“I have planning to do, so you are all dismissed,” said Bogdan.
Blaze and the generals bowed once again and then one by one, left the room.
****
Crystal awoke long after dawn. She felt bad for oversleeping, but she didn’t blame herself, considering how little sleep she got in the past several days before lying in the luxurious bed she lay in. She slept so hard that she either did not dream or did not remember dreaming. She considered this a blessing, since she had not been haunted by the recurring nightmare for the first night in weeks.
Crystal quickly got dressed and left her room. She did, of course, make her bed first. It was good manners, after all. As she left her room and walked down the corridor, Gavril trotted up the stairs.
“Why did no one wake me?” she asked him.
“Actually, we haven’t been up much longer than you. I was actually just on my way to wake you,” he replied.
“Where is everyone?” she asked.
“Downstairs in the meeting hall,” replied Gavril.
“Meeting hall?”
“High Elder Malcolm is discussing the invasion details with the council. He hasn’t told anyone outside of the elders about the threat, and so he wants to prepare everyone,” explained Gavril, “He also said that they may have uncovered invasion plans that we can strategize with.”
Crystal’s eyes widened. “How did they get these plans?”
“Elder Saitar was out searching for more information early this morning and found a commander of the Daldussan army. He interrogated him and found out how Bogdan was going to attack and when,” explained Gavril.
“Good. Now we can form a better plan. Let’s go to the meeting,” said Crystal.
“Very well, follow me,” said Gavril.
****
The meeting hall was packed with council members and rebels. The high elder kept his promise and many more rebels were allowed into the city. When Crystal and Gavril walked into the room, Thaddeus approached them.
“Good day to you both,” he said, “Sorry for the crowd. I am afraid we will have to stand in the back of the room while the elders conduct their business.”
“That’s fine, Master Thaddeus,” replied Crystal.
For the next few minutes, several rebels approached Crystal and greeted her, and one by one the elders began to enter the room. It was when Malcolm entered that everyone grew silent. He walked around the front of the room behind the elders’ tall podiums, walked up the steps to his podium, and began to speak.
“Good morning, council members, elders, and members of Deliverance,” he said. He stood behind his high desk in the middle of the elders. The other elders sat three on each a side of the high elder, and each seat was lower than the last. On Malcolm’s right sat Bredewig, then Halmez, then Orwynn, and on his left, sat Saitar, then Ydon, then Leldor.
“I am sorry for the seating arrangements,” he continued, “but this is an urgent matter and the rebels need to be present for this. The council members may be wondering why I have called the rebels here. Please understand that this is an emergency and we need their help.
“As most of you know, the rebels form Deliverance, a Cierith liberation group bent on fighting the tyranny of King Bogdan of Daldussa. Everyone in this city knows that our number one rule is to never swear allegiance to one kingdom. We have always stood by anyone from any kingdom who wishes to learn the magic arts, and therefore, we have not taken sides so we will not cause controversy between nations.
“However, it pains me to inform you that we are being threatened by the king of Daldussa. He intends to attack the city and steal a powerful artifact from the Elder’s Hall,” Malcolm explained.
The council members began whispering back and forth. Malcolm cleared his throat loudly to calm the room down once again.
“I am sorry, good members of the council, but I am afraid it is true,” said Malcolm, “The king plans to make off with something called the Eye of Gaull. It is the essence of a great evil and if the king obtains it, he will have absolute power over everyone and everything. Therefore, the rebels of Deliverance, who have sworn to defend those oppressed by the king, have graciously agreed to help us defend our city. In return . . .” Malcolm trailed of, took a long pause, and then continued, “I have offered Cierith allegiance from the City of Magi.
The people in the crowd stood and began shouting out all at once. Agitation and confusion swept over the room and Malcolm had to bellow, “Order! Order!” to get the people to calm down.
“May I speak, High Elder?” said a man in the middle of the crowd.
“You have the floor, councilman,” replied Malcolm.
“Thank you, Sir,” the man replied, “With all due respect, Sir, we cannot possibly offer such a thing! We have mages that reside here who come from kingdoms that were enemies of Cierith before the invasion; it would cause unnecessary conflict between members of the city to allow an allegiance. I also feel that it is dangerous to get involved in the middle of the conflict between Cierith and Daldussa.”
“I understand your concern, councilman, but without the help of the rebels, there may not be a city for our mages to go to. As for the conflict, Bogdan involved the City of Magi the second he decided to invade us,” said Malcolm.
“May I have the floor, High Elder,” asked a female council member.
“You may, councilwoman,” replied Malcolm.
“Thank you, High Elder,” she said, “I do not believe we need the rebels to defend the city. I feel that because you believe so, that you do not believe in the abilities of your fellow mages. Can we not defend the city ourselves?”
“Let me assure you, councilwoman, I have the utmost faith in our mages. However, I know that Bogdan’s army is great in numbers and that he himself has never failed in an invasion. I will take no chances in defending this city, even if it means breaking the rules to do so,” replied Malcolm.
Before Malcolm could even finish speaking, Crystal began walking toward the front of the room. Council members turned their heads to see her walk past.
