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The Dragon Forest II: Son of the Oath

By Ruth A. Douthitt

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1 THE MEETING OF THE KINGS

“This quest has failed,” said King Eulrik of Glaussier. His shouts could be heard from the hallway as King Alexander of Illiath entered. “It has been over three years since the knights departed for the swords and not one has been returned to us. I believe it is time to end this illusive endeavor and bring the knights home to their families and to their lands.”
The men surrounded the large table in the dining hall of the palace at Illiath where so many meetings had occurred before. Historical meetings that settled disputes and created accords were held in the very same room for decades by King Alexander’s father and now by him. But it was different this time. With the palace busily preparing for his son’s graduation, Alexander was distracted. He entered the meeting late and sat down. He sighed heavily while the others spoke. He seemed withdrawn, too melancholic to argue. So, he patiently listened to the others while they discussed the terms of the quest. He wore his graying hair longer and had a thick beard along his chin.
“This quest has only begun,” rebutted King Mildrir of Thorgest. “It is too soon to assess whether or not it has failed. Reports coming in have been negative, but the knights have reported that many of the outer lying towns and villages are assisting in the search. That brings great hope.”
“Yes, it does, considering many were not involved in the Oath or Lord Bedlam’s curse,” said Iseif. “I find it comforting to know that others are concerned and want Bedlam destroyed.”
Alexander rubbed his forehead with his hand.
“But finding all the swords…,” argued Eulrik. “It is impossible! My son, Sir Leonius, a very brave knight, was last seen two years ago on the islands in the East Ocean. He was seen by pirates. Pirates! How can I trust the words of pirates? They said he had been captured and was being held on one of the islands, yet they had his belt and buckler with them. I suspect he is dead. I suspect they are all dead!”
This angered Alexander out of his trance. “They are not all dead. I refused to believe they are.” He stood and produced the letter he received from Sir Roen. “The son of my good friend, General Aluein, has written me this letter telling me of the progress of the search. This letter arrived by carrier from south of Vulgaard.”
“South of Vulgaard?” asked Eulrik. “That is farther off than we thought. That is dangerously close to Bedlam’s realm of Ranvieg.”
“Too close,” said King Isleif. “What else did the letter say?”
Alexander hesitated to mention the death of Sir Lucas because of the mood of the meeting, but he did not want to withhold any information from the leaders. “Sir Lucas has been found dead,” he revealed.
With that announcement, the others began arguing and yelling in the large room. Their voices echoed throughout the palace. Many servants stopped in the hallway wondering what was happening behind the closed doors. The words grew harsher with each passing moment, and Alexander rubbed his head as though it ached from the noise. Nothing would be decided with all the emotions and anger present in the room. He rose to leave without saying a word since hours had passed. He had to be up soon to prepare for the ceremonies. As he walked away from the table, King Eulrik’s eye caught him.
“What say you, King Alexander?” he said as he walked across the room. “You cannot possibly leave now since this whole quest was your idea. This whole mess is yours to bear and yours alone!”
“Not so, Eulrik,” shouted King Mildrir. “We all were present at the beginning. We all had a part in this decision to send out the knights. We all are responsible.” He pointed his finger accusingly at Eulrik, who slowly walked back to his chair. He stood behind it and violently pushed it back into its place, making a loud clamor. No one spoke. Eulrik made his way toward King Alexander, who stood in the entrance way of the room.
“We may have all discussed this, but it was his idea from the beginning. He gave up his sword in battle and now it is lost. He has nothing to lose. And why not? No one he loves is out on the quest,” declared Eulrik.
Alexander faced the doorway. Slowly, he turned to face his accuser.
“I hear it is your son, Peter, who is leaving for Knight Training tomorrow,” Eulrik whispered as he approached Alexander.
“Do not speak further, Eulrik,” Alexander warned.
“And perhaps one day it is he who will be part of this quest,” Eulrik continued.
Alexander watched him weigh his words carefully.
“And perhaps one day we will be speaking of his death at this table,” he said, glaring into King Alexander’s eyes. “Then what will you do, Alexander? Then what will you say? Will you still refuse to call this quest a failure?”
“That sort of talk is not warranted here, Elurik!” Mildrir shouted.
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. He stared into Eulrik. Most in the room knew he had never liked King Eulrik, nor did he trust him. The words appeared to have struck deeply at Alexander’s heart. All in the room were quiet as Mildrir walked over to the two men.
“Stop this now, Eulrik,” Mildrir warned. “Leave if you must.”
“No,” Alexander said. “He has chosen to speak.” Eulrik waited for a response to the question he put before Alexander.
“Yes, my son leaves tomorrow for training,” Alexander said. “Perhaps this quest will continue when he returns. I know he will join in the quest. He has already said he will. I will not try to stop him. I will encourage him.
“But even if he does die in this quest, it will continue, Eulrik. It must continue, because it is bigger than any one of us. All of Théadril depends on the knights finding the swords and destroying them. I am weary from all this waiting just as you are. It has aged me. I grow weary of writing letters to mothers and fathers regarding their sons’ deaths. It pains me more than you know as I know it pains all of you. But I know this quest will prove to be successful. I feel it. The swords will be found and returned to us so that we can destroy them and Bedlam once and for all. If I didn’t know this, I never would have sent out the knights on this quest. You have to believe me. We all have to be patient.”
Unsatisfied, Eulrik rudely pushed past Alexander and stormed out of the room without a word. One by one, the others followed.
Mildrir stood by Alexander for a moment, then placed his hand on the weary King’s shoulder. “Get some rest, my friend.” He sighed. “There will be more meetings in the future. But now you must concentrate on your son and the needs of your people.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Alexander said as he walked with Mildrir to the front entrance of the palace.
The meeting ended, leaving Alexander alone at the table where he sat thinking about what transpired in those early morning hours. He rubbed his eyes. The thought of Peter dying was even heavier on his mind. His son, his only son, was about to embark on a life-changing journey that could lead to his death in a horrific war against an equally horrific enemy. Yet, as with all the kings in the kingdom, Alexander knew this day would come when they placed Peter in his arms on the day he was born.

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