unwanted elves 26

 

Unwanted Elves

Chapter 26

 

The thought flashed across my mind that as Sekemhef was confined and the King was dead, the danger of war was gone and we could go home. I doubted that Chessina, Silavara and Arcana would approve of this idea. I recall Harmon saying to me, “Stopping a single instance of a problem isn’t too difficult, but stopping the problem altogether is a great deal more difficult.”

I often mention Harmon which isn’t surprising as he was effectively my father from when I was nine years old when he took me as his apprentice. I can recall his face with ease, which I cannot do for my real father’s face. I have some memories of him, of course, mostly jumbled together from various times. I helped him where I could, although I wasn’t old enough to start my apprenticeship proper as a plumber like him.

I have no memories of my mother of course, as she died when I was born. That is a euphemism for the fact that my birth killed her, something on which I don’t like to dwell too deeply. Matille the wise woman, who was the wife of the village headman, was the closest thing to a mother that I had. She was always kind to me and patched up various cuts and contusions and mended rips in my garments. I didn’t want Harmon to know about the scrapes I had gotten myself into, although I’m sure he did. She cuddled me when I cried due to both my own accidents and the bullying from some of the village children. They saw me as a cut above them and resented it. The bullying stopped when I read ahead in the notes Harmon had given me to study, and shocked my tormentors, literally, when I learned how to create a weak, but still painful electrical discharge. I recall that Harmon looked pleased and somewhat relieved when I came home to the Tower slightly battered but triumphant. He doubtless knew that I was being bullied, and was gratified that I had dealt with the problem myself.

However this ruminating was getting me nowhere.

“We need to discuss what to do about the entire situation here, but I think we need a night’s rest, before we start. We’ve all had a busy day.” I said, trying not to yawn.

Indeed, the poor Queen was almost asleep in her chair. The others agreed, and we all sought our beds, which had been rapidly provided by Chessina and Tancyfrwys by means both magical and mundane. I gratefully fell into the comfortable bed and fell asleep... eventually, Chessina having had plans for me. I was happy to succumb to her blandishments, as I could sense that she had a lot of emotions that was having difficulty expressing in words. I was in a similar case, as my relief that we had come through this trial unharmed was profound. I was sure Chessina felt the same.

 

oOo

 

We breakfasted in the somewhat austere dining room and I was surprised and pleased to detect Chessina’s influence in the choice of food at breakfast. She had become something of a gourmet and took great delight in directing the invisible servants in our home tower in producing delicious food.

Silavara was already there and I suspected that she rose with the sun. The elves came down somewhat later and I was quite surprised that the queen wasn’t the last one down, as Tancyfrwys came in a few minutes after her. She had a rather trying day yesterday.

 

We left the servants to clear up the breakfast things and moved into the vestibule, which had become a lounge by default.

“As I see it, the problem that almost started the war is disputed borders.” Blaithamlwg began, “We need to sort out the borders so the problem doesn’t reoccur.”

“Not everybody who needs to participate in these discussions is here.”  Said Silavara. “I have sent Ulula to ask Evashawn and Serban to attend, together with Ariannaith and Cyfaill.”

“Yes,” I said, “The Queen must be a part of the discussions.”

“But the Queen is here.” Said Blaithamlwg, nonplussed. The Queen just looked puzzled.

“With the greatest of respect, Your Majesty,” I continued, “You are not the Queen, the King is dead, long live the Queen, the former Crown Princess.”

“Yes, you... you’re correct.” Said the former Queen, “I hadn’t really thought about it. So much has happened so quickly.”

“In human kingdoms you would be the Queen Mother, your Majesty.” I said, “I’m not sure what the customs are in the elven lands.”

“Don’t forget that Cyfaill is now Prince Consort.” Chessina said, “A half-elf, which will put quite a number of cats amongst pigeons.”

“Any kingdom is vulnerable at the time of changeover between one ruler and their successor.” I stated, somewhat didactically. Harmon had mentioned this more than once. He planned on hearing of the death of King Beremar, to make haste to the capital to aid Dragovar in assuring the transition went well. “Are there any organised groups that might make a claim to the throne, such as disaffected nobles? Do you have an organised military, and might their leader make a claim?”

“We don’t really have an organised military.” Replied Blaithamlwg. “Our people make superb hunters in the forest and we could harry any invaders.”

