Ime As the Triad were continuing their investigation. Many have started to move the children and elderly around making sure they are out of harm's way. Pinapancam and Selene have taken a few refugees. With Merna’s and the Constellation’s efforts, they were able to get as many of our enemies out of the Western continent. Any spies that were hiding in human born bodies, had found themselves bonded to their host and in jail for crimes that would keep them imprisoned for two years or more. Mages, witches, sorcerers or sorceresses had been placed in locations to protect the cities, towns or country land. If they were capable of protecting the land and surrounding region, the agreement had been made that the individual would be given the house and a fair amount of land. Only after the war would they have to pay for what they were given at half the cost that anyone else would have to pay. For the duration of their life, the land would be theirs, protected from being taken over by the physical or spiritual realm. After their death, it would go at retail value. If one of their family members wanted to continue living there they would have to pay a regular price that others would be charged. Not many turned down this offer. The magickal realms were preparing for war. The meeting location was an unnamed protective site. Only an Invitation would gain member access to this disclosed area. After the Triad council had finished their investigation, they had overwhelming proof that Mannel and Parppavar had committed crimes. The treaties would not protect the human borns or anyone that was not at least fifty percent pure blood. This set many hybrids into a frenzy. Surprisingly the Constellation Council took this news with grace. It was a few Zodiac council members who did not hold their tongues. When the Triad stood up, the Zodiac did not stop their behaviour. This was considered a major no no among our kind. Even Chaos shuts his mouth giving them the respect their title gives them. Merna had glanced at Cancer, then Draco. “ENOUGH!” Merna stood up. Silencing the entire room. Aries was going to continue with his dispute when Merna whipped her head towards him with glowing blue eyes. If the triad had wished it they would have arrested Aries for disorderly conduct. I am sure if it were left to Merna, she would have mangled him and more. The glowing eyes were Aries' only warning he was going to get! Once there was order again, the meeting continued. The division had been made, as many relocated to the safe grounds. Just as many had left or locked their doors to Chaos and Merna. The topic was whether we were going to attack the realms or not. Many felt that they were traitors, no different than Parppavar and Mannel. Merna sat there listening to everything that was being said. A few times I saw her clench her jaw. I learned this was her way of controlling her temper. Like the rest of us, she had a nasty temper. Which for her was difficult to control. As my grandmother stated several times, Merna was never guided in how to properly conduct the rage. She would use her sense of logic first. If things became heated, she would physically attack next. Ashur sat on one side of Merna while I had the other side. Many times we would have to place our hands on her arm to get her to settle down. Merna was not the only one who was having difficulties holding their temper down. Several times Draco, Cancer, Orion, and many of the strong individuals of the Constellation and Zodiac members would motion just their hand in the air with only two fingers sticking out. Unlike us, they did not have the ability to mind link one another, so this was their way of keeping each other calm. Each takes a turn to remind the members to stay calm. The topics that were brought up were not in their favour. But who seemed to set off their temper was when Aries, Taurus, and Gemini would speak out of turn. Merna stood up again, glaring one at a time the members that followed her to this meeting. All eyes were on her. From leaders from the magical communities, gods and goddesses, to the Triad. She commanded attention and silence. “We will not attack those that have closed their doors. They have the right to protect themselves and the way they live. No different than how we have! Only if they make the first strike will we protect ourselves in a reasonable fashion. There have already been enough losses. There has already been enough destruction. The point of this is to stop Parppavar and those that follow her. To attack would cause unnecessary damage and loss of life.” Merna spoke to the group. Aries stood up, “This is bull shit!” “Aries, sit down or leave! Unlike the Zodiac council table, here you do not get to voice then do whatever you want. As far as I am concerned you behave like a child with no direction. If you have not figured it out, the physical world is not part of the treaties that have been in place before your family bloodline began. You have no power nor any say in the final decision.” “And your voice holds more power than mine!” Aries hissed at Merna. Merna smirked at Aries, “you are correct my voice matters not!” She looked at the Constellation members, “I will not attack potential innocents out of vengion … who is with me? Stand up!” In unison, all of the members of the constellation as well as those who liked Merna’s leadership skills stood up. Leo glanced at Aries and the remaining Zodiacs that did not stand. Soon