Brian Anderson - Shadow of the Gods

“You think Angraalhas already sent an army?” asked Ertik.

The king shrugged. “I don't know. But if they haven't, they soon will. We must be ready.”

They wound their way back to the king’s bed chambers. Ertik was surprised to see how humbly the king lived. The walls were covered with paintings of past rulers of Althetas, each with an engraved gold placard fastened below it, stating their name and years they ruled. The large mahogany bed was well-made and comfortable, but simple in its design. A small, round glass-topped table and four chairs sat beside a picture window that overlooked a well-tended garden. At the opposite end a tall sturdy bookcase housed dozens of leather-bound tomes. Two doors on either side of the bed were ajar, revealing a shower in one, and a closet filled with the kings clothing in the other.

Lousis dismissed the guards and walked carefully to the table and eased into a chair. Ertik took the seat opposite him.

“The southern rulers are not as bad as they seem,” said Lousis. “They fear for their people, should trade cease. None of them would admit it, but the Reborn King has already forced many of them to trade exclusively with Angraal. His stranglehold on Baltria has forced them in to it.”

“If that is the case, then what will you do?” asked Ertik.

“First, I will deal with Halmara. Then I will see to Baltria.”

“You intend to make war with Baltria?” asked Ertik.

“I hope not,” he replied. “But it very well may come to that. This war may begin here, but it will spread to all nations. We must find other allies. Baltria may not be as lost as we think. My understanding is that Angraalhas influenced the nobles and merchants. If we can break that hold, then war will not be necessary. Of course, if Baltria is already under military control, then we will be forced to liberate it.”

“Do you have enough men?” asked Ertik.

“Alas, no,” admitted Lousis. “Even with all twelve kingdoms united we would be hard-pressed. The elves will be of great help, but we will need even more of them.”

“Then let us hope there are more rulers such as you, who are not afraid to stand against the Reborn King.”

Lousis smiled. “Make no mistake, I am afraid. But I fear even more what would happen to my people should we fail.”

There was a knock at the door and Prince Loniel entered.

“I hope your highness doesn't mind,” said the Prince. “I grew tired of listening to the nobles bicker. My mind was set the moment you were poisoned.”

Lousis offered him a seat, which he gratefully accepted.

“How are things faring,” asked Lousis.

“As one might expect,” he replied, with a shrug. “They speak of peaceful resolutions and fear of war. But I think most are more afraid to stand alone. And in light of recent events, they fear what Angraalmay do to them.”

“So you think they will side with Althetas?” asked Ertik.

“I do,” Loniel replied. “At least they will give what support they can. Most cities do not have the wealth of Althetas, and could raise no more than a few thousand soldiers at best.”

“It will be enough,” said Lousis. “It will have to be.”

A few minutes later the other kings and queens began to arrive. With only a few minutes until the hour was up, only King Victis had not yet arrived.

“It will be a blow to lose the Tarvansia Peninsula,” remarked Loniel.

“Being that it has the most direct route to Baltria, it will make thing’s far more difficult,” agreed Lousis.

Just then, the door opened and King Victis entered, looking very unhappy. “I am loathed to use force against King Halmara. But as the will of the council is against me…”

Queen Illirial spoke. “King Lousis. As you know, none of our kingdoms possess the wealth of Althetas, and this shall cut off our trade with Baltria. What can you do to ensure our people don't starve?”

“If I must, I will empty my treasury,” Lousis replied, allowing his gaze to meet each of them. “There are already lords and ladies in my city that are struggling against this growing threat. We will enlist their help as well. Once we deal with Halmara, we will address Baltria.”

“So you will expand this war to include Baltria?” asked Victis, scowling.

“I will try other means first,” said Lousis. “But we cannot allow a port of that size to be under Angraal’s control. But these are things to be discussed once we have settled with Halmara. In the meantime, we must discover what is happening in Skalhalis. I will ask Ertik to send elf scouts to see if they have armed for war.”

“I will do so at once,” said Ertik. “And I would suggest you send more men to Valshara. One hundred can hold off a siege for a long time, but not indefinitely.”

“I agree,” said Lousis. “I intend to make Valshara our staging point.” He got to his feet. “I know that some of you do not have many soldiers to offer. So all cities south of Althetas should keep what you must in your land to keep order, and send the rest to Tarvansia. If Angraalsends forces from Baltria, that is where they will strike first. The rest will join my forces in Valshara. Agreed?”

Gradually, all nodded in agreement.

For the next several hours, they mapped out plans for troops and supplies. It was late in the afternoon before they decided to adjourn for the day. Lousis asked Victis to remain in his chambers once the others had left.

“Thank you, my friend,” said Lousis. “I know how difficult it was for you to make this decision.”

“King Halmara is my cousin,” Victis replied. “But in the end, there is no denying that you are right. He is not fit to rule. I have worried about the future of my land for some time, and I am not blind to what Angraalhas done. I can see what will become of us. But I still do not think we can prevail.”

“Then why did you join us?” asked Lousis.

Victis held his head high. “Because I am King of Tarvansia. My people will remain free for as long as I draw breath.” He moved to the door. “But I am tired, and I believe we have several more days of planning ahead of us.” He pulled open the door. Just as he left he paused. “I thank you for excluding me in the campaign against my cousin.”

Lousis smiled as the door closed. He changed into his robe and slipped into bed. His body ached and his head was swimming. The battle of Valshara entered his thoughts. The sights and sounds of the dead and dying were still fresh in his memory. This would get worse. Much worse. He looked up at the picture of his father, King Hersal, which hung on the wall. Hersal had ruled for fifty-two years. In all that time, there had been only one border dispute, and a few bands of marauding raiders had been run out of the kingdom.

“What I would give to trade places,” he muttered, then let himself drift off to sleep.

For six days, Lee had been chained, hands above his head, to a cold stone wall. At least, that’s how long he thought it had been. No food or water had been offered, and even with the strength of Saraf running through his veins, he was beginning to weaken. He occasionally heard someone enter the small cell where he had been taken, but a blindfold had been kept tight over his eyes, and he could not tell who it was. He did his best to concentrate and hear what was going on nearby, but there was only the sound of various rodents scurrying about, and the stomping of hard boots on stone floors.

His mind wandered to thoughts of Jacob. He refused to believe that he had been betrayed, though his captors had clearly wanted him to believe so. He would not fall prey to doubt and despair. In all probability, his life would end soon, and he would need more than innuendo for his last moments to be filled with anger.