“How often do they practice working in groups?” I continued.

“They don’t.” Said Blaithamlwg, confused.

“No wonder Sekemhef wanted to be prepared to summon his demons quickly.” I said, “Your hunters would do very badly against organised opposition. They would get in each other’s way and confusion would soon reign. What about the nobility, are there any who might make trouble for the new Queen?”

“Not now.” Said Blaithamlwg.

“Tell me Blaithamlwg, have there been a number of recent deaths of those members of the nobility who might have caused problems to a new ruler, or who were particularly critical of Prydythaur?” Chessina asked.

“Why yes.” Blaithamlwg replied.

“It appears that Prydythaur/Sekemhef has dealt with any potential problems by murdering them.” Said Chessina.

“That’s... that’s horrible.” Exclaimed the Queen Mother.

“Demons are horrible your Majesty. And while Sekemhef is half demon, some humans can be pretty horrible too.” Chessina said.

“Are you sure he can cause no further trouble?” The Queen asked in concern.

“Quite sure, your Majesty.” Chessina replied, “He is trapped within the mirror. We must research back home to find the best way to deal with him permanently.”

“As my daughter is now the Queen, it will be confusing for there to be two Majesties. Perhaps you might care to call me by my name, Saillegwyn.” She said.

“A very pretty name,” Chessina remarked, “What does it mean?”

“White Willow,” Saillegwyn said, “My daughter’s name Ariannaith means Silvery.”

“Another pretty name and most appropriate. I know that Tancyfrwys means Fire Cunning, a good name for a wizard, what does your name mean Blaithamlwg?” Chessina enquired.

“Famous Wolf.” He replied, a little diffidently. “Not perhaps very descriptive of a chamberlain.”

“Oh, I’m sure you could be a predator, if you wished.” Chessina said. At this Blaithamlwg glanced almost involuntarily at Tancyfrwys, who blushed.

This rather romantic gesture was interrupted by the sound of a bell indicating a visitor. Tancyfrwys checked who was there and gestured for the door to open.

In walked Ariannaith and Cyfaill, followed by Serban and Evashawn the centaurs, and at the rear, peeping out from behind her parents, was Serashawn.

 

As Ariannaith entered, we all rose and bowed or curtsied save Chessina who made her gesture of courtesy. Ariannaith stared at us, nonplussed.

“Wait, what... mother what is going on.” She managed to splutter.

“I’m afraid we have bad news for you, Your Majesty.” Blaithamlwg said, gravely.

“My dear,” Said the Queen Mother going forward to her daughter, “I have to tell you that your father is dead, and you are now the Queen.”

Ariannaith’s hands went to her mouth in shock while Cyfaill wrapped a protective arm around her.

“You look very pale, your Majesty, may I suggest that you sit down.” Chessina said, while gently steering the royal couple to one of the vacant sofas. Ariannaith more or less collapsed onto it, while her husband seated himself beside his wife a little more sedately. His face was only a trifle less pale than Ariannaith’s.

“What happened?” He asked.

“Prydythaur returned to the city to collect the magics he had left. An attempt was made to capture him but he escaped setting the Royal Tree alight as he left.” Blaithamlwg explained.

“The Tree, I... I smelt smoke on our way here. Is it all right?” The new Queen asked.

“I’m afraid not, your Majesty,” Silavara replied. “While the Towermaster and I were able to extinguish the fire eventually, the damage to the Royal Tree was too great and it is dead.”

Queen Ariannaith burst into tears, which was hardly surprising given the number of shocks she had suffered in a very short space of time.

“Come my dear, I think you ought to lie down for a while, if I might trespass on your hospitality Tancyfrwys?” Saillegwyn asked.

“Of course, your Majesty.” Tancyfrwys replied, gently ushering the Queen, her husband and the Queen Mother upstairs.

“Blaithamlwg, we need to act quickly and decisively.” Said Chessina briskly with a determined light in her eye. She was in her element dealing with politics and social situations. “As soon as Tancyfrwys comes down, you need to go and call the people to come to the tower of wizardry. Then announce, that Queen Ariannaith having just returned from visiting the centaurs has heard the sad news about her father, and after a short period of mourning will consult with her advisors over the current situation. As a backdrop to your announcement, the centaurs standing behind you will show that they support the new Queen. If you wouldn’t mind doing that?” Chessina said, turning to Serban and Evashawn.

