Jack Hawkins and the Faery Prophecies

Knives and Spears

- Knives and Spears

The room was secret and so the best choice for the situation, but it was dimly lit and terribly cold. Lord Lanndar stared imaginatively at the big empty fireplace and how he wished to himself that it was roaring. He pictured it, filled full of fine logs, burning brightly and simmering with smoke.  A grand fireplace it would have been in its day, almost half the size of the wall and expertly crafted. Now it was but just a shadow of its former self and in Lanndar's mind nothing but a cruel tease, for even if it actually could still be lit, it most certainly could not be lit tonight. The risk was too much. It would create smoke for other eyes to see and in times such as these, one can never be too careful at whose eyes might be watching.

He rubbed his old hands together and imagined the pleasure of heat a last time before quickly returning to reality and remembering who he was and why he was there. Anxiously he looked towards the door and pondered the time, wondering if indeed his old friend would come. The Elf Lord knew that if his guest was going to show up, it would have to be soon, for he could not wait much longer, he would not wait much longer. Starring impatiently at the door he rubbed his grey beard, sighed and shook his head. Time was running out.

And then it came, the softest of knocks on the door and another in quick succession. The two knock signal in which he had prearranged with his young human squire, the only signal that he would unlock and open the door to.

The Lord in great relief rushed over to the door before composing himself and sliding across the old metal lock, which was tough with friction from its age and lack of recent use. He then took the handle and pulled open the wooden door ever so slightly, just enough to see the eye of his squire boy on the other end.

"Is he here?" Lord Lanndar whispered to the boy still in the shadow of the dark hallway.

"Yes my Lord, He has come." Replied the squire

"Good, good, I knew he would." Said the Lord in a confident and determined manner. Optimism and relief filled his eyes.

"Have the Captain bring him up immediately". He continued.

"Yes my lord." Said the boy in a hurried fashion, before turning in great haste to carry out his task.

"And boy, bring the wine, the bread and the cheese". Shouted the Lord after him, this time in a voice much louder than before.

It was a very long time since Lord Lanndar had seen his good friend and even under the circumstances, tonight he was determined to show him a welcome hospitality. Perhaps it would be the last time they would be in a position to share a drink together, an act which they had done with each other countless times before, especially in their younger days but the thought that this might be the last time, greatly pained the old Lord and made him even more determined to try and find a peaceful solution from their meeting.

As the faint sound of approaching footsteps became louder and louder and closer and closer, Lord Lanndar looked nervously towards the door and tried his best to hide his emotions. This was not the time for emotion; this was the time for negotiation. And on the eve of war, every second counted and successful negotiation on the matters at hand was very unlikely.

The footsteps approached the wooden door, and were now seemingly directly outside it. Lord Lanndar prepared himself one last time and hoped for the best as the door opened and the Captain of guards, Karkria entered.

"My Lord, I present General Tharazin. General of the Faes, Commander of the Army of the west and supreme . . . " before Lord Lanndar intervened and stopped him short.

"Enough with the formalities Captain. I need no introduction to my dear friend." He said, smiling as the tall, cloaked figure behind the Captain stepped forward removed his hood and said;