believes the cities south of Skalhalis will rally to King Halmara’s banner. And it is quite possible he was involved in the siege of Valshara.”
There was a knock at the door and a young servant boy entered.
“King Lousis summons you to the council, Lord Theopolou,” said the boy, timidly.
“Very well,” said Theopolou. “Wait for me outside.” He rose to his feet. “Go to the Temple of Ayliazarah. There you will find a woman named Maybell. I need you to bring her here. Tell her you are a friend of Linis and she will come.”
Mohanisi nodded. “I will do as you request. I wish you fortune today.”
Mohanisi left and Theopolou got dressed. The servant boy led him through the labyrinth of corridors to the east end of the manor to a broad oak door, guarded by two soldiers. The soldiers snapped to attention as Theopolou opened the door and entered the room. The council chamber was a fifty by fifty-foot hall. The walls to his left and right were covered with carved reliefs of various ships and sea creatures. At the far end stood a dozen pedestals with marble busts, each bearing a gold crown. The center of the room was dominated by a round table and fifteen chairs. The kings and queens had already arrived. Ertik was seated at the left hand side of King Lousis and Theopolou's chair stood empty at his right.
“Ah, Lord Theopolou,” called Lousis. “Now we can begin.”
Theopolou took his seat and looked out over the table.
Lousis stood. “My lords and ladies, this is Lord Theopolou. As many of you know, he is here to represent the elf nations. You have been introduced to Ertik, representing the Order of Amon Dahl.” He raised his arm in a grand sweeping motion. “These are the rulers of the western kingdoms. Starting to my right, King Stanis of Calderia, King Tredford of Yuledan, Queen Lilian of Farthing, King Braal of Maiden Shore, Queen Fasheil of Lamitia, King Halmara of Skalhalis, Lord Sialo Magrifal, ambassador of Angraal, King Victis of Tarvansia, Prince Loniel of Sieren Bay, King Jeris of Wisterton, Queen Illirial of the Saraf's Jewel, and King Tranton of Red Cliff. On behalf of all the kings and queens of the twelve cities, we bid you welcome.” He took his seat. “I think you all know by now why I have called this council.”
“I hope it’s to explain why your soldiers have invaded my land and taken possession of what is rightfully mine,” said King Halmara.
Ertik stiffened and turned red with anger. But a glance from Lousis kept him silent.
“Surely, you do not refer to the liberation of Valshara?” Lousis countered. “We merely came to the aid of a friend in need. A friend who had been set upon by the forces of Angraal. Forces who marched on your borders long before my men arrived.”
“Then perhaps this has all been a huge misunderstanding,” Sialo Magrifal interjected. “We were asked by our dear friend and ally, King Halmara, to expel those residing illegally in Valshara. According to King Halmara they were in clear violation of his law.”
This was more than Ertik could stand and he shot out of his seat. “You lie! Our temple has stood for thousands of years unmolested. You murdered my people out of revenge. Revenge your master could not exact after he was expelled from Amon Dahl for his betrayal.”
Lousis grabbed Ertik's arm and pulled him back in his seat.
“This is who the high lady sends to speak on her behalf?” mocked Sialo. “You should learn to govern your passion, when in the presence of your betters.”
“Ertik may have spoken out of turn,” said Lousis. “But he speaks truth. And I would remind Lord Sialo, that no question has been posed to him, yet he chose to speak…in the presence of his betters.” This brought a round of soft laughter.
Sialo showed no signs of anger, as he nodded and folded his hands.
“The fact remains that I was well within my rights to take Valshara,” said Halmara. “It should not matter that I enlisted the aid of Angraalto do so.”
Queen Fasheil spoke. “You believe it none of our affair that a foreign force is allowed to enter our domain?”
Halmara curled his lip. “And what of the elf army that slaughtered the Angraalsoldiers when King Lousis marched his men into my land? Is that not a foreign force?”
King Stanis of Calderia, King Tredford of Yuledan, Queen Illirial of the Saraf's Jewel, and King Victis of Tarvansia all nodded in agreement.
“The elves have as much right to be here as we,” said Lousis. “They have been here far longer and have lived among us in peace. The presence of Angraalis of great concern to them as well.”
King Stanis spoke. “Is your memory so short? There are elves living today that fought our people in the Great War. You may be liberal in your thinking, King Lousis, but for those of us in the south, we cannot ignore that elves have been a constant threat to our way of life. They have never forgiven humans for their defeat…and I doubt they ever will.”
“What say you to this, Lord Theopolou?” asked Queen Fasheil.
Theopolou looked over the council. “King Stanis is correct. In fact, I fought in the Great War.” This brought gasps and whispers. “Until recently, I was opposed to a human-elf alliance, as were most of our elders. But that has changed. We face a threat that none of us can overcome alone. We must leave behind mistrust and hatred in order to survive.”
“And what threat is that?” asked Halmara, contemptuously. “The only threat I see here is you.”
“You know well the threat I speak of,” Theopolou replied, calmly. “That you have aligned yourself with the power you believe will be victorious will not save you in the end. Should the elves fall and the armies of Angraalsweep across this land, do you think your people will remain free?”
“If I may?” said Sialo. Lousis nodded his consent. “The Reborn King has no intention of making war on this or any other land. He only seeks to strengthen friendships and create prosperity for all. Lord Theopolou speaks of unity, yet his own people assault him from the Steppes. He would have you believe that his people will protect you from the wrath of a kingdom that has done nothing to offend you. We have not invaded your land, nor will we ever. It is the elves that seek protection. And what is worse, protection from their own kind. It is they who would need you.”
Theopolou smiled. “Very well put. I can see why your master sent you. And I must admit, you are not entirely wrong. We do need an alliance with humans to survive. Our numbers are few compared to the vast armies in the north. But if your king has no intention of making war, then why raise a force so immense as to rival the armies of the Great War? Such an army can have only one purpose. Conquest.”
“You exaggerate, my lord,” said Sialo, smiling back. “We have been beset with requests for aid from all corners of the world. We only raised the forces necessary to accommodate our ally’s needs.”
“I see,” said Theopolou. “Then you should be willing to allow the kings and queens of this land to send envoys to Angraalto seek the truth of the matter…am I correct? Certainly, they would report that tens of thousands of soldiers are not massing for war, and that their neighboring kingdoms are not under the yoke of Angraal. In fact, I could send an elf envoy along with them. It would certainly ease the minds of my people. If they departed right away they could be there and back before spring. Of course, you would remain here to ensure complete objectivity.”
Sialo glared at Theopolou.
“What say you, Lord Sialo?” asked Lousis, clearly amused at the man's anger. “You could remain my guest until then.”
“I, naturally, would have no objection,” Sialo replied, regaining his composure. “But you would have to allow me to send word of their coming.”
“I think not,” said Lousis. “It may cause doubt about their findings.”
“I must insist,” Sialo retorted. “I would not want there to be any misunderstandings.”
“You could write a letter of safe passage,” offered Lousis. “Certainly, that should clear up any potential misunderstandings that might occur.”
Sialo shifted uneasily in his seat.
“Enough of this distraction,” roared King Halmara. His voice echoed through the hall. “I came here to resolve the matter of the invasion of my land, not listen to my guest have his honor insulted.”
“Indeed,” Lousis agreed. “Though I do not see where anyone has given insult. The fact is, that foreign forces invaded and killed those within your rightful borders.”
