by GJ Kelly
"My Lord." a soft and lilting voice announced from behind them.
"My Lady." Gawain smiled, turning to Elayeen. "Elvendere approaches."
Elayeen smiled sadly. "Yes. And with my father at the van."
"I have duties, your Majesties. By your leave?" Jerryn announced, and bowed, and turned to hurry across the courtyard to his king.
"Is Gan with him?" Gawain asked, as Elayeen stood close to his side.
"I hope so. It was unseemly for Hellin and I to remain on the parapet, so I did not have time to see all."
"Perhaps we should join the other crowns, and await Thal-Hak's arrival with them."
"I think it would be wiser to wait," she said softly, staring towards the gates.
"Really? Why?"
Elayeen glanced up, and stared into his eyes. "I have learned much from the Lady Hellin. You and I are very much outsiders here, for all the respect we are shown."
"Outsiders?" Gawain gasped, and blinked as strange aquamire threatened flood.
She nodded, earnestly, and with a glance towards the wizards, took Gawain by the arm and led him into their rooms. "My Lord," she said softly, "The wizards have worked hard these past days and nights. Already Crowns are persuaded more and more against you. The Lady Hellin is with us, but she has said that her father regards you more with fear than with trust. Brock remains unconvinced of the danger to Callodon, and will not jeopardise the peace with Juria by siding with you against Willam. And no-one knows what the eastern ambassadors will say, for they have kept themselves to themselves since their arrival."
"Yet Threlland knows the truth, and the danger."
"Yes. But my father brings wizards and nobles to Council. Nothing I can say will have the slightest influence on them. Were you not Raheen, and I your queen, I would not be permitted within the chamber. Elvendere would bar me. As it is, for me to speak at all would be deemed unseemly, for as your queen, I am of course expected to acquiesce to you in everything. Thus I must remain silent."
This time, Gawain allowed the strange aquamire to tint his vision. "Elvendere has seen the enemy, and met them. As has Threlland. Whatever else transpires, Thal-Hak and Eryk must form alliance."
"Mithroth..." Elayeen sighed. "Council will form this very evening. All will look to you. It is upon you alone that the outcome rests. If you rage at them, all will be lost."
"Yet I fear I must. The single most important council in the history of all the southland kingdoms is upon us. Politics and protocol must be set aside. How can I not convince them of that, without anger at such stupidity? How can I hope to silence powerful whitebeards with mere words?"
"You must try. For all our sakes. For I have learned from Hellin that it is custom for the Council to be regulated by wizards, and since this is Juria, it will be the First Wizard of Juria who regulates."
Gawain drew in a deep breath, and crossed to the window, watching the arrival of Elvendere.
"Your brother is with them, Elayeen." he said quietly. "As are no less than four wizards."
"My brother may not speak in Council. If he has not persuaded my father to ally with Threlland by now, I fear only you and Eryk may do so when Council meets."
Gawain watched as Thal-Hak dismounted, and strode proudly, flanked by wizards, to greet Juria, and Callodon, and for the first time in centuries, Threlland.
Gawain sighed, and his shoulders slumped. "I would it were my brother, or my father, standing here this day."
"Yet if it were, you would not be here. And there would be no council, and none of us would know of the danger that threatens from the north."
"I know. Yet I believe I would rather face Morloch himself than the Council. I am ill-fitted for such courtly confrontations."
Elayeen stood beside him, and watched the activities in the courtyard with sad eyes. "You cannot be responsible for all our destinies."
"Sometimes I wonder if I am responsible for my own."
They watched as Crowns were escorted by honour-guards, and led to apartments. A short time later, there was a knock on their door, and Rak entered.
"Traveller, and my Lady Elayeen! Well met, my friends."
Elayeen smiled and crossed the room to hug the beaming diplomat. "How are Merrin and Travak?"
"They are well. But you? We heard you had been sorely wounded in battle?" Rak gazed, his eyes wide with concern.
"I am well, and the wound heals quickly."
"I am relieved," Rak smiled happily, "From the reports we had, I half expected to find you near death, you know how troopers can exaggerate. And you, my brother, what ails you that darkens your eyes so?"
"Forgive me, Rak," Gawain sighed, and blinked away the aquamire, "I worry about the coming council."
