The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

She did not show any kind of intimidation towards Mother Selene calling her but moved gingerly to her seat beside Mother Aurora, her footsteps echoing faintly in the chamber.

Aurora, Mother of Dawn, turned to her, and gave her a soft, welcoming smile that carried a warmth rarely found in these meetings.

"I am here now," Guinevere said to everyone rather than just Mother Selene, her voice steady but quiet as she eased into the chair. "It was not my intention to be late."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Mother Selene arched a finely sculpted brow, her sharp silver eyes locking onto Guinevere. Her lips curled into a faint, dismissive frown. "Intention or not, the clock waits for no one, Guinevere. Do try to remember that next time." Her tone was razor-sharp yet conclusive, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Guinevere inclined her head slightly, suppressing the urge to respond. It was respectable to God Eros, their Husband, to maintain a level of coordination and peace inside the holy Divine Citadel. Also, the meeting had begun, and now was not the time for petty exchanges.

These meetings occurred at three month intervals, happening four times every year. The Council of Mothers was the governing force behind Erothyria, a realm sprawling with Regions of immense diversity and peril.

These meetings, convened in the Divine Citadel, served as a cornerstone for maintaining order. All the Mothers present had rulership over a distinct Region, and was therefore responsible for its protection, prosperity, and contributions to the Realm at large.

It was during these meetings that the Mothers would gather and report on their works in their separate Regions as anything that happens in a Region — good or bad — had a chance of affecting the Realm overall.

Moreover, the Snake Queen and her Drakes loomed as an ever-present threat, necessitating a unified front to ensure survival. As usual, taxes in food and resources were collected to prepare for war, their distribution critical for sustaining the armies and defenses.

The Food and War Tax was what it was called, and it was enacted not long ago after the first wave of the Snake Queen's attacks.

At the head of the table, Mother Selene began the proceedings, her voice carrying the authority of the realm's oldest and most powerful ruler.

They performed their usual oath in a group, and when that was done, she sat up in a former manner, her silver gown flowing above her large breasts but failing to cover it on the sides. Although her long hair draped over a little of the side breasts.

"Let us begin with the Food and War Tax," she said, her silver gaze sweeping the room. "As you all know, the Snake Queen grows restless. Some Knightguards report that Drakes have already begun testing our borders and we all know that means another Wave is fast approaching."

"The last battle was a difficult one but we managed to defeat her and we are still to this day reaping the effects of that Wave's battle. That being said, we must be well prepared for this incoming Wave. So, each of you will now report on the returns from your regions."

Selene straightened in her seat, her silver gown shimmering as she spoke. "I will begin. From the four main villages, the Silver Dune towns and the Raindrop farmlands, Moonlight Region has collected forty-three thousand bushels of grain, seven thousand barrels of salted meat, and a thousand gold coins. The people continue to serve their duty with diligence, though there is little room for complacency." Her tone was formal and clipped, her words leaving no doubt of her control over her lands.

Seated to Selene's left, Mother Aphra inclined her head gracefully. The Mother of Elysium was the most dainty of all, her skin was dark and it glowed against the rich green of her flowing gown. She had long, elven ears like her daughters which were adorned with golden cuffs. And her emerald-green hair was braided into intricate loops, framing her serene face.

"From the Heavenly Gardens and the common people towns, the Main and Minor Plains, the Sect of Elysium Farmers and the Supreme Cloud villages," Aphra began, her voice smooth and melodic, "Elysium Plains has gathered fifty thousand bushels of grain, ten thousand barrels of meat, five hundred barrels of oil and two thousand gold coins. The harvest was bountiful this season, and our citizens have proven resourceful despite the rising threats on our borders."

Her report brought murmurs of approval from the table, though Selene's silver eyes betrayed a flicker of something unspoken.

It was Mother Lylah's turn, the enigmatic and silent Queen of Twilight, seated beside Mother Aphra with a calm, almost indifferent expression.

Her dark blue gown hugged her slender form, exposing a simple amount of cleavage although greedy with the way it tightened around her round swollen breasts. Her deep blue hair flowed down her back in a cascade of waves, and her piercing gaze revealed little emotion.

"From the Azure Shores and the Lightless Harvest, the Inner and Outer towns and the Sun-and-Moon villages," Lylah said, her voice even and measured, "Twilight Region have collected fifty-eight thousand bushels of grain, twelve thousand barrels of salted fish, one thousand and twenty barrels of oil, and two thousand four hundred gold coins. The ocean has been kind to us, though the tides are shifting. We may face greater challenges in the coming season."

She went back to her silent mode after that, her report was concise yet impressive. And even though she had prompted quiet nods of acknowledgment from the table, she continued to look at them silently with those judgemental eyes of hers.

Mother Selene and Guinevere glanced at Mother Aurora, whose radiant presence never failed to draw admiration.

The Mother's blonde hair shone like sunlight, her blue eyes bright and warm. Her golden gown, fitted closely to her excessively curvy form that could not be more spoken of. She exuded elegance without excess. She looked like a loving mother.

Mother Aurora cleared her throat and began.

"From the Golden Fields, the Newbridge farmers, the Sunlight villages and Derivative towns, Dawn Region brings seventy thousand bushels of grain, fifteen thousand barrels of livestock, twenty thousand barrels of oil, and three thousand gold ingots. My people understand the necessity of these times and have worked tirelessly to ensure we are well-prepared."

Aurora's report was met with murmurs of approval and even a small smile from Guinevere, though Selene's expression remained unreadable.

But it was finally Guinevere's turn. And with this, Selene's expression was clear. She adjusted herself in her chair and sharpened her eyes in anticipation. Ready to speak if something didn't sound right.

Mother Guinevere sat up, her crimson gown stretching from her curves as she cleared her throat.

"From the village of Sundale, the farming families of Rainbow Shores, the Evergreen towns and our major marketing chains, Starlight Region reports....