Despite their bad mood and all the more to their chagrin that their plan had failed, the Proctors had ordered that Akorsa was to be given a home within their grand building. Because they had excess room within it, and a great deal of room at that, she was led to the highest set of quarters to be found, on the wing farthest from the Hall of the Proctoage.
Akorsa had no problem whatsoever with this arrangement, of course, for she harbored no desire to live within the vicinity of the ten other Proctors, who she viewed as vile and dishonest creatures. She also had a wonderful view of from which she could clearly see Arimythia. It shone like a gem in the rays of the setting sun, and every night when she watched it she thought of those waiting for her to return.
That was a problem all in itself, for Akorsa was desperately trying to allow her life to adjust to what a Proctor�s life should be. The Proctors, as she discovered within the period of two days, did very much of nothing, and little of anything. They convened several hours after dawn and only held council until midday. For Akorsa, one who was used to rising at dawn and working out in the pastures with her flock until dusk for days at a time, this was dreadfully boring and tedious.
She still rose with the sun; that being a strong habit as well as a part of her life that nothing could ever change. Many of the people that took notice, those people being primarily guards and servants, thought it dreadfully odd. They also were rather disturbed when she took a morning walk about the building, and then later inquired if she might walk the city streets. Such a thing was not done by the Proctors that ruled in the modern day, and not knowing what to say, Akorsa was informed by the guards that she might do as she wished were she to take a personal escort.
Being the type of person to defend herself, Akorsa determined that if she cared to walk about the streets she would do it in disguise and without an entourage. In fact, feeling so determined that those who were capable should defend themselves (and not too much minding the intimidation it instilled) instead of having others do it for them, Akorsa carried the great axe with her wherever she went. She did no care to be pampered in the style to which her peers had become so greatly accustomed.
Aside from these changes, Akorsa now had to wear the robes of the Proctors; these long and billowing outfits, and instead of instilling reverence, made the eleven of the Proctors look like puffed-up fools. Eventually, having had enough of the clothing and not being able to movie in them, Akorsa had altered her own robes herself; removing the excess cloth from the bottom and the sleeves. She also saw fit to give the clothing a high neck as opposed the low and flimsy neckline the robe had previously. She then made it more open on the bottom, so that trousers of sorts might be worn underneath.
Though in the midst of all of this changing, Akorsa felt a growing homesickness inside her. She had greatly set aside in her mind the fact that she was breaking all her promises of return by not leaving for home. She had tried reasoning to her conscience that such was the price one had to pay to get what was necessitated by her people. She knew, however, that was no reason for waiting so long to inform them, so, not being able to battle her conscience any longer, she went in search of a messenger.
- - - -
Finding a messenger had proven far more difficult than Akorsa could have ever anticipated. In truth, it was not that she could not find one, but that there were none that actually traveled outside the city. Feeling upset and greatly disturbed by this, Akorsa saw fit to bring up the issue at the daily council of the Proctors within the great hall.
�Have we any other issues to discuss this day?� queried Landeri, a female from Uljaya.
�I do have one thing to impose upon you this day,� said Akorsa, rising from her seat confidently. �I have been here for a good while now in my hopes of resolving the conflict between our peoples, primarily the Arimythians, and the Maseriff. We have made no ground on this issue and I am forced to remain here until a resolution is made. I have had no contact with my people, and I know they must fear for my safety, by this time. I request that a messenger be sent to Arimythia bearing the news I have for my people.�
�You bring this trifle of a problem to us?� asked Fandil, an older man from Ilyana. �Personal matters have no place within this hall!�
�I bring here because I can not find a messenger that will travel outside the walls. I would go to Arimythia in person but I am nagged terribly by the guards for even thinking such a thing,� replied Akorsa, trying to maintain her temper. �And as for personal matters, Fandil, they are all we deal with in this room because the whole lot of you only thinks of yourselves with every word you speak.
�We shall order no person, man or woman, Ilyanian or Uljayan, outside these walls. They are too precious to be lost to us. If you wish a message sent to your people, you shall have to find your own means, and you shall not go yourself,� said Shondor curtly, stopping Akorsa from continuing with her tirade.
�If I were to find a volunteer?� asked Akorsa curiously, all the while trying to restrain another angry outburst.
�You shall find no such volunteer,� Shondor replied with an annoyed snap. He stood abruptly and looked about the room at his fellow Proctors with an expression of anger and exasperation. �This council meeting is adjourned!�
The Proctors rose silently and left the room without so much as giving a passing glance in Akorsa�s direction. She sighed in frustration. They would not send messengers because they would probably be killed by the Maseriff, a growing threat that the Proctors were still trying so desperately to ignore. Regardless, she was determined; her family would receive word of her, no matter what she had to do to get her message to Arimythia.
