When Summons Echo

Chapter 1

The horses' hooves clipped along the stone road leading into Kemaki. The ajarred rocky arches of the great gate loomed above the wagons as they entered the capital. Their seven wagons trailing behind each other. Each wagon, driven by Kimishay, was laden with offerings from every corner of the nation and each clan in Meddashia.

Ciray or Vi-Kimishay Ciray as she is most commonly known, was seated with her co-ruler Vi-Kimishay Maru. Together they were the head of the Kimishay Order. Their dark purple robes hung loosely on them, perfect for the warm spring of the approaching new year. The robe's deep hoods — edged with gold and sliver thread — shielded their faces from the sun and onlookers.

All the town's people gathered around to greet the Kimishay, bowing low onto their knees as if the Kimishay were royalty. Ciray looked upon them, her face expressionless before turning her attention back to the road on ahead. Whereas Maru greeted back. In Ciray's peripheral vision, she watched him wave and bow, and shut her eyes in distaste as they passed them on their way to the Divine Temple. "Maru, you are the Vi-Kimishay of Meddahsia, why do you still behave like a commoner? You are practically the highest as royalty in Meddahsia."

Maru chuckled in annoyance as he returned his attention to the road, still occasionally waving to the towns folk that greeted them. "If High Kimishay Zevrolo was still here, he would encourage being friendly with the people. We are not royalty."

"You forget that we are the only bridge between the gods and the clans. If we are not royalty, we are most certainly above the common king." Ciray interjected turning to watch as a priest and priestsess acknowledged their arrival, hurrying back inside the temple.

"We are not royalty, Ciray. Yes, we are treated with more respect then a king, but the sooner you accept that we are below royalty. The easier your life working with me will be." Maru said sternly. With that they both went to an uneasy silence.

Ciray deeply sighed as Maru slowed the horses to a complete stop in front of the, Temple of the Divines; all the Kimishay behind them following in suit as the divine servants joined them to collect the offerings for the gods. Glad for the long journey from Savton — the capital of the Glafric Kingdom — to be over. Ciray was assisted off the wagon seat by her young apprentice. A Kimishay's apprentice are called Kimi and would soon succeed their master as a Kimishay or Vi-Kimishay.

"Welcome back to Kemaki, my reverent-high lady. I have gathered all the documents just as your letter had instructed me and the Kimishay Hall is ready for the final meeting." Ciray's apprentice, Kimi Taru, greeted, bowing low as Ciray composed herself proudly."Very good, then shall we get started. Maru?" Ciray calmly said turning to Maru who was also accompanied by his Kimi, Nukar. Maru looked tiredly at her and then nodded, "Very well. It is the final meeting for this year. Kimi Nukar, summon the Kimishay."

"As you honour, my reverent-high lord." Kimi Nukar bowed low as he said this and then made his way obediently to the Kimishay hall opposite the Divine Temple. Very soon a low bellowing hum echoed through the city, beckoning all of the Kimishay to enter into the hall. Meanwhile, the priests and priestesses gathered all the offerings of grain, fruits, vegetables, livestock and gold. The Divine Temple's courtyard becoming a chorusing chaos as the bellowing cattle and bleating goats and lambs were put in their pens. It was a holy law that only the divine servants could prepare the offerings for Phoexmuss. If someone not of the holy bloodline were to handle the offerings, it was believed the gods would curse their bloodline with disease and bring famine to the lands. The Kimishay pride themselves on having no common servents or slaves.

The Kimishay Hall was an egg like dome. The stairs leading up to the main door were wide, the landing was a square with pillars on either side. Inside the Kimishay Hall where paintings of past Kimishay covering the walls. Bookshelves lined he back wall; documenting every detail about the past that lead up to the present. In the midst of the room sat a key shaped table encircled by three wodden carved chairs.

The table was branched out in one direction where two fancy chairs faced each other on either side of the table; the Vi-Kimishay's chairs. At the head was the High Kimishay throne, untouched for 400 yrs. Imbetween each of the chairs around the table where chairs for the Kimi, so they could observe and occasionally participate in the running of the Meddashian nation. All the chairs had the animal emblems of each clan, engraved in gold into their woodwork.

All the Kimishay filled the hall and stood at their seats awaiting the Vi-Kimishay to sit first. Maru and Ciray walked in towards their seats with their Kimi, as they each passed the Kimishay, the Kimishay bowed their heads respectfully until they had passed them. Ciray and Maru took the seats opposite each other, next to the High Kimishay throne and glanced over the documents at their places. The hall was momentarily noisy as each Kimishay and Kimi took their seats at the meeting table. Gathering the documents into a neater pile, Ciray began the meeting.

The meeting was only procedure as they all addressed the hardships of that year and came up with solutions to avoid such set backs for the next year. At last they discussed the heirs to the thrones of the six kingdoms and the final preparations for Phoexmuss; all manner of class and clans were going to inhabit Kemaki for three days if not more. Even the royal families themselves.

Maru began, "As we know, the kings and queens need to inform us of their heirs before the new year starts incase it has changed."

The Kimishay had dipped their quills in their ink before they began to write, awaiting the Vi-Kimishay to begin speaking.

