All remaining six chiefs, representatives of all the major families who'd agreed to attend, the four Great Oracles and the War Generals all sat in the Council Chambers. Unlike the Parliament, the Chambers were well out of view of the common streets of Maagme.
It sat in the central district, on the side of the dug in city for security and secrecy. The Chambers were the single most protected place in Maagme because of the weight of the decisions made in it and the people who visited it.
Soaring wasn't sure however, that the countless guards totems and not would be enough to protect them against the evil that sat next Beatrix Blackhand.
"Who is the one they call the King?" Daizen Bai asked.
The question was directed at Song and Beatrix.
The Blackhand lady sat in silence staring at the Bai family patron for the longest time before Song touched her arm. Soaring watched as she leaned into it with disgust.
"The one we call the King in Citadel is Moda Baranvith Blackhand, the second child of the Blackhand family. The name Baranvith has it origins in these very lands but is well faded from time itself.
Moda as of now is mayor himself of three major districts in the Wretched and he has great plans for the whole city.
Very soon the Oracles of Maagme shall speak of his power and the salvation he brings to everyone in the Blotlands.
That in fact is why we're here today, to tell you of his plans and to ask you to be his allies all along." She said.
No one spoke. Baranvith, she'd heard of that name while studying her Law degree way back as a mere Elder in Working.
"We are not concerned with any of your plans, we are to decide on the child's future," Soaring said.
The boy looked at her with a plain face. She wanted him to look at her with hate and fear so that she wouldn't see him as anything but the horror which he was.
"But you see, the boy is part of Moda's plans and he so much loves the boy he wouldn't let you lay a hand on him.
If you will listen to his plans perhaps you will find that return of the House Hellsinger is crucial to Maagme itself. I am here--"
"The child will be killed, that is clear!"
It was Toch Tai, the old lady patron of House Tai. A lowly house these days that somehow managed to float with all the debt it owed.
A few others seemed to agree and Soaring had no problem with it.
"Kill the child and escort the lady Blackhand back to the top so she can return to Citadel and her king. We do not recognise any Kings here!" Toch went on.
Agreement became unison and they finally turned to Soaring. Before she spoke she looked at Song. He seemed to not want to let go of the woman's arm and he seemed to disagree. His eyes pleaded with her.
"Before the Paramount speaks, we should hear from our Great Commander," Daizen Bai said. He nodded at Soaring.
Song let Beatrix's arm go and stood from where he sat. In a bizzare move he stood at the centre of the circles and stripped down to his waist.
Soaring audibly gasped at the scars running all over his body, scars that he hadn't had when he'd left her bed.
"Members of court when I left Maagme in search of the last member of House Hellsinger, I was the most powerful totem there was in all these lands. But the creatures I met, men and monster in my search in Citadel would have devoured me if not for Moda Baranvith's hand of power.
I fought machines too and though I fought well I would have perished without his help. The power that which the King commands himself is power long lost from any totem that has ever appeared.
The King, I believe is the only totem existing of the Silent One,"
Song had long finished his tale but Soaring was stuck on his scars. Her skin itched with the need to run her hands all over those scars and feel what he'd felt.
"Great Commander are we to believe that the Silent One has passed their birthright to an outsider. Do you think us such daft folk?" Saram Askiav, patron of House Askiav asked from the farthest circle in all the chambers.
"What would you believe then great chief?" Song replied.
Saram would have replied if not for the scream that left Soaring's mouth. It was immediately followed by the ringing of bells that reverberated into the chambers.
Soaring had fallen over moaning in pain clutching her head.
All court members had either stood or were on their way to the doors.
"Stop!" Daizen Bai said. "We're much safer in here than outside all of us. We have enough soldiers protecting us and we have Song Helarin at our call. Stop and help the Paramount. I will find out what is going on."
With that he sat back down and closed his eyes. Daizen Bai was one of the only known Totems of the God Om, the god of the mind. He could communicate with others simply through thoughts through the birth right granted to him because of his gene.
As he worked over his communication, Song had gone over to his aunt who still was in pain but silent. He turned her over holding her to him. He forced open one of her eyes and was met with horror. Her eyes had turned all red all the blood vessels popping out dangerously.
He knew what it was before Daizen Bai confirmed it.
"It's a rage attack. The other Houses have revolted."