some of those colored glass windows that I was famous for before I became a councilwoman.” said Geirrha, giving not an indication that she was lying. She ushered Malkknrre out, reiterating that she did not want the council to know that she was in the hall and that she would like more time with Kimaha.

When the purple was outside, Geirrha shot a berating glare at Kimaha who had looked at her disbelievingly when she lied about the colored glass. “Do you not know what you could have ruined? I don’t want the council on my heels like hounds after a piece of meat. I’m the most influential among them and they always vie for my attention. It’s frustrating!”

Kimaha began intently studying the carpet beneath her feet. All of a sudden, someone entered the room without so much as a knock. “Elder Kimaha, your daily tincture.” Geirrha spun around and glared at the smallish Ceree that stood there. The Ceree squeaked, almost jumping out of his brown fur. “Councilwoman Geirrha!”

“Get out! You will tell no one of my presence! Leave that there. Why are you ogling at me like that? Get out!” said Geirrha, raising her voice. She turned on Kimaha “Does every blasted Ceree in this hall have an appointment with you on the day I just happened to return?”

“Should I take you to your rooms?” said Kimaha meekly. She avoided Geirrha’s eyes that now burned with anger.

“No, I will go myself. Before I leave, I’m giving you a gift.” Geirrha waved her Alerons and the glass became colored. She stalked out the door, an angry step in her gait.

” Oath snarled at her. “You Fool!” and she had laughed. She felt the thick liquid slide down her throat. Oh how she had laughed.”

Geirrha shook her head. It must be another memory from a dream. She did not even know who Oath was.