Part 42 (1/2)
The officers knew this was their last warning. No one would dare speak again unless they were asked.
Sam, on the other hand, thought, I bet I could defeat you if given the chance.
Keldwin cleared his throat. ”Michael, I will be temporarily removing you from second in command and placing Sam in your stead. When I pa.s.s, Sam shall become General Absolute, and General Graywind will become my son's advisor. Michael, you shall then return to your responsibilities as second in command and a.s.sist Sam during the war.” The king turned to Mosley for confirmation.
” That is correct, Great King,” the wolf replied with a strong voice.
Keldwin continued. ”Are there any questions?”
The first to raise his hand was Michael. ”My King, with all due respect, and I mean no offense, who is Sam? And why would he be placed in a position that I've rightfully earned?”
The general was about to jump out of his seat and rip Michael apart, but the king was wise, and he recognized the need for diplomacy.
The king motioned for Justin to relax. ”The last series of moments in which I looked into my chamber mirror, Michael, the vision within still showed me as king. Any position given throughout this kingdom is because I choose to allow it. If I remember our laws-laws my family created with the help of the Senate, they allow me to have final authority during moments of war.
”The G.o.ds have told us war is upon us. I've ordered the general to activate the full strength of the army. I'll do whatever it takes to protect the people. This decision is mine alone to make, and it has been made.”
Keldwin leaned over the table, his expression stern, ”Michael, I would ask you to explain why you feel you have the authority to question your king? Do you question the G.o.ds? It was upon their referral that Sam is to be given your position. A referral such as this would be foolish to ignore. Tell me, Michael, would you have me ignore the G.o.ds?”
Michael shook his head. ”No, My King.”
Keldwin scanned the table. ”Who here agrees with my decision? Raise your mugs.”
Everyone in the room, including Michael, lifted their drinks.
With the issue settled, the king continued. ”I'll announce Sam's new position at the start of my tournament. I expect you all to leave after breakfast and carry out the duties your general has a.s.signed. I've sent word for hippogriffs to fly throughout the night. Each of you has a task to complete. Do it well, and do it with honor.”
The king turned from the table and looked at Mosley. ”Do you have anything else to add, My Lord?”
The oversized wolf-G.o.d moved close to the table. He stood up on his hind legs and put his front paws onto its edge, and then looked down at the men. ”The G.o.ds have brought Sam to this world, along with his betrothed. They are powerful beings and worthy of your respect. I hope you will not test your king's decision before you accept Sam as your superior. I leave you now, but I'll be watching from the heavens.” With that, the wolf dissolved into a million pieces that floated up and through the roof.
Once the room settled, and the king saw that everyone was calm, he turned the meeting over to Sam before he made his exit with his son and the general.
Sam stood and moved to the head of the table. ”Does anyone have questions?”
Every officer slowly lifted a hand.
Sam sighed as he pointed at Michael. ”Why don't you be the first?”
For the rest of that meeting, Sam would think about the comment Mosley had made. Until now, he had not thought about marrying Shalee, but he had to admit he liked the idea of being her betrothed. He would find Shalee and speak with her about it after he finished with the men.
The Town of Lethwitch It was over breakfast when George asked Athena to form a union with him. She was delighted, of course, and quickly dragged him to a jeweler friend of hers.
George smiled as he paid for the ring, completely ignoring the fact that the coin had come from the pockets of Amar's robe. He realized this was the first moment he had given someone other than his daughter a piece of jewelry. His first wife had bought her own. With Athena, he enjoyed giving instead of receiving. He was elated as he watched her smile grow.
Before they left, the jeweler told them she would have the ring ready the next Peak, early enough to retrieve it before their union. The next stop was to buy Athena a gown, and George something to wear that would make him look das.h.i.+ng. Both outfits would need to be ready during the same series of moments as the ring.
After they were finished shopping, George suggested that Athena head back to her mother's farm. He had seen a store earlier in the Peak that caught his eye, and he had an idea.
After Athena was out of sight, George turned and headed back up the road. He was looking for a store that was filled with boxes, bags and hides of all sizes. As he entered, he studied his surroundings. Despite his general distaste for ruggedness, he admired the craftsmans.h.i.+p sitting on every shelf. Each container was the result of a laborious effort in art, and they had been made of one kind of hide or another. In every case, the leather had been treated, and the smell was inviting.
From a back room, an older gentleman appeared. He was dressed in a white s.h.i.+rt and a brown leather vest that had been tied in the front. His long, graying braid hung to the middle of his back and swung from side to side as he moved to stand behind a counter opposite the shelves holding his masterpieces. Behind the counter hung three different pelts and two tails, possibly cut from some sort of racc.o.o.n.
”h.e.l.lo,” the older man said with a smile. ”People around these parts call me RJ the leather guy. But I'm sure you saw that on my sign out front.”
George reached out and grabbed RJ's forearm, which was the town's customary way of greeting, and thought, Who is this hillbilly-flowerchild? Thank goodness his art looks better than he does.
”It's nice to meet you, RJ. I'm George. I saw your boxes through the window. I'm especially interested in that one over there.”
RJ moved to grab the box and brought it back to the counter. He handed it to George. ”I finished crafting this one 3 Peaks ago. I like how it turned out. I was getting ready to start another. Perhaps I should put a different design on it so it stands apart.”
”That's a great idea,” George replied. ”I'm getting hitched, tomorrow-”
”Hitched?”
”Yeah, you know, I'm going to have a wife.”
An understanding appeared on RJ's face. ”And you're here to purchase her a gift?”
George held up the box and studied it. ”I am. She's totally worth it. She hits my hot b.u.t.ton ... if you know what I mean.”
”I'm think I understand what you mean, but you speak differently than most.”
As George studied the box, he responded, ”I'm visiting from another world. Let's get down to business, shall we?
”Do you think you can make the next box with the words 'Athena's Treasures' on the upper left hand corner of the lid? I'm sure she would love it if it was personalized. Maybe you can add some kind of design to surround the words across the bottom and the right hand side. Oh ... and do you think you could have it done by morning?”
”For the right kind of coin I can have anything done by morning.”
George gave a sly grin. ”Coin is not an issue, RJ. I'll see you in the morning. Just remember, this woman is special. The box needs to equal her beauty.”
”In the morning, then. I'm sure the lady will be pleased.”
Later that Afternoon Mary's Cottage The Peak of Bailem had come and gone, and George still needed to put his plan in motion. He pushed back his plate, shoved the last bite of biscuit into his mouth and then looked at Athena. ”If you were to move, which family members would you want near you?”
Although she thought it was an odd question, Athena listed just over 30 souls.
”Great,” George replied. ”Can you take me to meet them all? I'd like to personally invite them to our union.” He then stood from his chair and walked to the kitchen to put his plate in the washtub. He thought, d.a.m.n it. Thirty? Holy gares.h.!.+ I must really like this chick.
Athena walked up behind him. ”I would love to take you to meet everyone, honey? What a great idea.”
”Isn't it though?” George pandered. He turned around, pulled Athena close and then placed his chin on top of her head. I'm so excited I can't wait to shoot myself in the head, he thought.
After releasing her, he reached down and scooped Maldwin off the floor. He threw the rodent into his pack, took Athena by the hand and then headed out.
It would take most of that afternoon to find everyone. By the moment they were finished, Maldwin had seen the faces of every family member that he would need to send a vision to.