Fifty Eight
Caernarfon Council, Darkwoods
In the depths of the wilderness, the heart of Darkwoods lay an old courtyard. Reclaimed by the forest, vines and trees had a tight hold on the crumbling architecture.
Once the royal audience chamber of King Dyfnwal, the last king of the Moonsworn.
The sparse remaining walls and turrets were those of Caernarfon Castle, where the king fell. Killed in his sleep by Drwgi assassins, with him died the royal line and the Moonsworn Kingdom fractured into magisterial states.
There are those who wanted to restore the monarchy, but they all knew Dyfnwal's Kingdom was in decline.
The next years were devoted to hunting down the Drwgi and their foul leader Dygwr Marwolaeth.
The Legendary Phoenix Owain Glyndŵr was the one to slay the evil warlord.
In the center stood a tree of life, but like the temple around it, the vibrancy was gone, it was a burned-out dead husk.
Trees of life were could rejuvenate and enrich the nature around them, bestow close magical ties and bring prosperity to the Dark Elves that live in their branches.
Trees of life rarely existed anymore, just as they withered so too did the Dark Elves.
The party of Ileuadi from Brookhaven Village arrived at the fragment of a gateway arch.
Geally stood at the head of the group between her two best sentinels, her father, Magister Lunaris stood behind them in his finest violet robes and silver-branch crown.
Geally opted to wear her maroon ranger's leathers and keep her hair tied back modestly.
They raised the flag of their village beside the others on the refurbished flagpoles.
Over a dozen of the council processions had arrived. They stood in groups scattered across the ancient courtyard. Each magister wore fine council robes of silk and leather, a symbolic crown of branches on their heads.
The moon was full overhead through the open roof and the lunar beams illuminated the ethereal features of the ebony Dark Elves.
The groups chatted amongst themselves waitingfor the council to be called. "The council awaits,"
a bannerman announced followed by blowing into a large curved wooden horn.
The horn silenced all discussion in the courtyard as the magisters were called forth with their town spokesman.
Weapons were left in the courtyard as the procession entered into the council room, a massive wooden map table of Darkwoods sitting in the shade of a dying Tree of Life.
Orange leaves lay scattered in the chamber as the magisters approached the debate table and were seated.
Councilor Gethin called the first order. "This emergency meeting is called to address the Drwgi incursions in our land!" he banged a mahogany hammer on the table.
Geally leant in behind her father's ear to whisper words of encouragement as he stood up.
Lunaris cleared his throated and brushed backhis silvery hair behind his pointed ears.
"Knights of The Golden Sun have killed the WickerKing and offer peace to us,"
A gasp took the crowd as the magisters whispered among each other.
They all knew the stories of the Golden Sun Knights refusing to serve as the Tabernacle enforcers, their vow of honor.
Lunaris nodded gesturing to his daughter: "Gealladh,"
Geally addressed the councilors on behalf of Gladius, her fy caru. She addressed the audience with her visions of purple fires burning the forest and being welcomed to Myst City as allies. "Our future is with them."
Gethin banged his hammer and called for a vote in favor of sending refugees and soldiers to Myst City.
"Aye," cried Lunaris, disappointed to be the only magister in favor.
"Nay," replied the other ten magisters without hesitating.
Geally banged on the table. "Our people are dying!"
The nearest magister scoffed. "Then Brookhaven marches alone."
Geally was exasperated. They can't see past their own prejudices.
"Fools!"
Geally stormed out of the chamber, she could see the kindness in men but her kin were blind to it. Their people were dying a slow death and refused to ask for outside help.
"Brookhaven won't suffer," she promised herself as she departed the halls to rally her village for departure.