The Prophecy

The Council | Heroes & Politics

The Great Repartitor had turned to Adjuva, who was as stunned as he was. The Kings and Queens stared at each other as if awaiting a decision that would have been a common one, but it was extremely difficult to concentrate after the coming of the Eternals.

Sältar, who for his part never left anything to chance, felt that it was time for him to intervene. So, he stood up and asked for the word that the Great Repartitor was too happy to give him. In a magical trick that was out of place, Sältar vanished before materializing on the Tribune de Word. He placed his hands on the banister in a theatrical gesture and addressed the assembled members in a thunderous voice.

_ Now we know! There is no need to polemic or to question again what needs to be done. They challenged us! It is up to us to prove to them that we can take it up and that they have reason to be proud of us! As Fliàe the Great commanded, we must choose our Heroes, the ones we will have judged worthy to represent us in this wonderful enterprise. One for each community! I propose without hesitation Lord Arkartin to represent the Humans...

Azilis stood up, visibly discontented, and when Sältar passed by, having left the tribune for the representative of the other communities to speak, he grabbed him by the sleeve of his coat.

_ Who authorized you to speak on my behalf, Sältar? The voice of the Human King reaped like acid. I am your King and only I can make this kind of decision!

_ Your Highness, said the wise human man with a humble voice, I didn't think I was acting without your knowledge by declaring the choice of the Humans. It seemed obvious, he lowered his voice, that the presence of a great warrior like Arkartin in the group charged with taking up the challenge of the Eternals can only be beneficial to us... I am sorry that you have taken my intervention badly, and if you wish, I can tell you otherwise....

_ No... no, Azilis said, dragging his voice, that's good. But don't let me catch you again! Never forget who your King is!

_ You, Your Majesty, you certainly are! concluded the Master of the Human Wise Men, bowing gently.

Then he returned to join the other wise human men of his Order who never ceased to congratulate him discreetly. They had just won a battle. One more...

Big Oak, accompanied by Old Bear, rose to his feet, determined to choose the one who would have the privilege of participating in the Quest. They consulted each other for a few moments a little apart.

_ What do you think, old friend? said Big Oak, confused. As expected, Sältar is sure of himself and takes a lot of disturbing initiatives in my opinion. If he has appointed the chief of the warriors, it is certainly not without an ulterior motive...

_ I think alike. It would be crazy to think that he could aim for the place that belongs to his King, but I can't help it. Azilis was out of his mind and I'd give a lot to know what they said to each other.

_ Chances are they talked politics. That doesn't solve our dilemma: who are we going to appoint? A warrior too?

_ I'm not particularly in favor of that, said the Great Pope, it's a quest in which the one we're going to name is going to participate, not a war....

_ Are you so sure?

_ I want to believe it. The Eternals would not lead us to war, not by their doing.

_ You seem to forget about the Flirands, they use to enjoy themselves with wars, battles and pettiness...

_ How could I forget? But I think the test we are facing is a very serious one. I can't believe that Fliàe would let them do as they please. I have the impression that they are neutral in this particular case...