Elminster_ The Making of a Mage - Ed Greenwood [170]
When the room grew so crowded that the press of bodies drove Shandathe up against the shimmering barrier and she gave a little cry of alarm, Myrjala judged the time was right. She stepped forward and gestured at the weary-looking man on the throne. "Folk of Athalantar, behold Elminster, son of Prince Elthryn! He has taken his father's throne by right of arms-do any here deny his right to sit on the Stag Throne and rule the realm that was his father's?" Silence answered her. Myrjala looked around the chamber. "Speak, or kneel to a new king!"
There were uneasy stirrings, but no one spoke. After a moment, Hannibur the baker knelt, drawing Shandathe down with him. Then a fat wine-merchant went to his knees, and then a horse-trader… and then folk were kneeling all over the room.
Myrjala bowed her head in satisfaction, a long labor ended, and said, "So be it."
On the throne, Elminster sighed. "At last, 'tis over." Sudden tears spilled down his face.
Myrjala looked out over the kneeling crowd, at the older folk at the back of the chamber, searching among the faces-until she suddenly smiled and raised her hand in greeting.
"Mithtyn," she said to an old, bearded man, "you were herald in Uthgrael's court. Be it so recorded that none contested El-minster's right to the throne."
The old man bowed and said in a voice dry from little use, "Lady, it shall be… but who art thou? Ye know me, and yet I swear I've ne'er seen thee before."
Myrjala smiled and said, "I looked different, then. You said once, after you saw me, that you had not known I could dance."
Mithtyn stared at her and turned very pale. He found his mouth had fallen open, swallowed, and staggered back a pace, overcome with awe. Then he fell to his knees, trembling.
Myrjala smiled at him and said, "You do remember. Be not afraid, good herald. I mean you no harm. Rise, and be at ease."
She turned back to the throne. "As we agreed, El?"
He nodded, smiling through his tears. "As we agreed."
Myrjala nodded, and strode down the green carpet until she was in the center of the room. The folk of Hastarl parted before her as if she were preceded by a row of leveled lances. "Stand back, folk of the court!" she said pleasantly. "Clear a space, here before me!"
Their retreat became a hasty rush… and when a large area of tiles was clear, Myrjala snapped her fingers and spread one hand.
The empty space was suddenly filled. Some twenty sweating, bleeding armed men were standing before her, reddened blades raised, looking around wildly.
"Peace!" Myrjala said. She seemed suddenly taller, and a white radiance pulsed and played again around her. Such was the force of her voice that the warriors did not move. They stood silent, staring around in unmoving wonder at each other and at the hall around them.
"Behold, folk of Hastarl!" Myrjala said. "Here stand men who have remained true to Athalantar-men who want freedom for their realm and an end to the rule of cruel magelords. They are the knights of Athalantar, and mark he who leads them-Helm Stoneblade, a true knight of Athalantar!"
Elminster rose from the throne and came to stand beside her. The two glanced at each other, smiled, nodded-and the hawk-nosed man strode into the midst of the dumbfounded armed band. Blades swung to point his way, but no one struck a blow.
Elminster walked up to Helm. "Surprised, old friend?"
Helm nodded, unspeaking. His dirt-smudged, sweating face wore a look of astonishment and a little awe. Elminster smiled at him, and then looked around at the crowd and said loudly, "By right of arms, and my lineage, the Stag Throne is rightfully mine! Yet I know well that I am not suited for it. One better suited to rule stands here before you! Folk of Athalantar, kneel and do homage to your new king-Helm of Athalantar!"
Helm and his men stood amazed. A ragged cheer rose and then died away again. Even in Hastarl, clasped most tightly in the fist of the magelords, folk had heard of the daring rebel of the backlands.
Elminster embraced Helm, tears in his eyes, and said, "My father is avenged.