Each boarded land has a convention center which, in public eyes, was known to be built and maintained by the local government. But truthfully, it was rather built and maintained from the finances of the Clan for the purpose of being used by none other than them. It is where the clan members would privately hold their formal gatherings and banquets whenever they like. In the eyes of regular citizens, these members of the society are too wealthy since they can "rent" the luxurious government property for their personal use. Never once did the public think that it is the other way around; the government pays the rent to the clan instead.
A Grand Hall is not merely a building where people with important status gather, discuss, and negotiate. It pertains to the whole lot area where that building stood. The architectural and landscape design differs from each but usually, a grand hall covers an expanse of almost 1 hectare of land. Land that is owned by one of the clans. Most of the time one of the clan members would have a manor built on its premises as well. Besides the main hall where the meetings usually happen, there are inns, hostels, shops, and other commercial establishments around it that are owned and managed by a clan.
There are seven Grand Halls in Cordella. Two of them are in the state of Kawashinget. Compared to the modernize layout in Caliphagay ,the one in Petang Asol was more traditional in its design. The interior of most of the buildings were made of varnished, treated pinewood. It might not be the finest, but neither is it the most inferior one.
The main hall was a two-story circular building. The wooden floors shone from regular waxing and in the ceiling was an intricately carved chandelier. There were two wooden staircases that lead to the second floor where there were elegantly carved wooden padded chairs. From up there, over a four feet wooden railing, they can view the first floor. Downstairs is the meeting room. There was a rectangular table at the center that jived with the wooden padded chairs.
Nuriel Calpo was the very first one to arrive. The old man was, as usual, disappointed because the other two, Azriel and Ezebel, did not yet arrive. As the Chief of the Council, he already sat at the front and center of the table.
"I made sure to wake up early to arrive here before you, but no one can surpass the ever-punctual Nuriel Calpo I guess" Arman Pakjawan commented.
"I hope my kinsmen have your tenacity to flaunt your worthiness Arman. Ezebel, I allow to be late since she is fatigued last night and is also responsible with this gathering, but Azriel, a lazy one indeed."
Arman laughed.
Nuriel ignored the topic and moved on to express his surprise as he saw the younger and taller man standing behind Arman. "Are you Bryan? I really wonder what children are eating these days. The last time I saw you was two years ago, and you were still a boy, now you are a man."
Bryan smirked and shook the Elder's hand, "A lot happened in two years."
Nuriel nodded, "So I've heard."
There were gossips that Arman Pakjawan's son was a summoner since the boy was born but there was no confirmation whether they were true, thus the rumors subsided. Then, not until a few months ago when stories of the young man having a strong Kowadja resurfaced thoroughly making it seem it were true.
The Pakjawans took their seats. Fifteen minutes later, the other attendees started to arrive. The wooden floors echoed as a pair of leather shoes hit them. Muriel Kantes walked while he fixed his woolen coat. It was summer, but Sagubo's descendants, although they have frequently gone up to the northern part of the region, never got used to this part's cool climate.
Elder Calpo made the same assumptions to the young man walking behind him. The boy he met before was also already man. He had the same tanned skin, like his relatives. He was taller than the shorter, bulky older male in front of him. Andrei Kantes, at first glance, is a model of what a Kantes looks like: sturdy built, brown skinned, and with dark eyes.
When the Calpo met this young teenager for the first time, Nuriel heard Azriel once remarked that the boy had a strong connection with the blood of Calpo. 'It's still immature', Azriel commented with a grin as he watched the boy from afar through his dark lensed sunglasses. Although this was unlikely, it was not impossible. Gariela, Nuriel Calpo's niece, married into the house of Hamada Kantes and bore two children, one of which became Nuriel's godson and whose name was derived from the great elder, Muriel.
If the boy indeed had each of the clans' gift, the boy would no doubt be powerful: A Sagubo and a Calpo merged into one body. Perhaps the effects are now showing on how the boy carried himself. For now, Nuriel could only hope so.
Muriel stooped, took the Elder's hand and pressed his forehead on it. Andrei followed.
"Blessings be upon you." Nuriel said. Although the man's stern expression did not change. Muriel already knew that the old man was sincere. There was one more in the family that Nuriel was looking for. The young woman with a high pony tailed long hair nodded as a gesture of respect when she noticed the Elder looking at her. Melissa sat where other members were allocated. At the corner of the room, behind where her grandfather and brother sat.
Nuriel cannot give high regards to the next attendee that arrived. Although the young man suited up for the occasion, the redness of his eyes and the dryness of his skin were evidences that he has a hangover. The smell of alcohol permeated through his fine clothes even though he tried to cover the odor with strong perfume.
With a stammer, he tried to me courteous, "Go—good day Elders." Andrei and Bryan hid their chuckles as they have yet again witnessed one of Myrus' timidness superimposed by his hangover.
Nuriel and the other old men refused to respond to a two-faced gesture.
Muriel, being a hot-tempered person, reprimanded the young man, "Myrus, you better behave yourself. This is the first time you would be attending the council on your own. Do not be like your lax of a father!"
