The previous Sassy Saturday post can be read here: Spider in the Brush
The context for this post: The Mana Mutation Summit is underway and Lunas has begun to sway delegates to his plan. What he doesn't mention is that his plan basically means allowing Order to take over their countries. So Annala intervenes.
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Chanting a basic illusion spell, Annala created a landscape
over the table and populated it with plants and animals. It was bright and
colorful and all the creatures frolicked happily. Then she placed an Order
Obelisk in its center.
“Order will occupy every area on which an obelisk is placed.
If they covered the world, then Order would occupy the world. We all know Order
is a Manifestation of Absolute Control; he wouldn’t be satisfied with only the
mana of the area.”
The illusion obelisk put out feelers that grabbed the
plants, the animals, and the landscape itself. Then it pulled mana out of them
and the very color out of the image. It assimilated all of them into itself and
directed them in clockwork patterns.
“No, he would want control of the air, the water, the ground,
and the very souls of the inhabitants. Everyone would be under his control and
nothing could happen without his knowledge and approval. He would outlaw all
forms of magic, suppress spiritual power, and impose a strict caste system
where everyone would fit into a neat box. Breaking out of this box would be
literally impossible because Order would forbid it. Is this correct, Your
Highness?”
Lunas said nothing.
“If that question is
too difficult, then would Your Highness like to explain the materials needed to
construct an Order Obelisk?”
Lunas remained silent. He stared at the elf, attempting to
invade her mind and compel her to fawn over him like other girls. His attempt
failed. A barrier of will, love, and chaos kept him out. Kasile had regained so
much confidence by now that he couldn’t use her to stop the elf either. In the
end, he waved his hand as if magnanimously granting her permission to speak.
“Souls. To power an Order Obelisk, one must confine a soul
within it. This is what animates the obelisk and enables Order to work his
power through it. In other words, at least one person would have to be killed
and confined inside it for each obelisk to operate. This fate would be eternal;
there would be no ‘shifts.’ Cold stone isolation and constant penetration by
Order forever. Is anything I’ve said regarding Order Obelisks incorrect, Your
Highness?”
A third time, Lunas refused to speak.
Kasile banged her gavel. “Prince Lunas of Latrot, you have
been asked a simple question that is of the greatest relevance to our mission
and purpose. Please answer immediately.”
Kasile had regained her regal confidence. The Leash of
Influence was broken. The answer was either “yes” or “no.” There was nothing he
could do to avoid the truth any longer.
“No, Miss Enaz. It is all correct.”
Within his mind, hatred brewed. He had nothing against elves
in general, but this one was getting under his skin. She was ruining his plan,
and worse, she taunted him with those smug eyes and polite smile. She would be
his next slave.
“A witch’s magic doesn’t sound so bad when contrasted with a
warlock’s authority, now does it, honorable delegates?”
“Miss Enaz, am I correct in thinking that you consider me this warlock? Someone as bad as the
perpetrator of the Butchin Tragedy?”
Annala shook her head. “Oh no, of course not. Perish the
thought.” Despite her polite tone, everyone could see the daggers in her eyes.
“You’re worse. The only word suitable
for you and your father is ‘fiend.’ After all, you are denying the elves living in your country their chaos-given
right to freedom, are you not?”
“Yes, we are.”
“You realize that your father’s regime commits acts, every day,
that are banned everywhere else in the word, right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“You are aware that other countries consider yours a cancer, right?”
“Yes, I am.”
“You of Latrot are truly honest. No other totalitarian, exploitive,
silver-tongued tyrant has ever admitted to such accusations so quickly and
freely. You deserve a round of applause!”
She started off and, for a moment, the only sound in the
room was that of her gloves beating against each other. Then others joined in.
Lunas stood, took a bow, and then sat down again. He was imagining a collar
around her neck and a gag in her insolent mouth.
“That is an additional benefit to the Order Obelisks.
Because Order does not abide lies, any and all forms of deceptions would be
impossible anywhere within an Order Obelisk’s area of effect, and every vow or
promise would have to be adhered to in letter and spirit.” Annala spun to catch the eye of all the politicians at
the table. “Please consider that in your answer.”
They most certainly did.
“Instead of giving up your way of life, as Prince Lunas
suggests, my mother only asks for a token of friendship. All the Supreme
Council needs is a show of good faith. Isn’t that right, Ambassador Enaz?”
___________________________________________________________________________To learn more about the heroines of Journey to Chaos, visit the Tvtropes character sheet.
The next Sassy Saturday post is http://trickstereric.blogspot.com/2016/09/sassy-saturday-fire-demi-goddess-vs.html
Brian Wilkerson is a freelance book reviewer, writing advice blogger and independent novelist. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
