The Meeting of the Council

Rowland emerged from the Hall of the Healers, paused, looked around, and then took in a deep breath. To say it was one of the more beautiful summer days of Haven perhaps would be an understatement. The pristine sky was a rich, lucent blue. It was the kind of day one could describe as magical; the very appearance of the environment made you 'smile' inside. It was one of those days where you could even forget about the Karsites and what those 'demons' were up to south of the border. You could even forget about the bandits, who owed allegiance to no-one but themselves, yet were becoming more bold and daring with their exploits. After a few wars with the Karsites, where it could be said that the proud nation of Valdemar was the winner of all thus far, it would seem that they would have learned their lesson by now. Basically, evil is very stupid, Rowland reflected, though sometimes, it can be cunning and viciously ill timed.

What could be gained by the Karsites ruthlessly attempting to kill the people of Valdemar? For the purpose of acquiring more land and precious natural resources? Even if the Karsites were to succeed, then what? No doubt they would not be content with only subjugating Valdemar; they would go for the surrounding lands as well. Ultimately what really would be gained by the amoral rape of the land and the total inconsideration of its' people? Certainly nothing morally permanent, nothing that would stand the test of time. Their warriors have now developed hit and run tactics as well as 'suicide' missions where they sacrifice their lives via violent means with the aim of killing as many people as possible. The Sun-Priests deceive their warriors, promising them Nirvana and untold riches in the afterlife for their martyrdom. This did make them a little more difficult to fight.

As far as Rowland was concerned these victories came at a very heavy price. A lot of people, subjects of the kingdom as well as warriors had sacrificed themselves for the cause; bright, intelligent young people, as well as their more experienced seniors who fought to the death for the country they love so much. Yet, how could one do any less?

Rowland walked on the cobblestone paths through the various, exquisite gardens of the Collegium, past the Guards Barracks on the Palace grounds, and finally on to the Palace. On horseback, some of the Guards were riding circuit and some of the others were riding circuit in and around Haven as well. The Guards Barracks were connected to the Palace via a private entrance. He had to go through there first where a clerk from the Guard, with his silver and blue uniform, was on duty. Rowland wanted to discuss some things with the Captain, with some of the other Herald leaders from the various divisions of the Collegium, and perhaps even King Theran himself, who nowadays was looking older for his age and worse for wear. . He had notified them in advance and they were going to meet in the Lesser Council Room. The clerk-guard led him to the private entry who looked at Herald Rowland with an inquisitive glance and asked, "What's going on today sir?" Generally, it was not wise to ask Herald leaders what they were up to. They offered only as much information as they chose to reveal and asking them or prodding them for more was considered an act of ill taste.

Rowland looked back at him nonchalantly and said, "We are having a meeting in the Lesser Council Room to discuss the fates of certain Guards who don't seem to be living up to their potential. Would you care to attend?" The clerk-guard could only smile half-heartedly and retreat nervously to his desk, he was at a loss for words.

Rowland went on through the Oak door into the hallway which led into the Palace. Rowland smiled at how the clerk seemed to retreat almost sheepishly, at a loss for words. It was funny how people would react sometimes to hints of accusation, even though they weren't directly involved or the target of said accusations. Rowland continued on hearing his boots tap the stone floor as he walked. In the passage here everything echoed and seemed louder. He came to the Palace door, went in and noticed quite the flurry of activity going on. Courtiers walked between some of the rooms, delivering messages. Guards were coming up and down the hallways encircling the the center courtyard of the palace. Some people carried steaming carts of food here and there. Scholars were studying. Teachers gathered together, discussing the latest promising trainees. School at the Collegium went on through the whole year, unlike the ordinary schools outside of Haven. There were various breaks for the holidays with the winter holiday being the longest which lasted two weeks. Rowland always marveled at the activities within here.

One might think that King Theran would not like all this activity, that it would be disruptive or compromise security. Of course, there were Guards around if needed. However, King Theran always had an implicit trust in his people and he would actually show them this with action instead of empty promises; nonethless the King's Own Herald Jedin was always at the ready if necessary. King Theran was always respected as a result of his actions and he was very fair yet firm of principal. The people always knew where he stood on matters.

