Chapter 146: A Fractured Council

Mother’s council sat around the table missing a few faces and smaller than before. One of Saladin’s men replaced him, and behind him two men, including the one who spoke to Isra. The nobles looked more fatigued the threat of death being a real reality for them with the death of their friend. Mother saw the looks of everyone and knew that things were getting tough for some.

"Everyone. We are getting closer to what we want to achieve. Whilst the failure to secure the Empress was not ideal, we showed them that the people were ready to take up arms. We have to capitalize on this and strike hard soon. Ralley the people and take the city." Mother said calmly getting nods from some and hesitant looks from others. It was a mix of reactions she didn’t want.

"About that." The man replacing Saladin spoke up and got everyone’s attention. "The Empress has made an offer." His words piqued the interest of everyone, especially Gregor who didn’t want to see the loss of life that would occur from a full-blown rebellion. "She is willing to meet with a representative and speak. She hopes that peace can be achieved and concessions can be given."

Mother chuckled at that. "And you believed her. Look at how they killed your leader and you want to negotiate?" Mother spoke as if he was an idiot but the man kept his composure.

"She has said the Record Keeper has already begun working with them to help ensure the Followers are not persecuted as well as swearing on Khors name to find a peaceful resolution." The man kept his ground and everyone looked towards Mother confused, other than Gregor who had already been told about Abdul.

"He’s dead. It’s a trick." Mother stood her ground. "We have come so far to succeed and now you want to take the easy way out." Her voice was calm, but internally she panicked.’Why did they consider it? What more do they want from me?’She kept the calm smile but Gregor could see deeper having known her for years. As much as she tried to hide herself from him, he saw through it now.

"It’s worth a shot. We can play the long game. Work our way into the system and then strike." The man said desperate getting a sour face in response from Mother.

"And what if they betray us and slaughter us like cattle? Everything I have done has been to ensure that we survive and create His Kingdom. Your Leader died for this cause, and you want to back down now." Desperation. That was all anyone heard in her voice. They didn’t know where it came from but it was there.

"And what if they didn’t kill him." The man who spoke to Isra yesterday jumped in and looked Mother in the eyes. "The Empress was pretty adamant that their death had nothing to do with it."

"Why do you all believe her? She trying to drive a wedge between us. Can’t you see it?" The nobles and Aseel nodded but Gregor and the Avenging Sons weren’t too sure.

"Then how come we only found Saladin’s body?" The man countered stunning Mother. "His guard disappeared into the air, but his body was found. It doesn’t make sense." He turned to the two nobles at the end of the table. "Your friend, did you ever find his body."

They looked at one another shaking their heads. Mother saw the eyes look towards her screaming with doubt. She masked her true feelings behind a soft smile. "I don’t know." Her voice became pitiful and her head fell. "How am I meant to know? I just follow his will." Her act worked on the noble and one of the Avenging Sons, but the rest weren’t convinced.

"I ask for a vote. From all members here." The representative at the table replacing Saladin spoke. "Those in favor of meeting with the Empress raise their right hand. Those in favor of Mother raise their left."

"It’s a trick. I’m trying to save you." Mother said straight after. She looked around feeling her grip on the others weaken. "We have come so far. Why do you wish to stop now?" She looked at Saladin’s representative in the eye.

"His Kingdom is built on every man being equal. I think this vote is perfect." He squinted hard. He had been ordered by Saladin when he was alive to see passed her falseness, and throughout the conversation, he saw the facade of kindness she wore. Raising his hand with the man who met Isra, they voted to talk.

The other voted to remain with Mother. The two nobles looked at each voting for peace. Mother gritted her teeth and raised her left hand, Aseel quickly following. Finally, all eyes fell on Gregor. He felt nervous seeing all the eyes on him, knowing his decision was key. He remembered his conversation with Esmond. He looked at Mother who looked back with kind eyes, expecting him to help her.