"Ah. I understand. Then the news I bring will only accelerate your discomfort, I fear."
"News?"
"It seems Thal-Hak is anxious for the Council. In deference to the distance Threlland has travelled, a short period of rest has been granted. But the Council meets in chamber at dusk."
"At dusk?" Gawain gasped. "I thought tomorrow..."
"As did I. But Thal-Hak has pressed, and the eastern ambassadors support his request. Brock too seems anxious for the meeting to commence as soon as possible. And of course Juria frets over security."
"As well they might, given the attack upon us." Gawain muttered.
"Indeed." Rak agreed. "Yet elven archers are already upon the walls, standing side-by-side with honour-guards of all races. And they too patrol on horse without the palisade. I believe it would take a substantial force to breach the defences."
"Then we must wait, and see what the evening brings."
"Aye. In the meantime, will you not join us in our apartments? Eryk is anxious to learn of your Lady's wellbeing, and I am sure would welcome an opportunity to speak with you before council is summoned."
"It would be unwise for my Lord to speak privately with Eryk," Elayeen smiled sadly, and Rak nodded in understanding.
"Then already the wizards cry protocol?" he asked.
"They do."
"Well. There is no protocol that declares a queen may not visit a king who worries for her health, and Eryk is truly concerned for you."
"Mithroth?" Elayeen asked quietly.
Gawain nodded. "I daresay that the wizards will immediately report your visit to Thal-Hak. If nothing else, it may again serve to show that Threlland is no enemy to Elvendere."
"I shall stay if you wish not to be alone." Elayeen asserted.
"Alone?" Rak asked, "Where is Allazar?"
Gawain shrugged. "I know not. He has come and gone like a breeze these past days. But go, Elayeen, and put Eryk's mind at ease. I shall remain here. I have much to think about."
Elayeen smiled, and then took Rak's arm, and they left him there, gazing out of the window.
She returned an hour later, and together they sat quietly, Gawain deep in thought, and Elayeen simply remaining near him. As shadows lengthened, there was a knock on the door, and Allazar entered, his features serious.
"Where have you been, wizard?" Gawain sighed. "I thought you had abandoned us."
"Never, Longsword. I have been putting to good use the many new skills I now possess, most of which you yourself have taught me. Are you prepared for Council?"
"No."
"Ah."
"It is soon?"
"Soon enough. When the shadow of the flagstaff can no longer be seen, the bell will ring summoning all to the chamber. I have arranged for another chair to be placed alongside yours, that your Lady may sit with you."
"Is this permitted?" Elayeen asked.
"It is not forbidden. Besides," Allazar smiled grimly, "If the other Crowns choose to leave their queens at home, that is their prerogative. I thought Longsword might be glad of your proximity."
Gawain nodded. "So I shall. And you Allazar?"
"I serve you, Longsword, and thus may stand behind you as advisor, if you will have me."
"Indeed."
"Good. Besides, your Lady's presence by your side is a powerful symbol. It will hold Elvendere's wizards in check to a certain degree, and the bandages on her leg will serve as a visible reminder of the threat to all. In the lower seats, as well as the high."
"It is the wizards who concern me most." Gawain sighed.
"And I." Allazar admitted.
A bell tolled, bringing the conversation to an abrupt end.
"It is time." Allazar sighed, needlessly.
They rose, and Elayeen took Gawain's arm. Wordlessly, led by Allazar, they left their rooms, and walked the long walk to the council chamber where a week or so ago they'd first dined with Juria and Callodon. This time, they knew, there would be no long table laid out with food, nor a jovial Brock bemoaning his hunger.
Nobles and wizards had already occupied the lower seats when they arrived at the Council, and as if by some pre-arranged intent, the high chairs were already occupied by the crowns of Juria, Callodon, Threlland, and Elvendere, together with the ambassadors from Arrun and Mornland. Allazar scowled, and Gawain felt Elayeen squeeze his arm as strange aquamire threatened.
A tall and gaunt wizard, Juria's First, stood in front of the semi-circle of high chairs, smiling without sincerity at Raheen's approach. Clearly, the early arrival of everyone else had been coldly calculated to centre attention on Gawain and Elayeen, and heighten their discomfort. All eyes followed the trio as they walked the aisle between the low seats, heading towards the thrones.