Rowland threaded through more hallways. He thought of it as a maze and essentially it was. It was designed partly to confuse or delay an enemy attack should it ever come this far. Finally he arrived at the Lesser Council Room, knocked on the heavy oak and metal door, and went in when someone within replied to him with an affirmative. Within, various leaders from the different divisions of the Collegium were seated around a long oak table. Some had glasses of Mead to drink, others had water.

"Well, how long are you going to stand there Sir Rowland? Please do sit down," exclaimed the Lord Marshal. Also present was the Captain of the Guard, Jevan Piers, who only had Rowland above him in rank. King Theran wasn't present at this time, though Jedin, the King's Own Herald, was present of course. Bard Ulwynn Fyyscher was present as well as some of the other veteran Heralds. Jevan had just told a joke to which Bard Ulwyyn was laughing heartily. Bard Ulwynn, with his red hair, beard and jovial manner was always welcome at these meetings. The Bard was wise and quietly strong. He had much to offer with his talents of storytelling and music. He also frequently mixed with the public in and around Haven, thus knowing much about their sentiments and concerns. This knowledge was very valuable to King Theran when deciding policies. It also helped the King with the drafting of his eloquent speeches.

"On with it Sir Rowland!" The Lord Marshal exclaimed again. Lord Marshal was a model of 'greyness'. He had long gray hair, bushy eyebrows and beard. He even had gray eyes around which he had prominent laughlines. His face was molded as much by laughter as it was hardened with the knowledge of tragedy.

The Lord and Rowland often mixed it up. They frequently had arguments about policies, security, and strategies, particularly during times of war. They were intellectual equals, though it could be said that Rowland had the shortest fuse, so in an argument sometimes the Lord Marshal would 'win' due to anger clouding the judgement of his good friend. This was a source of amusement for the Lord Marshal though he tried hard not to show it in front of his friend. They were good friends for a long time and basically kept each other on their toes.

Rowland finally sat down, casting an icy glance at the Lord Marshal. He made an attempt to look serious, then said, "I think it is time we discuss matters of security and perhaps the recruiting of more trainees. We are presented with somewhat of an unique problem as you have heard some about. The demoralizing news is spreading northward. According to our scouts and Farseers the rogue bandits in the South are increasing in numbers and increasing their hateful activities. Normally they could be described as a thorn in one's side while keeping in mind that they kill without discretion and loot people's homes until there is nothing left." He paused and nodded at Jevan.

"Now however," Jevan said solemnly, "they are increasing their numbers and concentrating their efforts on the southern border near Karse. Since they owe no fealty to anyone, they seem to concentrate their efforts on our country. We all know what the Sun-Priests would do if they caught any of the bandits looting their country; they would simply burn them alive without trial. So the rogues prey on our humble villages and ruthlessly kill and maim their inhabitants. Our guards have discovered they even kill..." Here Jevan paused as this was tough to talk about. He took in a deep breath, exhaled, then continued, "...they even kill children and sometimes gut them while at the same time looting them. Our guards and archers have felled a few of them but it seems that now we are going to quickly need more of an organized effort. A well planned military effort...

The normally placid and peaceful Bard Ulwynn grumbled, clenching his fists. "I want to be on the front lines and I will personally take a few down myself!" He raised his hand in the air. "I will show them--"

"My good Bard," interrupted Rowland, "while your intentions are noble you could serve us more efficiently at this time with your mind healing, and we will need you and the other Bards to notify and keep informed the local populace here, perhaps even keeping them entertained at times. We will need all your skills and that of the other Bards in the rear lines of the battle formation as archers, should it come to that."

The Bard and the others exchanged glances and talked excitedly amongst themselves how they weren't going to let the bandits get away with this any longer.

