The Council Part 1(Alex)

They had just finished eating their meal when Salmurk barged through the door. Alex wondered if the centaur ever entered a room in a good mood.

"It is time," he barked.

Alex looked to Serataom for an explination to this phrase. What she saw unsettled her. Instead of the cheery being she had come to know, she saw a sad, distraught creature with tears in her beautiful eyes.

"Come along, child, the Council awaits you."

The three of them left the kitchen together. Alex was relieved to have Serataom going with her. She had grown rather fond of her in their short time together.

Alex stepped out into the dark night. Not even the two moons' light penetrated the dense forest. Looking about her, Alex saw huts nestled in amongst the trees. Smoke rose from their chimney's spiraling upward towards the forest canopy. The huts were spread out enough to lend privacy but not too far apart to leave one vulnerable. Now and then Alex saw small faces peering out a window to watch 'the human' pass by. Other than the three of them, no other life form was about. When they reached a rather large hut on the far side of the village, they stopped. Alex noticed that the structure had several doors, each a different size.

"Here, dear, this will guide you in your quest." Serataom pushed something smooth and round into Alex's hand. Without another word she turned and headed back to her home.

Alex was seized with a moment of panic. She would have to face these strange creatures on her own. Reminding herself to breathe, she followed Salmurk into the building. A gasp escaped her lips as she took in the sight. Thousands of eyes looked down at her from their balcony seating around the room. Creatures of all shape and size were present, some she recognized, some were unimaginable. Clasping the object Serataom had given her tightly in her hand, she approached the spot indicated to her by Salmurk. Never had she felt so vulnerable and alone. She subconsciously moved her free hand to her holster, seeking the comfort of her pistol. Instead of finding the touch of cold steel, she felt the warmth of her leather holster. Looking down she discovered that her weapons were gone.

"You will have no need of those human things here," came a loud athoratative voice.

Alex looked slightly to her right and saw an old, brown colored centaur moving towards her. She wanted to look away but her eyes were held fast to his. She had the strangest feeling that he was reading her thoughts.

"Let us begin," he said, and with that came a commotion of voices. "Silence. Let us make things clear before we begin. This is the Council. I am Tavalox, chief of the centaurs, mediator of the Council. We will hear the human's defense and sentence iy to what we feel is just. I would advise you to speak honestly for we already know the truth." His piercing blue eyes rested upon Alex for a moment before continuing on. "To the Council, I will advise you to remember the treaty, no human is allowed in the forest without our invitation. This human was found violating that treaty. I will leave you with the code of justice : All humans are guilty unless by some slim chance we decide otherwise."

With this last statement the room errupted in laughter. Alex saw her fate sealed, but refused to give up hope just yet.

"Let us begin the questioning. Everybody will have a chance to address the intruder. We'll begin with the smallest."

A small gray mole was the first to speak. "What is your name?" he squeaked.

Alex stood there with her mouth hanging open, trying to regiester that a mole had just spoken to her. Would she ever get used to this world?

"Answer, please," spoke the old centaur.

Alex felt the eyes starring at her. A hush fell over the room as they awaited her first answer. "Alex Milds," came her weak reply.

"Don't you mean Alexandra Fields?" Asked Tavalox with an all-knowing look.

Alex felt as though her legs would give out at any moment. She hadn't heard that name in eight years. How could these creatures know it? She fought to regain control of her breathing. She felt as though she were drowning in quick sand. The weight of everything crushing her senses.

"Sit." came the quite demand from Salmurk who was standing behind her and to her left. From thin air a stool appeared.

Alex, ever so thankful to relieve her shaking legs took a seat on the stool. I've been through worse, I'll get through this. It's just like any other trial you've been to. Gathering her wit about her, she prepared for the next question.