’His friend. Or innocent lives.’He didn’t know. On one hand, she was the closest person in the world to him. But on the other, could he live with himself if he missed a chance for peace and sacrificed hundreds of innocent lives? He didn’t know and decided to follow his gut. Raising his right hand, Mother felt her world crumble as her closest friend looked towards her with sad eyes.

"I’m sorry. But if I can save lives with my choice, I must." Gregor lowered his head and Saladin’s representative clapped his hands.

"It is decided. I will send someone to talk with the Empress." He got up leaving with the two men.

"YOU HAVE DAMNED US! YOU HAVE BETRAYED EVERYTHING WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR!" Mother screamed and turned to look at the man standing up. Her eyes were ice cold. "You will never see his Kingdom. Your ignorance will ruin us." Her anger made the air cold, and those at the table ducked away from it. Sladin’s representative looked at her with a similar iciness before turning a leaving.

The two nobles quickly got up and left, leaving Gregor alone with Mother and Aseel. He saw her back and felt his heart break. "Joan." He spoke the name that Mother had abandoned long ago and her shoulders fell.

"Just go, Gregor. Leave me, please." Even in her anger, she couldn’t shout at him. Gregor, hearing her disappointed voice felt his heart break a second time, and gave a weak nod leaving quietly. Alone with her son, she collapsed on her chair. Her hands covered her face, and through her fingers uncontrolled rage brewed.

"My boy. I have a job for you." Mother’s voice was cold as she turned to him, her face devoid of emotion.

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Isra walked through the halls of the Mayoral building. Her face was full of smiles and seeing a messenger run up to her, she gracefully took his note.’We agree to talk.’With a gentle chuckle, she walked into one of the rooms and wrote down a time and location before handing it over. Her mood was already happy, but now she practically bounced. "I must find Esmond." She turned to Chris and he nodded, leading her to him.

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"It’s working perfectly." Her smiling face was infectious, getting a rare small curl of the lips from Esmond.

"His Majesty once ran me through an exercise," Esmond said nostalgically. "He had once asked me how I would deal with a rebellion if we were unable to muster a fighting force to deal with it. At first, I suggested to silently kill its leaders and let it fizzle out." Esmond snorted softly thinking about it.

"And what did he say?" Isra was intrigued. She assumed it was one of the times Alfred could talk about his old world without saying anything about it, able to disguise his words.

"He said it was a one-way, but could cause martyrdom, which I agreed with. I thought more but wanted to hear what he had to say so played dumb. Seeing this he told me to do the same, but let them kill each other. Everyone thinks differently. Give different alternatives and cracks will begin to appear. If they aren’t dealt with, a once united force will tear themselves apart."

Isra chuckled. "But what if that doesn’t work?" Esmond chuckled at her question.

"Then you make it work. Or show the futility of the entire endeavor. But it was perfect for this situation." Isra was confused by his words and Esmond could understand why.

"A stupid idea that gives everyone a voice. There is no unity it that, even if it’s built on religion. Someone will always think differently and when given the chance to voice it, someone will agree. This whole project by Mother was doomed to fail." Esmond said mockingly. When he first heard of the situation in Nakhla he assumed it was a serious problem, but after learning what it was for, he found it laughable. Once more it reinforced his belief in the Empire. At the first hurdle, they cracked. Even if Alfred died, he was sure the Empire could survive. He and many others would ensure it.

"Well, I’m not too sure," Isra said quietly under her breath. Alfred had told her of a world where democracy was prevalent. A world that made it work. She rested her head on her hand.’Maybe it’s just not time yet.’She got lost in thought and Esmond saw she didn’t wish to expand on her comment.

She snapped out of her thought. "Sorry about that. Keep an eye on Gregor. He is valuable in this. Being driven into a corner, I don’t know how Mother will react."

"You do not need to worry. Ever since I found him, I have had people keeping tabs on him. They are no longer hidden from me." Esmond said confidently and Isra smiled. His confidence told her everything she needed. Even if peace failed, Esmond could end it. She knew the only reason he didn’t kill Mother was because the backlash it caused couldn’t be predicted.