In early 1990 W.C., the people living under the domains of the Witch Lords Union had suffered from vast conflicts over decades. Their rule was compromised by bribery, unjustified regional laws, and high taxes. Vassals and regional rulers everywhere were becoming rebels; anarchy reigned among the people in the Highlands and forests, far from the watchful eyes of the Witch Knights.
The Witch Lords Union was scheduled to gather at their capital, Gapura Highland City, next month for the traditional election of a new supreme ruler of the Union. The Union has been separated into five Witch Lords' dynasties since the first Union in 1 W.C.
The Witch Lords Union:
The Siharki of Westernia (Witch Lord of the Western Continent).
The Siharki of Northia (Witch Lord of the North Continent).
The Siharki of Eastia (Witch Lord of the East Continent).
The Siharki of Southia (Witch Lord of the South Continent).
The Sihari of Centeria (Witch Lady of the Center). This is the only Matriarchal Dynasty.
Each Siharki or Sihari has their own Capital City based on their own domains. Gapura Highland City is located at the center of the Senronia continent, but it falls under the administration of the Grand Siharki or Sihari of the Union for a decade.
Seeing the widespread uprising of rebels and anarchists, the four Siharki secretly sent letters to each other, away from the eyes and knowledge of the Grand Sihari and her daughter, a Regent who ruled in her place at Centeria.
The Secret Council Meeting at Minas Kuno Town:
Two weeks later, the four Siharki from the four corners of the Senronia continent arrived at Minas Kuno Town, a location under the regional vassal Chiefdom of Kuno. Their gathering was welcomed by Daevos, the chief of Minas Kuno Town, who was loyal to the Siharki of Southia.
As the four Siharki stepped off their transport and onto the grounds of Kuno Mansion, they were greeted with a respectful bow by Chief Daevos and his loyal henchmen.
Daevos (bowing): "Welcome, my Lords of Westernia, Eastia, Northia, and Southia. It is an honor to welcome the Council of the Union to my mansion. What brings you the pleasure of being my guests, my Lords?"
All Siharki (with a slight nod): "Chief Daevos, we are here because we need to hold meetings while having a rest, to settle some errands and enjoy some good views of the Senronia Gulf, like in the old days. Haha!"
Daevos: "Of course, my Lords. May I have you all come in. Please, enter my humble mansion."
They walked inside, passing through the grounds and into the mansion.
Council of Conspiracies
That night, in the Hall of Kuno Mansion, all the Siharki sat around a round table while Chief Daevos stood nearby, silent as the Council began to whisper their secrets, shut off from the outside world.
Siharki Ruqaz of Northia: "I assume in two weeks we will all acknowledge that the new Grand Siharki will be voted on and rotated within us again. But somehow, I feel that won't happen."
Siharki Orbos of Southia: "That is our tradition for nearly two thousand years. What is the meaning of your words, Lord Ruqaz?"
Siharki Erkoz of Eastia: "What he meant is that I highly expect Grand Lady Maeria will object to such an event. I've heard rumors about not just rebels, but also threatening powers outside of our regions (continent) that are plotting our demise-a conspiracy that has been brewing for many decades, which our fathers failed to quell, even by making people fear us! Am I right, Lord Kaora?"
Siharki Kaora of Westernia: "...Well, I can say that this is not something we can ignore. I can also tell you that our Grand Lady will likely use this as a pretext to postpone the Traditional Vote."
Siharki Erkoz of Eastia: "If our Grand Lady Maeria dares to do so, I will be the one who makes her step down myself!"
Siharki Kaora of Westernia: "I merely said I expected it, not that she would, but it is likely. As we know, since she became the Grand Sihari, her leadership has gone downhill for nearly a decade. Even though we rule our respective regions from our own houses, she has secretly collected tons of gold from our regions for almost three years-I have found evidence of this. And she also wants to give the Straits of Puncak to foreign powers, calling it 'diplomacy'."
All of them were shocked to hear Lord Kaora's explanation.
Lord Erkoz of Eastia: "This... This is outrageous! How dare that woman..."
Lord Orbos of Southia: "Calm down, Lord Erkoz. Lord Kaora, if what you told us is true, then what are we waiting for? Selling out our sovereignty is betrayal, and the law is clear: the punishment for it is death!"
Lord Erkoz of Eastia: "The Puncak Straits are in your region, Lord Kaora, and you react like it's nothing? Allowing it to be controlled by our enemies will jeopardize maritime trade and our rules over this land."
Lord Ruqaz of Northia: "Lord Kaora, I have not had any large-scale rebellion for decades, but I assure you that I will be on your side if our Grand Lady does such a thing. I can see that she not only has to step down but also be punished by our votes to be executed or imprisoned."
Lord Orbos of Southia: "I agree. I have doubted her since she created the law that we must pay her twice the gold tax a month, when we should only give the Gapura Highland City tax once per month, as was the practice before she became the Grand Sihari. What is she truly up to?"
Lord Kaora of Westernia: "She has been growing the size of the Union's army for three years behind our knowledge."
Lord Erkoz of Eastia: "An army? When did she...?"
Lord Kaora of Westernia: "I captured one of Grand Lady Maeria's loyal sorcerers a week ago and got him to spill his knowledge before taking him out of this world for good."
Lord Ruqaz of Northia: "Maybe she prepared it for the power growing among our neighbors (on the neighboring continent). She might have seen our power scale as insufficient. As you know, we have been attacked over the centuries, but they never prevailed."
Lord Erkoz of Eastia: "If you thought it was right, what about if it's the opposite, Lord Ruqaz? She will overpower us all!"
Lord Kaora of Westernia: "I assume we still have time. I can tell you we will stay one week here before gathering at Gapura next week for the election vote and tradition for the new Grand Siharki. If she doesn't oppose the tradition or the votes, we will act as if nothing happened, and when the new Grand Siharki is appointed among us, we will use that authority to bring her to justice and give her what she deserves."
Lord Erkoz of Eastia: "And if she refuses?"
Lord Orbos of Southia: "Then she will be forced to step down, or we are all going to need to take her down!"
They all rose, raised their hands, and declared: "Hail the Union!... Hahaha."
Daevos's face remained calm, but his instinct had never left him as he stood near the Siharki who had just hailed the Union while planning its future course of action over the next two weeks.
A Private Conversation
An hour later, as all the Siharki were in their rooms, Daevos was alone on the veranda, looking at the moonlight that shone over the Senronia Gulf. Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind him.
Lord Kaora of Westernia: "How is my sister, Chief Daevos? Are you treating her well, my brother-in-law?" he asked, smiling.
Daevos immediately bowed. "That is my assurance, my Lord. Of course, she is well, and I protect her with my life always."
Lord Kaora of Westernia: "I know you always do. How is Arkara, my nephew? Is he well? How old is he now?"
Daevos: "Yes, he is good. He is now seventeen years old, my Lord."
Lord Kaora of Westernia: "Ah, yes. The last time I was here was when he was just one month old and warmed in my arms (1973 W.C.)."
Lord Kaora suddenly paused in thought, looking like a blessed uncle gazing toward the moon and the Gulf.
To be continued...