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Ben Medinets / story2t

Chapter 20 Imperial Council of War

The Imperial War Council would not begin until the Emperor and his allies arrived after being summoned. The Emperor’s allies included his long time friend, King Leon of Wembly, Willow the Head Ranger, and Prince Achoo, tribal chief of the indigionous tribe from the Sommerset Archipalego.

In four days after being summoned, the Emperor and his allies, one by one, arrived at the MAGE GUILD Hall. They entered the main hall, and went into the council chamber, to meet up with the three main MAGES, Prince William (RED MAGE), Princess Sara (GREEN MAGE), Tommy (BLUE MAGE), and Soren the SAGE. Benny (WHITE MAGE) was still in his quarters under the ever-watchful gaze of his girlfriend, Princess Lisa.

“Its a shame we have to meet so soon and unfortunately not in good circumstances this time.” Soren said grimly. “As you know the BLACK MAGE has resumed his cruel attacks on these once blessed lands. He thinks by over-taking the temple, he can stengthen himself, and weaken us.”

“As you can see the King of Avon is decidedly mising from this council. His kingdom has suffered greatly under the attacks of the BLACK MAGE, and it was already weak with the barbarian raids from the North. The BLACK MAGE would like nothing else than the assassination of the King and the downfall of the Kingdom of Avon.”

“If we are to have success against the BLACK MAGE we will need his added strenghth to our campaign. Unfortunately, one of our brightest hopes to victory diminished, as the WHITE MAGE began to suffer from a sudden incurable sickness, which we think is caused by the BLACK MAGE defiling the temple.”

“If we want any chance of victory, we need to drive the BLACK MAGE out of the temple, and ultimately to meet his inevitable doom. To that we must wrest away his crystal from him.”

“As the former head of the GUILD of MAGES, I propose that this war will be conducted not under the authority of the Emperor but by the GUILDMAGES invoking their sacred and ancient rite of MAGICIAN’S LAW. Since I am no longer a holder of a stone, the leadership of the GUILD will no go to the RED MAGE, the Emperor’s son, Prince William. Under his supreme authority will this war be now fought. Do you now weld your power and invoke your right of MAGICIAN’S LAW?” Soren asked finishing up his advice to the council.

Prince William answered, “I do. In the name of my father, Emperor, and to ADAON, who has vested HIS own Power into me, I invoke the MAGICIAN’S LAW, and with all my strength and power deem it necessary to snuff out the BLACK MAGE from further doing his vile offences.”

Then the Emperor, himself, bowed in front of his son and said, “my son, my future successor, I yield to thee thy thine right in this office and pledge any and all my resources to your disposal and your fellow GUILDMAGES. May we be successful in our quest to drive out this bane of evil from these once Blessed Lands.”

The rest of the room said, “Here! Here!” and then joined the Emperor bowing before the RED MAGE.

For a moment, the RED MAGE was almost overcome with emotion. He gathered his strength and overcame his emotion. “Rise loyal members of my War Council. I accept your aid and resources and promise to do my office justly and swiftly and with as little shedding of blood than is absolutely necessary.”

Then the room rose and seated themselves back into their own chairs again. When they were seated, Prince William turned to Soren the SAGE, and asked, “What do you suggest we now do?”

Soren answered like a father instructing his young son, “Claus (BLACK MAGE) has defiled the temple and has entrenched himself with his minions there. We have no chance of success against him unless we besiege the temple and then wait for the right time to finish him off.”

“That is the easy explaination. To put that into practise, we will need every last resource the Emperor and his allies have. The first division will be led by The RED MAGE along with his his father, the Emperor, and include Elite Imperial Guards, and the bulk of the Imperial Army. The second division will be led by the GREEN MAGE along with her father, King LEON of Wembly, and Sir Cletus, and include the bulk of Wembly’s Army. The third division will be led by the BLUE MAGE along with Willow and Prince Achoo, and include all of Willow’s Rangers, and Prince Achoo’s scouts and braves. The fourth division will be led by the WHITE MAGE when his health improves, me (Soren), Princess Lisa, Sir Richard the Elder, and include all of the Elite Calvary of Wembly.” Soren continued.

Then the Emperor asked about the subjects of his empire and of his allies.

Soren answered, “I understand your concern. But if we don’t rid this plague of evil from our land, even worse defilement and continued loss of inocent life will occur.”

An hearing these words, the Emperor no longer objected. The war council was dismissed and sent to muster their individual forces. The Emperor left to his palace, and the other war chiefs to their perspective lands to collect their soldiers for ultimately a great battle.

While the chiefs collected their hosts, Soren went back to check up on Benny and put his energy back into helping Benny get better, even if it was only slight. Princess Lisa was very tired with exhaustion, ceasessly attending to her lover, and making sure he was as comfortable as possible.

Alas, despite their combined attempts, Benny’s healt remained the same, if not worse. Soren was greatly depressed at this outcome. Quite the irony!! The healing powers of the WHITE MAGE brought its wielder only great sickness.

Even with the futility of their efforts, Princess Lisa continued to attend to Benny, while Soren began to pray to ADAON for help and guidance. The next day after he began to pray, ADAON sent a very key helper to the GUILDHALL. It was no other than the Chief Druid from the temple that was now indwelt by the BLACK MAGE. Somehow he had escaped the clutches of the BLACK MAGE and had escaped here to the GUILDHALL.

He was brought immediately to Soren and Benny to help out. He joined Soren in praying to ADAON. Along with encouragement and prayer, the Chief Druid had been wise enough to bring some holy water and some incense. As Soren continued to pray, the Chief Druid lit a sprig of Incense and dabbed some holy water over Benny’s face and wetting Benny’s lips with it as well.

There wasn’t an immediate improvement, but over a half hour, Benny’s fever had broken, and his very contenance had improved greatly, so that he wanted to rise out of bed, and celebrate with his old friend. They didn’t know how long this would last, and had wanted Benny to save his strength.

It was indeed amazing to see the effects of these temple vestments on Benny’s improved health. Soren then understood the properties, and had thanked the old cleric for reminding him of them. He knew quite well these treatments would be very temporary, and a permanent solution was the BLACK MAGE out of the temple.

With the health returning to Benny, albeit only temporary, it was decied that they all should leave the GUILDHALL also, and begin their own war preparations at Wembly. So they all packed up their gear, and put it on their mounts. In a matter of hours, they had left the GUILDHALL, now empty and unguarded, and went on their way to Wembly, but they would have to detour on their journey, they would have to stop at Soren’s Abode.

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