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  The monk bowed in deference to her instructions. Turning he retreated into the temple to seek out other monks he needed to consult with. He had a lot of work ahead of him.

  three mind-thought in unison.

  She gave one more glance at the beach as the faint cry of the birds drew her attention, then proceeded into the back area of the temple. A novice waited at the foot of the stairs to take her heavy cloak. It was too cumbersome to climb the stairs with it about her shoulders, though she knew the tall Kiuzi commander would have gladly taken it for her, or she simply could have expended the mental energy to have it follow behind them; however, such displays of power were silly to her. What would she need the robe for in the meeting room?

  The chamber in the temple tower where the Supreme Council of Allint's meeting was being held had a breath taking panoramic view of the four oceans from the four continents commingling on the beach below. In addition, the energy from the underground ley line enhanced the power of the temple. Such a temptation to misuse this energy resulted in the dismissal of the last group of temple attendants. Queen M'Lu refrained from sighing her annoyance that another potential for shaking the planet's life force was coming from Drosuans. Who said that people that spent their lives devoted to compassion would make them impervious to the usual mundane foibles of pity, sentimentality, greed, and the need to have dominion over others? The insidious displays of arrogance and pride were lowering the energy on Allint.

  The Queen lifted her pantaloons higher so that the cuffs would not drag on the steps. The gold threads weaved throughout the fabric of her blouse glinted as she passed the opened windows where the morning sun and warmed breeze came through. The energy grew stronger as she neared her destination, lifting the fine hairs on her arms and the nape of her neck. The stone in the medallion and ring began to glow steady but the heat was contained by the expenditure of a small amount of the Queen's will. It was not necessary for her to make the physical climb but it was the principle of the matter. She needed to exercise to stay physically healthy. Besides, it gave her time to gather power around her, check out the atmosphere, and think. She could not hear the footsteps of her commander but she intuitively knew he was two steps behind her.

  A frown appeared on her face as she thought about the amount of information she had learned in only four miters. Like the monks, she had not been asking the right questions or looking for trouble at home. It was not because she was influenced. That was the first thing she had sought to discern. No. She had trusted others to do it as part of their duty.

  M'Lu had not been physically to the island for over six moons. Her mother's illness kept her physical visits around the planet limited to the palace grounds, visiting her farmland, and the Queen's Cultural Center. Anywhere else, she projected her form wherever she was needed. She now realized that in her attempt to be everywhere for everyone she was taking short cuts. That was going to change. Many things were going to change.

  M'Lu grinned at the thought of this meeting. For the last year, attendances at the meetings had dwindled. Normally there were fifty members but from deaths and the rest of the council's lack of interest, the group was down to twelve active members with the remaining twenty-two generally absent. So far, polite reminders to appear got no results.

  If they could not fulfill their attendance responsibility, then they would forfeit their positions on the council, and the amenities it gave them and their families, she had decided. Today would determine who would stay and how many seats she would fill.

  Such a trifle problem compared to this larger one, but these small matters were something she intended to address at the meeting, knowing it would help in the end. The inhabitants of Allint were getting indolent, thus threatening the life of the planet.

  She took a moment at the doorway to catch her breath and study the others that were present, in both the physical form and in apparition. Not many members were putting in an appearance, and this was an emergency meeting. It made it easy to determine who would stay on the committee.

  A'Nka, a Breatharian that didn't show her ancient age of 200 'ers, was dressed in a cool serape that fluttered a bit, suggesting she was sitting out on her veranda enjoying the rising sun. Breatharian preferred the low hot deserts, where few other species found comfortable to visit and less to live. Their dwellings were mounds with three fourths of their living space underground. Verandas and maybe a building for their travel vehicles were above ground. Recently, the Dwarfs had collaborated on a joint effort to create a large city underground. It was unusual since Breatharian did not like crowds, so the city was actually living spaces connected by tunnels elaborately decorated with occasional open areas for businesses, museums, and schools. M'Lu guessed A'Nka was tired and ready to retire.

  Occupying the space to her left was B'Reah, a Cowashian and the oldest member of the council. He was dressed in a coarse and heavy brown cloak used to keep out the cold. One hand idly played with his talisman resting on his chest while his other hand clinched his well-worn walking staff. His old knuckles once hairy were bare with age. He obviously was not liking what he was hearing from Talara, also a Cowashian, who was seated on the other side of him. Talara was dressed in the drab sexless garb of a traveler; light all weather clothing. News on the other continents would be the content of their conversation, the Queen guessed, since B'Reah had been an avid traveler in his youth. If Talara considered the information important, she would get a more detailed report from him after the meeting, otherwise Talara would report to her at his usual time.

  Gi, tall among her species the Malalises, was sitting next to Talara, also wearing the traveler's garb. She had been sent to the 2nd continent two moons ago as a Drosu initiate on the 5th level to assist in stabilizing and energizing a temple in the city of Indez, and just recently met up with Talara on the 3rd continent for further instructions. He was her mentor for becoming more enlightened on the path of Drosu. Her eyes glittered even when she was in apparition. Queen M'Lu was pleased that Gi was doing so well on her path. She had great potential to become the next Sha Alamar, spiritual councilor of Drosuans. It spoke volumes on Talara's skill in mentoring the gifted. Queen M'Lu was looking forward to relinquishing some of her responsibilities when Gi was ready.