“What is she doing?” asked Maryn. Taryn shrugged.
Crystal ignored the whispers of her rude behavior, and approached the high elder’s desk. She stopped directly in front of his desk and looked up at him.
“High Elder Malcolm, may I speak to the council?” she asked.
Malcolm paused for a moment and then said, “You have the floor, Crystal.”
Crystal turned to the crowd and stood silently until they all stopped talking. She looked around the room and began to speak, “Good members of the council. I am Crystal, founder and leader of Deliverance. I know all of you are doubtful and possibly even afraid now that your home is being threatened. I know all too well what that fear is like. I have seen this monster destroy lives in less than a day. Being a mage myself, I am confident that you are masters of your skill. However, it will take more than studying and training to defeat Bogdan. He is a cunning, manipulative, and masterful strategist. No matter how well your defenses are, he will find a way to use it against you. Developing your skills is useless if you cannot outsmart him. I have seen many people, even children, murdered in cold blood. I have seen the ruthlessness of one man destroy an entire kingdom in less than a week, and even ten years later, the people live in fear, wondering every day if that day is their last. It is no way for anyone to live.
“I started this Deliverance to free our homeland and its people, and I will not let any other land suffer as our Cierith has. If the king conquers this city, he will take everything from you: your children, your family, your friends, and your freedom. Therefore, I wish for you to allow me to stay and protect your beautiful land and stop Bogdan from causing any more suffering. I know that my friends are with me all the way, so please, council members, let us stay and end this tyranny before it begins.”
The entire room remained silent. Crystal’s words still hovered around them, and it was apparent that several of the council members were quite moved by her speech. M
any had tears swelling in their eyes. After a long silence, Malcolm stood again and spoke.
“I will now call a vote. As you know, a majority rule of the council is required to make a decision,” he said, “All in favor of the rebels leaving, raise your hand.” Only half a dozen council members raised their hands. They held them up until the high elder spoke again, “All those in favor of the rebels staying and helping us to defend the city, raise your hand,” he said. At this point, the remaining council members all raised their hands. There were roughly three dozen hands in the air, and many of those council members still had tear-soaked eyes.
Crystal smiled at the sight of the support, and even more so when Malcolm said, “Then it is settled. The rebels will stay and defend our city alongside us.”
The rebels and the supporting council members clapped. Malcolm then climbed down from his desk and stepped before Crystal, hand outstretched. Crystal then shook the high elders hand and sealed the alliance.
CHAPTER 3
The rebels found themselves once again in the high elder’s study in less than a day. They left for the study immediately after Malcolm concluded the meeting and dismissed the council members. He assured everyone that Elder Saitar had the battle plans and that the other elders and the rebels would decide on a strategy. To avoid causing a panic throughout the city, the council was then advised not to spread the word of the invasion until a defensive strategy was formed.
“I set out into the nearest town to find more information.” explained Saitar, “I had a hunch that soldiers would be posted close to the City of Magi would be keeping watch for more information. My suspicions were confirmed when I found a commander about five miles from the city walls. As it turns out, he knew the entire battle plan, and so I used a hypnosis spell on him to get him to spill every detail of it.” Saitar then unrolled a scroll with messy handwriting on it, as if someone had written it in a hurry, and flattened it out on the High Elder’s desk.
Crystal put each a hand on the rolled ends of the scroll to keep it in place. Gavril peered at the parchment over her shoulder while the other rebels waited a few feet behind.
“So, he’s going to attack directly from the front of the city?” she asked.
“That is what the soldier told me,” Saitar replied proudly.
“That cannot be right,” replied Crystal.
Saitar frowned. “What do you mean?” he asked.
Crystal shook her head. “This plan is too obvious. Bogdan never attacks directly.”
“He is a master strategist.” added Gavril, “I agree with Crystal. I hardly think that the best strategist in Daldussa would attack a city full of mages head on; he would have an extra plan.”
“Are you saying that these plans are false?” asked Malcolm.
Crystal wasted no time in answering, “Yes, High Elder.”
“Just what are you saying?” Saitar snapped. Everyone then turned to look at him suddenly.
“I beg your pardon?” Crystal asked, taken aback.
“You tell me that these plans are false;” retorted Saitar, hiding his anxiety, “Are you accusing me of lying?”
Crystal stared at him in disbelief. Everyone else remained quiet, shocked by his defensive reaction.
“Elder Saitar, I in no way intended to insult you by claiming these plans were false. I merely suggested that the soldier you interrogated did not know the real plan. Perhaps Bogdan did not tell lower rank soldiers for that reason, which wouldn’t surprise me in the least,” Crystal explained. Everyone then watched the elder for a reaction. He was clearly agitated but seemed to be calming down.
“I apologize for my rudeness,” he replied, flushing from embarrassment.
“Do not fret, I am sure you are as nervous as everyone here about this whole situation,” replied Crystal.
“Might I ask, young lady, how do you know so much about the king’s tactics?” asked Leldor.
