"A sound plan." Allazar agreed darkly, "I will keep watch."
45. Council
Days and nights passed slowly, and Gawain's frustration rose with each minute that dragged by. Beyond meal-time pleasantries, Brock and Willam studiously avoided any discussion with him or Elayeen. Wizards scowled darkly, and where ever Gawain went in public, dark gazes followed his every move.
Elayeen spent a great deal of time with the Lady Hellin, and both seemed to enjoy each other's company, each learning from the other the differences in court protocol between Elvendere and Juria. Allazar was frequently conspicuous by his absence too, and Gawain had no idea where the wizard went or what he was about. Were it not for Jerryn, Gawain might have felt himself abandoned.
Ambassadors from Arrun and Mornland arrived, in company with the seemingly obligatory wizards, and a token force of mounted honour-guards. Their passage to Ferdan had gone unhindered and without incident, and apart from a polite bow to Gawain, the diplomats immediately retired to their rooms and awaited formal Council.
A day later, Jerryn found Gawain pacing the decking outside his apartments.
"Longsword." The officer smiled, "The artisans worry that this planking will have to be replaced before the paint on the walls is truly dry."
"They do?"
Jerryn grinned. "Your pacing."
"Ah. What news?"
"Threlland's party arrives imminently. A rider has been sent in advance to prepare for their arrival."
"They have crossed the plains without incident?"
"It would seem so."
"Yet I remain concerned, my friend. I find it hard to believe that the force I and my Lady met were intended solely for us. It makes no sense."
"I share your concern. The fortifications this town provides are better than none, but fall far short of a castle town. That Ferdan should play host to so many royal crowns, and with the enemy clearly able to penetrate the plains undetected…"
Gawain nodded. "I trust you've made suitable arrangements."
Jerryn nodded. "I have set two patrols, one far ranging, the other closer, ringing the town. If the enemy approach in force, we shall have good notice."
"I only hope Elvendere notes Threlland's arrival, and in turn arrives in the numbers my Lady predicts. Their bows are formidable."
"Look yonder, they are opening the gates."
"Aye. Eryk approaches."
"Yet still something troubles you greatly, my friend."
"In truth." Gawain admitted, and his gaze shifted from the Threlland vanguard approaching the gates, to linger on the small group of wizards outside their huts.
"Ah." Jerryn noted the direction of Gawain's stare. "I have given my men orders, Longsword. No wizard shall enter Council without first being examined as Allazar has described."
"Yet I am still uneasy, Jerryn. You must tell the honour-guards in the council room to watch the wizards closely. I do not trust them. Joyen of Threlland had no need of strange writings on his body to hide his true loyalty. Watch them always, and watch them well."
"As they watch you."
"Aye."
Horses clopped across the courtyard, and Gawain watched as Eryk, flanked by Sarek and Rak, rode into Ferdan. Rak and Sarek nodded a greeting, which Gawain returned, but Eryk's gaze was fixed on Willam and Brock, striding across the cobbles to greet him.
"Elvendere approaches in numbers!" a look-out cried from the walls, and all heads swung towards the gates.
Gawain sighed, and smiled grimly.
"At least that is one worry less from your shoulders, Longsword." Jerryn smiled.
"Aye. As long as it's Thal-Hak himself."
There was a sudden flurry of activity as Threlland horses were hurriedly led from the courtyard to make way for the imminent arrival of elves. Honour-guards of all the lands present rushed to take up positions on the parapet to observe the elves' approach, and there was a sudden rising of tension within the walls.
"Nigh on a hundred!" a voice called down from the walls.
"Our friends seem worried." Jerryn said softly.
"My Lady has advised the crowns already that Elvendere would be so heavily escorted." Gawain replied.
"No, Longsword, I didn't mean the guards."
Gawain looked at his friend, who nodded towards the wizards. It was true. The wizards did indeed seem suddenly nervous.
"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."