The sound of crackling flames echoed across the circular room, bouncing off stone walls and an oaken table. There were five chairs around that table, and their shadows danced wildly by the light of the torches mounted along the wall.
One man occupied the table at that late hour, scribbling on old parchments and reviewing reports he'd received that afternoon. Abshak sat upon the chair at the head of the table, as was his proper place. The moniker of that spot reflected his own title as The Head of The Council of Rey Oben.
It was never a title Abshak yearned for, though he knew it would always be his.
Perhaps the very knowledge that it would be his was the reason Abshak never yearned for it. He tried not to dwell on such superfluous thoughts, though his exhausted mind often wandered. Instead, he focused, knowing it would only be a matter of time before the other members arrived.
Abshak sent word of tonight's meeting earlier today. To the other members of The Council, it would appear that the meeting was spontaneous, but Abshak knew this day was coming even before he took his father's place.
While he waited, Abshak rifled through the reports in front of him, frowning at each in turn. There was never any good news, it seemed.
The rebellion in Parrik, to the southwest, was among the least of his concerns. Abshak put the parchment under the pile and a hand to his head, trying to massage away his fatigue—yet he knew it was no use.
The pulsing in his skull reminded him of the old days, when all he needed to worry about was his kovak training. Though arduous, the training and its accompanying memories never failed to make Abshak smile.
Knock, knock.
Abshak sat up straight and put his hand down. The door swung open behind him, and in walked the other members of The Council.
Olek and Jun were having a discussion about the distribution of wealth and commerce. Olek was on the receiving end of Jun's difficult questions, and he didn't seem prepared for it.
Once they were fully in the room, Olek and Jun saw Abshak seated, and immediately ceased their conversation.
"Forgive me, Great Head," Olek said with a bow.
"Forgive us," Jun said, also with a bow. "We didn't expect you to be so early."
Abshak smiled. "All is forgiven. Please have a seat. I've no desire to tarry here any more than you do, so I'll try to make this brief."
The members took their seats. Mandiff's chair creaked as he sat down; his large stature threatened the integrity of the furniture.
Olek, on the other hand, looked as if he needed assistance as he eased his old bones down into his chair.
Jun and Reorim, still young and spry, had no trouble at all. However, Jun still looked very nervous, having been sworn in only two weeks ago.
As the newest member of The Council, Jun tried to observe more than participate, though Abshak could tell it was not in Jun's nature to do so.
The members all sat in silence now as they waited for Abshak to direct the meeting.
Abshak stood to his feet to address them all formally. "Members of The Council," he said, "I have called you here for a reason that some of you may have only guessed at."
No one spoke, but Jun made a peep at one point—as if he wanted to answer.
"The next Alma Ni," Abshak said. "Tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of his birth."
Some of the members mumbled under their breath at that, and Abshak waited for complete silence before continuing.
"You all know what that means, don't you?" Abshak asked rhetorically. "Any day now, within the next five years, the boy will awaken, and we must be ready."
Jun raised his hand.
"Yes, Member Jun?" Abshak said.
"Forgive my ignorance, Great Head, but this is all new to me. How do we prepare for the awakening of the Alma Ni? What should we expect?" Jun asked curiously.
"No forgiveness is necessary. I will give a brief explanation.
"On the first day of the awakening, the watchers will witness and alert everyone in The Heart. The Alma Ni will then be bathed and groomed, as is customary. This will be done by the ladies of The Heart in preparation for the subsequent ceremonies.
"Not many know this, but a newly awakened Alma Ni is unable to stay conscious for long periods of time during the first week of his or her awakening. Which means this first step must be treated with the utmost urgency. There can be no delay on the first day of an Alma Ni's awakening.
"On the second day, we will hold The First Feast. While the Alma Ni's body does not need to be fed during his slumber, he will need sustenance upon his awakening. It is customary for all of us, members of The Council, to join the Alma Ni for The First Feast and introduce ourselves to him.
"Although, it should be noted that his nourishment comes before anything else. Which means we cannot distract the Alma Ni during this important time. Once again, he will lose consciousness early into that day.
"On the third day, we will have his Name Day—just as we do for all newborns in Rey Oben. It may not need to be said, but the naming ceremony is also the time that we must bestow the Alma Ni. Who will be given that honor is something to discuss on a later date.
