|
Chronicle III, Chapter 1, War Council, By William Black By William Black Morion strode into her council chamber, a broad smile creasing her lips. The men at the large oak table all stood as she entered. Sir David commented, "My Lady is looking rather pleased with herself. What happened? What have you done?" Morion took in the scene and continued to smile, "Oh nothing. But I think our Druid friend is coming along rather nicely." And she walked to the side hallway heading to her private chambers. "Notify me when Will arrives. He should be here shortly," she called back to them. The advisors stared down the hallway after their sovereign, then glanced at Sir David, who only shrugged. "Gentleman, shall we continue our plans?" He said to get their attention back on the crises of the moment. Captain Tactus stood up and pointed to the map. "Sirs, there is no way to stop the advancing army easily, since we are sitting in the middle of a plain with little natural defenses between them and us. I like Sir Wilford's suggestion of surprise night attacks." He waited for the usual objections to be raised, but the men appeared tired of arguing. "That will assuredly cause a lot of confusion and hopeful dishearten their troops." Again, he waited for any objections. None were made. They had been at this meeting ever since Sir David and Robert called them together. Sir Alan sat quietly looking expectantly at the front entrance as if waiting. Doctor Ambros ushering in his knightly patient soon rewarded his gaze. "My lords, please don't keep him long. He needs his rest," Ambros commanded with an air of authority. Will just smiled and patted the old man on the back. "I promise to take it easy, mother," he said with a laugh. "Remember, I have as much to loose by my demise as you do." Sir Alan was up in an instant, guiding Will to his place at the table. He turned to the doctor and commented, "Sir, I will make sure this young one gets his rest. No need to worry. Please bring any medicine he might need to my quarters." Then he said to a servant near by, "Go fetch her Ladyship. Inform her of Will's arrival." Both the servant and Ambros bowed respectfully, and left the room as Doctor Laroux entered. "Will, here are the charts and … you requested." "Just lay them here for the present." Will indicated an empty spot at the table. "Sit with me and Alan." He glanced around the table at the men present, "Tell me, what progress have you made in planning the defense of Morion?" Will fell silent, not wanting to impose his own ideas on the proceedings. He listened intently as Sir David outlined the situation, summarized the various reports now flooding in of the advancing army's devastating attacks on towns and villages, and the plans they had already come up with. However, Will's mind turned to other battles where the odds were against the side he was on. Surprise was a key to victory, but not the only one. The city of Morion was situation rather badly in regards to self-defense. No wonder she depended on magic to keep her safe, he thought to himself. Reports continued to trickle in of the advancing army's progress, and the news was not good. The King Ranus of Torr to the north had faired very badly. Most of his knights and foot soldiers being decimated by the onslaught of the advancing hoard. Those that escaped, along with the citizenry, had come south to either take refuge in Morion's realm, or to go further to Sandan. Most stayed in Morion or the outlying villages thinking the Dark Crystal would afford them the protection they needed. They had heard the stories and witnessed many of the "miracles" of Morion's Realm, so their confidence was well founded, or so they thought. "…and that is what we have come up with so far," Sir David brought Will's thoughts back to the moment. "Captain Tactus believes surprise is our only option for victory. The war machines are being repaired and tested. I don't personally see them being much good against such a vast hoard." Will looked around at the men seated at the table. Their eyes were tired but steadfast. "The war machines won't be enough, it is true. Victory resides in the hearts of the men here present. It is you that will decide the battle." Will smile reassuringly. "Yet I have to warn you again, do not think you can turn to Morion and her Dark Crystal as a last resort. Magic must not be used. It would be far better to fall to Lord Banon and his demented hosts then to be destroyed by the very thing you think you can trust." Sir Alan gazed at his brother, doubt shadowing the creases of his brow. "Will, are you saying that the age of the Dark Crystal is over? That they cannot use the magic anymore?" Sir David stood and looked at Will squarely in the eyes, "Is your brother asking you, or in an off-handed way, telling us that magic is forever now forbidden?" Morion had entered the room just in time to catch David's comments. Will shook his head sadly. "You are all thinking of the present as if it is the future. The magic of mind-craft has enveloped you so that you don't even see the folly behind the questions you are asking. Even my brother has been infected." "Oh, and you are immune?" Sir Robert glared at his new friend. "Morgan gave up magic, but I guarantee, she was happier when she felt she had some control over things. Will, we need