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Adventures of Xavier: Part VI - "Counselmen"
Gamiliel arrives a few hours later and seems ready to travel. He has donned a favorite suit of plate-and-mail
armor with the crest of House La-Kithsoon emblazoned on the breastplate. At his hip he carries his golden sword Hawk
and no other trimmings. "Let us be off, brother. We must not waste time in this."
"Gather close. Prepare yourself for what you are about to see of our people, Gamiliel." With that small warning,
he teleports himself and his two companions into his tent. The three are cramped into the tent with all of the armor that
the two brothers wear. They quickly make their way out of the tent and are surprised by what the see.
Almost all of the elves are gone. Their shelters and belongings are gone, but only a few of the older elves wander
around the field. Curious as to what is going on, Xavier finds someone that might be able to help him make sense of his
people's absence.
"They've all gone to help the dwarves raise a few buildings or some such thing. We do find ways of paying our
hosts back for their...ha...hospitality." The older elf gives Xavier's fine clothes a weighing glance.
After getting directions to his people, Xavier leads Gamiliel and Kinnowyer
to where the dwarves are erecting a new building of housing.
"You're a part of the council here, eh? I am glad that these people have
been able to call upon your skills to see them through these times."
"I have found a place suitable for reconstruction about seven days southwest
of here. It will be a perilous journey with all of the giants about, but I
think that we will be able to do it," Xavier says with confidence.
Rain pours from the heavens making the ground slick with mud. The dwarves
seem to be erecting a new housing edifice. The rain has dwindled to a light
haze that softly bites away the body's heat. The elves are gathered around
a set of ropes attached to blocks and tackle as they struggle to raise what
appears to be the main support of the building.
Xavier searches for Yutherion, but is unable to find him. He asks one of
his elven brethren where one of the council members is and is told that THE
WARRIOR NOBLE is in the throng near the front helping to raise the support.
The trio goes to where the young elf directed and finds THE WARRIOR NOBLE
pulling his weight with the others to help repay the dwarves for their
hospitality. Gamiliel and Xavier find places near him and join in the task.
Kinnowyer finds a place to the side where she can raise her voice in song in
an attempt to brighten the dreary day.
"Hail, Theron. It has been a good while since I have last spoken
with you," Gamiliel says through pulls on the rope.
"I thought you dead, majesty. I should say I had hoped you dead for you had
not tried to be with us. What, other than death, could keep you away from
your people?" a sneer marks his face.
"I had thought that my failings as king had been total and that all of my
people were dead or taken by the Black Scourge. It wasn't until my brother
brought word to me of this group that I knew that any of you had survived."
"I do not believe that we have ever met," Xavier extends a hand to
Theron in greeting. "I am Xavier, Gamiliel's brother."
"I am Lord Theron Akerak and served under Lord Gamiliel in the Black War.
We were separated and I thought that he had been slain."
"You're a part of the council here, eh? I am glad that these people have
been able to call upon your skills to see them through these times,"
Gamiliel says with approval.
"I have found a place suitable for reconstruction about seven days southwest
of here. It will be a perilous journey with all of the giants about, but I
think that we will be able to do it," Xavier says with confidence.
"Am I to lead these people to an unknown location and fight off giants along
the way? I think that that is an unlikely occurrence." Theron
asks, obviously questioning the prince's wisdom.
"No. I am to lead these people and you are to be an assistant. Gamiliel
will come when he can, but has dealings elsewhere. I would not put the
responsibility of the lives of our people on your shoulders. Though you are
a valiant leader, it is the responsibility of the king or myself to lead."
"I see. I will serve as I can, majesties. I hope that everything goes well."
"Hope is the mortar of life and perseverance. Our people are our bricks.
We will succeed," Gamiliel's pride is thick in his voice. The trio falls
silent as they labor through the day to finish the edifice. Kinnowyer's
voice sails aloft to lift the spirits of all those in attendance. Even the
dwarves marvel at the wonders of the lady's voice.
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