The Will Of The Kings.

Chapter 32, Gathering Strength Part 2.

They all worried for William, he was still unsteady and none were sure that his mind was still fully intact. As soon as leena laid eyes on him they were filled with worry. William insisted he was fine, but that did not stop her from fussing over him. Once they had all settled in and William felt he had the strength, he decided to set things right. His body had aged, he knew he would not regain his former strength, but he would be fit again, his mind was as sharp as ever and he had gained a new resolve. He was sitting at the table in the middle of the hall when he gestured to Balor to come to him. Balor came at once and crouched by his father.

William began firmly and clearly "gather the others around the fire" he was tired of being mollycoddled and there was no trace of an old sick man in his voice.

It surprised Balor at first, but he was soon smiling, realising that his father was truly back. Balor stood and bellowed for the others to come. William had something to say. They all came, unsure of themselves, William was not the man they once new. He made them wait a little before he drew himself up on to his feet, his body ached but he was getting stronger every day.

"I have had time to think, much time. More time than I have ever had. I almost left this world and some of me was lost in the fight to stay" he looked round at them, all were hanging on his every word, they respected him as much as they always had. "Wild thoughts ran through my mind, despair, anger they all almost engulfed me. Fear controlled me. Now I have made order of it. I am renewed. Bring the Will" William said to Balor.

Balor had it on him and handed it straight to William. William, taking it, stepped over to the fire. Opening the cover, he held it close to the flames. Nannajess felt the urge to stop him from harming the book. She did not, she was torn.

William went on "this was our cause, this is what we have fought for, a book" he closed it and handed it back to Balor. "It is no longer my cause" he finished.

Nannajess could not believe it "but what about Farnbreth" she protested.

 "And the ward" Rook added.

Balor was unwilling to abandon his city, but he got to his feet and stood by his farther, Vallessa followed. Lenna shifted away from the others with jack.

William was so proud of his family. He raised his hand. "The book is no longer my course but the justification for it" they were all a little confused as William continued "the knowledge of Farnbreths fate binds me to her, to my home. My care is not for Kings, for land and riches, but my people, my friends and my ward. Those who have stayed have suffered. Good people have died".  Anger rose in him, "why!" he exclaimed. "lesser kings came north, took our land and are destroying our culture. Kings who had never seen the full might of Farnbreth stretch south although we surely could have and a would be King that has betrayed his own. His greed means that we shall never know if Farnbreth could have saved herself at the last, and that cannot be forgiven. The lesser Kings take on themselves the consequences of conquest. False Kings shall face their own justice. My cause is for Farnbreth. The Will is just one tool to take her back"

The relief on everyone's face was apparent. William continued. "This is another beginning and once again I ask for your loyalty" he held his hand up to stop them from replying, "think on it, and come to me in the morning, for this course may take your lives and those of your loved ones. Rest assured, if you choose to follow me it will lead to Farnbreth, and there we are outlaws. I will think no less of you if you chose another path"

That night they drank and ate as if they had no cares, and in the morning each came to William, everyone would follow him. Williams's first instruction was to make Bed River their new home, all needed a home for now. They all found work in the town. Nannajess and Vallessa paid good money for a stall in the market. Their landlord raised an eyebrow when he heard, wondering how they could afford it. But he could see they had not come from nothing. They were all skilled workers and most had weapons that many could not afford; besides they were not the only new money that had come to Bed River. Much new money had come to the town to save it from the southern Kings. Rook and Balor found other employment as night wardens. In Bed River the streets were patrolled with dogs. Different families bred them, and over the years, had made them in to great beasts. It was the Wheelboar family who employed them, and their dogs held the greatest renown. The jobs came easily, not many people wanted to walk the streets at night, and fewer wanted to work with the dogs. Rook warmed to them straight away, he understood them. They smothered Balor as soon as they set eyes on him. As he lay on his back, smothered by the giant dogs he thought his time had come. As it was, they saw him as the perfect size man to play with. The dogs seemed to delight in the giant, who could play with them in a carefree manner that other men could not possibly hope to do. Hope or dare to.