The Bridge Between Worlds
The Voice With No Face

Adis glanced between his brother, Pritha and Galisa. He was extremely glad for the Council to elect him as the new First. However, he was also furious. Eadward had turned his back on them. He had let an outsider take control and demolish everything the Council stood for.

“He’s gone soft,” Pritha said, shaking her head.

“He’s been brainwashed,” Arthos added, growling under his breath.

“I do not like Regina,” said Galisa with a disgruntled expression. “I do not care that she is Queen Bethany, reincarnate.”

“She is not a reincarnate. But yes, the resemblance is uncanny.”

“What are we to do with the girl?” Adis asked, having been silent since they had entered the room. “We cannot change the fact that she will be queen. We do not know what will become of this Council when that happens, but we must prepare for the worst.”

Arthos nodded, “I agree, brother. But we’ve tried overloading her abilities with the mountain and the fires. The maid failed to poison her, several times. We have made attempts to have her succumb in the dreamscape. What more can we do?”

The Four fell silent. There was then a knock at the door.

“Enter,” Adis said, turning his gaze to Freydra as she stood in the doorway.

“You wished to see me, my lords and ladies,” she said, taking a hesitant step forward.

“Yes,” Pritha replied, a malicious smile crossing her face as she waved her hand.

Freydra flinched as the door slammed shut behind her.

“You have failed us,” Galisa said, tilting her head to side; her eyes were glazed over with a far away stare. “You had but one task. So simple that a baby could do it. But you have failed your master, Freydra.”

“I’m sorry,” the girl whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “I tried, honest to my soul. I went as far as putting the poison in her tea. She wouldn’t drink it. She said she would not take anymore tea.”

“But you have failed,” Adis said, placing his hands behind his back as he moved to stand in front of the girl. “Do you remember the consequence if you failed?”

Freydra choked a sob, her shoulders slumped. While she did not move, her upper body tilted backward. Her eyes were filled with fear. She nodded, ever slightly,

“Who wishes to do the honors?”

Adis grinned menacingly as he turned to his fellow Council members. The one to step forward was Arthos.

“We should let him execute the punishment,” he said with a grin that mirrored his brother.

An eerie silence fell over the group. Freydra’s face turned deathly pale.

“Yes,” said the Council with one voice.

They gathered around the girl, whom was now crouched on the floor. Her body trembled and shook. She sobbed into her hands. The Council members began humming and vocalizing. A strange, ancient melody.

“No,” Freydra cried out, standing upright. “Please, let me go! I won’t fail again! Allow me another chance!”

“You have failed, young Freydra.”

“No, please! Give me another chance! I beg of you!”

She screamed as a cloud of blackness appeared from nothing. It circled around Freydra. Strong winds filled the room. It howled. It snarled like dogs gnashing their teeth. The smell of sulfur and burning flesh filled the air. And then all was still.

The Council’s song came to an end. In the place where Freydra once stood was her blackened, scorched corpse.

“Speak of this to no one,” said the voice with no face. “I shall be more involved from hence forward.”

“Yes, great master,” the Council replied as the Darkness left them.

Adis sighed and moved to reclaim his chair.

“What are we to do with Elisabeth?” he asked, resting on his elbow.

“I do not believe she is the problem,” Pritha replied as she sat in a chair across from him.

“Elisabeth Heartsword does not care for the queen-in-waiting,” Galisa shook her head. “Perhaps we can persuade her to join our cause.”

“She does not possess any abilities,” Arthos grumbled, crossing his arms. “That much was clear when she failed the demonstration. And she does not know our ways.”

“She will learn, our ways. Knowledge of Xiphis is one thing. Understanding the ways of this Council is another.”

Nodding heads and harsh grunts were the response.

“What of the sister?” Arthos asked after a pause. “Galisa, what do you foresee?”

The seer’s eyes glazed over. Her hands trembled and her legs gave way. None of her fellow Council members moved. None of them made any attempt to help the fallen woman.

“We must plan with great care,” Galisa gasped, clutching her abdomen. “The queen-in-waiting will watch her sister with the eyes of a hawk . . . We must be wary of the guard. Kalib hides his true identity. His reasons are unclear . . . As for Eadward, we needn’t worry too much. His journey draws to an end.”

As color returned to her eyes, Pritha finally moved to help her sister upright.

“Rest, Sister,” she said, turning her gaze to Adis.

“Are we in agreement, then?” he asked, looking at each of the Council members. “In favor of planning by ear, say aye.”

Arthos nodded, “Aye.”

“Aye,” repeated Pritha and Galisa.

To be continued.