Allazar stood in front of Elayeen, blocking her progress.
"Wait, my Lady." the wizard said softly, breathing hard. "There may yet be Morlochmen here. Guards, shoot down the first wizard who raises an arm!"
Gawain stood, and turned to face the low seats. In truth, there were few enough targets for the honour-guards to consider. Most were blackened and burned corpses. Then he turned to face the Crowns once more.
"You have seen." He announced softly as the doors to the chamber burst open and guards rushed in. "You have seen what is to become of your lands, lest you stand together as one. I can do no more."
Gawain reached down, and wincing as his burned hands clutched the still-warm hilt of the longsword, he heaved it from the ground, sheathed it, and slung it loosely over his shoulder. Then, as Elayeen slipped beneath his arm, he turned his gaze to Allazar.
"Come, friend Allazar. These crowns have much to discuss, and I doubt they will welcome your presence any more than I once did."
"Wait!" Thal-Hak cried, "Where are you going? Raheen, where are you going?"
Gawain paused, and turned slowly, Elayeen helping him stand tall and gazing at her father.
"Longsword, do not leave us thus!" Brock gasped, stepping forward, to a chorus of agreement from all on the raised platform.
"You must look to each other, and not to me." Gawain sighed. "You have sat together, and now you stand together. If you do not learn to walk together, and run, and fight together, and soon, all is lost. My friend Rak of Tarn there will gladly show you how."
Thal-Hak gazed down at his daughter, his face ashen and anguished. "Daughter, I beg you, bid your husband stay…"
But Gawain shook his head. "No, Thal-Hak. She and I are throth. And I must take this wizard Allazar on a journey, and cannot, nor would not, leave her."
"A journey?" Allazar gasped, "Where?"
"Not to the Teeth, Traveller!" Rak called, "Not to the Teeth…"
"No." Gawain announced quietly, turning slowly again, and Allazar sighed in great relief. "We journey south. There is something I wish to show this wizard."
"South?" Willam of Juria croaked, "South where?"
"Home." Gawain said, heading for the door. "To Raheen."