“I’m glad that the people felt confident enough to vote quickly and regain their seat at the council,” he told Filauria with a smile. Best to play nice right from the start, maybe it would be less of a battle anytime he convened; which would be a breath of fresh air. She was more in line with a modern way of thinking while Haymdal had been stuck in the past and ancient traditions.
Revan coughed and Erik turned to see his High Magister waiting impatiently behind him. “Your majesty, the scouts have returned, an army is within a day’s march of Forlorn.”
“How the hell did they get so close before being discovered? I ordered scouts sent immediately after Alamar’s arrival. What happened?” he asked, directing the last to the new Seer.
Talaedra cocked her head to her side and smirked. “You could have thousands of eyes and never see everything.”
He grunted. Yep, he wasn’t going to like her. “Well, I didn’t need focus on any part of the world other than the entrance to the western forest. So, less eyes needed yes?”
“If I may your majesty? My druids did not notice their approach either. They are being protected by magical means from detection,” the magister advised, cutting in.
He rounded about. “And old fashioned means? You know, eyes on target? The scouts should have been stationed far enough out to give more than a day’s notice on the opposing army’s movements.”
Kaius was fidgeting by the table. “There seemed to be a delay in the scout’s departure. Miscommunication.”
“Dammit!” he cursed, slamming his fist on the table.
Merlin entered the chamber and stood silently against one wall, eyes watching them closely. Behind him entered Kore, the chosen representative of the orc forces and newly anointed Knight of the Realm.
“Maybe it’s best we start?” Filauria asked, moving towards her appointed seat at the table. He glared in her direction, wanting to fume for a moment and make sure that the other commanders understood the gravity behind their mistake.
They barely had time to evacuate the forces in front of the castle, and they were still working out how best to feed and house such a large host. There would literally have to be tents propped up in streets and every open space used to accommodate them.
His generals were already seated with the exception of Kaius, who was nervously looking down at the floor. Extra chairs had been brought and all would be filled with the exception of Tristan, who was still away on his honeymoon. He would have to remember to send a bird and request his immediate return come the closing of the meeting. Not that he would be needed, but it would be reckless to take the young couple’s safety for granted.
Merlin and Kore moved forward to take seats on the right and he nodded at the mage as he settled into place. Talaedra was glancing at the man with disgust and wondered how so much animosity could have been generated so quickly.
Storvirk and Noelani were seated on the opposite side, the Human King joking with John, who was seated directly on Erik’s left, having shifted General Jade slightly and having a more prominent place at the table. Standing in the corner on the far right was Jillian, Queen of the Fairies, unwilling to vocally take part in their discussion; but not wanting to miss it either.
Pendoran had started to fill out slowly since his return and he was sitting confidently and looking eager to begin.
“Obviously, we have a lot to discuss,” he began, surveying the group before him. It had been a very long time since so many representatives of different races had been convened and the moment hadn’t been lost on him. “How are the defenses coming?”
Jade leaned forward and addressed the group. “We have been working for months on reinforcing and freshening our defenses. With the added threat of dragons, we have created water towers for quicker fire prevention as well as hardening the roofs of strategic points against attack. Now, there’s not much we can do to protect the forest intertwined throughout the fortress, but the druids have assured me that they’ve been working protection spells to help with that.”
“All that was needed was reinforcement of what was already there. The spells have been woven since the construction of Forlorn, with only occasional attention needed on maintaining them. They draw energy from the forest, which is one of the reasons it was interwoven with nature to begin with,” Revan instructed them, eyes on the King.
“That was before the Phoenix was reborn and created magical beings called Horsemen to threaten us with. Be assured, this will be a fight to the death and do not take anything for granted, for overconfidence may lead to our doom,” Merlin interjected, staring at those assembled.
“Well, you’re the know-it-all hero, you tell us what’s about to happen,” Talaedra broke in with a sneer, brows drawn together, eyes scorching their way across the table at the mage.
Merlin ignored her remark, turning his gaze in his direction. “Have we sent word to Tristan and Willow yet?”
“How is that important to what we are doing here?” Agarhir asked suddenly, interjecting himself into the conversation. The cleric had been silent and watchful, but now he seemed to have a renewed purpose behind his words. “We need to quit looking to heroes to save us and ask the Gods for guidance in what to do next.”
John grunted. “And how’s that coming? Have they given over any insights or offered advice on battle plans?”
“Blasphemy! How dare you question the Gods!” Agarhir roared, getting to his feet.
“I don’t mean offense, only wondering how such advice will be heard or even if it’s being offered? We can’t sit by and wait for an answer or we will all be dead and the crows will be picking at your corpse; freeing you to ask them yourself; face to face,” John returned coldly. “I believe just as much of the next man, but in my experience, no God has ever intervened personally in our affairs. No, that—is up to us.”
Agarhir’s face was flushed, his anger seething. “You sit here and mock me, in the presence of this unholy—” the cleric roared, gesturing at the silent orc at the table.
“That’s enough!” Erik roared, getting to his feet.
