Crumbling paradise - Introduction

Shaxeen normally tried to appear attentive and obliging. However, the visions she had during the last night, were still bothering her. She tried to get a clear image out of it, but she just couldn’t figure out a straight answer.  Her dream was still bothering her, even during the weekly gathering of the High Council. Completely buried in her thoughts, she barely paid attention to the report of Earth caller Konzin.

“Arch priestess, excuse this rude question, but didn’t you understood something or should I repeat my question?”

Shaxeen looked at the man, who was sitting to her right side. He might have tried to hide his anticipation, but the tapping of his hands on the table showed the complete opposite.

“I’m sorry Earth caller, but could you please repeat your question? My thoughts were somewhere else.”
With an unsatisfied look, Konzin gathered his notes and pushed them away.

“Arch-priestess… my request might not be as important as your well-being, so I’ll keep it brief. I simply wanted to have your permission for the extension of the mines. I know that the miners are about to dig deeper than any before, but the currently increasing population requires more minerals and ore, than I can create with my powers. We have no other choice than to extent the mines.”

Shaxeen rubbed with her fingers over her forehead. While strict rules normally prohibited the miners to dig deeper than below a certain level, she could understand the worries of Konzin. Tomorrow was the day of the adolescence ritual and many young members of her people would join the caste-system and that would mean many new members in the society, who would have the right to proclaim a home on their own, energy and supply of heat and water.

“Konzin… I understand the importance of your request, but I would like to postpone this decision. We don’t know how the participants will be divided within the ranks after the ritual. Maybe most of them will become members of the workers or servants. That would at least solve the problem of building new homes. Let us wait for the results of the ritual. After that, we will see how everything turns out.”

Shaxeen’s thought drifted back to the memories of her vision.
“Yes… We will be able to see how it turns out tomorrow…”

“Arch-priestess? Normally, I don’t agree with Konzin so easily, but… I think he’s right about at least one thing. Something is bothering you. What is it and more importantly, can we be of help to ease your mind?”

The tall and slender figure to Shaxeen’s left side looked at her with a worried expression.
“I’m fine Volkzana… I’m just worried about the vision I received last night from… him…”

“Our god blessed you with a vision? What was it that he wanted to tell you?”

“Actually, I don’t know. Normally, he speaks with clear images and understandable intentions. This time, however…”

Shaxeen looked down at her hands and realized a nervous shaking. The visions seemed to bother her more than she wanted to admit.
“I saw strange creatures, running through our cities and slaughtering our people. I saw the symbols of our country being torn apart and I saw… two figures. One of them embraced me, while the other one tried to stab me and then…”

Shaxeen had to pause for a moment, the returning images in her mind made her feel uncomfortable, but the worried expression of the Earth caller and the Widow mother forced her to continue her explanation.
“Then… I heard his voice. He said:
‘One will preserve and one will overturn… Beware, because your world is about to experience great change.’
After that, my surroundings went black and I woke up.”

The report of her vision worried the other members of the High Council. Konzin folded his hands together. His eyes went down, while he pressed his hands against his chin.

“Now I understand the situation… The extension of the mine can wait. For me, it sounds like a rebellion against our society is about to happen soon. We should increase the numbers of the guards for the ritual. If a threat is really about to rise, we need to be more careful, especially during such important events.”

Volkzana nodded in agreement. It might not have been the best solution, but the truth in Konzin words was undeniable. The three members of the High Council agreed to end their meeting for now and wait for the events of the next day. When they left Shaxeen alone, she could hear how Konzin informed Xelzron, the leader of the Brood guards, to increase the number of guardians for the next days.
Shaxeen folded her hands and began to pray. Too many thoughts clouded her judgment right now and a vision like that, right before the ritual of adolescence, only made the whole situation worse.

“Oh mighty one… No matter what will happen… Let my decisions be right and in the favor of our society…”

With that, Shaxeen returned to her private quarters. The meeting had drained her strength entirely and the only thing she wanted right now was a chance to catch up some sleep.