Dreams and Counsel

The room was completely black. Miashgon looked around blindly, looking for some sort of light. Finally he saw a sliver of light to his left, it appeared to be the bottom of a door. He groped in the darkness towards the light, and after an eternity felt his hand brush against a knob.

The knob turned, and the door opened soundlessly inward. The room he was looking into was oddly blurred. However, in the center of the room, in sharp definition, were six swords. Power emanated from these swords. This power was as old as the land itself, and each radiated a different element. As he watched, the swords raised, all pointed inward to the circle they created. Each blade began to glow, and a single voice said an unintelligable word. The swords' glowing became more fierce, and the light from each touched the ones next to it. Soon the blades began to fuse together, creating a bright disc. The disc reformed, creating the most beautifully designed sword Miashgon had ever seen-

Suddenly the curtains in Miashgon's room were drawn open, letting the light in. Miashgon blinked, looking around at the books scattered across his desk. Fuldon stood in front of him, grimacing. "I sincerely hope you were able to get some reading done before your little nap?"

Miashgon cleared his throat; how had he fallen asleep? The material he was reading had him completely captured. He had been eating it up, then suddenly the dream. "Yeah, I read. I must have been more tired than I thought though."

Miashgon picked at his food during supper. The dream had been so real, and the swords... they must have been the six swords of the protectors! The question was, was he seeing the future, or the past in that dream? He puzzled a bit, then came to his senses and dismissed the dream as more of an enthusiastic imagination than premonition.

After supper, Miashgon headed for the council room, a little earlier than the rest of the men that had been there this afternoon. He sat in the seat he had occupied earlier and contemplated the implications of a total war with Orna. It would change everything, especially with the fact that Rijero was changing its crown in three months. Without even knowing, he fell asleep again.

He was speaking with Trivor about something important, but Trivor wasn't listening. In fact, Trivor wasn't even looking at him, he was looking past Miashgon, grinning at something behind him. Miashgon tried to make Trivor listen, but it was a fruitless endeavor. Finally, he turned to see what Trivor was smiling at. He gasped because what he saw behind him was Xavier, in a vortex of fire. He reached out to help Xavier-

"Miashgon! Wake up." His father's voice jarred him out of his dream. "The others will be in here soon, and its not the most endearing thing to see your future king napping in the council room."

Miashgon wiped his eyes, "My apologies father, apparently I didn't sleep well enough last night."

His father smiled at him. "You'll have many more sleepless nights in the years to come, I'm afraid. However, you get used to it."

Miashgon nodded, and the other men started entering, one by one. The last two to come in were Fuldon and the mountain of a man.

The King noticed Miashgon looking at the man, and bent over to whisper to him, "Swun Eduerj, very noble descent. I'm told he's an excellent swordsman."

Miashgon nodded and the King stood to begin his address. "Well, now that we've had time to think and to eat, I want to hear the opinion of every single member of this council on what action should be taken. We'll start with my son."

Miashgon was surprised, but nodded and stood. "Orna amassing an army is a threat, no matter what the reason," a few of the generals nodded in assent, "however, just attacking the continent will provoke a war that I would hope we could avoid." He cleared his throat, "Now, I don't have much experience in actual politics, as many of you would point out, but I think the best idea in this situation would be to prepare a small force to hold off the army if they attempt to invade, and prepare the rest of the standing army in case of full-on war." Miashgon looked around at each pair of eyes, some showing agreement, others dissent. He then sat down, and watched the rest.

The King nodded toward the general to the left of Miashgon, "Andel?"

The older man stood up, "I've served as a general of Rijero for a long time. I was appointed by your father in his last counci. In all the twenty-nine years you have ruled, Rijero has never seen a full war. Yes, there has been Jeman conflicts on the ports, but those have been occuring for the last century. I think we need to avoid this war at all costs. I suggest trying to contact Gwamar, and ending this before it begins." A general across the table muttered something under his breath, "I know Milzen, I am a pacifist," Ander quickly retorted, "and I do not suggest we just allow ourselves to be unguarded. I support Miashgon's plan in that respect."

The next General, a thirty-year old named Jomerek, merely said, "War cannot be avoided. We need to make the first move. I suggest an attack on Orna's main port."