“We are pleased to work together to see the machinations of the demon brought low.” Said Evashawn. “Although I can see that Ariannaith is upset at the death of her father, we will shed no tears for the elf that so despised us.”

“That I can perfectly understand,” Said Chessina, “Incidentally having Serashawn here as well, shows the centaurs are here with peaceful intent bringing a child with them. Then having the Towermaster and the Circle Guardian to one side brings home that powerful people consider the succession legitimate. As a climax to this Ariannaith must make a brief appearance, the tower does have a balcony, doesn’t it?” On receiving a nod from Blaithamlwg she continued, “Brief appearance, looking sad but determined and receive the good wishes of the crowd. That will help consolidate her position no end.”

“What if the people don’t show their good wishes?” Said Blaithamlwg, looking a little glassy eyed at the comprehensive plan Chessina had devised.

“I cheat,” Replied Chessina bluntly, “I’ll charm a couple of people to shout ‘Long live the Queen!’. Once they do the rest will follow, particularly if I... encourage them.”

“Is that ethical?” He asked.

“Not really,” Said Chessina, “But which would you prefer, ethically allowing a potential uprising risking many deaths, or ensuring the support of the new Queen with a little minor tinkering?”

“I see what you mean.” Said Blaithamlwg.

“I seriously suggest you take Chessina’s advice Blaithamlwg,” I said, “She is really very good at this. Silavara will be wearing her usual serene expression showing that she expects everything to run smoothly, while I smile my enigmatic smile. This both shows that I approve of the new Queen and that I’m slightly amused contemplating what I might do to people who don’t approve of her. I’m not universally loved here.”

“My husband the master of litotes.” Said Chessina.

 

“I’ll go and find my assistants and they will bring the people here.” Blaithamlwg said, taking Tancyfrwys’ hand briefly before leaving. Chessina looked rather pleased with herself at the way this romance seemed to be progressing. I wondered how good Blaithamlwg’s assistants were as he seemed to do most of the work himself. I hadn’t been impressed by the vast majority of the elves I had come across to date, Blaithamlwg and Tancyfrwys being the exceptions.

“I’ll go upstairs and give the royal family instructions.... ah, make some suggestions of what they need to do. I’ll explain in a moment.” Said Chessina, suiting actions to words.

 

Gathering people together always takes a lot longer than you would think. Humans tend to mill about unless told what to do by someone who seems to know what they are doing. Even then some milling still occurs. Judging by what I had seen so far, elves were at least as liable to mill as humans. Dwarves have less tendency to mill about aimlessly, as their society is at least semi-military and they do perform periodic drills of various types, mustering at designated places being one of them. I hadn’t had much to do with human militaries but it was easy to tell which units drilled and which did not.

As I thought there would be a fair amount of time to wait, I sat down and ordered the tower servants to make tea as they had just done, hoping to get some more real tea. Silavara sat down and joined me. Ulula had perched herself up near the ceiling and dozed where the light from the lux spells which illuminated the room was dimmer. Tancyfrwys was starting to fidget so Chessina sat beside her and chatted to her which managed to calm the wizard. After calming Tancyfrwys, Chessina hurried upstairs to chivvy... ah, explain to the Queen and Queen Mother and the Prince Consort, the part they needed to play.

I had managed to finish my cup of real tea and was feeling quite refreshed when Blaithamlwg re-entered the tower and announced,

“The people are coming, we must be ready.”

We all filed out and took our prearranged places. Blaithamlwg at the front near the top of the steps leading down the slope of the hill from the small flat area surrounding the tower itself. Tancyfrwys ranged herself at his right hand side and just behind him. Serban and Evashawn stood to his left with Serashawn behind the pair, holding tightly to her mother’s tail. Silavara and I placed ourselves to one side at a slight distance with Chessina behind and between us so any spell casting from her would be less noticeable.

The crowd of elves drew near and gathered on the slight slope of the tower’s hill. They were mostly, by their dress from the upper echelons of elven society, with a scattering of those of lower estate. Court robes were not in evidence, being doubtless smut stained, but they still managed a gaudy display. The mood of the crowd was subdued and still a little in shock. In a human crowd that could change rapidly and judging by what I had learned during my time here, humans and elves weren’t so very different.

Blaithamlwg looked down at the crowd, and began what might well be the most important speech of his life.