  Next to Gi was C'Opre, a Catalls. She was one of the most talented teachers on Arnica in M'Lu's opinion. Her grasp of how to approach any student had M'Lu in awe of her charms because not everyone wanted to be a student. She, however, loved visiting other continents, experiencing the myriad of feelings commoners radiated rather than Drosuans that knew how to guard their thoughts and feelings. She and Gi were in an animated discussion, causing their images to shimmer from the energy their laughter created. Both were always pleasant, which M'Lu's mother often said is the most important part of spiritual life…retaining one's humor and sharing it.

  S'Bo was seated next to C'Opre, looking uncomfortable. S'Bo belonged to the self-appointed teacher's clan, Ju'n. They were Caladia. Right now his arms were drawn across his small chest in a disagreeable pose as he listened to the conversation between H'ya and L'marta, the two youngest members of the council. The loud animated one-way conversation of H'ya's was also annoying V'Sasa, H'ya's older sister, who wore a sour expression. H'ya and V'Sasa were Zanzars, as was the royal family.

  L'marta was the youngest member and a Dwarf, radiating his discomfort at being among the older members. He was new and had not yet learned his duties.

  Queen M'Lu studied H'ya for a few moments. He was physically present, as she had ordered him to be. If his loud voice had not given his feelings away, the colors swirling around him did. She guessed it was because he had been ordered to put in a physical appearance. He ignored her request to be here on time, so her guards sought him out. They easily located him in his teacher's home, refusing to acknow
ledge the summons. She heard he was dragged out of bed, and unceremoniously hauled onto a flyer. He dressed in whatever the Kiuzi grabbed for him to wear, which was a relief.

  Normally he dressed in outrageous colors that were too loud for council business. H'ya hated physical exercise. It must have been an extra wounding that he had to climb the stairs to the tower's meeting room with his Kiuzi guards on his heels. As she studied her cousin, she realized that he was also uncomfortable in the energy of the tower.

  His morning had not started well for him nor would it get any better.

  The Guardian, C'Lea, also physically present, had sensed the Queen's presence and watched her from the doorway. Her jeweled staff glittered, as did the eyes in the talisman that beaded her cap. An uninitiated would believe it was from the morning light, sending rainbow prisms across the floor and onto the opposite wall.

  The Sacred Jester, Ji'am, was also in physical attendance, and though he appeared to be aloof of the others he was in tune to each member's mood and to their deeper motivations.

  The Queen stepped into the room, and awareness of Her presence brought a silence from all but one.

  "Well, it's about time you got here," grumbled H'ya, loud enough to bring embarrassed looks from the older members.

  Guardian aimed a piercing look at him. H'ya's eyes nervously moved to the eyes in her cap and then away.

  The Queen glided across the room, and gently seated herself onto the plush cushioned chair, remembering not to 'plop' into it as her mother had schooled her. Her cousin's usual antics of disruption, and grandstanding were not going to be tolerated anymore. Had he listened to his Kiuzi guard he would know that Guardian would hold him to the rules of behavior from this meeting forth. She sat for a moment letting the energy in the room settle, and giving her cousin more time to think before stepping out of line.

  The Guardian of the Chambers received the Queen's nod. "This meeting is now closed to all others who have chosen to be late or not appear." The Guardian's staff flashed energy to erect a barrier of privacy around the tower room. She turned to the Queen.

  "Let us begin," Priestess M'Lu intoned. She moved her hands into the proper mudra position and breathed in and then out in rhythm. Once would have been enough, but she repeated it three times. The atmosphere changed quickly.

  The Priestess began the prayer to the spirits that protected their way of life and the lands on which they dwelt. The intensity of the energy in the room increased. M'Lu channeled the energy through her, connecting to each member in a colorful link. In the connection, she felt her cousin's discomfort. She mind-thought to Guardian, keeping the conversation private and unheard by the others as mind-thought was a conversation only heard by whoever it was directed to.

 

  It was the Guardian's job to see that whatever went on in the council meeting was kept between the members; therefore, she erected her protective barrier. But if a member should bring an uninvited guest…

  M'Lu felt amusement from the Guardian, her sister, as a stern warning was sent to J'un T'La at his indiscretion via a charge in his link to their cousin. It was strong enough to give both H'ya and T'La a headache. Commander O'Malley took grave issue with those that surreptitiously dropped in on meetings, something young Drosuans liked to do to test their talents.

  There were obviously a lot of interested parties in this emergency meeting. They should be, the Queen thought wryly. Why J'un T'La let himself be the decoy could mean that the others felt they were dealing with inexperienced children. Lightly M'Lu touched her link to Commander O'Malley to be sure he was aware of what she and Guardian had discerned. A mental nod from the commander affirmed her belief.

  Once Queen M'Lu decided that the atmosphere was right, Guardian sounded the chime and the meeting officially began.

