Every Little Memory

Entry #47: Granite Grey (Part 1)

Each time I step into this meeting hall, it changes. The change is not visible to the eye. The design of the room is the same as ever, with its dark colors and simple furnishings. It is something that rests in the atmosphere, something you can feel only with your mind. You can only touch it with your emotions. The first time it was anger and annoyance, putting all of the room’s occupants on edge. The second was concern and confusion with a homeland being threatened and dwindling faith. Now I stand amidst unease, apprehension, and maybe even the beginnings of discord. It is easy to see that the recent battle has caused much turmoil within Talyyn. The battle had been won, but at what cost? Not every victory leads to peace.

 Kain is pacing back and forth again, a furious look in his icy eyes. He must be deciding what his next moves should be. It can’t be easy; knowing the treaty between humans and demons must be upheld. Knowing that anything he does will be judged by the people, and could turn them against him even more. Perhaps some of his anger could also have something to do with what happened to Kaiya on the battlefield.

 I am relieved that she is alive, though her wounds are deep. She sits in a chair at the large meeting table, as it is probably painful to stand. Her injury has been taken care of for the most part. She still wears her tattered clothes from battle, so I can see the bandages through the tear in her tunic. It is still a fresh wound, as blood is darkening the bandages rather quickly and there is much hurt in her eyes. They look to be on the brink of tears. I cannot begin to imagine how much pain she must be in. I don’t think she has ever been wounded this severely.

 Fuchsia, Kren, and a number of other inhabitants of the hold stand near her. Maybe a war council of sorts, to discuss current events. They look uncomfortable to be here in the meeting hall when their lord has anger boiling inside of him. A few shift back and forth on their feet while others stare at the ceiling as if they were seeing the room for the first time. Fuchsia and Kren stand closest to Kaiya, perhaps for reassurance.

 Iza stands beside her mirror, turning away from some image she had seen within. “A large majority of humans have retreated, but the threat still stands,” she informs as she traces her hand over the glass, causing the image to disappear.

 "Can we go in and rip ‘em all to shreds?” Kaiya mumbles in an aggravated tone. She fidgets in her chair as if to move into a more comfortable position. Moving seems to irritate her injury though, as she winces and sucks in a breath. I hope she won’t be doing any fighting, with a terrible wound like that.

 “They have failed to honor the pact made between our people. It states in clearest detail that---“

 “Neither party should harm the other. Yes, I know Iza,” Kain interrupts, rubbing his forehead. “Their attack on Talyyn was a blatant disregard for the rules of the treaty. They have purposely broken a long standing contract.”

 “So let’s punish ‘em,” Kaiya grumbles.

 “The girl is correct. Your father and many others went through a great deal of trouble to bring this truce between us. Many died in the attempt. They dishonor the dead and bring back the violence that we worked so fervently to end. I think I speak for everyone here when I say that their actions should have consequences.” Iza’s words evoke a few nods from the assembly, Kaiya included. There is bloodlust in their eyes; a desire for vengeance.

 “Indeed they should answer for what they have done, but how should we go about punishing them? It would make us no better than them, should we attack their cities. Is the purpose not to avoid war?”

 “After all the things they’ve done to us, you want don’t want to fight them?” Kaiya speaks out, eyes gleaming with fury. It is the rage that follows loss, grief, and disappointment.