this magic." The Druid stood up and walked around the table. All eyes followed him as he made his circuit around the room. As he came to Lady Morion, he took her hand and kept walking, forcing her to follow. Then he came back to his seat and stopped. Placing his hands firmly on Morion's shoulders, he forced her into the chair. She sat without resistance. Turning to the men in the room he said, "Do you understand the object lesson I have just shown you?" "Bloody hell man! We are not children! Tell us plainly what you are about!" Captain Tactus' face flushed beet red. This time Will spoke in a low calm voice, but the anger was barely held in check, "So, you want me to speak plainly. You are not children you say. I cannot believe you are all such fools. I have spoken direct and without hiding my meanings. But let me try to explain in a more 'adult' fashion…" here Will walked over and stood inches away from the Captain of the Guard, "you, all of you, are under a spell. Gardain convinced you that you couldn't stand without the use of magic. So you have tried and many of your knights fell at his hand, thus confirming his words." Will walked to stand in front of Sir David, "Now you claim that 'surprise' is the key to victory, but in the backs of your minds you think that magic can be used as a last resort; if all else fails of course. Speak now if what I say is inaccurate!" Will paused to allow them time to speak. Then he then walked over to Sir Robert and noticed Morgan entering the room to be with her lover. "Not only do you believe magic can be used as a last resort, but deeper in your minds' you wonder 'why don't we use it to begin with and avoid the bloodshed!'" He whipped around and confronted Morion, "Is this not true, my Lady? Is this not what you secretly think to yourself?" Morion looked at him defiantly for a moment then cast her gaze downward. "It is, my Lady. I can read your heart. Morgan, tell her of my 'abilities'. Tell her how I can read the very beat of her emotions." Morgan walked over to her friend and caught her gaze, "It's true my Lady. He can read you whether close or far. It is one of his more annoying gifts." Morion glanced back at Will, "Okay. You know what I feel. So tell me Druid. Is it so bad? You cannot tell me you have abandoned your primal magic. Or that you will never practice it again!" "No, my Lady. Seems you can read my heart too. But here is the point. If you or any of your people decide to use magic to counter Lord Banon's threat, the very thing you depend on will consume you. Magic will be the 'savior' and no longer the determination of the human spirit and brains that God gave you. The people of your realm will become shadows of humanity; living only by virtue of the magic they so depend on. You will no longer be in control. The magic will. And magic that rules, rules as a merciless demon! Is that plain enough for you?" Will glared fiercely at those around him. Morgan walked up to Will, putting her arm around his waist, "Will has never spoken lies to me or to you. What he says is true. Believe it." She looked at him and whispered, "How can I help?" Her arm around him felt good, but he looked away from her gaze and spoke to those at the table. "Here are my ideas. You can take 'em or leave them. But regardless of your decisions, I will stand with you. So, now the ideas. First, I want trenches dug between the advancing army and here." Will gently released himself from Morgan's encircling arm and went to the table where he unrolled a scrolled map. This is where you say the army is now," he said pointing to the valley south of Torr. "And that in a few days it will be here at the Sapphire River. Well, they will have to go up river a few miles to find a shallow enough area to cross; them and all of their war instruments. So that buys us at least a week. During that time, I want the trenches dug here, here and here." Will took a piece of charcoal and drew heavy lines indicating the traps. "Notice how I am staggering them? They must be perfectly camouflaged to prevent detection. As the advancing troops fall victim to the trenches, they will become leery of moving swiftly forward." The men at the table looked at one another. Then Sir Alan tilted his head at his brother. "Up to your old tricks again?" He said heartily, "I love it. Pray, continue!" Will knew his brother was way ahead of the rest, but he just smiled at him. "Secondly, I need Laroux and his apprentices to mix up a boat load of this…" here Will opened up the pharmacopoeia, found the page he was looking for and pointed out the recipe. "This special potion, while appearing to have 'magical' effects, in reality is nothing more then a strong sedative with some hallucinogenic qualities. It should put a severe limp in our enemy's gate. I will also need you to make up some of this special cayenne powder mix. This is the quantity for each that I need." Will handed Laroux a piece of parchment. Laroux scanned the note, then looked up in surprise. "Will, this also requests Aconite syrup. Are you sure?" Sir David's eyes snapped to Laroux and then back to Will, "Isn't Aconite another name for Monkshood?" "Yes," Will stated simple. "We use that to kill rats and mice. It's deadly to humans too!" "And so are the beasts that are coming to destroy Morion. I have no love