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Ben Medinets / story2q

Chapter 17: Reconvening the GUILD

It didn’t take too long for them to travel back to the GUILD HALL. It was fortunate that Claus didn’t strike again while the rescue mission was underway. Perhaps, the evil necromancer could perceive the folly of a continued and sustaining attack on the empire. Or perhaps he gloated over the success of his initial raid on the GUILD HALL.

At the GUILD HALL, there was a pleasant reunion. And while most of the people there were quite pleased that the situation turned out far more positive at its conclusion then at its outset, there was a lone figure who was still not so pleasant. It was Soren who stood aside and was brooding.

Benny, who was much more pleasant, walked up to his master and was wondering why Soren had such a cold demeaner while the rest of them were quite festive.

“All is not well,” said Soren sternly, “the Necromancer has taken an important manuscript of mine of the strengths and weaknesses of the magic stones. He also now has a dangerous ally in the Captain of the Black Falcons. Plus, at the moment, the BLACK MAGE could be anywhere. We must reconvene the GUILD and discuss strategy on what to do deal with this menace and how to put a stop to this aggression.”

Benny just listened and realized that Soren was correct that things weren’t as rosey as most of the rest had thought. Benny called the rest of his fellow GUILD members: Prince William, the RED MAGE; Princess Sara, the GREEN MAGE; and Tommy, the BLUE MAGE and all four (4) of them entered the GUILD HALL, and immediately headed for the council chamber, where Soren was already there. Once seated, all four (4) of them waited for Soren to speak on his thoughts on how to proceed to deal with the errant MAGE.

Soren told them the only way to weaken the BLACK MAGE was to wrest his Crystal away from him. Then they all brought up plans to do this. There was much discussion from all of them, while Soren just listened. After a while, he rubbed his temples, and was beginning to feel light-headed. He then raised his hands and brought the council to order, and concluded this first GUILD meeting with these word:

“While it would seem like foolishness to watch and wait while the BLACK MAGE’S power waxes, to strike at him before the appointed time would lead to his triumph.”

They heeded his advice, and proceeded to exit the council room. The four (4) MAGES then drew up a guard schedule with the RED and GREEN MAGES leading the watch in the daytime, while the WHITE and BLUE MAGES would take watch at nighttime. Soren, stayed in the council room, and continued to mull over the past events and to continue to strategize the next plan of action. At the present time, all they all could do was watch vigilently and wait for the right time to attack.

The MAGES weren’t alone in their watch. There was still a number of Imperial Elite soldiers, a group of Wembly regular soldiers, and a detatchment of Elite Cavalry from Wembly. There were a few high-ranking soldiers, also from Wembly, including Sir Richard the Elder, his son, Dickie, Princess Lisa, and Sir Cletus, Benny’s good friend.

The GUILD HALL was fairly defended now, and the chance of another was greatly reduced. Things were uneventful for those who guarded the HALL. Soren then called Benny back to the Council Room, and put him overall in charge. After that, Soren changed into his bird form, and flew away to the Imperial Palace, and then to Wembly Castle to announce the return of the BLUE MAGE, and the success of the rescue. He suggested to the Emperor and to the King of Wembly to have the Imperial Wedding down at the GUILD HALL.

While the Imperial Palace was the most ideal place to hold the wedding. In light of all the past events, it was probably the best idea for all to hold the wedding at the HALL since it was the most protected now, and safest from danger from the BLACK MAGE. So the Emperor ordered a caravan of supplies and sent his best servants down to the HALL to begin preparation on the Wedding. The King of Wembly also sent some willing subjects down the GUILD HALL to help with the preparations. The King had Sir Richard ordered to be put in charge of security of the caravans. During the Wedding, Sir Richard would be in charge of protecting the Kingdom while the Royal Family attended the Wedding.

So after meeting with both the Emperor and the King of Wembly, Soren returned to the GUILD HALL, and sent a group of soldiers with Sir Richard the Elder back to provide security to the incoming caravans for the Wedding.

It didn’t take long before the first caravans were coming, and the surrounding area around to fill with people to begin setting up the pavillions for the wedding festivities. While the wedding preparations were underway, the watch throughout the land remained vigilant.

Even in his quiet wait, the BLACK MAGE didn’t stay still. For there was an unexpected visitor to his current, and yet undisclosed quarters. It was the sister of Cedric the Barbarian, a warlord from a distant neighbouring island. She pledged loyalty to the BLACK MAGE on behalf of her brother. She was also well skilled in the dark magic. So even in this, the BLACK MAGE grew with power as another ally joined his camp. He accepted her and the Barbarian’s aid.

He did not give her leave yet, much to her own surprise. He asked her what strength these wild men could give. She told him much information, vital information. As they conversed, the BLACK MAGE began to formulate devatstating plans of his own. Unfortunately, the witch fell under the seduction of the BLACK MAGE and allowed him to plant his seed within her, so as to continue the spread of evil, even if her were to be slain or if his evil plans were to be dashed.

After this, she was given leave, and she went back to her brother to tell him that the BLACK MAGE accepted their aid, and that they were now a welcome ally. But she told him not of becoming seduced by the BLACK MAGE nor of the physical relations with him.

So while Soren planned the overthrow of the BLACK MAGE in the GUILD HALL, the BLACK MAGE planned his next moves, and brooded in hate, and hoped for the downfall of all his enemies and his overlordship over all the land.

End of Part II

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