War and Peace in Calhana

"You want me to do what?"

"I want you to throw the council's support behind another candidate."

The two were sitting in an opulent and lavish room, looking out over the city of Calhana. The largest city on Calhana, it was a shining beacon of twilight orange, purple and green lights. The buildings were massive, towering in some cases over a kilometer into the air. Lords and Ladies often lived among their people here, in this magnificent capital city. It was also the seat of power for the United Council of Houses, who ruled peacefully and justly over the seven cities on Calhana.

"Mother, that's absurd! You know I'm next in line. You are still alive and well, so my turn will come when you step down."

Andrea Falaxes gazed at her son with a heavy heart. He was handsome young man with a powerful build and light brown hair that he wore long in the back. His eyes glowed with intelligence as he spoke to her now, but they also held within them his mother's own fiery passion.

"My dear boy, I am not well." She took a deep breath before continuing. "I've been feeling tired lately. And the headaches...the headaches are getting worse." She turned from him then and gazed out over the city again.

"But you're healthy!" Aren protested again. "We can get a doctor to look at you...." He trailed off as his mother's laugh filled the large room. A laugh full of sadness, anger, pain and joy all at once.

"A doctor? My dear Aren, we don't need doctors anymore. Not after all these years...not after all we've done." Her voice had dropped to a whisper by now as she continued. "We have been lucky up until now my love...we have been very lucky." She turned back toward him finally with tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at him lovingly. "But there is something wrong with me...something that has been wrong for quite some time." Andrea reached across the table separating them and took her son's hand in hers as she gave him one last warning. "If I leave this world soon son...you must be ready for what is coming for us." Her words were stern now; her face serious as she stared into his eyes intently for several long moments before continuing softly once more. "We must be ready...for it will not be long now until the war comes for Calhana once more."