The advisors smiled and nodded, satisfied.
Geric beamed. I can hardly believe it. Never have I seen anyone so thoroughly change the minds of these advisors. Or critique our faults? How remarkable she is! he thought. We'll see –
Thiaddag interrupted Geric's thoughts. Shaking his head angrily, he said, "I am concerned about Bayern's welfare. For a princess who so thoroughly pretended to be no more than a goose girl, how are we to know that she is not fooling us as well?" He sighed with disgust. "I only hope that I am wrong – before Bayern falls to a northern enemy."
Geric stood up so quickly his chair toppled over. His wound throbbed. "She was forced to live in fear of an imposter!" he shouted.
"Geric, let us be civil," the king reasoned. "Thiaddag, no one doubts your service or loyalty to Bayern. I no longer believe Kildenree is a threat or an enemy."
Thiaddag's lip curled. He snatched at documents on the table and began to stuff them into his leather case, before making for the doorway. At the door, he paused and bowed stiffly to the king.
"You may go," sighed the king. Without a word, the prime minister departed.
Finally, thought Geric. He righted his chair and sat.
"Well, said the king, "I feel that we must gather together the hundred-bands – as is customary for victories and surrenders. Although there has never been a non-declaration of war, I wish it to be so – hundred-bands present."
Confused expressions and murmurings could be seen among the advisors. Also surprised, but pleased, Geric smiled.
"I know that this is irregular," said the king. "But, I want it to be done."
The advisors quieted.
"Furthermore," the king continued, "I wish to do an overture of goodwill for the princess. It is high time that she has had a celebration welcoming her, but she deserves… more. There are many wrongs to be righted."
Geric and the advisors nodded, some cautiously.
"Yesterday, the princess requested that those accompanying her – Forest workers – be allowed to carry a javelin," said the king.
"Forest workers?" mumbled some advisors.
The king's face hardened. "She certainly can speak in the Forest accent, did none of you notice it? She said the traitorous massacre occurred in the Forest, and it is likely that she formed strong bonds with its people." The king rose slowly to his feet and turned to the window. The sun glinted brightly on Lake Meginhard, and the king shaded his eyes. "I believe that, today, we can provide a measure of justice to the Forest."
Yes, thought Geric. Provide the men of the Forest with javelins!
"What are you implying, sire?" an advisor questioned.
"I am not implying anything," the king replied, turning back to the conference table. "I am deciding to establish a Forest hundred-band."
Geric grinned and was pleased to see the other advisors nodding in agreement.
But one asked, "Today, my lord?"
"Yes," the king answered firmly and pulled the messenger cord. "Today."
The advisors exchanged confused glances, but the conference room's doors were opening. Three servants and a page hurried into the room and bowed.
"You four and the others that may need to assist you, inform the Forest workers here that they are invited to become the beginning of a Forest hundred-band and the laws thereof," said the king.
Startled, the servants gawked at the king.
"Supply them with javelins from the weapons room. Have shields also be given to them, and let them know they are to paint their established seal upon them." The king paused, then said, "Do this immediately, and tell the Forest workers to report with their javelins and shields to the grand dining hall in an hour. Go."
Many of the advisors gasped. Even Geric was taken aback.
The servants and the page nodded and stumbled over each other in their haste to depart.
The king sighed and sat down, saying, "Good."
Some advisors raised their brows, but no one dared to speak.
"I believe that will be all for today, gentlemen," the king continued. "I thank you for your patience."
The advisors, still silent, rose and bowed before filing out the doors.
Geric was pleased to note that their expressions bore no ill will. All seemed content with the king's judgment, although clearly surprised.
Geric also rose, but the king said, "No, my son. Stay a moment longer."
Geric paused and seated himself again.
When the last advisor had departed, the king leaned forward.
"Of course, the princess will be present at the dining hall when it is announced to the hundred-bands that there will be no war. I want her to be witness to that, as well as to the formation of a Forest hundred-band."
"Of course," Geric agreed.
"I would like you to be the one who escorts her there."
"Oh," said Geric. He felt his heart constrict.
The king smiled and stood.
"Is that all?" Geric asked, also standing.
"Go find the Forest workers', for you will likely find her with them," said the king. "And I would like you to see how the new hundred-band is developing," the king said, still smiling. He squeezed Geric's arm affectionately as he walked past him.
"If you love her, as I suspect you might" reverberated in Geric's thoughts. "You will just have to ask her to marry you…There's only one option…"
Suddenly very nervous, Geric left the conference room in search of the new Forest hundred-band. His wound throbbed even more, as if alive in his anxiety. Ignoring the pain, he strode through the halls that bustled with activity. Soldiers hurried to join their bands, and servants ran to attend to the gathering's imminent preparation. Unsure where to find the Forest workers, a servant led him to the chambers that had been provided to them, but the rooms were empty. The servant shrugged, unable to help further, and Geric was obliged to search alone.
Only one option, Geric thought, rubbing his sweaty palms on his breeches. Yet every time he envisioned himself proposing, a vision of Talone appeared in his mind.
After some time, and at another servant's direction, he came upon the newly established Forest hundred-band in an indoor arena, preparing their shields.
Many of the Forest workers talked and joked, surrounded by splashes of yellow and green paint. Some were somber, gazing at their javelins that they gripped tightly in their fists.
Geric was pleased to see their hardiness and sincerity, but he was troubled by their youth.
So young, he thought, sadly. His thoughts were interrupted as the Forest workers realized that their prince was among them.
With a clatter of shields and a few paintbrushes, they jumped to attention and bowed. Only one person held onto the shield she was painting.
She curtsied and asked respectfully, "May we be of assistance, Your Highness?"
"Please don't let me interrupt you," Geric urged. "I came to assist and observe. I also wondered if Isi – the princess, I mean – was here with you. And let me congratulate you on forming your hundred-band."
"Thank you," she replied, as the other Forest workers nodded and bowed again. "But Isi isn't here. I haven't seen her since she was summoned to see the king this morning. But – but I think she would like to talk with you," she added slyly.
Geric's heart beat faster.
"Enna…" Geric heard a somewhat short worker with a full head of dark hair whisper warningly.
"Razo…" Enna imitated in return.
Geric suddenly recognized Razo as the worker who had saved Isi from an angry Kildenrean the day before, when Geric could not get to Isi quickly enough.
"I remember you," Geric said, reaching out and gripping Razo's arm. "Thank you for protecting the princess yesterday. You saved her life. You have my gratitude."
Razo looked startled, but he smiled. "Of c-course, s-sire," he stammered.
Geric smiled and thought, The Forest hundred-band is young but not inexperienced.
"Thank you, all," Geric said more loudly, looking to the crowd of gathered Forest workers. "You have been invaluable in the short time that you have been here at Lake Meginhard. I am deeply in your debt. I am also confident that you will make an excellent, much needed hundred-band."
The Forest workers stood a little straighter, proud.
"We've been dreaming of this forever," one exclaimed, before appearing embarrassed. Another worker good-naturedly elbowed him, and a few laughed.
Geric could see why Isi so enjoyed their company, and he smiled.
"I hope that I can get to know all of you before long," said Geric. "Is there anything I can help with as you prepare? The king did not provide much time to do so – the shields won't even be dry."
Amid a murmuring of nayes, Enna could be heard saying, "We'll just take care not to bump into each other if we can help it."
"Good," said Geric, grinning. "Again, thank you, and I will see you shortly in the grand dining hall."
Still smiling, he left the arena.