Swun stood tall, "I know little of the workings of strategy. Until now, I have been merely a soldier. However, if you ask my opinion, morale is stronger when we are the attackers, not the attacked. I agree with Jomerek."

Lufo was next, "I support Miashgon in his strategy."

The brown-haired, mouse of a man remained seated, "I am not a part of this council, merely an informant."

Jarel's counsellor spoke to Jarel quietly, then the Ashgor King stood, "My counsellor and I are in agreement. Ashgor will support Rijero in whatever it does, but no Ashgor soldier will set foot on Orna until provoked."

Xavier stood next, "I am with my father on this, and I believe the best strategy here is to follow the plan that Miashgon has set forth. Though I would establish two or three forces, protecting different ports. I suggest we do the same in Ashgor, Father."

The next two generals, Xin and Milzen, both expressed their belief that Rijero would be destroyed in weeks if no action were taken.

After these were the two dukes, Jiken and Zet. Jiken mentioned that he had no concept of the art of war, and his belief was in peace. Zet stood.

"I think that today has shown us a great thing, no matter what the decision made today. Any of those that believe that our Prince is not ready to rule this country would be proved wrong by his action today. He is concise and clear in his opinion, and has created a plan that is supported by a large portion of this council. I stand by my King in whatever he decides, but I sincerely hope he stands by his son."

Miashgon looked across at Zet, who smiled at him. Miashgon nodded respectfully and whispered his gratitude. Zet's eyes showed respect and loyalty that Miashgon had never expected from one of his father's oldest counsellors.

Fuldon spoke next, "I think that we need to take into perspective the fact that he is searching for Anugo's Power. You know my thoughts on the subject, King. I think we need to start a full-scale search for the relics ourselves, along with the holders. If Gwamar were to get ahold of them, I shudder to think of the consequences."

The King nodded. "I appreciate your opinion in this matter. I think that it is too early to declare war on Orna, but I think we should prepare by bringing the full standing army into service. My six generals, get your forces together. Milzen, I want you to protect Xalif, the port closest to our border with Ashgor. Xin, your force will be stationed in Kelt. Jomerek, you will be in Taln. Lufo, I want you in our northernmost port, Shelk. Andel, you will protect Rijero itself, while preparing the full army and organizing the ranks. Swun, I want you to organize a search for the relics, using Fuldon's knowledge as a guide. You all are dismissed. Zet and Jiken, you may leave as well."

The eight men filed out of the room. Jarel turned to the brown haired man, "Dali, you're excused, thank you for your service."

Dali nodded and exited as well. The six men left faced eachother quietly. Jarel Lxotu finally spoke, "Hirvo, your son did very well today, you should be proud."

The Rijero King nodded, "I thought so as well. Which is why I hope you'll agree with my belief that Xavier and Miashgon should be sent together to patrol this six ports down the Enureli coast."

Jarel nodded. "That is a good idea, it will be a constant mission, both you men will be away from home and family probably until Miashgon's coronation."

Xavier looked at Miashgon, laughter in his eyes, "I'll do it."

Miashgon smiled, "Yes, I shall as well."

Hirvo Jiponte stood, "I was hoping it would be that way. Now, before we leave, I have a gift for you, my son." Everyone but Fuldon looked puzzled. "I encountered a beautiful sword while traveling near the forests two weeks ago. I was going to wait until your birthday to give it to you, but I think that now is the time." He took a sword and sheath from Fuldon's hands, "Here you are."

Miashgon unsheathed it slowly. The blade was a beautiful golden color, and the sword was light as a feather. The hilt was black as night, with a diamond set on each side. "It's great, Father. I appreciate it very much."

The King of Ashgor cleared his throat, "I'm not to be outdone here, Hirvo," he chuckled, "Xavier, the Lxotu Sword is yours as well. You will be King soon enough, and you'll need a good blade by your side."

Xavier accepted his gift with a nod, and then spoke, "Well, we had better prepare for our mission then, shouldn't we?"

Both Kings nodded, and the two Princes walked out together, as they exited, Xavier said to Miashgon, "This shall be a great adventure I think."

---