Even as he said that about maybe going to battle Rowland knew that war did indeed seem inevitable. He looked down at the table, staring at nothing really. This was something Rowland did when he wished to be emotionally detached. Rowland realized that sometimes you have to detach yourself, especially with the horrors of battle. You had to fight on and help the wounded, if possible. You had to go on even if a comrade you knew well and went through the rigors of Guard and weapon training with was felled at your feet, never to see the blue sky again. The danger with emotional detachment however was that eventually you could become calloused and even indifferent to people if it went on for too long. It was more commonly known as 'battle shock'.

Jedin stood up, looking more aged but no less strong and graceful in his Herald whites. "There is one small problem here and it concerns the logistics of battle and strategy we must come up with. What the bandits are doing there near Karse could be an attempt to draw us in to battle with them. The fact that they are concentrating their efforts on the southern border says much. Perhaps the Karsites, inspired and commanded by the Sunlord and the other Sun-priests have leagued with the bandits in a plot of deception. With the bandits committing such heinous criminal acts we would have no choice but to attempt to intervene. The bandits are larger in number now and a battle to roust them out could weaken us thus giving the Karsites the advantage to let loose an all out attack on us. We could as a result become more vulnerable and then they would have the advantage of the element of surprise. Despite all that we will not hold back at all this time. We will do what we must..."

An heavy oaken and metal door covering the entrance to the King's alternate chambers here slowly opened. Everyone looked. It was indeed King Theran. He looked as impressive as always, only his long brown hair had been touched with grey now. Though it would not be likely at all that the King would be in the heat of battle, he had his battle leathers on. He radiated wisdom and surety as he walked into the room. The King was just and understood the power of love when dealing with people. Yet he was quick with judgement when it came to dealing with criminal acts. He had little tolerance for those who would abuse and take advantage of the weaker of society. When it came to the murdering of children...

King Theran surveyed the members of the council as he walked in. He stopped, looking quite solemn. When the King spoke, you listened; not out of fear but out of sheer respect and admiration for the man. "This time, my comrades, we are going to need the efforts and talents of many people. A team effort as always is needed but it is more critical now. It won't be one or two with special skills deciding the outcome here. We also have to develop a cunning strategy since we have to deal with those vile bandits and this, of course, would leave us open to attack from the Karsites..." The King shook his head here. "It appears as if evil will never rest," he said raising his fist, "nor shall we. It is bad enough that adults get killed and sacrificed...but when children are murdered," he said choking with emotion, "it must be stopped at any cost!" The King wiped a lone tear from his eye. "I swear by the Gods of Valdemar that we shall put an end to this evil," he said pounding the table. "And if possible we are going to cut the feet out from under the Karsites! I grow weary of this nemesis and someday before I die, we are going to deal them a critical blow, else I have failed the people of Valdemar." He looked solemnly again at those seated at the table. Everyone was a little wide eyed, being captivated by King Theran's oratory.

"I have one more thing to say, I have faith in you all, that you will improvise a strategy and a battle plan, that you will work together, combine your talents. I have faith in you that those who died before you shall be honored by your noble actions. We shall prevail. I believe in the force of good and the power of those who work together out of love for our country and the people within it. We cannot bring those children back to life. I vow on this day though that this will be the beginning of the end to that. It is time...it is time to get to work."

No one could think of anything to say. They were so moved and stirred by the King's words.

"You could never let us down King Theran, no matter what happens," Jedin said. "You have taught us one important thing, among others, but the one that stands out the most is that love is never wasted, love is never in vain. Love for our people and the noble actions they have performed will be the prime motivation. Those that have fallen before us have died trying to defend what we stand for; that we who live now shall have the privelege and the honor of ensuring the future sovereignty of our nation."

:Well said, Chosen: Rolan spoke into Jedin's mind. He was also listening to the goings on in this council. :We have been through much, and the forthcoming events are sure to be like no other. I have confidence you will plan well...that is, with my help:

Jedin laughed inwardly. :Of course, Rolan. Of course. This is a team effort, as King Theran said. We will fight to the death if need be:

Jedin bowed to the King. "We shall fight to the death, Your Majesty. Woe to anyone who tries to stop us!"

Everyone else remained silent. There was a lot to think about in the upcoming months.

The meeting was now over. Yet, a new destiny had been forged.