Authors Note(s):
1. I'm sorry about the delay. Last week was hectic to say the least. Plus my muse and I kept arguing about certain things about the story. She's a flighty little thing. We have a clear view all the way to the end…then she suddenly takes a sharp right turn and flies off in another direction. *sigh* It is really tough reigning her in.
2. To placate both my muse and some of the reviewers I have put up a poll on my profile page to see how many want me to let Merlin hear the rest of the story. The poll will be up 3 days. Please vote!
3. Sorry this chapter is a bit short, but I wanted to get vote results before I continued on.
Horatius took a sip of his drink and continued. "After a short while, the dragons flew off. The dragonlords decided to remain and were given quarters. There was a lot to discuss, but everyone was exhausted so we put it off until the next day. We put Balinor to bed and gave him a sleeping tonic.
"I guess I should have taken one myself. I did not sleep well that night. At one point I got up and dressed and went out for a walk along the wall. I went and looked down where the ritual had been. The ground was still glowing. I wanted to go down to it, but I figured it was still hot. I offered up my own private good-by and finally went back to bed and slept.
"The next morning I was woken early by some of the farmers. They had been down where the funeral had been the night before and were quite excited. They took me down there. The heat must have been so intense that it actually melted the ground. Where Lucan's body had been, there was a large round area that had been turned to some sort of rock, or crystal. I'm not exactly sure what it is. It was about 12 feet wide, completely flat, and had a high shine to it. I didn't get too close to it, the area was still really hot.
"I resolved to ask one of the dragonlords about it later, but the sun was getting higher and we had a lot to do. I had planned on letting Balinor sleep in, but he was up when we returned. He seemed a bit better, but not by much. Still he insisted that he work so I sent him down to thresh the grains. I figured he could work off some of his emotional state by doing something strenuous. At least it always helped me. And nothing gives satisfaction like whacking the hell out of wheat with a flail." Horatius smiled.
Arthur laughed "Or a training dummy…although throwing goblets at Merlin works as well."
Horatius looked shocked. "You throw goblets at your manservant?"
The prince shot back "Of course! Besides, it's good for him."
"WHAT!?" Horatius barked out laughing.
"It teaches him to dodge. He is out with us on patrol often. He needs to know how to get out of the way of flying objects."
"And that is the reason you throw things at him?" The old man asked dubiously.
"Of course not, I throw them because he made me angry. BUT, it had a benefit for him as well since he learned early on how to duck out of the way." The prince spread his hands apart as if saying it was the most logical reasoning in the world.
Horatius laughed heartily at the antics of the young prince. "And he never tries to get back at you?"
"Of course not. I'm the prince." Arthur huffed. Although by the way the young man scratched the back of his neck, Horatius had a feeling that the prince wasn't being quite truthful.
The old man just smiled and bent his head in deference. "Well, getting back to the story, about mid-morning, one of the men came to me and told me that the dragonlords had come for Balinor and that they were having some sort of meeting. He said that he couldn't hear what they were talking about, but there were definitely some angry words exchanged. He told me they were in the stable, so I decided to take a walk over there.
"When I walked in, Balinor was leaning up against one of the stalls with his hands folded across his chest casually observing an argument between two of the dragonlords. Apparently one was suggesting to get the dragons and go after Vortigern. The other was arguing that dragons do not get involved in the wars of man. Finally those two stopped arguing. Balinor stood up straight then and looked around at the other dragonlords and asked if anyone else had anything to add. Apparently everyone had already given their thoughts on the subject.
"Balinor cleared his throat and said that everyone was both right and wrong. That no, dragons don't get involved in the wars and politics of man. However, 'Man' had brought war to the dragons. But that the dragons were not the only ones that would be affected by any decision he made. He would therefore consult with my group, then he would consult with the dragons to see if they were even willing to get involved. THEN he would decide the final course of action.
"Well, the one that was all hell-bent on attacking had the audacity to ask Balinor if he was so eager to become a dragonlord that he didn't care that his own father was killed. Let's just say that it took all of us to pull Balinor off of him. Even so, Balinor beat him to a bloody pulp…not that the guy didn't deserve it."
Arthur held his hand out to interrupt. "Why were they deferring to Balinor to make a decision? Was it because Lucan was the one that was killed?"
"Yes, but not for the reason you probably think." The old man took a sip of wine and continued "It wasn't like they were asking him what he wanted done to avenge his father's death. As I said before, Lucan was the lead, head, master - whatever they call it - dragonlord. Balinor inherited that position upon Lucan's death. Much as you will become king when your father passes on.
"When Kilgharrah accepted Balinor as his own dragonlord, he was affirming that position.
"In most instances, a leadership position is not needed. However when there is a problem, or decisions need to be made, he is the highest authority. He can even override another dragonlord's control over a dragon."
The prince asked "But he was so young and inexperienced. Was it wise for him to be given a position with such authority?"
The old man responded "Lucan had trained him from an early age, just as your father has trained you. No, it wasn't optimal for him to be thrust into leadership so early on, especially when he was in such an emotional state….but that is the way things work out sometimes. I have to say I was exceedingly proud of him for not flying off the handle and seeking immediate revenge against Vortigern. Like I said before, on occasion, he would show vast amounts of wisdom."
"And restraint. I don't know that I would have been able to" Arthur added.
Horatius smiled sadly "You would have if you knew that it would bring about dire consequences. Balinor could sense how agitated the dragons were. You, yourself, have seen the destruction that one dragon seeking revenge can do. Now, imagine what would happen if it were fifteen."
Arthur's eyes grew wide. "It would be complete and utter destruction"
Horatius nodded "Nothing would have survived. All the buildings would be destroyed, all the people dead, guilty and innocent alike."
As Arthur and Horatius quietly contemplated how horrible such an outcome would be, the door slipped open. Merlin walked in swiftly and up to Arthur. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but the patrol is back. They got into a skirmish with bandits."
Arthur looked up fully alert. "Any injuries?"
Merlin replied "No fatalities on our side. Leon has been injured. He is being carried to Gaius now.
"How bad?" the prince asked worriedly.
"I don't know" came the reply "but I noticed blood and that he was unconscious…so I came to tell you right away"
The prince rose and started for the door. "If you will excuse me, Horatius, I need to go check on one of my men. We will continue later." Before the old man could respond, the prince was out the door.
Merlin started to turn to follow his prince, but stopped. "Would you like me to escort you back to your chambers, Lord Horatius?"
Horatius smiled at him. "No, that is quite okay. I know my way around. Perhaps I will take a walk. And what did I say about titles?"
"You are too old for them, and not to use them." Came the manservants reply.
Horatius laughed as they walked out the door. "Yet you still used it"
Merlin smiled "My apologies. My mind was elsewhere."
"That's quite okay, my boy" the old man laughed "Now go, check on your friend. I can find my way"
With that, the young manservant sprinted down the hall. The old man watched him for a moment then turned and walked the other way.