The Return of the Dragonhawk

Chapter 47 -- No Middle Ground

"I cannot fathom the man!" Alyx raged. "He sees nothing wrong in betraying us!"

"Survival is the first law of nature," the High Duidd said, straining to match Alyx' impatient strides. "Trevolta truly believes that surrender to Halgrim is the only way out."

"Surrender? Proclaiming Halgrim king of Peregret and giving him fealty is more than surrender -- it is whoredom!"

"The Conclave believes Halgrim will show mercy."

Alyx shook his head. "Evil stares them in the face -- and they cannot see their impending doom!"

"They are politicians, bent on personal gain. It requires a certain nobility of heart to see beyond that."

"I was a fool! Why did I not ask Acontis to use his truth spell on Amech and Trevolta when they arrived?"

Ghugo Faraight stumbled, caught himself, and stood stooped over with his hands on his knees. "Alyx!" he said between panting breaths. "Where are you running so fast?"

Alyx halted and retraced his steps. "My feet must know the way," he said sheepishly. He had no plan -- just the conviction that he must get as far from Trevolta as possible to avoid sending the man to the Realm of Mysteries before his time.

"Alyx -- listen to me," the duidd began.

"You are going to tell me," Alyx interrupted, glaring at the floor, "that no one's judgement is perfect, that hindsight cannot replace foresight, that only a single person died as a result of my stupidity, and he may have been fated to die anyway."

"It is no easy thing to see a child die," Ghugo said gently. "I grieve with you."

Alyx raised his head. "All I wanted," he said, his voice breaking, "was to sit beside him and say good-bye."

"I would suggest the Stone of Sorrows as a remedy," the duidd said, "but it is already overburdened."

Alyx began walking again, at a more moderate pace. The duidd fell into step beside him. "What shall we tell the Great Chapter this afternoon?" Alyx asked.

"I have a plan." The duidd took Alyx by the sleeve and guided him out of the corridor into a sitting room. "We will tell them that it is time for your coronation."

Alyx sat down, his knees weak. "My coronation? Have your wits turned?"

"We must do it quickly, before going to battle. "The prophecy says that a king will lead us to victory," the duidd said, pushing on the shutters. A blaze of sunlight poured in, along with bracing fresh air.

"The prophecy! The prophecy!" Alyx said impatiently. "The wills of men make history, not prophecies!"

"That may be so. But our soldiers will have more heart if they believe you are the one destined to lead them to greatness."

Alyx bit his lip. "How do you propose to crown me without the Armour of Righteousness and Circlet of Flame?"

The duidd sat down facing Alyx. "It is unlikely that they will ever be found. We must proceed without them."

"The people will never accept it!"

"They will if I re-interpret the prophecy a little. You have Urannim's fealty now -- the others will fall in behind him like sheep."

Alyx pondered the duidd's words. "Are you really willing to cede your powers to me?" he asked.

The High Duidd met his eyes. "I will do anything that serves Dys."