Richard Parker - The Black Horseman

Amon nodded. “Yes, but it is the Council as a whole that will make this decision.”

“The decision has not been made then?” Gwaynn asked.

Amon smiled slightly. “The final decision has not been made as yet. First they would like to see you fight. But be aware that not all on the Council are privy of your true lineage.”Amon answered.

Gwaynn nodded, not truly understanding. How could they make a decision if they were not aware of who he was, and why was a decision even coming before the Council if that were the case?

Amon saw the boy’s confusion and berated himself for not better explaining the situation earlier.

“Only a few on the Council know the entire story, but the High Traveler and the Master Scholar both now know your true name. The Master Scholar, Putal, would like you to spend time on his island, though he does not fully realize the danger that would put his people in. He is not convinced that the High King is attempting to shift the balance of power, and feels that if the King was involved in the downfall of the Massi it was done so out of weakness and love. He believes that if the High King became aware of your continued existence he may yet return you to the throne of Massi and thus end the danger to the land. The Council is here to decide whether or not to grant his request that you be sent to Lato.”

Gwaynn nodded as if understanding, though he had a feeling he was missing something vital, but he asked no more questions as they crossed the portico and went through a set of large, heavily carved mahogany doors.

They immediately entered into a long hallway, which ran to the right and left, but they crossed this and went through another set of carved wooden doors. This pair opened into a very large room with a ceiling several stories high.

Gwaynn looked up at the rectangular ceiling far above and saw that it was painted royal blue with a gleaming gold sword running through the middle, the symbol of the Weapons Masters. There was also a balcony directly above, where a large number of people stood staring down at him. As they made their way farther into the room, Gwaynn’s attention was diverted to the large white marble dais that dominated the eastern end of the room. On the dais sat seven men and three women, all were elderly in Gwaynn’s estimation. He noticed that the seat directly in the center was unoccupied and wondered about it briefly. Behind the Council was a set of risers where another twenty to thirty people sat, most of them were much younger than the group that sat before them.

Tar Kostek placed a hand on Gwaynn’s shoulder easing him to a halt, while Tar Amon continued up and took the seat in the center of the Council. Gwaynn raised an eyebrow. Once in his place, Tar Amon banged a gavel to get everyone’s attention.

“Gwaynn, you have been called before the Council to determine whether we shall grant the request of Master Scholar Putal that you be put under his care for the remainder of your youth.”

Someone coughed from behind and above Gwaynn, but otherwise everything was quiet.

“Normally, we would defer to the judgment of Master Putal, but Master Kostek insists your fighting skills are worthy of Noble Island,” Tar Amon paused as a murmur went through the crowd. “If your skills are deemed worthy of our island it may be decided that you should remain and continue to study with us,” the gallery grew restless, for it was obvious that Gwaynn was not a formal student and had not been approved by the High King. The buzz of the crowd seemed to annoy the High Tar slightly. “However, even if we grant you leave to stay and study, you will never be given the rank of Weapons Master, or that of Tar.” He finished, and the crowd finally went quiet.

Gwaynn nodded, but otherwise stood impassive.

“Tar Endid,” Amon said addressing the large red headed instructor. “You have the honors,” he added, motioning to Gwaynn.

Endid bowed to the Council and removed a pair of kata from his belt, while another acolyte brought Gwaynn a pair. Endid then turned and bowed to Gwaynn, which he returned and then they both faced off, each in a classic stance, prepared to fight. They both remained poised and ready, unmoving until Amon addressed them once more.

“You may begin!”

Despite the audience, and the fact that so much was riding on his performance, Gwaynn fought as he always did since coming to the island, attacking relentlessly. Tar Endid was caught completely off guard by the skill of his young opponent and it was all he could do in the first moments of the fight to keep from being scored upon. Endid actually laughed aloud, marveling at the proficiency of the boy, but he somehow managed to deflect the initial onslaught, and then began to find the rhythm of this aggressive young man. It still took him, a Tar, an inordinately long time before he scored his first hit. He was elated at his victory, then immediately realized just what that meant. ‘They could not lose this boy! ’ Endid thought . ‘If he left now it would be a tragedy.’

He was about to say as much but Gwaynn, who had backed off, bowed and then attacked again. He came at Endid with even more speed and ferocity than he had in the opening moments, but this time Endid was prepared and met the attack with a ferocious counter attack of his own, driving the boy back. Then Gwaynn stumbled, and almost fell, but as Endid moved in, he was met with a powerful kick to the midsection. The Tar doubled over and dropped to his knees, surprised beyond comprehension.

The Hall was utterly quiet, the audience above shocked and the Council sat in silence. Gwaynn backed off and bowed once more. He waited, ready for his opponent to rise and do battle. Tar Endid stood and faced the Council gave a half bow, then turned to Gwaynn and smiled. This time it was Endid who attacked and kept up an unremitting attack, never giving the boy a moment’s respite until finally he scored a glancing blow on Gwaynn’s left shoulder. Both stopped and backed away from the other once more. Each bowed and then continued. The sparring went on for another half an hour, with Gwaynn only scoring two more hits versus Endid’s ten, but it was clear to all present that the boy had truly exceptional skill. Even Tar Amon, who had been informed repeatedly by Master Kostek of Gwaynn’s talent, was taken by surprise and watched most of the sparring match in astonishment.

When they finally finished their bout, Tar Endid slapped Gwaynn on the shoulder, and turned to the Council. “He must stay!” he shouted emphatically. Noise immediately erupted from the balcony above but this time Gwaynn could tell it was of a positive nature.

Tar Amon stood and held out his hands, motioning for quiet. It took several long moments but finally the Hall sputtered into silence once more.

“It is now obvious,” Amon began, “that this bout was not a waste of our time as some have suggested.” He glanced down the table to his left. Several of those on the Council smiled ruefully at him. “And it is also obvious that we made a grave selection error some five years ago…”

“Tar Amon…” interrupted a voice almost directly behind the speaker. Amon turned. It was Master Scholar Putal, “if I may interrupt.” Master Putal was a tall man with a full head of silvery hair. He stood very straight and moved with a certain meticulous grace down to Tar Amon’s side.

“The boy has skill,” Putal began. “Even I can not deny that, but this decision should not be made on fighting skills alone.” The Master Scholar turned and addressed Gwaynn directly. “Knowledge too can be a powerful weapon against your enemies and it is knowledge that we of Lato Island will give you. Knowledge beyond your ability to fathom and not just of the current situation, but knowledge spanning back in time through the now and into the second age of man, and some believe even beyond that, back to the first age and the very beginning of time itself.”