"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.