Part 16
Abenander sat on the wooden high-backed chair in his study. He fidgeted around in his position and the thought of getting a cushion surfaced in his mind for about the thousandth time since he acquired the title of guildmaster and with it this study and chair; he pushed it away for the same thousandth time. The uncomfortability of the chair was a reminder to Abenander of the past Malaccan guildmasters that both lost and regained their castle. Now, the burden was laid upon his shoulders and if he couldn't stand such a trivial thing as a sore bottom, what more could he do for his guild? His train of thought was disrupted by someone rapping on the door raucously. Before Abenander could say a word to permit admission, Paris burst through the door wearing a very harassed expression on his face.
"Abenander!" began the hunter, rather out of breath "The scouts and I found a group of strangers in the forest, within our boundaries. We were about to ask them to leave our territory, when I recognized one of them as a Suldam so we followed them. They brought us to their base." Paris paused for a moment to catch his breath before he continued in a lower tone as if he was telling a very dark secret. "The entire Suldam force is camped in the clearing just outside our forest. A force five times the size of our guild population, all their allies are with them. They'll be at our gates by morning."
The sudden news caught Abenander by surprise, he rose from his chair so suddenly that it toppled back behind him. He was about to designate orders to defend the castle and contact the allied guilds when a surge of foreign frequency flooded through the guild link. For a few seconds a thousand new presences entered the link, as if an entirely different guild was melded with theirs. When the strange occurrence finally stopped, commotion erupted through the entire guildhouse. All the guildmembers who were connected to the link and went through the incident began asking for explainations, the servants began backing into the walls unaware of what was happening to everybody, Abenander and Paris were left staring at each other blankly. Abenander let out a deep breath that he hadn't noticed he had been holding and his palm fell on top of his desk, there was one presence that disappeared from the link together with the thousand others that invaded- Jared's
When Abenander and Paris exited the study, sure enough a whole mass of guildmembers were already waiting outside the door, asking for explainations regarding what had happened. Abenander didn't speak but continued on his way towards the guildhall, he sent messages to the other senior members to meet him there. Paris told everybody that they knew nothing more than everybody else for the moment and that everybody was to wait in the guildhall while the senior members were to confer with each other. This seemed to satisfy everybody for the moment and they followed Abenander and Paris towards the guildhall.
Rhozen and Corvus met them in the corridor as they made their way down. The knight and the wizard merged together with Paris and Abenander at the front of the procession of guildmates.
"What was that thing that just happened, Abenander?" asked Corvus, "I felt as if we were joined together with another guild for a time there. Was it your doing Abenander?"
Abenander shook his head, "I have no idea Corvus, my mind's as blank as yours." He turned to Rhozen and raised his eyebrows, "Well, what does the renowned teacher at the academy of magic think?"
Rhozen didn't reply at first, he just continued staring stoically ahead of the corridor. "I don't know either," he began "but I think we all know whose presence it was that disappeared from the link after the incident." No one replied after and everything remained silent until they reached the doors of the guild hall.
Servants opened the door for the new arrivals. Majority of the guild had already arrived. No one dared to ask any questions while Rhozen's "no nonsense" expression was in place. Abenander, Paris, Corvus, and Rhozen entered the conference room at the far end of the hall beside the dais. Paris told everybody to please wait a while before he closed the door behind him and took his seat.
Adella, Maharet, Victor, Sonon and Lucia were already seated when Abenander arrived, but one seat was empty. Abenander looked around for Persha but didn't find her in the room. He used the guild link to sense her location and found her heading towards the guild house. She was much too far to contact with the link, without any help from any significantly powerfull telepaths. Rhozen and Maharet were in the room but Persha was heading towards the guildhouse so abenander let it be.
Lucia lit a cigarette and blew out a couple of smoke rings before she spoke "I don't think we still need to ask right?" she said sarcastically
Adella slammed her fist on the table "What in God's name happened? Who were those other presences in the link?" she shouted vociferously.
"It's obvious isn't it?" remarked Victor "That bastard Jared was a spy and betrayed us! We should have known, he played us for fools."
Paris spoke up "We found the entire Suldam guild camped in the borders of Prontera and Aldbaran. One of the invading presences that I sensed was my old archery rival, from what I know he's now a member of Suldam."
Abenander made a pyramid with his fingers and rested his chin over them. "I can't say that Suldam choosing to resort to such measures wasn't expected. We have to prepare for war by morning. Rhozen, I want you and the other telepaths with enough strength to contact all guildmembers who are away from the castle, we need all the help we can get. Our allies have been falling one by one." Rhozen nodded and stood up from his chair before departing the room, Maharet went with him, because she was one of the guild's most powerfull telepaths.
Abenander faced the remaining people in the room. He nodded to them and they back to him. They exited the conference room and stepped up to the dais. The whole guild remained quiet, Abenander was wondering how come they didn't break down the door to the conference room when they saw Rhozen leave. Abenander spoke to the crowd. "Red Stallions, our scouts have spotted the Suldam guild camped in the borders of Prontera and Alde baran. Their force is five times the size of ours and will be on us by morning. Whoever remains stead fast and will not run live true to your name. Who will join us in battle?" A roar erupted from the crowd and people began unsheathing their weapons. People began chanting the guild pledge.
Forth into war, the cavalry charges
Every weapon I wield is for the honor of the guild
Every weapon I sheathe is for the honor of the guild
If my ally should die I shall take up his sword and fight with his honor
If I should die I trust my ally to take up my sword and fight with my honor
Red Stallions by brand, Red Stallions by heart
Forth into war, the cavalry charges
Abenander called to the crowd "Red Stallion are going to war!" The guild echoed back their cry of approval.