Free The War Chamber by B. Roman

into her own mind. In turn, she speaks aloud the wisdom, truths and prophecies that the crystal contains and sends them out into the universal consciousness where anyone who is attuned and open to the possibility will receive them. David will, Bianca believes. David must, if he is to win.
    Her oratory for David complete, Bianca carefully places the Singer into a small, satin-lined wooden box and closes the lid. This will keep the Singer's electro-magnetic energy intact so it will be at full power for the debate.
    Exhausted from the ritual, Bianca retires to bed just before the sun rises to greet a new morning, the morning of that fateful day for all of Coronadus.
    * * *
    Softly, stealthily, for fear of waking Bianca, Sokar slips into her room through the open patio door. His aunt is sleeping deep and sound with her back to him. It is good that Bianca's dressing room is separated from the bedroom by a curtain, for he is able to enter it without fear of squeaking a door open. Sokar's hand immediately reaches for the wooden box, one of few items on Bianca's very neat and tidy dressing table. He opens the box and takes the Singer in his hand, hesitantly at first, then firmly so he will not drop it. He slips it into a silk pouch and tucks it into his pants pocket. Carefully, Sokar closes the lid of the box and replaces it exactly where he found it. He prays Bianca will not open the box before the debate.
    Again, softly and stealthily, Sokar slips out of Bianca's room through the same patio door. The morning sun is unshielded in the sky and the air uncomfortably hot. Or is that Sokar's white heat of panic that he is about to be caught?
    “Sokar? What are you doing out here so early? Couldn't sleep either?” David looks at Sokar quizzically.
    “No. Too hot. I was just going to see if Bianca was up yet,” Sokar says, trying to be casual while his fist closes tightly around the pouch in his pocket. “She's usually up at dawn.”
    “I think she was up all night programming the Singer. She must be wiped out. I know I am, just thinking about today.”
    “You'll be great, David. Don't worry. Bianca has it under control.”
    “Thanks. I hope you're right,” David says, not convinced.
    “Well, I think I'll take a shower and get some breakfast. See ya later.”
    “Yeah.”
    By now, Bianca is up and alert. She is in her dressing room brushing her hair and thinking about the oratory she programmed into the sacred Singer crystal.
    “The more mental energy I give the words and thoughts, the stronger David's argument will be,” she says, prompting herself. “But I must be careful not to focus on it anxiously. Easy does it, calm and sure. Then let it go, and release it to David.”
    The hands on the parlor clock move closer to the noon mark. Maati, Sokar and David wait like nervous kittens for Bianca, wishing she would hurry yet wishing they didn't have to go. Bianca has put the little box into her purse without opening it, wanting to keep the Singer crystal's strength undisturbed. Finally, she enters the parlor and the four of them walk together to an unknown fate.

Thirteen
    The Rotunda of Evolving Consciousness sits atop the highest hill on Coronadus, just east of the heart of town. It is a visionary design of polished stone and marble, with open air porticos leading to six separate chambers.
    The Educational, Environmental, Health & Wellness, and Self-Empowerment Chambers, usually welcoming dozens of students and visitors, are empty now. Vacant, too, is the Peace Chamber, the most utilized room in the Rotunda with ongoing meetings, ceremonies and brainstorming sessions conducted throughout the day.
    But on this day, a fateful day for David, Bianca, and all Coronadans, the only chamber to which everyone hurries is the Hall of Social Justice, where the War Council will convene.
    Every seat in the auditorium is filled, every row from floor level to balcony. Excitement buzzes in the air, as though a spectacular entertainment event is