Gawain scanned the room, noting the honour-guards spaced at close intervals all around the chamber. He caught Jerryn's eye, and the slight nod from the Jurian officer. Then he spotted Sarek, and received a similar acknowledgment. His instructions had been carried out.
"Welcome, Raheen." The wizard announced, his voice hard and strong, belying his wasted appearance. "Honour to you."
"And to Crowns, and Council." Gawain responded darkly, pausing and eyeing the wizard with cool disdain as he added softly, "You are blocking my way."
The wizard's eyes widened suddenly, and he bowed, and stepped aside, and Gawain continued across the circular space between the thrones and the lower seats. He guided Elayeen to her chair, and then stood to her left before his own. At once, with a great rustling of clothes, they all sat. Except Gawain, who caused momentary confusion by remaining standing, until he unslung the longsword, and resting his hand on its pommel, took his seat. Allazar stood just behind him, between Elayeen and Gawain, his affiliation thus clear for all to see.
"For Council," the wizard announced, when all had settled. "I am Mahlek, of the First Order, for Juria. I have the honour to regulate."
"I make protest." A lilting voice called from the lower seats.
"Who makes protest?" Mahlek announced, clearly unsurprised by the interruption.
A robed elf stood. "I am Zarren, of the Second Order, for Elvendere."
Gawain glanced across the semi-circle at Thal-Hak, who looked anguished, but refused to meet Gawain's eye. Behind Thal-Hak, a slender and familiar wizard smiled grimly.
"What is your protest, Zarren of Elvendere?"
"I protest the presence in High Council of the faranthroth elfin who by custom in our land is dead, and ever to be regarded thus."
Gawain's hand slid from the pommel to the grip of the longsword, but Elayeen's hand was suddenly and firmly on his arm.
"The protest is insult," Allazar's voice called out from behind Gawain's right side. "And shall be withdrawn. There is no faranthroth elfin here. Or does Zarren of Elvendere shame himself and his Crown, and all his land, by referring to her Majesty, Queen of Raheen, in so vile a manner?"
A deathly hush fell across the chamber, and Mahlek turned an inquiring eye towards the elven wizard.
"Since there is no Raheen," the wizard replied, coldly, "and since this Council has yet to formally recognise the provenance and the right of the longsword warrior to sit in that name, the question is moot. If this Council recognises Raheen, I shall withdraw my protest."
Gawain's fingers twitched, and again he felt the slight pressure of Elayeen's hand.
"Threlland recognises Raheen!" A loud and familiar voice snarled, as Eryk glowered at the wizard.
"And Callodon." Brock boomed.
"Juria also." Willam said, his voice curiously hard.
"I speak for Mornland," A quiet and dignified voice announced from Gawain's left. "Honour to Raheen."
"And I for Arrun." a nasal accent asserted, "We honour Raheen."
"Elvendere honours Raheen," Thal-Hak said softly, "And his queen."
At once, the wizard standing behind Thal-Hak bent and whispered urgently in the king's ear, but a wave of the king's slender hand silenced the anguished whitebeard.
Zarren stood for a moment, stunned, gazing at the wizard behind Thal-Hak.
"The protest shall be withdrawn," Allazar announced grimly. "Now."
Again Mahlek turned to the elven wizard, "Zarren?"
"I...withdraw my protest."
"And honour Raheen." Allazar prompted as Zarren began to take his seat.
Zarren flushed. "And honour Raheen." he mumbled, and sat.
"Very well," Mahlek began, but another voice called from the low seats.
"I make protest."
"Who makes protest?" Mahlek inquired, his tone almost bored, clearly expecting the interruption again.
Another robed figure stood. "I am Nahthen, of the Second Order, of Callodon."
"What is your protest, Nahthen of Callodon."
"Indeed," Brock growled. "What is your protest?"
Nahthen blanched in Brock's gaze, and the king's wizard bent to whisper in Brock's ear.
"I...protest the presence of Her Majesty in Council."
"On what grounds?" Allazar demanded.
"On the grounds of precedent. In no other chambers have I sat where consorts are present."
"There is no precedent." Mahlek agreed, and turned to Allazar.