  "This meeting was called for several reasons. The reasons came about from a rune cast one of the neophytes had laid yesterday." She held up her hand feeling the group's next question. "Rest assured, the dark one from Rixon galaxy has not landed, however, what he sent here is causing more problems. A brief summary, since some of you have not attended the last few meetings…

  "The foreign soldiers sent by this dark one have formed an alliance with fringe groups on the other continents. They have named this union the Black Alliance. Since this alliance has formed, damage to the lands, and peoples have increased two fold on all continents." The Queen wondered if any of them would catch her use of the word 'all', meant to include Allint. "The members of this Black Alliance are growing. They are composed of ex-members of Malagro's disgraced secret police, the Red Guard force that served under Ladmire's rule of Vashaba, and people that have found a cause that supports their abuses of other's rights. If this damage they are doing to the physical and psyche of Arnica is not halted soon, I foresee this dark energy causing chaos planet-wide in a direction that will take us back to our earlier ers, when wars and illnesses were a normal way of life."

  She paused, easily reading the members resentment to the disruption in their personal routines. They avoided thinking of global problems and the responsibilities their residence on Allint inferred. It was as if they had forgotten about the sacred energy of Itachi that was moving them all to a paradigm shift on all levels, leaving nothing untouched on the planet.

  "I see no reason…" H'ya started to interrupt, as was his habit, but he could not miss the look from Guardian, once again silencing with fear.

  "WE looked further into this off-world disturbance, and WE saw that there shall be more visitors from Rixon in the near future." The Queen looked in askance at the Sacred Jester whom signaled he had something to say.

  "My Queen, no one on Allint has foreseen any of this, other than the ship that hovers above us. Are you sure this trainee is not just calling attention to herself?"

  Queen M'Lu resisted the impulse to roll her eyes.

  "Would anyone on Allint know, Ji'am? The Kul has not had a meeting attended by more than twenty-four for the last few ers. According to the rules of assembly, it takes fifty to have a meaningful exchange."

  A'Nka raised his hand. Having received a nod, rose to speak. "If anyone had seen anything pertinent or of importance an emergency meeting would have been called into session, my Queen. With all of Allint able to see, why attend regular meetings just to hear what you already know?"

  The Queen refrained from pointing out that SHE had called an emergency meeting and only twelve of them had shown up, and her meeting had higher authority than the Kul, the Council of Seers. Instead, she continued her focus on getting her people back to the basics.

  "To share insight, to discuss, learn, verify information, clarify what you have learned, reexamine held beliefs, and most importantly…to guide one and all in proper intent and action. No one is perfect and there is the tendency to linger when not encouraged to move on."

  The reasons were what could be found in a child's book titled Guidelines forCompassionate Living that every child on Allint received on their fifth birthday . It was a slight annoyance to Queen M'Lu that these esteemed council members had forgotten something that they should be emulating daily.

  "Learning is an on going process, and sharing information is a part of that process. It helps bring to light something odd or different. Diversity is honored as a learning tool. That is what working in groups ensures. It is a cornerstone of living in community. It is what living on this continent of Allint is about." She stopped short of pointing out that the fifty-member requirement was necessary to invoke the spirit of the Seer into their gathering to aid understanding. M'Lu reminded herself that she was still learning about being a leader, and the first lesson was patience with herself and others.

  "My Queen, just when are these visitors arriving?" Ji'am asked.

  "I have no exact time."

  "Harr
umph! You don't need to lecture us on Drosu living! When these Rixon commoners arrive, they will do as they should; clean up what originated in their backyard." H'ya waved a hand of inconsequence. He refused to look at Guardian. "We have our own business to attend to."

  "Our Queen." Ji'am hastily stepped in, feeling the groups raising anger at H'ya's antics. "As of yet, we have not been asked by any inhabitant on any of the continents to assist in their problems, so we should, perhaps, wait longer before interfering."

  The Queen struggled not to laugh at the members' collective reactions at the idea of interacting with shonae, commoners.

  "WE need to find out what is going on beyond our planet to cause visitors to arrive here to disrupt our land and the lifestyle of Arnica."

  Ji'am spread his arms out, "There are inhabitants on Arnica that do not honor her as we, but it does not give us a reason to interfere with their business. Meddling has in the past done more harm to all involved, then good." He hesitated and then continued. "Let the commoners deal with these off-worlders and when they come to us, we will see if it is within our moral obligation to assist."

  "When the planet is threatened WE will intervene no matter what stage of development the problem is in. When someone or something new is about this planet, WE will satisfy OUR curiosity and investigate it."

  You're meddling! When I'm your husband that will change, H'ya haughtily and angrily thought, ignoring the fact that everyone in the council could read his thoughts as if he were speaking aloud.

  The common courtesy to restrain such treads of thoughts was taught to all the inhabitants of Allint from childhood. His sister placed a hand over her mouth, stunned at the abusive tone and mistaken belief of power he had over the High Priestess and Queen.

  The Queen, however, ignored him and continued, "In the temple's Seer's Pool I recognized one as seer and one as …Kiuzi." Her lower lip, painted in bright red, curled up into a smile.