she stood, followed by Gemini. The only one that sided with Aries was Taurus. “Everyone here that stood up realises that in the system we are not protected … but nor are they. WE understand that we are strong and proud BUT … we are not willing to die on a hill that will not benefit us ALL!” She was glaring Aries down, “YOU want revenge … WE want justice! They are two different things! Your way means genocide to us all. Tell me Aries, how is your way any better than our enemies?” All of those that stood started to bob their heads and mutter to themselves. What I also found impressive was how the Triad members glared at Merna with glowing eyes. Those who knew, knew they all were having a private conversation. After the meeting, I found Merna with Ashur having a deep conversation. “What are you two talking about?” I made my presence noticed. Ashur explained how he was making the arrangements for the Constellation's arrival. Instead of having the Constellation scattered all over the Earth realm, Chaos was giving them temporary sanctuary. Which meant that any rules that would normally bind them to his realm would be waived. Only those that could wander from one realm to the next without consequence but time change were given access! They would have to provide for themselves, which Merna had taken care of. Turning, Merna’s breath was held as she set her sight on Alround. “Is there something wrong?” I whispered to Merna. Shaking her head! We watched as Triad Justice and Alround approached us. “Lady Ime and Lord Ashur” Triad Justice started. “And Merna!” Merna and Triad Alround’s eyes were locked. “Tell me he is not your mate too?” Ashur bluttered out. This question broke the spell that the two had going on, “No!” Merna said quickly. “If you do not mind me asking, who are your parents?” Triad Alround asked. “Merna is an orphan!” Ashur answered. “From what grandmother told me Pirapancam found her and has been caring for her all this time.” I added to the conversation. There was something about Triad Alround that put me on edge. “That would explain a lot!” Triad Alround’s tone was low. “We would like to speak with Merna in … private!” He was eying both Ashur and I. “Go! I will meet you at my place once this is done!” Merna faced the both of us, “do not worry … I will not get distracted! I will go straight home!” Merna let out a soft giggle knowing how she could get side track so easily. “I am not leaving without you! We will wait at the entrance … if you do not come soon, we will find you!” Ashur made it clear he was going nowhere. As we watched the group wander off in a different direction, I turned my attention to Ashur. “What was that about?” “I am not sure … but I have a theory!” “Care to share?” “How do you think a parent would respond if they lost a child?” “I was not thinking about that … but now that you mention it!” I thought about it for a second. “NO! If he had …” “Pirapancam only mentioned a golden egg … there is only one of us that produces a golden egg! As we evolved it was no longer an egg but turned into skin tone. You combine a dragon with a bird … what do you get?” I gasped, “Do you think?” “Alround would understand where Merna would not! No one knows who her parents are! No one knows a lot about anything when it comes to Merna except she is … well Merna, extraordinary!” “Should we mention something to her?” I whispered. “Shh! Merna is coming back! Unless she says something to us, we will say nothing.” Ashur sighed loudly. “If she asks questions about the odd behaviour, then we will say our truths and thoughts, until then we say nothing. This could upset her and she is dealing with a lot as it is!” We dropped the conversation when Merna was near us. “So what did they want to talk to you about?” Ashur asked as if nothing had happened. Merna explained to us how they wanted to know what her future plans were. She promptly told them that no conversations had been made with us. So until things had been settled with Parppavar, that was the only thing that she was focused on. She figured that once everything had found a balance, she was going to transition her life with her mates. Ashur and I pinned Merna in the middle of our embrace kissing her on the top of her head. She then continued to say that they wanted her to consider becoming a member of the triad. They were impressed at how well she was able to handle herself. However, there were still areas where she was rough around the corners. She showed great promise! To receive an invitation like that was an honour. Merna’s face turned red at Ashurs and my show of affection and enthusiasm. “For the Triad to acknowledge and want to have you as part of their members is a great honour. Many go their whole existence trying to get their attention, never to receive anything from them.” Ashur told Merna as we left the location. “I do not know! They seem to do a lot of talking, with little action. I like to solve problems and find new ways to get things done. I prefer …” I kissed Merna, “There is still time … after all you are a lot younger than we are! We have done a lot of things and experienced much more. You have only been fighting and pushing forward. Not experiencing much but what you know. BUT … do not say no to their offer yet. You might find that this is what you were created for!” We looked at the portal that would take us home, “The Triad consists of only those that want the balance … order … and justice after all!”