The Fireseed Wars

One of Prince Varion's retainers burst into the Great Hall and rushed over to whisper some words in his master's ear. Varion rose to his feet. "My fellow Princes, two more visitors of import have arrived to inform our Council."

A moment later Primate Xentos, wearing his white robe with a blue eight-pointed star edged in gold, entered the Hall as if it was one of his properties. Xentos' beard and hair were snow-white in contrast to his sun-darkened face. He was followed by a barrel-chested man, wearing a battered breastplate and of obvious military bearing with a bald head and a big mustache.

A sudden hush fell over the Hall.

Hestophes had seen the soldier before, but not in this guise. He wracked his memory trying to remember his name. Wasn't he one of the men at the Royal Foundry? Yes, he remembered the big mustache, but before there'd been a full head of hair: Master Aranth!' Yes, that was his name. A former Greffan soldier who was one of the camp guards. I heard he'd died at the Foundry with all the others.

Aranth looked over the table, spotted Hestophes and nodded, indicating they would talk later.

Xentos went to the head of the table, forcing the Speaker, Prince Kyphanes, to vacate his seat and skulk away. The Primate turned to face the assembled Princes. His new role in the Temple had changed him, Hestophes thought. It is as if Xentos has been touched by the hand of Dralm and now has an aura of power surrounding him!

When Primate Xentos had everyone's undivided attention, he began: "The Spirit of the Allfather has been invoked. You are Dralm's Princes, gathered here in Sacred Council to do His work. In good times Dralm is the God of Peace, but when His Temple is threatened He is the God of Wrath. At this very moment, Dralm's Temple and His priests are in peril from the Godless Heathens who call themselves worshippers of Styphon! It is up to you to destroy them!"

Xentos paused dramatically and cried out. "I had a dream!" Stretching his arms toward the sky, he continued in a lower voice, "In this dream the False Priests of Styphon were hurling burning stones and balls of fire upon our land, tilling the soil of Hos-Agrys and watering it with the blood of the Allfather's faithful. Then suddenly the clouds broke and beams of light arced down from above, shattering the False Idols of Styphon and incinerating his priests. And a voice cried: 'Primate, bring together my squabbling children and set them upon the Godless worshippers and false priests of Styphon!'"

Hestophes wondered why it had taken so long for Xentos to have his "vision." Where had the Primate been when Hostigos had needed Dralm's and the League of Dralm's help? Nor could he help but notice that most of the Princes were squirming in their seats or staring at the Primate enraptured. Xentos continued on in this vein until everyone at the table was either under his spell or about to fall asleep.

Then he caught Hestophes' attention with this pronouncement. "I have been told to expect a leader from the west to come and lead our Army of Dralm. Now, I arrive at Tarr-Kryphlon and find that man, sent by the Allfather, sitting at the Council Table, Dralm be praised. A miracle!"

He pointed to Hestophes saying, "Here is our commander, Captain-General Hestophes, sent by the Allfather to lead the Army of Dralm! A man who has fought at Kalvan's side for four winters."

Every eye at the table was on him. He didn't have time to be nervous about such exalted company, and years at the Hostigos Court had taught him that even nobles put their boots on one at a time-just as commoners did. He rose to his feet and walked up to Primate Xentos' side. "I will command the unified Army of Dralm on one condition. That is, that I am solely in charge. I will brook no arguments and disobedience from anyone; otherwise, I will return to Nos-Hostigos. There is much work there that remains to be done."

Xentos cried out. "You will have your command, Captain-General." He turned his fierce gaze upon the assembled Princes. "Do I have all of your oaths?"

"Not mine, old man!" Prince Aesklos shouted, as he stood and kicked his seat aside.

"Back to Styphon, you double-dealing lapdog," cried Prince Tyromanes of Thebra, pulling out his poignard.

"No blood will be spilled today!" Xentos demanded.

Two Princes rose up to stop him, while Aesklos stomped out of the hall.

"Good riddance," Prince Clytos of Glarth cried. "We should have never trusted a turnface in our councils."

Xentos face was impassive. "Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge the Allfather's orders?"

The Hall was as silent as the Great Temple before the morning prayers.

"I ask for the Council to vote upon Captain-General Hestophes' election to Captain-General of the Army of Dralm. All in favor, raise your arms."

Only three of the princes raised their arms: the rest looked doleful.