Loud murmurs showed that the people did not believe her words. Alahara frowned and continued.
“The humans already know where Elvangar is,” declared Alahara. “They have known since the time of Kieran. It was humans who told my sister and me the way to the Gates of Elvangar. So why haven’t they invaded us? Do you want to know why?”
The crowd roared in the affirmative, and Alahara felt that she was back in control of the crowd. She smiled at the audience.
“They didn’t attack us,” continued the princess, “because they have always considered us their friends. They made a pact with Kieran two thousand years ago to break off relations between the elves and the humans until the time was right. They have kept that pact. Now they face certain ruin without our help. Are we going to refuse them? Are we going to say thank you for being our friends and respecting our pact, and oh, good luck with the destruction that is about to befall you? We’d like to help, but you frighten us.”
“That is not the point,” shouted a citizen. “It is not our war. Let the humans destroy each other. You would not expect them to come and save Elvangar if we were threatened. Why should they expect us to do so?”
“A valid question,” nodded Princess Alahara. “Let me answer it. If Vand suddenly changed his plans and decided to attack Elvangar first, should we expect the humans to come to our aid? I certainly would, and I will tell you that I would not be wrong in my expectation. The humans would come without a whole lot of discussion about it. They understand the evil that Vand represents. They know that Vand will never be happy with conquering only a portion of the world. Vand wants it all.”
The questioner did not appear to be convinced and Alahara shook her head.
“You who asked the question,” Alahara pointed to the man, “if I asked you to come with me to the Island of Darkness this afternoon, would you come?”
“What for?” asked the man.
“To rescue a man held in the dungeons of Vand’s temple,” answered Alahara. “You don’t know the man personally. In fact, you have never heard of him, but he is very dear to me. I think I could get two others to join us. Will you come?”
“Are you crazy?” shouted the man as others around him laughed. “No one is going to go to that island with only three others. Your speech did make me ashamed that we have let our elven brothers languish on the Island of Darkness, but you can’t expect anyone to throw their lives away for your friend.”
“You answer is understandable,” Alahara smiled tautly, “and I do not fault you for lack of courage. It would be a suicidal venture. But how then can you explain my sister’s call for help when we set out to rescue King Avalar? There were only three of us in that ancient elven ship, yet Alastasia and I were determined to rescue our father. Brave Tamar went with us, but we knew that three was not enough to get the job done. We needed at least four people to make our plan work. Alastasia asked one of her human friends to join us on that suicide mission. He was told that he would probably die trying to rescue the King of the Elves. Yet he volunteered to come.”
The crowd murmured loudly. Many people knew that the princesses had rescued the king from the Island of Darkness, but not many of them had ever heard the story of it. They had not known that a human had been involved.
“Even better,” Alahara continued, “when our human friend joined us in Angragar, the human leaders offered to send a human army instead of us risking our lives. They were willing to risk their own lives to save the King of the Elves. We refused the offer because we thought that four us was the perfect number for the task, but we ran into trouble after rescuing Avalar. Vand’s army was on our heels as we raced to the beach where we had hidden our boat. Do you know what saved our lives?”
“Tell us,” shouted more than one person in the audience.
“I intend to,” grinned Alahara to a chorus of laughs. “Emperor Marak, one of the three human leaders, brought sixty men to the Island of Darkness to assure our escape. Without his help, we would probably have perished. And I hope you listened closely to that. I did not say that the Emperor sent sixty men to help us. He brought them with him. Marak put his own life in danger to make sure that King Avalar was safely freed. Whatever your reasons are for not wanting to help the humans, do not ever tell me it is because the humans would not risk their own lives to help the elves.”
Princess Alahara fell silent and her eyes dampened as she recalled the harrowing escape from the Island of Darkness, and how Marak had come to the rescue. The crowd fell silent as they waited for the princess to continue. There were no longer any hecklers and not a protest sign was visible. Princess Alahara turned and walked back across the stage to the king. She wrapped her arms around her father and hugged him. He hugged her back as the crowd burst into applause.
* * *
As Princess Alahara continued to rouse the populace, Princess Alastasia raced into the throne room. She slid to a halt when she saw Kanis struggling with the queen. Kanis had the queen pressed against the railing of the throne room, and Alycia was desperately trying to hang onto something lest she be thrown over the edge. The princess did not hesitate to act. She immediately cast the Kieran compulsion spell on her aunt. Kanis screamed, her hands going to her head as her body fell to the floor. Alastasia glared at her aunt as she concentrated her power into the spell.
“Stop it!” shouted Alycia. “You are going to kill her.”
“And she was trying to kill you,” Alastasia spit out venomously. “She has no right to hurt you.”
“Stop it!” demanded the queen. “Stop it this minute.”
Princess Alastasia snarled, but she dropped the spell. Two knives immediately slid into her hands as she walked warily towards her aunt. Kanis groaned and looked up at her niece. She saw the knives in her niece’s hands and the anger in Alastasia’s face. Her face palled as she struggled to her feet.
“How dare you treat me this way?” Kanis shouted at Alastasia.