Before she spoke, Crystal pondered for a moment, considering her words. Then she spoke, “Let’s just say that . . . I have seen his attacks firsthand. I know what he does in battle, and so I know he will not attack so obviously. He loves having the satisfaction of successfully tricking his enemies.”
“Oh, I see,” replied Leldor. A brief silence followed.
“Would everyone please give me a moment to speak to Crystal alone?” asked Malcolm, breaking the silence, “You may all wait out in the hall.”
“Yes High Elder,” said the elders simultaneously.
Crystal nodded to the other rebels in assurance. Gavril nodded back and directed the other rebels to the door. When everyone was waiting outside, Malcolm shut the door behind them. Maryn and Taryn then pressed their ears against the door, trying to hear the conversation on the other side.
“Be respectful you brats!” bellowed Sigurd.
“Yeah, but we want to make sure Crystal’s okay!” said Taryn.
“Are you suggesting that the high elder would harm your leader?” asked Orwynn sternly.
“Don’t lie to them, Taryn;” said Maryn, “You just want to be nosy.”
“Yeah, well so do you, you little sneak!” replied Taryn.
“That is enough, you two! Come away from the door,” said Gavril with a raised voice. He did not speak so fiercely often, but when he did, everyone knew not to cross him. The twins obeyed and walked clear away from the door without a word.
Inside the study, Malcolm walked over to Crystal. She looked at him curiously.
“What is it, High Elder?” she asked.
“Crystal, I am starting to fear that you may be too emotional to complete this task,” said Malcolm.
Crystal sighed and assured the high elder, “I will be fine. I want justice, and I refuse to run away from this.”
“I am sure all your friends do as well, but after what has happened to you, are you sure you can control yourself when you see the king?” he asked.
Crystal sighed and responded, “I’ll do my best. I know what is at stake, High Elder, and I know if I blow this, I will regret it forever, but I also know I will regret not trying more. That is why there is no way I am going to sit around and do nothing.”
“Your parents would not want you to get killed for them, Amelia,” said Malcolm.
Crystal straightened up. “Do not call me that;” she said sharply, “Amelia is dead. She died ten years ago when the king’s soldiers invaded a village she was hiding in. The soldier who killed her brought her blood-covered doll back to Bogdan himself.”
Malcolm took a deep breath and replied softly, “I am sorry . . . Crystal. I just want to make sure you are ready and can handle this.”
Crystal looked down at her feet. She paced back and forth for a bit but then turned to face the high elder again.
“I am ready,” she said, “I have been ready to stop him for ten years, and I will do whatever it takes to overthrow him.”
“Very well;” replied Malcolm, “Do you have an idea about what the king might do?”
“I have a hunch. It seems to me like this fake plan may be a diversion. He is a cunning and deceptive man, so our best bet would be to prepare for the frontal assault, but to have watchers along the walls of the city, and maybe a mile or so outside of the city, to alert everyone if they see anything. As for me and my team, I would like permission to guard the Eye of Gaull directly. That way, if Bogdan somehow gets past the defenses, my team and I will be there waiting for him,” explained Crystal.
Malcolm thought for a moment and stroked his beard. Then he nodded and said, “That’s not a bad idea.”
“On the day of the attack, will you guide us to the chamber the Eye lies in?” Crystal asked him.
“Of course, I will bring you there myself,” replied Malcolm.
“Good. I will let my team know and we can start preparing for battle. I will tell the other rebels to help out where they can around the city,” replied Crystal.
Malcolm nodded and said, “Very well, let us begin preparations immediately.”
Over the next few days, the last groups of rebels began arriving and, not soon after they set foot in the city, they found themselves hastily preparing for battle. As the high elder expected, many people in the city began to panic when they heard of the invasion. It was only after Malcolm made a public speech, assuring everyone that there the rebels had arrived to help and that there was a plan of action, that the people of the city finally began preparations.
Teachers altered their normal lessons and taught extra combat spells to all students, beginner and advanced. Orwynn, who was head of the education department of the city, saw that the more advanced students were giving special equipment, such as magically enhanced staves and robes from different shops in town. Leldor, who owned several of the other shops, had assured the equipment shop owner that he would be reimbursed later, and he himself began giving out supplies from his own shops. The healing supplies were brought inside the town infirmary, which had been heavily barricaded so that the building could withstand severe blows. Crystal suggested this, stating that if the infirmary is destroyed, then no one could be healed and could return to battle.
Halmez was in charge of the city defenses and he hastily recruited every able mage for the defense team, including students. Upon receiving Crystal’s advice, he gave locations for the rebel troops to report to when the attack was beginning. Several dwarf and human rebels offered to venture outside of the city walls to fight off foot soldiers, and Ydon, Kerali, and the other elf rebels planned to go into the surrounding area of the city to watch for troops and warn the people of the city when they spotted the army.
Bredewig and several other scholars searched through every inch of the library for scrolls that could be used for the battle. There were barrier spells that the mages along the city wall could use to deflect arrows and other objects being shot at them. Whatever could be used, Bredewig had the scrolls sent throughout the city to anyone who needed them.
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