Read Online Zotikas: Episode 1: Clash of Heirs by Rob Storey, Tom Bruno - Free Book Online Page A

Gala than any she had ever attended. It wasn’t the
fancy clothes, or the fine food, or the “important” people. Certainly every
family with any economic influence would be in attendance. But Velirith
detested these shows of narcissism.
     Her excitement had begun two days earlier with a
visit from Moshalli MgFellis. Moshalli was the same age as Velirith. The two
had played together as young girls when Velator, Velirith’s father, had spent
much more time in Avertori.
    But Moshalli’s house was not of the same class as
Velirith’s. That didn’t matter to Velirith or her father, but it did matter to
many. MgFellis had served the House of Ek as a proximal house for hundreds of
years. When House Ek was elevated to Executive Chair, leader of the Omeron of
Zotikas, the MgFellis house was, in its own way, elevated as well. Moshalli was
unashamedly proud of the fact that her family lived in the tower quarters below
the Executive Chair’s palace and was always well informed of the happenings in
the palace and throughout Avertori.
    So two days before tonight’s party, Velirith had been
writing a play. She was stuck. It seemed to lack the heart of true Theatre
Velaki . The script lay spread out on the low table before the bay window
overlooking Avertori’s Grand Stair. The same window before which she now stood,
playing back the scene.
    Moshalli had surprised Velirith, visiting her chambers
in the Vel apartments at the top of Vel-Taradan. The three tower complex of
Vel-Taradan served as the ambassadorial and economic headquarters of the Vel
family in Avertori. Though very comfortable, Velirith much preferred their home
in Velakun, deep within the mountains of Ardan to the northeast.
    “Velirith, it’s so wonderful to see you again!”
Moshalli had bubbled, embracing her. Her excitement was genuine, Velirith
decided, if not a bit exaggerated. Moshalli liked associating with those
considered influential. Being able to say that she used to play Heroes and
Kovars with the only heir of the house of Vel and that they were “best
friends” elevated her status—at least in her own eyes. Velirith invited her
playmate of youth over to the window.
    Velirith smiled at her. “Good to see you too, Moshalli.”
And it was, even if Velirith was a bit annoyed to have her creativity
interrupted. She looked into the round, plain face of her friend. The eye
make-up was new and Velirith saw that Moshalli was going for a more exotic
look.
    “It’s been, what, two years? Last year’s party I think
you were sick?”
    Velirith laughed. “No, I was just stubbornly immature
and refused to go. The rumor was I was sick, but I’m sure you knew better.”
    “Well, I had heard you and Velator had a fight about
it.”
    “Amazing,” Velirith shook her head. “My father and I
did have words about it, but we were the only ones in the room. You certainly
keep well informed.”
    Moshalli beamed. “We MgFellis’ are at the center of
everything. We are trusted to be discreet and yet sometimes, if our family
didn’t know what was happening, nothing would ever get done!”
    Velirith regarded her talkative friend and agreed
there was a good deal of truth in what she said. Moshalli, however, played it
up.
    “Like now,” Moshalli continued with a melodramatic
sigh, pulling a sheaf of papers out of a small satchel. “You know my mother is
the events coordinator for the Executive Chair. She assigned me to order
the dancers for the Family Harmony Dance. My stars, Velirith! Do you realize
how difficult this is? How important?” Moshalli’s mother, Fechua, was not one
to overlook her daughter’s social training.
    Eyes wide with amused concern, Velirith shook her head
slightly.
    “Well, think of it! What if Forcheso Parchiki were
accidentally paired with Feleanna Cortatti, who everyone knows is trying to
bring down his fabric trade by having that awful Sindia Corch intercept his
cloth shipments? Or if I accidently paired Feleanna with this