47 Counselling 2 (1/2)
As the swirl of mana intensified, Lucy's fingers began to move, the mana surrounding her concentrating near her fist as she prepared to cast her spell. Seeing this, Alistair brought his sword back, the watery glow intensifying as he prepared to strike.
”ENOUGH! BOTH OF YE!” a furious roar shook the room, the mana dissipating as Lucy and Alistair both turned to stare at the perpetator.
Slamming his fists on the table, Tom caused the house to shake slightly as he angrily stared down his two fellow council members.
”Can't ye see what yer doing to them?” Tom demanded, pointing to Maria and Craig.
Maria was lying on the floor and gasping for breath, her eyes wide as she gulped for air. Craig's situation was only slightly better, lying on the table with his mouth open wide, sweat rolling down his brow as he struggled to rise. Even Flen appeared distressed, the veins in his arm on full display as he struggled to remain seated.
Seeing that they had the decency to look ashamed, Tom continued in a more reasonable tone.
”Yer both being unreasonable. Lucy, I'm sure Alistair will explain himself, so sit yerself down and listen. He wouldn't take an action like this without good reason. And Alistair, yer supposed to be the wise leader here, so start acting like it. Both of ye need to smarten up.”
”You're quite right, Tom. I apologize everyone. The reason I called this meeting today was because I plan to explain my actions in full. I do not intend to use any of you, nor do I intend to see us all hang,” said Alistair, sheathing his sword and staring at Lucy.
With an ashamed look, Lucy looked away, refusing to meet Alistair's eye as she leaned down to help Maria back to her seat. Clearing his throat slightly, Alistair addressed the table.
”Contrary to what the populace believes, the Battle of Lichfrost did not end in our victory. Although many of the goblin bases were wiped out, there are several that still stand. We lost four militia captains, and hundreds of regular militia in the battle, and yet this was only an afterthought for the Ironfrost King. The documents we managed to secure indicate that the Ironfrost King has plans to move his forces south, but so far the encyption spells have held strong, preventing us from deciphering his true intentions.”
”We lost? I thought you managed to destroy the goblins bases?” Craig asked.
”So you hatched a plan,” Flen stated bluntly. Alistair nodded.
”After our loss at the Battle of Lichfrost, I made the decision to create a force with which to defend Novanalba's north from enemies. I did not make this decision lightly, but rather as a result of years of contemplation. It is something I should have done long ago, however, I hesitated. I wanted to believe that the king would support the people of Novanalba even if it meant making difficult choices. However, after the events of the last month which culminated in the Battle of Lichfrost, I realized that this was only a fool's wish. The naive belief of a child that those with strength would use that strength to protect the weak. And so, I have begun to form a faction of my own, using my position as a noble to gather forces so that I may protect the things that are dear to me.”
”How is that treasonous though?” Maria asked, looking noticeably better than she had a few moments before. ”Shouldn't the king be happy that you're doing his job for him? He's the one who's supposed to be responsible for the defence of the northern villages after all.”
”An independent force isn't something that those in power look upon kindly, young miss,” Tom responded. ”Us mercenaries often had ta spend nights outside the city walls due ta the fear we could take the city if allowed inside. What Alistair is proposing is far beyond a mere mercenary troop. In order ta defend Novanalba from the Ironfrost Horde, he's going ta need ta build an army.”
Alistair nodded.
”Exactly right, Tom. If the Lunbrengur region could be protected by the militia alone, I wouldn't need to rally people to my banner. I would simply continue with my work as a commander in the militia.”
”I'm still confused, what does any of this have to do with making Lucy's apprentice a knight of Crowsea?” Craig asked.
”I can tell you that,” Flen spoke up. ”Seventy years ago, a group of nobles planned a coup. They amassed their forces, plotted with the Rohadil kingdom to cause a disturbance in the south, and then they attacked the capital. Fortunately, the king at the time, the current king's great-grandfather, survived and managed to escape. He spent a year in hiding before coming back at the head of a coalition of nobles who hadn't supported the coup. They waged a bloody civil war which lasted four years before finally suppressing the rebels.”