She sat outside the counsel room for a while, barely hearing whispers through the thickly padded hill-high doors. Then a wavering silence and an opening of the one door.
The council sat on red velvety pillows on three elegantly raised thrones that overlooked her.
They sipped their red tea with their sage faces, and all looked to Salīa in unison.
The throne room was quite large with stone walls and lit mostly above and by the raised thrones. Magi On gestured for her to kneel on a pillow and kowtow.
In front of her lay stone pillars which showed each rule.
She felt her head bow in shame as she'd broken almost all of them. Things like 'do not disturb the Helper's Camp,' 'do not sneak around in places unpermitted,' and 'do not engage in deviant acts' were just a few which stood out.
Magi On caught her eyes and offered a look that seemed to agree with her realizations before stepping out. It was hard of her to face to the magi elders and so she kept her head downcast while they sipped. She already knew their faces.
Each had long hair which they pinned back one way or the other. And also, hair on their upper lip which blended into the long silky beards and bushy brows that they all maintained.
These elders were the most important magi not by any mistake or luck.
Magi Xin sat on the left and was quite meticulous and focused, always scanning over the most important matters and catching each detail. He had the palest of their skins and the ivory hair which he tied up in a gold cuff on top.
His grey eyes were always busy. He didn't seem to like or dislike Salīa, yet it was clear she had been the source of many of his headaches.
On the right was Magi Bo, who was quite proud and intimidating, and quick to make sure that the most important principles are always honored and if not, he'd happily assign the corrective punishments.
His hair was a dark brown and even wavier than the rest and secured by a crownlike hat he'd wear. He had quite tan skin and a rather robust figure.
And his eyes were a glowing brown, yet it was hard to look at them with him being so scornful. Especially when it came to Salīa.
In the middle and considered the elder of the elders was Magi Maro, of a gentle yet wise nature. He had a kind smile, slender figure and always seemed to be meditating, even when conversing.
His hair was a glistening white and he neatly secured some of it in an elegant, rounded tie above.
His upturned eyes were quite mystical and seemed to be in many realms at one. Salīa wasn't sure what he felt of her, but she always felt warmth and affection when speaking with him.
"It was me, Magi Maro, not her," Salīa confessed, recalling what had happened with the young magi-mioa. "I made her do it. Chastise me. You cannot punish her for my ill doing. She was just—"
Magi Maro lifted his hand to halt, quieting her.
"I appreciate your truth and I will consider this. However, I call on you as you called on me."
"Yes, Magi Maro," she gulped. "I wish to go home."
She expected the two other magi, Magi Xin and Magi Bo to chuckle. They often would when she made requests, such as sharing a room with Hawking or training with more weapons. Yet they all looked at her plainly.
"Do you know what going home means?" Magi Maro asked.
"Yes."
It meant she wouldn't be Queen. Not until she had been completed all she had come to the Faraway Forests to do.
"A letter was sent our way," Magi Xin said, stroking his long beard. "Of your home."
"What does it—"
Before she could finish her words, a newly joined magi-mi, known as magi-mi Chamba, placed the tiny scroll in her hands.
Save them, Salīa.
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