"Nor would there be," Allazar smiled disarmingly, "Since this is the first time a full Council has ever met. There is also no prohibition in the Articles of Council in respect of consorts. The protest is specious and asinine."
Mahlek's eyebrows arched in surprise, and he turned back to Nahthen. "Can you provide an Article to substantiate your protest?"
The Callodonian wizard looked nonplussed for a moment. "No, at least I am not aware of a specific Article of Prohibition at this time..."
"Then withdraw the protest." Allazar said firmly, folding his arms into his robes.
"Regulator," Zarren announced, standing, "Perhaps a recess would be in order, that the Articles may be consulted for such a prohibition?"
Mahlek was about to speak, when again Allazar called: "There is no need. I have checked the Articles. There are no prohibitions."
"You?" Zarren sneered, "You are D'ith pat! I marvel that you could read the runes of Articles."
"You are D'ith Met. I marvel that you clearly have not."
Zarren looked stunned, frozen between sitting and standing.
Allazar shrugged. "Regulator, it is regrettable that the wizards of Callodon and Elvendere's Second Order could not take the trouble to acquaint themselves with the Articles of Council prior to attending this chamber. I assert, there is no prohibition. If these brethren wish to gainsay me, they may of course withdraw from the chamber and go back to their studies. I see no reason for Council to be delayed through what is, after all, their own ignorance of Articles."
Another silence fell, and Mahlek conceded. "The First of Raheen is correct. I am unaware of prohibition. At this time, the protest cannot be upheld. Zarren of Elvendere and Nahthen of Callodon may, of course, reiterate the protest at such time as they have proof of prohibition."
Cowed, the two wizards sat down. Neither seemed prepared to leave the chamber to refer to the great book of Articles.
"Now, by the Council's leave..." Mahlek began again, but was once more interrupted.
Gawain felt his ire rising as another wizard
took to his feet from the low seats.
"I speak on order." the wizard announced, smiling thinly.
"Who speaks on matters of order?" Mahlek sighed.
"I am Tozenn, of the Second Order, of Juria."
"Speak then."
"I concede to Allazar of Raheen, there is no prohibition against consort in Articles, of which I am aware. Yet, a consort may not address Council, unless the principal Crown is disabled, or absent, or otherwise prevented from speaking. Since it is clear that Raheen is present, and is neither disabled nor prevented from speaking, the consort may not."
"I so regulate."
Smiling again, Tozenn sat down.
"There is no need for such regulation." Allazar announced. "Raheen is well aware of that prohibition."
Intuition began to darken Gawain's eyes, and he fought against it, and won. All eyes seemed directed at Elayeen. All protests were at her presence in the chamber. During the battle, it was her the black riders had targeted, not Gawain...Elvendere was key to the defence of the southlands, and Elayeen was key to Elvendere. Gawain himself was now throth-bound to her, and would surely die if she did...There was no need for enemies to confront Gawain directly. To strike at Elayeen would be enough...
As Mahlek continued to address the Council and formally open the session, Gawain waved Allazar forward. The wizard bent, his ear close to Gawain's lips as the latter whispered urgently:
"Whatever transpires, Allazar, whatever happens from this moment forth, you guard my Lady with your life, even at the expense of mine!"
Allazar looked stunned, but nodded, and withdrew back behind the throne, though Gawain could see from the corner of his eye that the wizard sidled a little closer to Elayeen.
Nor was the gesture lost on Sarek or Jerryn, standing guard behind the semi-circle of thrones, and slowly, the officers moved closer to Elayeen's throne.
"....And therefore, this Council has been summoned to consider the question of mutual defence against this common threat, which, it is alleged, prepares even now to strike against all our lands and peoples.” Mahlek paused, and eyed the lower seats expectantly.
Sure enough, Nahthen was on his feet in an instant. "Crowns, and Council. We have learned of this alleged threat but recently. Indeed, some days past, a minor skirmish with an unidentified force of warriors took place not far from this chamber. Yet, the enemy, if such indeed they were, were effectively and promptly dispatched by a small band of elven warriors. I do not see how such banditry necessitates the calling of Council, nor do I believe that such local brigandry requires military intervention from distant neighbours. I feel sure that both Juria and Elvendere, and indeed Threlland, are more than capable of coping with any minor disturbance local to their borders."