Shades of the Past_ Book Six of the Morcyth Saga - Brian S. Pratt [35]
The men accompanying Lord Pytherian continue to walk with him. They reach a pair of double doors and Henri opens one for his lord and waits while they all file through. Once the last one is in, he enters as well and closes it.
Within the room is a large table with a map laid out across its top. Upon closer examination, it’s revealed to be a map of the surrounding countryside with figures sitting upon it. It’s a map detailing the positions of the enemy’s forces on the far side of the river.
Lord Pytherian takes the chair at the head of the table, James and Illan sit across from him. The others take the remaining chairs while Henri remains standing behind his lord.
Indicating the other men there with them, he says, “These are the leaders of our forces. Whatever you have to say to me you can say to them.”
Illan glances to James who gives him the go ahead to talk. “Milord, we did not come to place our forces at your disposal,” he says. “We, rather James here, has a proposition for you.”
“A proposition?” asks Lord Pytherian. Two of the other members of the group visibly frown at the statement.
“Yes,” replies Illan.
One member of the group, a gray haired man with ribbons and medals adorning his uniform asks, “And what is this proposition?”
Illan glances to James who stands. “It’s simple,” he tells them. “I would like your help in constructing a building.”
Shocked to say the least, this was the last thing they expected to hear. “A building?” another of the men asks.
“Are we to waste our time hearing this balderdash?” still another says.
“In return,” James continues, ignoring the outbursts, “we will drive the Empire out of Madoc.”
The man with the medals and ribbons breaks out laughing, the others look angry at being played for fools. “Are you serious?” he asks.
“Completely,” he replies.
“You and that band you brought in will drive out the forces which the alliance has only been able to slow?” one man asks. “I hardly doubt that young man.”
Lord Pytherian has remained quiet and thoughtful throughout. He remembers the feats James and his band did during the summer when the Empire all but broke through the gates. Also, rumors have reached him of other events concerning him, things which hardly seem credible.
“What building do you require and where is it to be built?” he asks.
The general with medals and ribbons turns to Lord Pytherian and asks, “You can’t be taking him serious?”
“Absolutely,” he assures him. “For a couple reasons. One, Black Hawk here would hardly tie his fortune with a losing enterprise. And two, I’ve seen what he can do. For those of you who don’t know who he is, this is the mage James.”
Eyes widen in surprise at that. He hardly looks the magical type. “This is the James we have been hearing so much about?” one asks.
“That’s right,” replies Lord Pytherian. “The one who rescued me, who saved the forces from annihilation to the south last summer, and who turned the tide after the Empire broke through the gates. If he says he can do it, we should at least give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“I want a temple built in the City of Light,” he explains. “It has to be built on its previous site, no other.”
“But that’s currently in the hands of the Empire,” one man says. “And by all reports, they’ve strengthened the garrison there and have all but rebuilt its outer wall. How do you propose to do that?”
“How is my business,” he tells them. “If I can do this, will you rebuild the temple?”
Lord Pytherian looks at each of the assembled military leaders in turn. He can see their doubt and has to admit, he has his own as well. “Yes,” he finally says. “If you drive the Empire from Madoc, then we will build your temple.”
“What have we got to lose?” the youngest of those gathered states. “Either he does it and a temple would be a small price to pay, or he doesn’t and we’re out no troops.”
“When do you propose to begin?” medals and ribbons asks.
Illan glances to James