Chapter 11-Decisions, Decisions
By the time all the councilors had gathered in the new meeting room, Artham had thought through an opening statement, main discussion points, and an adjustable plan of action. He had also realised that he felt a little strange…foggy somehow. He remembered that it was most likely from the medicine the doctor had made him take while he had been waiting to eat. He decided that he very much disliked the feeling.
Everyone had finally arrived. ‘Everyone’ included Sir Bren as the captain of the guard, Bonifer as the chief councilor, Lord Conan. Also the Chancellor, the head of the castle’s guard and security, and one or two other people. Esben was sitting in a chair like Artham’s, and seemed to be completely at ease and fully confident and looked as almost as kingly in an armchair as he did in his throne. Artham hoped that he himself didn’t look completely on edge and tense and uncomfortable.
The group had settled down remarkably quickly and were now all looking to Artham. Unlike some other meetings, Artham was technically in charge of this one as he was in command of the army and the guard, not to mention that he was the country’s primary protector. Artham breathed deeply and stood up, placing both hands in front of him on the table that had been brought in.
“I am hereby declaring a state of emergency. The situation needs to be dealt with immediately and with all the efficiency we can muster. For those of you who haven’t yet heard what happened,” Artham said, gesturing to Bonifer, Lord Conan and one of the other head councilors.
“An assassin attacked us while we were exposed on the bridge coming into Pennybridge.” Artham paused to let the few gasps and murmurs run through the group around the table. He felt everyone’s eyes on him. He let them piece together the rest of the story based off of the small bandage around Esben’s arm and the larger one wrapping his shoulder, then continued.
“As far as we know, no one else was injured. We saw no other attackers, only the single archer. Sir Bren, I regret that I was not,” Artham cleared his throat a little uncomfortably. “capable of meeting with you as soon as the incident occurred, but I am grateful for the promptness and efficiency with which you acted while…” Artham trailed off, searching for words to properly finish the sentence.
“While the Doctor Idrion was tending to the two of us,” Esben finished, more than a little annoyed at his brother’s inclination to deny he was at all hurt. Artham glanced at Esben gratefully.
“Sir Bren, can you update us about the current state of affairs? Has the assailant been found yet?” Arkham asked with expectation in his voice before he sat down to give Sir Bren the full attention of the councilors. Sir Bren looked a little bit uncomfortable, which was very unusual for the burly, confident man. He stood up, glancing sideways at Artham and Esben as he stroked his dark beard with one of his thick hands.
“I regret to inform everyone that the attacker has not been found. You are correct in that no one has been injured. Sentries were already searching the area around Baker’s Street, and as soon as the men could grab their shields, they were combing the whole town. It has been over an hour, Your Highness. The attacker has not been found. We can’t explain it, but he seems to have somehow…disappeared.”
Most around the table absorbed the news in silence, but the news was a shock to Artham, and a current of fear ran through him. He had assumed that the guard would capture or kill the strange assassin very quickly. Now, there was a threat running loose in Anniera. On the streets. Wandering among the people he was supposed to protect.
Artham half stood up, taking a breath and opening his mouth to speak his panic, then sat down again quickly, realizing that Sir Bren had not finished, also realizing that speaking fear that way would put fear into the hearts of people who looked to him as their symbol of bravery, who expected him to keep a level head, have a plan, and to protect them. He glanced down in embarrassment when most of the people around the table, including Sir Bren were looking at him a little strangely. Either the medicine or the wound itself was keeping him from thinking things through carefully and clearly like he usually did.
He told himself to keep his mouth shut unless he absolutely had to talk as Sir Bren continued.
“No one has seen him since. We assume he is either heading for the coast to make an escape, is hiding somewhere in the town, or he has a hideout somewhere in the country. My men are continuing the search as we speak.” Sir Bren bowed to Artham and Esben and sat down again.
“Thank you, Sir Bren, we're grateful for all you’re doing,” Esben said. Artham cleared his throat and made sure what he was about to say made sense.
“I’m afraid that due to the suddenness of circumstances, the search was rather quickly put together. In fact, we may have made such an uproar as to frighten the assailant into some obscure hiding place. We need to inform the searchers that the operation needs to be executed as carefully as possible. I’m afraid that if the assassin can see or hear us coming after him, it will be much more difficult to capture him.” Artham paused, thinking for a moment while Sir Bren got up to send one of the pages with the message to one of the lieutenants.