of war or killing, but I will not let this realm die without fighting to save it. I can't use magic, so I will do what I can to dishearten, demoralize, and if necessary, destroy the enemy with a minimal of lose to you and yours. If you have any complaints, take it up with management!" Will glared at the First knight, not knowing why he felt so defensive towards this man. "Will, forgive me. I was not accusing, but I was just…surprised at…oh damn! Just forget it." David lowered his gaze to the map in front of him. "Brother," Alan spoke up to break the awkwardness of the moment, "how do you plan on delivering these 'potions' to their intended targets. They have to be hit well away from our own troops, or your plans could backfire." Will looked at Captain Tactus, "This is why I need those catapults in good repair. I also need the assistance of your best falconers. With the birds, though they can carry far less payload, we can strike at our enemy while he is still many miles away." Sir David himself was a falconer, so when he spoke, it was with authority. "Will, even with our best birds, we can hardly direct them accurately to their targets without ourselves being fairly close. How do you plan on overcoming that little limitation," he challenged. Will laughed, "By letting Arrow lead them. Arrow and I have a unique relationship. What he sees, I see, and vice-versa. I will show him in my minds-eye where to direct the other birds, and when to release the payloads." "And this is not magic?" Morion said doubtfully. "No, my Lady. No more then the beating of my heart is magic. What abilities I have I had from birth. I can no more stop communicating with the animals and plants around me then I can stop loving…well, never mind." He hoped Morgan's eyes were not on him, but he knew they were. And so were Sir Robert's. Will cleared his throat, "And finally Ladies and Gentlemen, if all else fails and the enemy breaks through our defenses, I have one last plan up my sleeve." "Mind telling us what that might be?" Sir David stood to face Will. "No, I'd rather not say at this time." "Don't you trust us? I mean, we have much more to loose then you. This is our realm, our home! Will held Sir David's gaze, "Sir, I trust that you all mean well. Though you have to admit, this court's treatment of me in times past has been anything but exemplary." Here Will glanced at Morion and Morgan, "Though I believe in my friends I will hold my own council, thus I will keep to myself my last alternative." "It is enough, Sir William of Annsbury. We all honor your right to your own thoughts." Morion looked at him with a sad smile then turned to her other councilors. "If nothing else needs be done, lets get to work. Set Sir William's plans in motion immediately. I want a status report before sunset tonight." She turned back to Will, "Sir, may I see you in my private quarters?" Morion turned from him not waiting for an answer then was gone down the hall. The others in the room stood and bowed as their Lady left their presence then turned each to do what was expected of them. Morgan walked over to Will and took his hand. "You hurt her, you know." She said matter-of-factly. "It was not intentional. She had to know how I feel. How I think about those around her. I do trust all of you, but only so far. I too have been hurt, and more than once. I won't play the fool again." "Will, don't let the hurt you feel towards me carry over to her. She doesn't deserve it." With that Morgan turned away and started out of the room, but she paused without turning back, "Will, I do love you, and I plan on standing with you in this." Then she hurriedly left the room. Will watched her go. He could sense the turmoil in her heart. He didn't want to put her through that again. He sat down at the long oak table and wearily propped his chin on his folded arms resting on the table. Lazily he flipped through the Herbal in front of him. What an idiotic portrait he thought of himself. Nothing like the dashing knights of legend. He was pathetic. His heart lonely for the only one he had ever met who saw him for what he really was, but unable to spend his life with her for she belonged to another. Another had loved him as strongly as Morgan, but she was no longer around to give him her love. Then there was Morion, what did he feel for her? She was young, beautiful, and full of fire. She enjoyed life and lived as if everyday held the grandest of secrets to discover. But she had so many suitors that one more would not even be noticed. How pathetic, he thought to himself. Here the realm was facing annihilation and he was worried about his love life or lack thereof. Again, pathetic. "Sir William?" A female voice reached him from the hallway. He looked up to see Lady Ann standing in the doorway to the hall leading down to Morion's chambers. With shame he remembered that she requested his presence. "Oh, sorry. Tell Lady Morion I will be there presently. I…I just wanted to have a moment to clear my thoughts. "By your leave, Sir," Lady Ann curtsied and gave him a mischieveous wink. As he got up to follow, he wondered at Lady Ann's behaviour. He closed the book before him, rolled up the scrolls, and neatly stacked everything to one end of the table. He staled trying to buy himself time, attempting desparately to figure out a