The Broken Council (The Guardian Chronicles 1) by Steven R. Burke Page B

did not give her the right to attack her sister the way she did.
    While
she stood musing over these myriad of emotions and thoughts, a messenger had
silently approached her from behind.   This high elf was being very cautious because of the many stories of
Princess Kishi’s violent temper.   He
could not gage what her mood was from where he stood, so he thought it was a
good idea to be guarded in his movements.   As the messenger emerged from the shadows cast by the mountain, his long
blonde hair began to sway softly from the wind rushing down the
mountainside.   He was dressed in the
black and silver uniform that had the crest of the queen.   He was obviously a member of the queen’s
guard and had the unfortunate task of bringing a summons for Kishi to attend a
special hearing called by the queen and the high elven council.   He did not know exactly what the meeting was
about, but he knew that it must be related to the rumored dispute between the
siblings.
    “Milady,”
the messenger tentatively said.   His
voice shook slightly with fear as he spoke.   He was straining to get a better look at Kishi to see if she had heard
him.
    Princess
Kishi whirled around with her hand raised.   A ball of fire had burst into life in her left hand.   Anyone who knew the powerful sorceress would
have known not to approach her from behind.   He had not realized the extent of the princess’s magic.   He cowered at her flaming hand and began to
tremble uncontrollably as he waited to be incinerated.
    “Please
do not kill me.   I have an urgent summons
from your sister, Queen Kira, and the high elven council,” he said while
shaking all over.
    “You
have my apologies. I do not like surprises, and I am afraid you caught me
unawares.   Please, give me the summons,”
she said calmly.   She lowered her hand,
and the flame died out instantly.   That little elf is lucky to be alive.
    He
edged closer to the dark figure standing at the precipice and handed her the
message with trembling hands.   He then
quickly asked for her leave, and she waved impatiently at him to leave without
even looking up.   She truly believed her
sister had conveniently forgotten their agreement they had made all those
months ago.   She was not sure now that
she should pursue the question of ascension, but the council had already been
informed, and they were apparently ready to hear arguments from both
sides.   She carefully opened the letter
and began to read the summons:

 
                    Princess Kishi Tiranidrol,

 
    Your presence
is required at a hearing in regards to your claim to the throne.   Also, we will discuss your concerns about the
direction of the political affairs of the high elven kingdom.   All of the members of the high council will
be present along with the queen and king.   A report will be given about the alliances we have formed to date, what
our allies require from us, and what will be gained from our new partnerships.   Chairman Bronwen Merindiel will conduct the
meeting with Queen Kira Tiranidrol presiding.   The meeting will be held in the new high council chamber and will begin
promptly at noon.   Your item of business
will be the first topic on the agenda.

 
    Respectfully
Yours,
    Elgin Rinelyn
    Vice Chairman

 
    Kishi
stared at this formal request from the council in disbelief.   She had
actually kept her word .   Now she did
not know what to think or to do for that matter.   She thought that the topic would be avoided
like a horde of nasty, smelly goblins.   As she stood there with the letter in her left hand, she had a sinking
feeling that something very similar to what happened to the elves was going to
happen to the high elves.   She felt sure
that someone was behind all of this.   Nothing about what was happening seemed to fit.   She had never fought with her sister like
this; she would never have said such awful and hurtful things.   What is
going on?   Who is behind all