"After that ceremony, we will have a bit more time to meet with him, but our communication will be limited. As everyone knows, the Alma Ni comes from a place that does not speak our language. The World Apart. A realm beyond our own.
"He will not understand us. Which brings me to the last step. The Alma Ni's education. Namely an education in our history, language, and culture."
"Who will be giving these lessons?" Jun asked. "If one has not yet been chosen, I would like to volunteer."
Abshak shook his head. "I'm sorry, Member Jun, but we've already prepared someone for that duty."
Some members of the council grumbled, but Abshak ignored them. "Oben Sairia," he said.
"What?" Jun asked incredulously. "Sairia The Scorned? Is this the reason The Council has abstained from her judgment all this time, Great Head? To train the next Alma Ni?"
"Yes."
"Is that truly necessary? Other Alma Ni have been trained without—"
Abshak held up his hand, cutting Jun off. "This discussion has already been had, Member Jun, and the decision was made. Sairia will train the next Alma Ni—at least until he learns to speak our language."
"I see, Great Head," Jun said. "Sairia The Scorned will be the only one able to communicate with the new Alma Ni. Is that true? Since they come from the same place..."
"It's possible. The World Apart is a strange realm. I have heard that not all in their world speak the same language as we do here. Yet, regardless, I'm sure Sairia will find a way to train our new Alma Ni in record time," Abshak said confidently.
"What of the boy's other training, Great Head?" Olek asked, clearing his throat. "Once his language training is complete, who will train the boy in kovak and other forms of warfare?"
Some members looked at Mandiff, who didn't seem to be paying attention. He was the General of Rey Oben's military, so naturally, people looked to him when they thought of warfare.
Mandiff noticed the eyes on him and perked up, waiting to hear more of the context before speaking.
Abshak spoke instead, pulling the attention back to himself. "I have been pondering on that very thing, Member Olek. I don't believe we should proceed as we have in the past.
"I want to learn from my father's mistakes when it comes to the upbringing of an Alma Ni. You may all blame Sairia for what happened to our nation, but The Council was as much to blame as her. Sairia was practically a child when she was raised to lead an army. It's unfair. It's unwise.
"Though, as an Alma Ni, Sairia possessed skills beyond Rey Oben's best and brightest... she was still young. She was not yet ready for the charge thrust upon her. That was on us, dear members. That was on my father—may he rest in peace. We cannot repeat those actions. We must think differently."
"What do you suggest, Great Head?" Reorim asked quizzically.
"I believe," Abshak began, "the Alma Ni should be raised the same way in which we raise all of our youth. He must experience the world as they all do, and follow that natural order. We cannot interfere with his progress as we did with Sairia. We cannot hold him above the others and treat him as a god. We must allow the Alma Ni to progress—of his own accord," Abshak finished with conviction.
"Forgive me, Great Head," Reorim said, "but this is the Alma Ni we're talking about. He will always be held in high esteem due to his title alone! The mark sets him apart. How do you expect the whole world to treat him like he's just another boy?"
"There's the rub," Abshak admitted. "That's why... We cannot proclaim the awakening of the Alma Ni. We must release him into the world in disguise, his identity a secret."
"I beg your pardon?" Olek said angrily. "Great Head! This is not our tradition. Not in the slightest! To treat an Alma Ni so neglectfully. It's outright blasphemy!"
"Member Olek, calm yourself!" Abshak urged.
The old man was on his feet now and seemed ready to use his cane for more than just walking. "I-I... Great Head... What would your father say?" Olek asked indignantly.
"I'm inclined to believe my father would agree, Member Olek. He admitted on his deathbed that he handled the last Alma Ni poorly. He blamed himself for what happened. As should you. You were on The Council when Sairia first awakened, were you not?"
Olek bowed his head in shame. "Forgive me, Great Head."
"You are forgiven, Member Olek. Now help me do better. Tell me what changes you would make and I will listen," Abshak said, making his tone kinder.
"I will do so," Olek said, still bowing.
Abshak inclined his head so that Olek would sit back down. "We will continue to discuss this subject in our future council meetings, dear members," Abshak said reassuringly. "For now, I want you to consider my words. We must do things correctly this time. Because the next Alma Ni may be our last hope of mending this broken land. Our last hope of freeing this captive nation."