“My Lord—” the cleric started, staring daggers in his direction.
Erik drew Excalibur and rested it on the table. “This sword was brought to me by the courage and strength of a small group working against the Phoenix before we even knew there was a war to be fought. Two of those members are luckily here with us tonight to share their insight in how to win this war, and you attack one of them out of racial prejudice? Is that what the Gods teach you? How to hate without cause? Aren’t you supposed to love, to extend your hand? Are you not supposed to be the voice of the Gods? If they created all, then they created the Orcs as well, and the fact that some have defected and joined our ranks should be cause for celebration not disdain!”
“You dare question my faith?” Agarhir thundered, slamming his staff against the stone flooring.
“You’re damn right. Now remove yourself from my sight or I’ll personally come over there and escort you out. If there are any others that think that the orcs fighting with us are not a blessing but a curse, you may stand and follow him out the door!” he stated, addressing the rest of those assembled, as Agarhir stared open mouthed at his monarch.
“Sire, this is irregular,” Broman stated coldly, watching the exchange.
He shook his head in frustration. “I need people that are prepared to meet the enemy out there, not create new ones in here! If you can’t do that, then beat it. We have a lot of work to do and not enough time to do it.”
To his surprise, Talaedra stood and faced him. “If you have need of the Seers, give me a call,” she snarled as she turned, took Agarhir’s arm, and began leading him out the door.
After it clicked shut, he let out a breath and sat back in the chair.
“Well, I saw that coming,” Uriens commented, then the other generals broke into laughter; to the bewilderment of their guests.
Gualguanus actually stood, got a large mug, and poured a generous amount of ale into
it. Then he walked over and placed it in front of the silent orc. “I’ve been trying to rattle that insufferable bastard for decades. That was well worth the wait,” he laughed, clapping the large knight on the back. “I, for one, am honored to have such an accomplished warrior fighting by my side. May we cleave the enemy heads from their shoulders side by side!”
“Kore like wine,” the confused warrior remarked, staring at the foaming mug in front of him and the rest of the group broke into fresh cackles. Had he just made a joke?
He couldn’t help but join in and Agravaine passed Kore’s mug to Storvirk, who eagerly downed the strong ale with a loud burp. Kaius brought Kore a glass of wine and to their astonishment, the orc brought it to his lips and drank it in one gulp, wiping droplets from his red beard and appearing to smile around his tusk.
Merlin shook his head and turned to the King. “Shall we continue on?”
II
Erik stood in the dungeon doorway, trying to decide if this was really the time for this, but feeling that all avenues of intelligence had to be explored. He approached the cell where Larahredhel lay, her chest rising softly while she slept. She was obviously not being kept up all night by the actions she had taken.
He kicked the cell door with his armored boot, his eyes flaring as she finally stirred and looked up at him. “What do you want?” she groaned, not making a move to rise or addressing him with respect that his position afforded.
“I want to know how much that bitch knows. How much you told her,” he snarled at the woman who was acting like she was in detention, not about to be executed for murder.
Larahredhel cackled. “What the hell are you going on about? What bitch? Your wife? Have you finally turned on her? Well, I’m sorry, you’re not going to get anything here.”
His fingers clenched and his brow drew together. “The Phoenix,” he bit off, trying his best to get a rise out her.
She was speechless, her eyes incredulous. “Are you serious? You really think I would bow to that witch?” The look on her face was hard to mistake; she was genuinely surprised.
“Why else would you kill Haymdal?” he asked after a moment, trying to collect his thoughts.
“Because he was going to expose my plot to overthrow you in exchange for his freedom. I couldn’t allow that to happen,” she snarled, eyeing him closely. “You really thought the Phoenix forced my hand? Is that what you think of women? That they are incapable of acting on their own, that magical means must be employed if they act outside your expectations?”
His mind was reeling—what the hell? “Why would you want to do that? What have I ever done to you?”
“It’s not always about you,” the woman retorted, finally getting to her feet and moving towards the bars. “You changed the law so that your daughter could rule, then she gets kidnapped. You were sick; bedridden. I know because I snuck into your room while your aide was elsewhere and your watchdog was asleep. I saw what was happening and decided to act. With Haymdal supporting me, I would overthrow you and be named interim Queen. And when circumstances permitted, permanent ruler of Forlorn.”
“You wanted my crown?” he stammered, still trying to comprehend what she was saying. This was about timing and not a plot by the Phoenix to take him out? It was simple murderous ambition?
She laughed again, stared at him for a moment and then moved to the bed. “You really are full of yourself. Of course it was about the crown. And the fact that you are so slow to see that proves that you are not fit to rule. Don’t worry, I’ll just hang out here until the approaching army kills you, then I’ll make my move. I will not be in this cell for long.”
“You’re right,” he said in a low measured voice. “You won’t be. Did I forget to tell you? You’re being executed at dawn. Sleep well, it’ll only draw the moment that much closer.”
He watched the shock spread on her face; she had really thought she’d live out her days in a cell. Well, she murdered a prominent member of the council in cold blood and he was not going to allow such treachery go unpunished.