Myrus wanted to protest, but he cannot argue that about his father. Randel Tohey was known for his uncaring attitude to the Clan but instead was more interested in women and in women only.
Meanwhile, Anton Kandas and company had arrived. He brought with him his oldest son Nathan, and his two oldest grandchildren, Luther and Rue.
" Anton, your seats are there" Ezebel pointed at the chairs in the corner behind the Pakjawans. Anton nodded and his family went as told. Although Nathan, Luther and Rue were the summoners in his family, because of the succession rights, they were only among the 'guests'. Their absence means nothing in this council. Anton would rather not attend but Priscilla said that in these gatherings, in some way or another, are the opportunities for their children to be acknowledged.
Being her, Ezebel stole the moment as she walked towards the chair beside Nuriel. The woman decided to attend without her veil. Her bright, beautiful face accentuated with her lilac eyes and seductive body went unnoticed to most of the men in the room, married or a bachelor.
"Azriel?" Ezebel asked seeing the man's absence. Nuriel sighed and shook his head in reply.
Ezebel chuckled. She should have not asked since it was expected for that Calpo to be late. Among the three of them, Azriel hated the burden of the responsibilities of being an elder. Now, Nuriel's expression became sterner, and she was sure that the agenda of this meeting will make it even worse.
Whispers turned to commotion as the people saw the next person arrive. Although the stares of the people could make a man react like a mouse in hiding, Tommouel and co remained dignified. Gerson and Gendle followed their father's instructions, they are not guilty that is why they should put their heads up high.
Gendle separated from the two and went to sit in the corner where she saw Galiya happily waving at her. Tommuel and Gerson bowed their heads to the Elders before they sat down beside the Pakjawans.
"hmm..that was unexpected…" Arman said as he noted the group's reaction to the crowd. He thought for sure that Tommuel would reject the summons. Surprisingly, the man even came with his children.
"He is innocent until proven guilty, you know" said by Azriel who languidly walked behind Arman.
Unlike his three companions, Azriel still chose to conceal his eyes for the event. As he sat on the other side, beside Nuriel, most of the people from the minor clans whispered among themselves again. The gossips that began when Ezebel arrived continued.
'That woman is 80 years old?'
'That surprised you? Don't you know that Elder Calpo is almost 200 years old?'
'Are you kidding me? So what, the younger dude is not really young? How old is he, a hundred?'
'Ah..actually yeah..'
For the younger ones, it was unbelievable. But for the old people, it was not at all surprising. The Calpo Clan's longevity is the one that makes them unique. They are not immortal, but they live long. Legend says that one Calpo in the past lived until 350 years old. Hearing this legend, many wondered that if Nuriel's father did not marry a woman outside of the clan, Nuriel might be able to live until that age.
See, not all the members of the clan are like this. The purer the blood of Calpo that flows in them, the longer the person lives. They were many of them before who lived long, but as many rejected the idea of the traditional intermarriage and as many of the members embraced the modern lifestyle, so did many of them passed away earlier than the usual.
These gatherings, although were formal, were made interesting because of the many mysteries of the Clans. And before the clock hit 10 am, the last of the attendees arrived.
The House of Ziron Kandas did not disappoint the audience. He already had a powerful presence when he and Emerald took the seats at the edge of the rectangular table, across the Calpo's. This is the position that the Kandas' occupy. The Calpo may be the head of the Council but the true power and wealth of the Clans, Ziron Kandas represents.
His appearance began a succession of chatters from the minor houses.
'Is it true? That girl with him got stuck in a Takang last night?'
'Is that even the issue? That girl was the one the Pas-ang wanted to kill, right?'
'Where is the witch dog? Is it that man?'
"No, that man is his grandnephew. Selena's grandson!'
Like the members of the minor houses, those of the major houses were curious as well. Surviving the void, an appearance of a witch dog that is employed by the household, and a newly found family member with the gift, the Kandas became popular even more after one night which is to Arman Pakjawan's chagrin.
After filling up their curiosities with the sight of Ziron and Emerald, the people's attention turned to their companions who were headed to the chairs reserved for them. Although they were given a spot in the corner, as a Kandas they were for everyone to see.
Sardon sat in between Dmitry and Jade. He was not new to this event, but for the two behind them, it would be the first time. Jade felt the people's stares directed at them, but these were not the ones that made her uncomfortable. It was the barrage of loud voices that came from their minds that prickled her ears.
She knitted her brows and concentrated to mute them. Just before she heard her father talk, she heard a chuckle escape from Dmitry who sat an inch apart from her.
"Are you alright dear?" Sardon asked and she nodded with a smile.
Unknown to Jade this simple interaction would be the start of her fear of her secret being made known. Among the spectators was Azriel who slightly lifted his sunglasses to peek at the two youngsters behind Sardon Kandas. No one among the people inside the hall saw his reaction, he grinned and mumbled, "Oh, that's interesting…such a young mind-reader."