"Upon visiting the six kingdoms, their rulers have informed us of their heirs. Date: year 916, Phoexmuss 917. The Glafic kingdom heir: Prince Daskalos, third companion's. The Manokai kingdom heir: Princess Jemina, Queen's second." Ciray's voice carryed loud and clear through the hall. The only other sound in the room was the diligent scratching of rough paper as the Kimishay scribbled down the dictation for archives.

Maru cleared his throat as he glanced over his notes preparing to read them aloud. "The Wolvar Kingdom: Prince Runka and Princess Kiray, betrothed to be married on their coronation; to keep the union of the two clans. Runka is queen's first and Kiray is seventh companion's. The Hunlk Kingdom: the original heir went missing without a trace. The new heir being his young sister, Princess Abree, first companion's."

Ciray glanced up at Maru, their eyes meeting over the phrase went missing without a trace. Ciray continued the final part of the heirs for the thrones, discarding the thought from her mind. "The Maelk Kingdom heir: Eliram, fifth companion's. The Bažina Kingodom heir: Princess Belru, third companion's." Ciray's eyes scanned over the Kimishay, their pens coming to a still, awaiting the close off from Maru.

Vi-Kimishay Maru nodded as he said the closing lines and listed the names of all present at the meeting. "Lastly, we should see that all possible campsites, inns and housings are prepared for the clans as they will begin arriving this time next week."

All the Kimishay hummed and nodded in acknowledgement, while they closed the lids of their ink wells and cleaned their blunt quill on its rag.

As the sun set over the expansion of Kemaki, the Kimishay meeting came to a close.

All the Kimishay and their Kimi were dismissed as Ciray and Maru glanced over the written dictation and took turns signing at the bottom of the page of the six books. "I will say that this year will be a success, more then it has been." Ciray said, her thoughts of her improvement to the Kimishay system had put her in a better mood. Especially now that she may continue with her secret that she had been keeping for half that year. Although little did she know her secret had gotten out as it had started to patrol the streets of Kemaki.

Maru didn't respond, instead he stopped in the middle of his signature, his jaw tensing. After a long pause, he continued to finish his elegant penmanship. "You have made a lot of changes since you became Vi-Kimishay. Has tradition been that distasteful?" Maru said trying not to speak through gritted teeth. Ciray shrugged collecting the six books. "Not exactly, but there are always room for improvements in a flawed system."

Maru clenched his fist as Ciray began to shelve the books into the archives. He despised people who wished to change the foundations his mentor had built. Unable to hold himself back, Maru grabbed Ciray's shoulders, whirling her around to face him, pinning her to the bookshelf and placed his arms on either side of her.

Maru's blue eyes blazed with hatred as they bore into Ciray's emerald orbs. "You know it is not the customs of the Kimishay to build, let alone have an army. So why would you build one in secret? Are you so self centred to please your lust for power that you choose to jeopardize everyone in Meddashia for your own interests." Maru said through bared teeth, not caring anymore. He had put up with her for 25 years and all that was bottled up was erupting over the one sin he could not forgive. Being raised by Zevrolo himself and then sent to Kemaki to become the High Kimishay, Maru was aware of the expectations and job of a Kimishay, and Ciray was the type to bend and rewrite the rules. How she became Vi-Kimishay, he could never understand.

Ciray chuckled and smirked, titling her head. "Poor little, orphan. Did I press a button too hard? Do you still think me so evil that I would be the destroyer of nations? Honestly, you were in this power longer then me, but I climbed to where I am in half the time and you cannot stop me from taking the throne. Weather you like it or not, the phantom king of the Kimishay will choose someone like me to take his place and become High Kimishay. You and I are different, I actually have the guts to adapt."

Maru inhaled deeply and closed his eyes concentrating to restrain every nerve to not cause her anymore harm. Releasing her from his imprisonment, he turned and walked toward the meeting table.

Leaning against the table, Maru took another deep breath and released it slowly. With every breath he became calmer, and Ciray watched with amusement as she straightens out her clothes.

Maru looked back at her as she crossed her arms. "Why did you build an alkem army, Ciray? It is against everything High Kimishay Zevrolo stood for and taught. As the bridge between the clans and the gods, we are not suppose to encourage warfare or hostility. By building an army for the Kimishay, this is what you are promoting. Why can you not understand that?!" Maru said, doing his best not to raise his voice, however he was failing to control his volume.

"I shouldn't have to tell you the reason, Maru. All the signs were presented. The heir of Asdrigon will rise, and the prophecy will be for filled. Instead of ignoring them, I am acting to protect the nation I love. The question is, why aren't you?" With that Ciray turned to leave, meeting Kimi Taru at the door. After exchanging a few words, they left, leaving Maru to his own thoughts.

Maru's gaze turned dark as tears threatened his eyes and in one swift motion he over turned the High Kimishay throne. The ear murdering crash brought him back to reality. He was horrified at what he had done and quickly mended it, putting the throne back in its place. While Fixing the throne, he thought to himself of what his old mentor would do in his place.

'If Ciray is right and the heir of Asdrigon's time to come back is near, a mere army of mage-bloods won't be able to stop the end of our world. This is just another one of her lies to manipulate me! No one is stupid or desperate enough to go to the Cursed Palace or the Abandoned Kingdom. All she ever cares about is becoming High Kimishay and that I would bow and scrap for her every need!'