Chapter Twenty Six - Wit and Wisdom

Eldor, King of Elenaesia, was awakened from his sleep by cries concerning the enemy attacking, a Ligon appearing, spies from who knew where, and other such panics. He arose quickly, and was handed a robe by his wife who was already awake, and apparently dressed. Even her hair had been done up in its usual elaborate braids.

Women, he thought to himself. Always somehow they are ready before you really know it. No matter what you do to prepare, they have already done it and more. And that one most of all.

As he hurried down the stairs, he saw that Cynthia was also awake, and he, he was careful to note, already dressed. She apparently had also heard the commotion, and wished to discover what was happening for herself. Neither said anything to the other, but rather entered the throne room in silence. And then they stopped.

There, in front of them, was a giant red Ligon, its wings gently folded by its side. Sitting next to it was a rather snooty looking cat, who was serenely licking its paws as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Standing next to the cat was a squirrel, about two feet high, who was armed with a rather large embroidery needle, a band of gold with a red feather wrapped around its head. Then there was a girl, with long golden braids, and a pink dress, that seemed rather worn. Her blue eyes seemed to be filled with relief. Next to her stood a taller girl who had long brown curls bound up in a net. She was wearing a pale blue gown, rather muddied at the hem, yet her grey eyes were filled with determination, and, could it possibly be wonder? Then, strangest of all, was a young man, taller than the girl, with hair blacker than coal, and green eyes that seemed so deep. His very being, his bearing, his way of holding himself, and the way he looked, all seemed to tell of noble birth.

When they saw the king enter, the odd assortment of companions bowed or curtsied to him in a sign of respect. He dipped his head regally, and took his seat on his throne. Eldor noticed that Cynthia remained in the shadows, partially hidden. Then he turned his attention back to the newcomers.

“Welcome to Aiulindale,” he said royally. “I am Eldor, King of Elenaesia.”

He noticed the brown haired girl frown just slightly at the corners of her mouth for but a brief moment, then turned as the door shut. He raised his eyebrows, and sighed openly as his wife appeared.

“You left before I was ready for you to go,” she said simply.
“My apologies, my darling Raelle.”
“Sincere ones I hope, Eldor my dear. Now, will you stop fussing about, and start acting like a king?”
“I am trying to, Raelle, my puss. But as you may not have noticed, I was distracted by your, shall we say, untimely entrance?”
“My time is my own, my king. Now, shall we get on with it?”
“Yes, of course. I was getting there, you know, my catty queen.”
“Then why do you not stop talking and start getting there?”
He sighed again, and turned back to the newcomers. “Welcome, again, to Aiulindale. May I inquire as to your names and your business here?”
“My name is Edmund, and I am the squire to Sir Paulo,” said Edmund with a bow.
“Ah, Edmund. I have heard your name often from the good Sir Paulo. And your companions?”
“This is Lady Kathryn, and Lady Jessica, the nieces of Sir Paulo.”
“Welcome, my ladies. You honour us with your presence.”
“This is Yoran of the Squirrels, Klicati of the Cats, and Mara the Ligon.”
“And yet again, welcome, o beasts. Yet Edmund, it is not often that we see such travelling with such company.”
“That is true, my lord King, but do not desperate times call for desperate measures?”
“Touché, Edmund. You have a witty tongue indeed.”
“Be careful you do not trip over it,” warned Queen Raelle.
“Come now, my dear queen, must we scold a boy who has learned to use his wit and wisdom well?”
“The Queen speaks wisely, my lord King.”
“Yet I see that you do have wisdom,” agreed the king. “But now, what errand brings you thus, and with such company also?”

Then Edmund reached into his cloak and withdrew a small stone, perfect, save for one jagged piece missing. He held it aloft, and as he moved closer, it began to glow softly. The stone on the torc of the king also began to glow, and Kathryn noticed a word beginning to form on the shield. She caught her breath as she deciphered the letters. It was one word, but it was one she had not quite expected.

King Eldor saw the glowing word as well. It could not be. He did not want to admit it. But, it could mean nothing. After all, the torc and the Stone of the King were glowing, he was the true king. Yet that word . . . that single word, there was something about it that nagged at him.

“You found the Stone of the King?” he breathed, leaning forward in his seat.
“This is why we are together. Lady Kathryn, Lady Jessica, and I had set out to the Amandu Mountains in search of the Stone. There we met Yoran, and were told by a Sage, Heather by name, to go north to the Forest of the Ligon. There we met Mara and Klicati. The Stone was in the keeping of Mara. Once we retrieved the Stone, we came here from the Drimvue Forest.”
“You must have had quite an adventure, then, Edmund.”
“Yes, we did, my lord King.”
“I thank you for returning to us the sacred Stone of the King. Now, I fear I must be going to the battle, I believe that DiCaprio will not waste any more time. Will you accompany me, Edmund?”
“I would be honoured too, my lord King.”
“Give to the King, my service I do,” said Yoran quickly. “Go with him to battle, I will.”

Eldor looked quizzically at Edmund.

“It would be an honour to have him with us. He is not one to be trifled with, my lord King.”
“Ah, very well then. I would be delighted to have you accompany us, Master Yoran.”
“Give to you my thanks, I do. Serve you well I will.”
“Now,” said Eldor. “I believe that our guests should be fed, and those of us riding back to the camp should prepare to leave and say our good byes. So let it be written, so let it be done.”
“To hear is to obey, o King,” said a servant in the back.

Orlando DiCaprio rode at the front of the army, his golden hair streaming in the wind. He released one hand from his horse’s reins, and touched the handle of his sword lightly. The green stone embedded in the handle shone in the sun, sending green sparkles of light onto the white speckled coat of his horse. With a raise of his hand, he ordered his banner to be unfurled.

There, in the wind, the banner of Orland DiCaprio of the Seventeens was unfurled. It was the coat of arms of the DiCaprio house, a serpent twined around a sword, but this one had a golden crown embroidered onto the head of the serpent, and seventeen stars dotted the background, one reperesenting each of the Seventeens. It was trimmed with a green border, and had a white star in each corner, representing the four main cities outside of the Seventeens – Aiulindale, Ge’irdae, Minelido, and Eirtue.

Draziw rode by the side of the King, each of them silent. The long white beard of the Varnhyme blew in the wind. He looked ahead of them, his eyes glowing green, and his arms raised to the sky. He held tightly onto the horse with his knees, while concentrating most of his efforts on seeing what lay ahead of him. A few minutes later, he brought his arms back down to his reigns, and his eyes turned back to their crystal blue.

“What did you see, Draziw?” asked DiCaprio urgently. “Battle plans, their weaknesses, their strengths? Do they expect us?”
“They do expect us, o mortal king.”
“Weaknesses, strengths, what can we turn to our advantage?”
“They are trying to look for weaknesses. They do not expect a head on attack however.”
“But that would be preposterous! Think of the men we’d lose!”
“I thought you did not care for human life if it was necessary to lose it for the greater cause,” mumbled Draziw under his breath.
“I heard that,” retorted DiCaprio. “But, it does have the element of surprise. You will then, of course, do your part in the battle?”
“Naturally, o mortal king. I do keep my word, and I do not abandon those who I have declared my liege and lord.”
“Very well then. Give the orders to the men. We shall ride for wrath, for ruin, and a red nightfall!”

As Draziw rode away, DiCaprio put his hand to his sword handle. Wrapping his fingers around it, and grasping tightly, he pulled the long blade from its sheath. The sun glinted off the blade, and DiCaprio issued a salute to the sky, before riding off towards the camp of King Eldor.