“How dare you try to kill my mother?” snarled Alastasia. “It is only by Alycia’s grace that you are still alive, and I fear that I won’t be able to control myself much longer. I shudder to think of the long humiliating trial that you are going to cause this family.”
“Trial?” balked Kanis. “What are you talking about? We just had an argument. That is no reason for a court to hear about it.”
“Save your lies for someone who does not know you,” snapped Alastasia. “We know all about Maraton, Levitor, Salfour, and you. Did you truly think that you were dining in private at the Banyan last night?”
Kanis suddenly dropped her eyes and stared at the floor. Tears came to her eyes, but the princess could still sense the defiance in her aunt. Kanis backed away from her niece until she was up against the railing.
“How could you turn against your own sister?” asked Alastasia. “Is nothing in life sacred to you? Is power your god?”
“Leave me alone,” whimpered Kanis. “You cannot make me stand trial. I am the queen’s sister. You can do nothing to me.”
“Wrong,” retorted Alastasia. “My mother may be willing to let you go, but you also planned my death and the deaths of my father and sister. You will be put on trial. I will demand it.”
“No,” Kanis shook her head violently. “You have to let me go. I could not stand a trial. Please. I will admit everything. I do admit everything. I wanted you all dead so that I could rule Elvangar. Is that so bad?”
Alycia gasped at her sister’s admission. Tears rolled down her checks as she realized that Avalar had been right after all.
“Alycia, please,” begged Kanis. “You can make them understand. You have to let me go. I am your sister.”
“You are no longer my sister,” Alycia replied, her voice wooden and fragile. “I would have forgiven you anything, but you are heartless. Even now after you have been uncovered there is no remorse in your soul. You are only worried about the humiliation of being called to account for your crimes. You disgust me.”
As Alycia tu
rned to leave the room, Kanis shouted defiantly. “You will never humiliate me,” she declared as she climbed up on the railing. “I would rather die than be humiliated.”
Alastasia raced forward to grab Kanis. While she wanted her aunt punished for her treachery, she did not want to see the woman die. Before the princess could reach her, Kanis threw herself off the platform. Alycia turned in shock at seeing Kanis fall from the Royal Tree. She stood stunned for a moment and then walked over to Alastasia and hugged her tightly.
“I am sorry, Mother,” Alastasia said softly. “I know that Kanis was your only sister, but perhaps it is better this way after all. We must always think of what is best for the elven people. While I did not relish the thought of a public trial, I did feel that it was necessary. If Kanis was merely let go, she would have continued to plot against you, and I could not bear the constant threat to your life.”
“You and your sister will make finer queens than I could ever be,” Queen Alycia sobbed. “You always stand up for what is right in this world, no matter the cost. I am so proud of both of you.”
Below the Royal Tree, several members of the crowd screamed as they saw the body fall from the platform. Avalar and Alahara turned in horror as they saw the crowd pointing towards the base of the tree. They broke their embrace and dashed off the stage. While Avalar was a swift runner, Princess Alahara arrived well before him. She knelt next to the crumpled body and turned it over. She sighed with relief as she recognized the face of Kanis.
“It is not mother,” she said to the king as he arrived. “It is Kanis.”
“Praise Kaltara for your mother’s safety,” Avalar said softly.
“And Alastasia I expect,” added Alahara. “We saw Kanis in the throne room with mother before I came up to speak. Alastasia raced to join her. What do we say to the crowd?”
“I wish to spare the citizens from the disgrace of the actions of a small number of malcontents,” the king replied. “This nastiness is almost behind us. I will speak to the people. I want you to take over here. Have the guards treat the body of the queen’s sister with respect. There will be a dignified burial this evening. Let her death be recorded without dishonor.”
“I understand,” nodded Princess Alahara as guards converged on the fallen body.
King Avalar walked back to the stage and stood silent on the edge for a moment to gather his thoughts. The crowd was deathly quiet. When the king finally spoke, his voice was soft, but carried well through the silent crowd.
“Kanis, sister of Queen Alycia, has perished this day,” King Avalar declared in a sorrowful voice. “While her fall from the throne room brings great sorrow this day, let her death show that the elven people are not immortal. We die everyday, even in the safety of our homeland. Elves will also die in the coming struggle with Vand, but we must not let it shatter us as a people. I pray that Kaltara will watch over us in the coming days.”
King Avalar halted his speech and gazed at the faces of the gathered citizens. He let his eyes rove over the assembled crowd, and he was touched by the sympathy he saw in their faces. He smiled inwardly as he felt pride in his people. Despite their fears, the elves had not lost compassion for their own, even for one whom they did not know well. He knew that compassion would be extended to the humans in the future.
“The Royal Family will be holding a quiet ceremony this evening for the burial of the Queen’s sister,” Avalar stated. “The ceremony will be open to anyone who wishes to attend.”
The king appeared at a loss for words as he stared out at the audience. The crowd fell unusually quiet, and many of the citizens bowed their heads in prayer for the fallen woman. Avalar smiled tautly and bowed his own head, but his prayers were for the future of his people. He knew the elves were a good people, but he also knew that they would need Kaltara’s guidance in the coming days. He prayed for their safety during the coming turmoil.
