The Prophecy

The Stormy Road (8)

The Chief led him to one of the corners of the common room, far away within the mountain, and drew one of the tapestry curtain-like, that allowed the warmth to remain better in the room; it led to a smaller room, enveloping them in secrecy and mystery.

_Listen to me, La Mouse, I think it's time to act.... to move... to do something, anything. Attack merchants, a caravan, steal, rob a palace...

_ What about the Wise Elves Men? What do you want to do with them?

_ I don't know. What I do know, is that inaction is bad for us. We live on a volcano. What am I saying? In a volcano! We are that volcano and the eruption is not far away. They are all ready for action, any action: they would tear each other apart if it would take them out of their misery! It can't last any longer. What do you think?

_That a messenger from Lune-en-Bleue should arrive this afternoon, he answered quietly.

_ And? the chief said impatiently, obviously not following.

_And bring to the Prince of Bruntis a purse filled with humongous pink diamonds.

_ Pink? Wait... Isn't it what she's looking for at the moment...?

_ Artemis? Yes, it is. Well, what do you say?

_ Let's go! Immediately!

With an abrupt movement, he removed the curtain that masked the entrance to the secret room, walked back inside the main room, placed a stool in its center, climbed on it, and with his loudest voice:

_Get up in there! We have work to do. A job like we haven't done in a long time! The kind of job that will render the band of the Knights of the Lily pale with rage! Do I have your full attention? GOOD! Jim and Mockingjay will be scouting the place, see La Souris for details. OneEye, Teddy and Talisman, you're with me, Scrapper, Welder and Slider, choose ten men to transport the weapons and equipment. Yann, you and your men will stay behind with Siegfried Green-Leaf, he will be our interim healer for this mission. The others, with La Mouse, you will take care of the guards and the warriors of the Order. Uh... one more thing: The Cook? You will stay to watch over the prisoners. Execution.

Everyone then rushed to obey the orders received and in the most complete disorder, each did exactly what he had been ordered to do. Siegfried was taken out of the prison; he was furious, unwilling to comply, but could not see how he could not obey them. The secret closets were opened and the gleaming weapons taken out; the flying mounts harnessed and the first departures made. The plans were laid out and soon afterwards in execution. Just as the chief was about to rejoin his group, he was held back by La Mouse.

_Do you think it is safe to leave the prisoners alone?

_Cook will guard them.

_But... He doesn't know how to fight: that's why he's cooking! he murmured, suddenly worried about the turn of events, and having only limited confidence in the cook's abilities.

_ Don't be afraid... He will take care of his mission very well, moreover, we have one of them with us.

_ As...as you wish.

The discussion was close, and the two men walked towards the exit of the cave, mounting their own personal mount, and flew away, leaving behind them an empty and silent cave.

During all this turmoil, the Wise Elves men had not moved, not spoken, not even murmured. Old Bear, though saddened by Siegfried's "kidnapping", had done as all the others had done: he had observed the organization of the brigands. In spite of everything, their discipline was fascinating, and it is not without a certain admiration that the Stallion ends up saying: