Chapter One: The Island of Taxos
If you ever find yourself sailing through the Basildon Sea, you might have the misfortune of finding the island of Taxos.
It isn't that the world hasn't heard of Taxos. Most outsiders steer clear of us, not wanting to contend with our rigid laws and corrupt government.
Unless you happen to know someone important, you are not welcome here.
Our governmental system is divided into the Four Houses of rank, who rule over the island unchallenged. Each house is made up of ten members, five of which hold voting power.
The first and most influential house, is the House of Aster.
The Asters are considered island royalty. The King, Queen, Prime Minister, Prince, and Princess make up the first five members. These members are elected for life terms by the voting members of other Houses. They preside over Parliament, and ultimately pass or deny any law. The King and Queen are not married, but all of the Asters are usually related. The second five members make up their elite guard.
The second house is the House of Roses. They're also called the House of Judgement. Their members are the 3 Supreme Judges of Taxos, and the 2 House Leaders of Parliament. The Parliament parties elect their own leaders. As for the Supreme Judges, the Asters elect one, Parliament another, and the common citizens the third. Like the Asters, their next five members are their personal guards.
The third house is the nation's law enforcement and military leaders. The House of Black Thorn contains the Police Chief, the Chief Detective, and the 3 Generals of Taxos: Land, Sea, and Air. Instead of guards, each one chooses and trains their successor, bringing their total to 10.
The last house, the House of Poppy, is the keeper of records.
Their 5 senior members have House voting power, but they are the weakest and smallest of the four Houses. The other Houses call them to consult and advise on most matters, but they hold no real political power or sway within the Houses or populace.
At least that's what they wanted everyone to think.
Each house is allowed only 10 members, but they all have their followers and devotees. The Asters have their own families and other members of elite society who follow them around as the nobility. The Roses have their hands in every courtroom and politicians' pocket. The Black Thorns control the military and the police.
Who do the Poppies have? The History Teachers? The Librarians? The Old folk? No.
You see the Poppies are the record keepers of the island, which means that every ounce of information that enters Taxos is collected and recorded by them.
When the first city was founded, each House chose the name of a flower that represented what they stood for. The aster is called the royal flower, the rose is a symbol of unity, and the black thorn symbolizes trust and protection. The poppy flower was always associated with peace and a hopeful future, but what the other houses had forgotten is that the poppy was also a symbol of remembrance and silence.
So when one of the Aster brats paid off a Judge, the Poppies recorded it. When the Air General slept with the Police Chief's husband, the Poppies recorded it.
The Poppies have eyes and ears in every part of the island, all reporting back...
To me.
The Poppies have their five vote-holding senior members, but they are the ones in retirement. They are the ones who have ended their time in the shadows.
To those outside our House, they are the Poppy leaders, devoted to preserving our nation's history and historical places.
To us, they are a very good front for a very large con.
I am Poppy 4, and I am the current Leader of the Poppies.
