hotmtlnovel Chapter 96 Tax Report
Chapter 96 Tax Report
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."
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.
"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....