Sword and Shield

Prologue

The Council Convenes

He walked down the dark hallway in his black robe. The hood was drawn low to hide all of his features except for his mouth. He continued at a quick pace down the torch lit hallway. The fire in the sconces flickered and flashed as he continued down the hall to his destination. After another minute he came to a large stone door with a huge circle drawn in it. The circle was carved into the stone itself and within the circle were different characters carved in patterns leading down to an indention. He moved his hand forward into the indention and chanted lowly in his deep tenor, "I pledge myself to the earth. May its power protect me."

After he finish there was a loud crack as the stone door came apart in the center. Both sides swung in as the door parted down the middle. He walked into the room as the doors fully opened to be greeted with a great contrast. While the outside had looked old and worn down by the course of time, the room looked very new and modern. The floor of the room was checker boarded with white and black marble tiles leading to the center of the room. As he continued to walk his footfalls were mirrored from the other sides of the room. As he was coming to the center there was a table with a crystal ball floating above it. Across from the table, mirroring his movement, came another figure in a black robe. The figure was the same height and build and had his hood drawn low as well. From his left came a figure in a white robe that stood the same height as the other two. The figure inhabiting this robe was female as the robe extended out in the chest before dropping to just above the floor. After a moment they all stopped in front of the table and extended their hands over the crystal ball. Each arm showed that the owners were all well off as each arm was covered by the sleeve of a well made suit. Each nodded at the same time before chanting, "We are the servants of the elements. May they protect and lead us."

As the chant was finished the crystal ball came to live and a voice was heard, "Thank you all for attending and let us proceed with business once the role call is done."

Each nodded before the voice called again, "Lord Metallium, leader of the house of wind," as the figure across from the man of earth pulled his hood off.

The man had purple hair that came down to his shoulders with purple eyes to match. He smiled before replying, "Here as always."

"Lady Ul Copt, leader of the house of water," continued the ball as the woman in white took off her robe.

As the hood came off blonde hair tumbled back in an organized mess. She smiled as her blue eyes shone in the lighting of the room, "At your service."

"And, finally Lord Greywords, leader of the house of earth," came the final call from the ball.

He removed his hood to present his face to the room. Lord Greywords was very pale looking, as if he did not get out much, and his hair almost seemed to be in a constant state of bed head. "Always watching," he replied in the same dramatic fashion as his peers.

After the introductions the voice cleared his through and said, "Gentlemen and lady we have convened this meeting her today because, as I'm sure you are all aware, the leader of the house of fire has regrettable passed on. Normally, this would not be a problem but the last lord for some reason saw it fit to not name an heir to his position. As all of you know this has left division within the house and it must be rectified or it has the potential of splitting the house and leaving the north circle unbalanced."

The trio nodded and the man with purple hair known as Xellos replied, "So what does the head council wish. Is there a certain agent you wish to lead the search?"

"Not necessarily, we need the other house to help keep the balance of the houses until a true heir can be announced," the voice finished

"As you wish," came all three as they turned and headed back the way they came.

As Zelgadis exited the room he was flanked by a young, raven haired woman who asked, "Lord Greywords what are your orders?"

Zelgadis smiled before saying, "The council doesn't want the houses to search but if I know Xellos he is going to do it anyway. I'm not going to lose to anyone. Contact the hunters and let them begin the search."

"But, Lord Greywords," came her shocked voice, "Your the leader of the hunters of the house of earth. If you move out they are going to notice."

"I know so you will have to let Rodimus and Zolf know they're units are the only ones moving out," Zelgadis commanded

"As you wish Lord Greywords," as the raven haired girl disappeared again.

'If I can find a suitable heir and keep them in my corner then I will be the most powerful lord in the north region,' Zelgadis thought as he smirked and continued down the hall.