5 --- 3
The mausoleum was like any other auditorium with the elders on the stage seated in a semi-circle, on seats so tall that they dwarfed everybody on present.
All communications had ceased in the common room as everybody were glued to the many screens. There was a man seated in front of the elders. The Pacifier by title, he was the commander of the emissaries and he was the link between the elders and the leaders.
Nate was awed by the sight of the elders. Their eyes were glowing so bright that no one could look at them for long. Nobody knew what any of the elders looked like or any of their names. But all seven of them (four males and three females) were so mysterious and powerful that no one doubted their legitimacy.
The pacifier stood up to kick start the conclave. "At the beginning of the conclave, the elders would like to start with the most obvious situation which is the major territorial dispute in China. The council would now recognize Mr. Chang Wei of Beijing.
The man who stood up was not a new face to Nate, he had seen his face pop up anytime the mini war in China was being addressed.
"My fellow willers, I know my quest to take over China is no longer news. Many of you think I am just a maniac in search of power but nothing could be further from the truth. All I want is peace. I have been the territory leader of Beijing for fifteen years in which I have maintained absolute control over my territory. Reverse is the case outside it. Other parts of China are chockfull of violence among willers. I am tired of watching on the sidelines as we degrade ourselves in front of these humans. I am taking charge to protect our virtue and integrity in China." His steely voice resounded around the mausoleum as he took his seat.
"A noble cause but it is a fantasy." Wynter said beside him.
"What makes you say so?"
"He has already taken a little over a quarter of China. He's got the money and experience but he doesn't have the manpower. Not especially if the other territories unite against him."
"I think that little speech was meant to prevent that and bring them to his side instead."
She chuckled. "He should fire his speechwriter. Even I wouldn't join him and I love fighting." Nate smiled but said nothing.
The pacifier stood again. "The council will now recognize Mr. Xian Lee of Chengdu.
An old Chinese man stood to address the crowd with his English heavily accented by his Chinese accent. "I am surprised to see that the council is listening to the rubbish Cheng has to say. This man has killed countless willers in his mad grab for power. Just three days ago, he killed a friend of mine along with fifteen willers to take control of Shanghai." A loud murmur filled the room and gave him pause. "He stands here to lecture us about unnecessary killing of willers." He pointed to Cheng Wei. "When he is doing the most of it. For how long are the elders going to watch this injustice go on." A few murmurs agreed with him.
"Mr. Lee." An elder spoke suddenly, his voice booming all over the citadel and sending chills down Nate's spine. "It has come to our attention that yesterday; you had a confrontation with a rival gang in your territory."
Xian lee frowned. "Yes, they were operating their business in my territory. I had to send a strong message."
"During this said confrontation, can you confirm that a human woman was injured and hospitalized?"
"Xian's face turned sour. "Yes but she was some reporter who was trying to get a video and she was warned -"
"This council has strict rules concerning our adherence to the truce. This situation shows the kind of incompetence Mr. Wei highlighted in his earlier speech."
The camera showed Cheng with a little smile on his face. "I take it that this means the council not support me concerning our territory war?"
The pacifier answered his question. "As long as there is low human interference, the council will not support any side on this matter."
A loud murmur went through the crowd and even the common room as people disagreed with the council's verdict.
"Bastards." Wynter said as she slammed her fist on the table. "They would allow their kind to die as long as their stupid humans are safe. Whose side are they on?"
Nate said nothing but he could understand her frustration.
The pacifier hit table with a gavel and waited as the noise slowly receded. "Moving on, the council has predicted the territories which would be encountering high occurrences of breakouts in the coming months. These territories include Paris, Dubai, Baltimore, London and New York." Nate's ears perked up at the mention of his residence.
"On that note, the council would like to address Mr. Victor Payne." Nate watched as Victor stood from the crowd. "Mr. Payne, you are known to run a small crew. The council would like to know if increased breakouts will be a problem for you."
"No, it won't." Victor answered easily. "I plan to monitor all new breakouts and recruit those that I can. Any rogue willer would be turned over to the council." He concluded and took his seat. Something was off about his answer but Nate couldn't put his finger on it.
"Seems like you are going to be seeing more action, willers popping all over a big city like New York isn't going to be easy to handle."
"If anybody can handle it, it's Victor." He didn't like it but he meant it.
The council went on pointing out different events of public display of powers. The leaders wanted each territory leader and threatened to take action if it happened again. It went on for an hour and Nate started to lose interest. Wynter suddenly yawned and stretched her hand. Nate smiled at her non – lady like appearance but he saw something that made the smile fall.
As she stretched her hands, her shirt hitched up and exposed her midriff where there was a familiar tattoo. A dragon with the sun behind it.
"What does that tattoo mean?" He asked immediately.
"What?" Her formerly friendly face turned wary.
"The tattoo." He reached out to have another look but she swiftly grabbed his hand. "I'm sorry." He tried to withdraw his hand but her grip was surprisingly strong.
Her face had turned fierce and her eyes were glowing embers. "What does it mean to you?"
Nate frowned. "That is what I wanted you to tell me." He brought up his second hand to try and calm her and in an instant, her knife was pointed his chest.
"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to."
Nate wanted to reply that this answer was important to him but he saw the intent in her eyes. She was really ready to hurt him if he asked anymore questions. He clamped his mouth shut and relaxed his posture. She continued to look at him in the eyes for what seemed like hours before she dropped his hand and slowly returned the knife to her belt.
She stood from her seat. "Maybe you are new, Merlyn but I will advise you to stop asking questions. In my experience, curious minds don't last long."
With that, she left. Leaving Nate wondering what the hell just happened. He was jolted back to reality by the sound of a tolling bell. The conclave was over.
He looked around and everybody was gearing to leave. Nobody noticed the tussle between him and Wynter. He collected himself and left in search of his teammates. He found Victor instead talking with Cheng Wei who was looking at him intently.
Cheng gave Nate a tight smile before saying a few words to Victor and then left. A tight knot rose in his gut. Yeah, something was definitely wrong.