the defense of this city?" Glade smiled as he looked briefly at Laurelin. She knew he liked to talk when he had the time.
Glade Gilding smiled and began to explain. "This city, like most other cities in the greater region, is run by a chancellor appointed by the Assembly of Lords. The chancellor and the local senior lord, who in the region of Mindon is the Gilthanal Falandral, operate together with the lesser local lords to administer the region's defenses, including the city's defense. Gilthanal Falandral's duties, however, concern the citadel and his outlying lands in addition. Chancellor Kyrdain is mostly responsible for Mindon and the eight surrounding smaller cities. Chancellor Kyrdain will also have to coordinate with other minor lords who have lands near the surrounding cities and towns. Happily, those enemy forces are a long distance away in the more northern provinces. As for the military situation, I believe some of the Dark One's forces have recently made expeditionary advances to learn of Arador's and Kingswood Province's military strengths."
"Thank you. I have not done much traveling in Alor lands, and this is my first time in Mindon," stated Gideon. "I have studied other things, and was merely curious as to your people and your forms of government."
"I see," said Glade, taking the opportunity to continue the conversation. "Then I hope I can enlighten you somewhat. There are five major Alorian peoples. We were historically differentiated mainly by language and habitat. There are the wood elves, the high elves, the gray elves, the Dark Elves, and the sea elves. Laurelin is a wood elf, as am I. Our people traditionally tend to dwell in great tree cities, deep in the woods. The great city of Lindorien, within Lindorien Province, being a notable example of a woodland domain."
"As you probably know, there are few remaining Alor kings, and there is a reason for this," he continued. Gideon noticed that Glade really seemed to be enjoying this minilecture on his people's history.
"In the year 3951313 SEC, during the Third War of Dominion," continued Glade, "the elves had elected one king to be a high king. He was named Arêl Lith-Gilad. The high king was the one specifically elected to defend the people and lands against the Dark One's forces, and he was given military and other support from virtually all the other nobles. However, the high king was not placed in charge of the Grand Assembly of Lords."
"The other nobles governed their own lands then?" asked Gideon.
"Yes, the other nobles still governed their own lands or regions," interjected Laurelin. Gideon nodded in understanding.
"Arêl Lith-Gilad's palace was in what is now Arador Province," continued Glade, "in the great city of Kir Kiriath, which was the main city for the region known as Kir at the time. Lith-Gilad formally ruled over that ancient region and the city of Kir Barad as well. Today, these ancient regions would encompass a good portion of the present Calendor and Arador Provinces, part of some of the nearby provinces as well, and even a small northwestern area of Silmir Province. High King Lith-Gilad was killed defeating Dormas at the end of that war, and unbeknownst to him, his family members were targeted for assassination by a political coup arranged by Amalkites, the royal advisor."
Gideon seemed to remember hearing the names of the high king and his advisor somewhere before. They seemed familiar, like he had a sudden case of déjà vu. But he quickly dismissed them, realizing that he must be mistaken. There was no way he could have heard those names before.
"The plot was thwarted by those guards loyal to the high king, and the assassins were killed, but not before the majority of the royal family was dead," added Laurelin.
"You wanted to know about governance in this region?" continued Glade. "The assembly is a regional group of nobles who rule a province. For example, the Assembly of Silmir governs Silmir Province. Silmir is one of the largest of Alor provinces and has several high-level nobles who govern along with the guilds that have representation. Put simply, each region that we Alor inhabit hold smaller regional assemblies that send their nobles each year to the Grand Assembly. As in other places, some of those nobles acquire titles of land by birth, and others earn their noble titles through great deeds or service."
Gideon nodded. He was interested in the culture in which he had become immersed. "Do your people have any other elected officials or rulers?" asked Gideon.
"Other administrators are appointed, and several are elected as officials in villages, towns, or small cities as mayors," replied Glade. "There are other provinces that do have a king such as King Eladain of Lindorien Province, and in these, the king and the few other highest lords, such as a gilthondral, may preside over their regional assemblies."
"There are additionally smaller committees and councils that have specific responsibilities," stated Laurelin. "For example, the Council of Education, which has a local and provincial administrative section. The council is responsible for quality education for our citizens."
"Now Calendor Province," continued Glade, "is inhabited by more than elves. There are humans, like you, as well as the birdlike Urakeen, the reptilian Ikhsar, the lionine Bashan, and giant insect race of the Edrix, all which seem to have acquired portions of the province in the past few millennia. We Alor have the Grand Assembly, usually held in one of our ancient major cities, such as Lindorien's Great Tree City, Calenfas, Benrilthar, Pendrax, Mindon, Andrim, or one of several other cities, for two months once each year for all our nobles and high-ranking officials, as well as the provincial and regional guild masters. This is so the nobles and other ranking officials can coordinate trade and commerce, as well as defense against the Dark One's forces."
Laurelin glanced at her timepiece, which, Gideon noted, was a small cylindrical disk similar to the old pocket watch his uncle had used on Earth. "Oh my, it's getting late," she said. "Glade, we'll have to continue this conversation later," she said and smiled.
"Ah, very well," said Glade, gulping down the remainder of his drink. "I have to get going also. I have a few meetings, including with the Blue Lodge leadership, tonight, and they begin within the hour."
"Hey, I've got an idea," chimed Gideon. "Why don't you come to Green Griffon Inn after your meetings? Laurelin will be there, as will Cordlyer Caylendril and Tauri Ragan. We will all be at Palrents."
At the mentioning of Ragan's name, Glade's expression changed into a look of curiosity and concern, but as to his reasons for his reaction, he kept silent. "Perhaps I will join you," replied Glade.
After a few moments, Gideon's new friends made their farewells and left the White Dragon Inn, going their separate ways.
Ragan walked to the door of Mindon's Blue Lodge. Like all the lodge buildings, this one was composed of stone, metal, and some wood. It had three visible stories, but Ragan knew space was distorted and more room existed than was visible.
Mystical energies surrounded the inner entrance, and Ragan could see intricate Essence weaves and patterns.
Wards and alarms, he thought. An unfortunate necessity in this day and age.
Ragan was taking precautions himself and was sure that none of his adversaries or rivals was nearby to interrupt his visit.
The door opened, and an elven wizard approached and greeted Ragan in the customary fashion—one hand held out fully extended and the other over his heart.
"Greetings, Archmage Ragan of the Red Lodge, you have been expected," he said. "I am Eramar, high adept of my order and a council member of the Inner Circle. There are few who know of your mission. I am one. Follow me, Tauri, and be welcome." Ragan noticed that a local vocal silencing zone surrounded Eramar for about a few feet so they could converse without being overheard. The two then proceeded through a hallway, passing some students, and then down several levels along a circular stairway.
At the bottom of the stairwell was a corridor. At the end of the corridor was a large metal door. There were other side doors made of wood. Ragan sensed that a few emanated with various types of energy, but Eramar led Ragan to the metal one that had several runes along its outer frame. Eramar then made the gesture of opening, and the door opened. Ragan and Eramar passed through to what seemed like a travel corridor to an extra-dimensional area.
"We like to keep a tight security system," Eramar informed him. "You never know when enemy spies or