Before she could respond, he turned and walked out the door, leaving the Seer to enjoy her last breaths of life before her appointment with the gallows.
III
Merlin watched the large silver dragon soar overhead, his trajectory leading him west, as if he wanted to see for himself where the army was currently encamped.
Not that it was really needed.
Now that the army was this close, they were getting constant updates from the scouts, and he could spy the smoke from campfires in the distance. It looked like the entire forest was on fire. Indeed, with the hint of ash upon the air, they were probably doing just that. Setting the forest aflame not only to help them progress, but to make a point to the Elves; they were here to utterly destroy their world.
There was movement on either side and he knew that Erik and Tristan had joined him. “Enjoy your honeymoon?” he asked the youth and Tristan flushed in response. “No, don’t answer that. I am sure you did. You see that?” he asked the King, nodding to the western sky.
“Are they setting the forest on fire?” Erik asked, eyes widening. “Why? They could just go around.”
“They aren’t just coming to kill you, they are coming to erase you from existence. Everything that the Elves stand for are a contradiction to the Phoenix’s doctrine. She wants complete annihilation and no record that you ever existed to defy her,” he told the other.
Tristan shook his head, unable to believe it. “What’s the point? If you destroy everything, what is left to rule?”
He sympathized for the innocence still dwelling with the young boy’s eyes. “You can’t justify evil, can’t explain it, can’t understand it; it just is. The Phoenix doesn’t think on anything other than the accumulation of power and the destruction of her enemies. She doesn’t care what is left as long as there is no one to oppose her and she rules absolute.”
“That’s just nuts,” Tristan muttered with disgust.
Erik grunted. “I just confronted a murderer who hungered for power and tried to overthrow me just to get my crown. With all this going on, with chaos raging throughout the lands, with the Phoenix marching her armies against us, she still let her ambition get the best of her and almost killed us all. How does that make sense?” he asked, not turning his head, keeping his eyes unfocused and on the night sky. “She accused me of mistaking her intentions on the fact that she was a woman. That wasn’t it, not at all. My mistake was thinking she was an elf, not a monster.”
There were footfalls behind them, but Merlin didn’t need to turn to know who was coming. He had sent an aide to fetch his companions and asked them to meet on the ramparts as soon as they were able.
“What are you three up to? Planning your escape?” Willow asked as she stepped forward and hugged her new husband.
Erik turned and looked at those assembled, then at the mage. “Should I go? Give you guys some privacy?”
He shook his head. “There’s no need for you to leave. Whether you know it or not, you’ve been a part of this group since its conception. Seems only fitting that you remain and join us.” Turning, he glanced at those before him and felt pride swell within his breast.
Reyna had moved to the wall next to Erik and was eyeing the horizon suspiciously, as if smelling the army about to knock on their door. Kylee had moved next to her sister, her mind seemingly distracted and an odd look on her face like she had done something wrong. Kore and Riska were standing there expectedly, their new armor glistening in the moonlight. Trek was nowhere to be seen, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t nearby and able to hear all that transpired anyways.
“As far as I am concerned, you have all fulfilled your oaths and are released from participating any further unless you choose to,” he told them, looking at the others one at a time and making sure they knew how proud he was of their efforts.
“I called it,” Reyna snorted, glancing at the ranger.
Kylee swore, digging in her pocket for
a gold coin and flipping it to the black knight. “Damn it, I had it at five minutes, not three.”
“Hoo dae ye hink Ah feel? Ah called it at ten! Thooght we’d gie a long-winded speech afair th' bit!” Riska snarked, his brow coming together in mock frustration.
He was confused. “What are you three going on about?”
The orc grunted. “Kore bet seven.”
Erik broke out into laughter and clapped the mage on the shoulder. “Now that’s hilarious. Thanks for letting me stick around, I needed that.”
He was lost, looking at the others and not comprehending what they were talking about. Then Tristan stepped forward and placed himself so they were face to face. “We all took bets on how long it would take for you to go all noble and tell us that we completed our mission, but we should leave before that army gets here. How did you not see this coming?”
Reyna chuckled. “Now you’re beginning to sound like me.”
Tristan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, no. Look Merlin, you might have formed this group, given us a purpose, but we all made the choice to stay, to see it through. Not just for you. We all had our own reasons and none of them have changed. We got Excalibur, Erik is healthy and leading as he should, but he was not the sole reason any of us went on this crusade of yours. And with all due respect, we’re not done yet.”
He was at a loss for words. He stared at each of them and realized that he really should have known better.
“You think you can assuage your conscience by cutting us loose and giving our lives back, but they weren’t yours to begin with. I have given you a hard time over the death of my brother, but you didn’t make him come along, he made that choice himself. As did I. You were up front about the risk, you didn’t hide anything, nor could you with Jared. He knew what he was getting into and he still chose to come along,” Reyna admitted, coming to stand by Tristan’s side.
Phoenix Rising (the New Age Saga Book 3) Page 22