Waiting with her were the other councillors of The Society, the loud and dominant Grarm, and the two younger men that allowed him to be so, Luke and Josef. Had Arwen still been alive, Grarm would not be so sure of his position. No one spoke. In fact, since she had eliminated Arwen and placed Xavier on the throne of Arenia, they had not spoken much to either of them. None of them had asked or commented upon the manner of Arwen’s demise, but it was obvious they were nervous. Her spies were keeping them under close observation and as far as she could tell, as yet they did not plot against her or Xavier, but she would continue to have them watched. Not to do so could prove fatal.
The door opened and King Xavier entered, or to be more accurate, he made his entrance. He walked proud in his shirt and breeches cut from high quality pale yellow silk and decorated in silver lace. The wide lace collar and black polished riding boots with wide black belt and gold buckle dressed the outfit. In it he looked more like one of the pretty toys some lords kept for entertainment, or a dandy attending a garden luncheon, but his appearance did not detract from the power of his personality. What caught the attention of all the councillors, however, was the sword he wore at his hip.
“Why do you come armed to our meeting? There is no need for that in here,” Grarm grumbled. Xavier stopped to take in all the councillors as he stared at Grarm.
“There is no need to wear it anywhere. I am not in danger in my own palace, am I? I rule by popular demand, do I not? And I have my guards to protect me if needed. But please forgive me for I am still a soldier at heart and the feel of it at my waist comforts me.”
The councillors silently accepted his explanation, because to object would be admitting he had cause to distrust them, and they dared not admit that. Beth watched her fellow councillors closely as Xavier continued.
“I thank you all for your time. I know you are busy people, but I wish to make you aware of my concerns for The Society and its people.” He paused to put a troubled expression on his face. “I am sure that by now you have come to see that I worry. The people are not interested in who leads Arenia, or what happens in the politics of the world.” His voice cracked with the concern he showed for his fellow man. “A pig could wear the crown for all they care. We live our lives in service of the people, but if none of us were here they would continue to go about their days and live their lives as they do now. In truth, some would prefer it. The throne and the values of The Society mean nothing to them.”
Josef interrupted,
“But our members still follow the charter.”
Xavier nodded, a smile brushing his lips.
“They talk of following it, and in their minds they may do. But the matter remains that they only have time to concern themselves with what goes on around them.”
“It has always been so,” Grarm agreed. “But there is nothing we can do to change that. We have tried.”
Beth tried to direct the talk back to Xavier’s plan,
“What do you have in mind?” she asked Xavier, directing all eyes back to him.
“Our forefathers knew this and had the wisdom to take The Society to live in isolation, and work to make us strong. With the members separated from the world, they could control the teachings and ensure the tenants remained strong in our people. I believe it is also why they did not return to the world until they were satisfied they had the ongoing dedication of the people. In fact, I think it was necessary for Kees to lead us into near disaster so that we could see our way to becoming stronger.”
They gasped and Beth could see his words had done as he hoped. They were ready to listen further. She watched as he raised a book he had brought, bound in ancient leather.
“I have had time to study the Journal of Tam, as have you. His words have been passed down through the generations for seven hundred years and they have guided our people and the council to rebuild and grow. They have never led us astray in all that time and they will not now. But there is one thing we must do. We must listen to what he has to tell us for Tam now guides our actions.”
Beth was surprised by his words. She could not have been this wrong about him. Xavier was a leader, he was not a man to run and hide and she needed to prove herself correct in selecting him.
“Are you suggesting The Society should once again leave the seven kingdoms in order to build its strength? I cannot agree to that. The Society is stronger today than it has ever been.”
Suddenly Beth realised all was going to plan. Xavier had baited the council and now they were almost ready.
“No. You are right. Tam’s words clearly tell us we must be part of the world of man. But we need to do more than just read his journal; we need to think about the wisdom Tam left us, and his dream that the teachings of The Society should be spread throughout all the people of Arenia, and even the Seven Kingdoms. He told us ‘Our duty to the world is to teach mankind’.”
Xavier paused and held up the book to allow time for these words to be absorbed.
“For too long the council has accepted the world as it has always been, because to change it was more difficult. But Tam believed we must change the world. We must show the people a better way to live if we want them accept what we know to be true.”
Xavier’s words grew stronger as he spoke with passion and Beth could see the council listening with intent to the king.
Grarm had assumed the role as spokesman and self-appointed leader for the council simply by speaking his mind, and he continued now, though they carried a tone of defeat,
“Your words are impressive but the task is even greater, one that I would say was beyond the abilities of any council. But you have asked us here to discuss this problem after so brief a time in your position, so I believe you may have an idea to present. I am intrigued. Tell us more of how you would achieve this feat where the wisdom of the council has failed for all the generations since those words were written,” he sneered.
“I cannot achieve this.”
The king’s words caught everyone by surprise. Even Beth had not expected this reply. She knew Xavier had a plan, but why was he refusing to announce it?
“At least, I cannot do it on my own. But this council can make it happen if we work together, but only if you are inclined to do so.”
“How?” asked Josef before anyone had an opportunity to deny it.
He sounded suspicious but the king relaxed at being given his opportunity. The young councillors were playing their part without realising it. Beth saw that this was what Xavier waited for. He was leading them all to his thinking. Once again she felt pride in her selection.
“We educate the people,” offered the king, knowing his reply would cause argument.
His simple words tumbled around in Beth’s head. It only took a few moments before questions were being thrown at the king. Xavier allowed them to continue unanswered for a few moments before he held up his hand for quiet while he explained. She could hear the tremor in his voice as his plan developed.
“If we are superior to the other races, it is because we can understand. If we are to remain dominant over the other races, we must be strong as a people, not just a council, and nurture that understanding. Our trouble lies with the people who do not have the time to understand. Their lives are filled with caring for their families and the land. This is the only life they know, and until that life comes under direct threat, they will not change.”
Beth could see that Xavier’s confidence had grown with each word and now he was ready to introduce them to his plan.
”They see no reason to care and it falls to us to show them that the threat to their lives is real and immediate, and that they must do something about it. We must look for those who want to listen, the ones with time to lead the way, and make them ready.”
Grarm sank back into his chair, a smirk crossing his features,