I Stand Before You

Zida held his forearms stacked horizontally in front of him. His chin was tilted subtly upwards as he stared forward diligently. I, Zida of Amiss, son of Enki and Gula, present myself before the Council of Silens.

His voice echoed throughout the open space of the Chamber of Accord, satiating the silence that emanated from the six figures, known as the Sapiens, overlooking from their looming glyph etched podiums along the north wall.

They made no effort to speak; their mouths cloaked behind cloth that extended down to their diaphragm. Below them on the chamber floor stood another individual, who fixated his arms in the same way as Zida, bowing his head slightly towards him.

The Sapiens then all raised their right hands in perfect unison, with the individual below then raising his hand to Zida. “At ease.”

After resuming their normal stances, the man turned to the Sapiens, raising his right hand before returning his focus to Zida as the Sapiens lowered theirs.

“The conference will now commence,” the man then announced, “I, Seehr of Velt will assume the position of High Arbitrator.” He then gave Zida a cold glare, his once formal expression now falling to one of pity.

“Word of the incident has stretched to the north. Notable whispers have circled about the Sovereign initiating an embargo on information dissemination. This council has made concessions based on a whim. Will that fealty forsaken the authority of the Adikos Empire?”

Seehr’s words were pointed, his eyes held firmly on Zida as he slowly made his way around the perimeter of the room, circling him like a predator.

“The survivor is a direct source of firsthand information. The answer to what has befallen the Village of Plastos will certainly come through her,” Zida stated, his gaze held firmly forward.

“And yet the days that have passed since you’ve had sole access to this supposed survivor have borne nothing but rampant murmurs amongst the populace. Everyone but the survivor is speaking.” Tension in his words rising, Seehr tempered his voice, settling for a straightlaced and controlled delivery. “You seem to misunderstand the mercy this council has offered her.”

“I offer no apology for the limits of the mind,” Zida retorted as he redirected his gaze on to Seehr, “She’s recovering as fast as she can. Accurate information is what we need, not confused regurgitation from a struggling soul.”

Seehr briefly turned to the Sapiens before proceeding forward with the conference. “Where does the rest of your investigation stand?”

Zida panned his eyes across the podium, the overarching pressure pouring down from the Sapiens like mounds of sand accentuating the disparity between him and the rest of the room.

“Information surviving the 1500 years that has since passed since the suspected first incident largely amounts to hearsay. But patterns have appeared amongst them.”

“And will you be presenting any of these patterns to the council?”

“I take it the council would rather not spend its time with a premature briefing?”

“You’ve spent this entire conference so far spewing a lot of vacant words. What difference would it make now?”

“Is that the collective opinion of the council, or the High Arbitrator?”

Seehr stared upon Zida, his eyes piercing with irritation. “Be aware, your highness,” he retorted with fangs to his words, “your time limit remains unchanged.”

Seehr proceeded to raise his right hand, aligning his index and middle finger together while pointing them upwards. The Sapiens followed with their right hands, after which Seehr then redirected his line of questioning.

“The Aulden Federation has grown increasingly hostile since the days of the incident. It having occurred within the borders of the Adikos Empire has pushed for them to float the prospect of a quarantine on our land.”

“Auden lacks the resources and capabilities to accomplish such a brazen act.” Zida challenged swiftly.

“As you’re aware,” Seehr just as swiftly challenged, “they’re religious beliefs have them deadly believing that the incident will bring about the second coming of the catastrophe. Those beliefs extend past their borders, your highness.”

A brief pause followed, with the walls of the chamber feeling as though they were closing inwards. But Zida maintained an upright posture and steady gaze, with not even the reflection in his eyes so much as wavering. As the silence stretched then, Seehr then resumed, “If we were to mishandle this threat, even if the prophecy of a catastrophe is false, Adikos may soon find itself protecting its sovereignty from more practical enemies.”

Seehr then suddenly stepped in close; the heat radiating from his presence so penetrating it could be felt beneath Zida’s skin. “Your survivor is a heavily guarded state secret for a reason. Do you believe this risk that you’re taking to be worth the empire falling to ruin because of it? That blood will be on your hand, your highness.”

Zida glared at Seehr, his bearing untiring. Not a word left his mouth, but his answer was felt throughout the chamber. The Sapiens then raised their hands and Seehr returned to his post.

“This conference will now come to a close. Zida of Amiss, you will be required to present your progress to the Council of Silens in exactly 3 days’ time.”

Seehr Bowed his head with arms stacked in front of him, to which Zida followed suit. The Sapiens stood from their podiums with every movement they made reverberating throughout the chamber. Seehr and Zida then stood at attention, bowing their heads slightly to one another.

With the conference now officially closed, Seehr turned away from Zida stating, “You’re dismissed,” before he and the Sapiens made their departure in a direct and unembellished manner.