“I believe that the proper course of action now would be to discuss the way this event is going to affect us in general until the assailant has been captured. There was an attempt on the life of the High King, that act is not only the highest of treasons, but as far as we can tell, my brother may still be in danger. Lord Chancellor, what is the proper protocol for this situation?” The emergency council continued for nearly an hour by the time Esben asked,
“And how will this affect our trip to the Green Hollows? It’s in only three days.”
“We can’t go,” Artham said immediately. “We simply can’t go. How-how can we consider leaving right now? The High King needs to be protected at all costs, which will be far more difficult if we have to go across the Strait. He needs to be here in this state of emergency, and I certainly can’t leave! I have sworn to protect these people and this country,”
Though he didn’t admit it to himself, and certainly showed no sign of it other than furrowed brows that could pass as thoughtfulness, his shoulder was hurting badly and his head was aching.
Esben put his chin in his hand, mulling over Artham’s points, but Lord Conan looked distressed.
“If there is something that must be said, Lord Conan, please, share it with us,” Artham said quietly. Lord Conan cleared his throat and spoke.
“Your Majesty, Throne Warden, I’m afraid that not going is simply not an option.” Artham leaned on his elbow, feeling very uncomfortable remembering that he had forgotten something important about their trip, and tried to remember what it was as he nodded to Lord Conan to continue.
“The Banick Durga was last year, if you will remember, and this is only your second year as rulers. Due to unforeseen difficulties, this trip was long postponed, and it must be attended to now. There was an alliance between Anniera and the Hollows under Jru Wingfeather and Kargan Igiby. There is a new Keeper now, and a new King. The alliance must therefore be renewed. The king cannot go alone, Throne Warden.
The people will be well cared for and protected under myself and Sir Bren while you, your brother, and Bonifer are gone. You are clearly the best protection your brother has, but you will be sent with the proper escorts, guards, and other security. I know it's not what feels like needs to be done at the moment, but for the sake of the alliance between our two countries, please consider it.” Artham rested his forehead on his palm for a long time, trying to think of the right course of action past his headache and stinging shoulder. He finally sighed, having thought through everything he could at the moment about Lord Conan’s statements.
“I am strongly opposed to the idea of leaving Anniera. However, I will go where the King goes. I understand the need for this conference, and I trust you,” he said, looking up at Lord Conan and Sir Bren. Silence hung in the air after Artham’s statement until Esben spoke.
“I don’t think we have another option. We will leave for the Hollows in three days. Does anyone else have something to say?” Esben looked around the table, but no one spoke up.
“Then I declare this emergency council adjourned. Please go about your assigned duties and remember that we are in a state of emergency until the assassin is found.” The room filled with the sound of talking and chairs being pulled back. Esben pulled Artham aside and reminded him that the doctor had said to rest. Artham refused, though not as adamantly as usual.
“I-I need to talk with Sir Bren about…”
“About what, Artham?” Esben decided not to keep the frustration out of his voice. His older brother needed some straight-talking. “Don’t worry, no one else noticed, but I can tell you’re having a hard time holding it together. You’ll be of more use to everyone if you rest.” Artham considered this for a moment, and finally agreed, realizing that protecting his brother would be a lot easier if he didn’t feel ready to crash and burn right then and there.
“Okay. I’ll go rest-”
“Sleep.” Esben interjected.
“-sleep,” Artham corrected himself. “If you agree not to leave castle grounds and to have at least one armed guard with you at all times.”
“Deal,” Esben said quickly, before Artham could change his mind. “I’ll go out with you.” The brothers headed for the door of the council room and were only stopped once, by Lord Conan. He stopped them right as they were about to leave, leaned forward and touched them both gently on the arm.
“Your parents would have been proud of you today. So would your aunt.” And just as quickly as he had stopped them, he was off talking somewhere else, seeming to know just what the brothers needed and graciously allowing them an easy exit.
Notes:
Okay, so here was the answer to your question, Andrea. The trip to the Hollows isn’t going to be affected by what happened. Well, it will be affected but not the date of arrival.
Things are going to start…speeding up from here in a couple chapters. 😁
Anyway, as always, hope you enjoyed and please let me know about anything that messes up canon.
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