way to apologise to his liesge. He found no graceful way to make things right. So with a heavy heart he started down the hallway that Lady Ann had just disappeared down. He didn't remember the hall being this long. It felt like he was a child again, having to report to his father that he had broken something or did some other infraction which he seem to perpetually do. As he neared her door, his chest felt like it was going to explode. He wasn't this nervous when he face Dumah. Then he knew what awaited him. Now he had no clue. He rapped gently on the door, hoping beyond hope that the Lady was otherwise engaged. But he heard the familiar voice commanding him to enter. Opening the door he found Morion standing at the railing of her chamber's belcony. The view took in the vast back gardens and woods that protected the palace's privacy. Will could hear the babbling of water as it coursed down the little waterfall near the pond. Morion didn't turn around, but seemed to sense Will's hesitations and doubts. "Please come and enjoy the view with me." She stepped to one side inviting him join her. "My Lady, I want to apologize for…" "No, it is I who has need to apologize to you. You were right back there. Our treatment of you in times past has a lot to be desired. I and my court found you…well, different. You came to us as a protector, but your self-confidence and aloofness caused us to see you as arrogant, cocky, immature and, to be honest, a bit spoiled." Here she paused and lowered her eyes to her hands, she having not yet looked directly at him. "When you came to us with the demon's blood in your veins, we felt it necessary to protect our realm without regard to trying to heal you. Then when you escaped our custody to go fight Dumah, we really doubted you. We had no idea what you were up to. And we had some justification for our doubts, because you stole the Dark Crystal!" Her voice was hallow, without emotion. "Morgan tried to tell us you would never harm the realm. She claimed that that was why you gave her your Soul Stone; to ensure that she would alway be able to reach you no matter how deeply the poison of the demon's blood infected you." "My Lady, with all due respect, are you using the royal 'we' or is this how you felt and all the rest?" "Will, we all had doubts of you, all that is except Morgan. She just felt badly at how you were treated. But her own concerns made her unable to do anything about it." Morion turned and faced him, tears rolling down her soft cheeks. Will gently placed his hand against the smooth skin of her face and wiped away the tears with his thumb. Morion put her hand over his while leaning into it with her cheek. Then she looked into his eyes. "Will, when the Dark Crystal materialized out of nowhere after Dumah's defect, we all were afraid you were dead. Morgan most of all. When you failed to return to the court, we were convinced of it. We even had a funeral for you. If you look…" here she leaned into him and pointed with her right hand, "over across the pond, into the shadow of the woods, you will see a stone monument in your honor. Morgan thought it was fitting to hide it away like that since you were such a loner and private person." Will chuckled. He knew he was a loner, yet never thought of himself in terms of being private. Maybe they were right. Morion turned him to face her, "Now when Gardain challenged my knights and myself, though I had to act the proper role of 'Sovereign of the Realm', all I could think of is you. I had confidence in my knights, more in my magic, but something within my mind whispered your name. It also spoke to Morgan. We both wanted to have you back." Will looked away from her and out into the garden. Their trust in him was wonderful. It made him feel good, but also very lonely. He wondered why that was. He stepped away from her and walked back into the room. He sat down on a chair close by and just shook his head. "Will, there is more I have to say. When Gardain was beating my knights to pulp I despaired. Then you showed up as the 'Grey Knight…Sir Aspen'. You remined me of that arrogent knight I once knew, but with more maturity…with less pride. My heart flared with hope, but something more. I felt about you as I have not felt about another for some time." Her voice trailed off as she moved back to face the garden. "My Lady, thank you." "Thank me for what?" She turned to face him. "For telling me this. And for accepting me back within your ranks." "My beloved knight, my apology goes much deeper than just accepting you into my ranks." She walked over to him, her dark eyes intense. Leaning down, she placed her arms around his neck, and kissed him. The warmth of her kiss raced through him. Standing, he gently moved her away from him. "My Lady, I shan't fail you." It was an awkward moment. He knew he could easily loose himself in his feelings for this noble woman. A moments hesitation could cost him his heart. "I must leave" With that he turned and walked to the door. Turning back he saw that Morion hadn't moved, her dark eyes taking in all that he was. "I have no right to be here." "What rights you have I've already granted to you." She said with a gentle smile. Will hesitated a moment too long, and his heart led him where it would… William Black © Continues... Chronicle III, Main page |