After several moments of prayer, King Avalar turned and walked away from the edge of the stage. The Head Elder stood with uncertainty for a moment. He saw Garl making his way through the crowd and turned to the elders.
“The Head Mage is coming,” Malid declared. “I will not explain to the audience what is happening up here until the examinations are complete. Then I will reopen this session of the Council of Elders, and we shall debate the resolution presented by King Avalar. Are there any questions?”
No one spoke and Malid turned to greet Garl. The Head Mage and the Head Elder bowed slightly to each other in a respectful greeting. Very few citizens had ever seen the Council of Elders in session. The crowd watched with quiet curiosity.
Garl started at one end of the table, casting a spell to sever any spells of compulsion. The elders did not feel a thing, until Garl reached Amber. When the Head Mage cast the spell on Amber, the elder collapsed, his head striking the table in front of him. The crowd buzzed with wonder as Garl immediately cast a healing spell on the elder. Amber raised his head and looked about in a daze of confusion.
“You were under a compulsion spell,” Garl said softly. “What mages have you been in contact with recently?”
“Levitor has been calling on me frequently,” frowned Amber.
“For how long?” asked Malid.
“For some time,” Amber replied sheepishly. “I cannot believe that I would allow this to happen to me. Levitor will pay for this dearly.”
“He already has,” Garl said softly. “While now is not the time to go into the details, I must sadly report that three members of the Society of Mages had been plotting to overthrow the government. They are responsible for staging the antiwar protests. It does not surprise me that they would stoop to a spell of compulsion on an elder.”
“You speak as if this threat is behind us,” frowned Malid. “Are you certain of this?”
“I am certain that the involvement of the three mages is over with,” clarified the Head Mage. “I must notify this body that I have taken independent action to thwart this evil plot. I will freely stand before this council in judgment for my actions, but I would prefer to do so in a private setting. This is not an issue that should be brought to the attention of the populace.”
“You have murdered the three mages?” gasped one of the elders.
“I have delivered justice to three traitors,” corrected Garl, “but I guess that is for this council to decide. I will submit to your decision.”
“You could appeal to the king to invoke his higher authority,” frowned Volox. “Why are you willing to submit to this council?”
“As Head Mage,” Garl replied, “I must remain above politics. To hide behind the protection of my nephew could be construed as an act of the guilty. I feel that I acted responsibly for the good of Elvangar. I will stand before this council and submit to their will.”
“Well spoken,” nodded the Head Elder. “Please complete the examination. We will meet tomorrow to discuss this other matter.”
Garl completed the examination and found no other elder under a compulsion spell. He retreated from the stage, and Malid addressed the other elders softly.
“The finding of the compulsion spell troubles me,” admitted the Head Elder. “There has not been such a contentious issue before us as this resolution from the king. Amber, you were the leading spokesman for the antiwar faction. Is it fair to consider this motion in light of the examination just concluded?”
Amber gazed out at the assembled crowd who were waiting for the council to start the debate. He frowned as he turned to look at Volox.
“I said not long ago,” Amber answered softly, “that any elder who allowed himself to be put under a compulsion spell, should resign from this council. Perhaps that is what I should do. I do not believe that we can put off the vote with the people waiting to hear us speak.”
“That is gracious of you,” smiled Volox, “but I do not think it is necessary. I have been observing this crowd all afternoon, especially those who carried the protest signs. Even if you continue your opposition to the king�
�s resolution, you will be in the minority. The elven people have clearly been swayed by the speeches from the Royal Family. I move that we continue with consideration of the king’s resolution immediately.”
Malid glanced around the table and saw no signs of disagreement. He loudly proclaimed the session of the Council of Elders open for discussion. He nodded to Volox, who had been chosen to read the king’s resolution. Volox stood and faced the audience. He loudly read the resolution, which called upon the elven people to immediately prepare armies to aid the humans in the war against Vand. When he had finished reading the resolution, Volox walked around the table and handed it to the Head Elder. He returned to his seat, but he did not sit down.
“For what purpose are you standing?” the Head Elder asked Volox. “Do you wish to speak on the resolution?”
“I have but one word to say,” Volox said loudly. “King Avalar asks for support from the elven people to wage war against an unspeakable evil. My answer to the king is yes. I vote for the king’s resolution.”
Volox sat down. Suddenly, the silence hovering over the crowd shattered. Several elves started clapping loudly. That started a ripple that spread like a wildfire. Within seconds, thousands of people were clapping and shouting their approval. The applause did not stop until another elder stood up to be heard. When the crowd quieted, the standing elder stated his support for the king’s resolution. The crowd roared with approval as the remaining elders began to glance at one another.
One by one, the elders stood and affirmed the king’s wishes. Even Amber eventually rose in support of the resolution, knowing that the cause was lost, and realizing that a show of unity was now more important to the elven people. The Head Elder was the last to vote. He also voted in the affirmative, making the resolution pass unanimously. Malid formerly announced the results of the council’s vote and adjourned the session. King Avalar thanked each elder personally before walking to the edge of the stage to address the people.
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