The Saga of Uthdore 1.3: Draton

Draton

As Draton sat presiding over the Council of Hollowvale, he saw his Fief diving into chaos. Although he had never intended the seating at the Table of Hondoron to have any meaning, Sulryn and his ambitious war had created a clear divide. Draton looked to his left and saw the eyes of those calling for the death of Acktur and the rise of Sulryn as King. When Sulryn attacked Faymont, the radical faction took this as a sign of Sulryn’s growing authority and demanded that Draton choose to stand with Sulryn in the war. To his right, Draton regarded the royalist faction with friendlier eyes. They demanded the punishment of those wishing to remove their own king from the throne of Uthdore.

“Please, my Baron,” begged Councilman Onskel Aldemaw, his gaunt face pleading with Draton. “You must see reason! Ordyn is too young to lead Uthdore. Sulryn is a seasoned general and politician who could lead the entire kingdom to glory! Right now, the Ice-Beings and the Dwarves threaten us greater with each passing day. We need a King strong enough to bring us out of what is sure to be a bloody and long war.”

Draton found no surprise in Onskel’s hatred of the King. The Aldemaw had been no friend to the Acktur for many years. When Oshin Aldemaw was killed in the Crisis of Death 500 years ago, the Throne of Uthdore was given to the Acktur because of the lack of a male descendant of the Aldemaw. Those who call themselves Aldemaw are only claiming this lineage through the female line, yet men have been flocking from all over to gain the Aldemaw name so that they may have a claim to the throne through Oshin.

“Councilman,” Draton said, his ancient voice commanding the attention of all who surrounded him. “Although you may not agree with his reign, you will address our King as ‘his majesty’ in my presence.”

“Of course,” Onskel said. “Forgive me, my lord.”

“If I may,” said Councilman Kimos Seroldvor, a slender, calming royalist who took his seat to the right of the Baron, “I pose a question to the radicals: Why trust Sulryn when he has already usurped a ruler before?”

“I believe you are referring to the change of power in Osfort 6 years ago,” Onskel said, speaking silently under his breath.

“Change of power? Sulryn massed his personal troops and marched on the Fort of Os once Asrod the Greater had died. The Torad family was removed from power by force. The people wanted Asrod’s son to take control of the fief, but the Rothestwar were too quick with their attack.” Kimos said.

“I believe that the son of Asrod went missing.” A plump radical, Councilman Woron, said.

“By the hands of the Rothestwar!” Kimos yelled.

“Peace.” Draton said, calming the Councilman.

“The Rothestwar had been ruling the fief when Asrod fell sick. Do you contest this fact?” Onskel asked Kimos.

“Of course not,” Kimos said. “Asrod fell ill and the Rothestwar were tasked with controlling the fief. That is common knowledge.”

“Then why was it wrong for the fief to be placed in Sulryn’s hands? He was already ruling and improving the fief.” Onskel said.

“If the King fell ill and Harold Nottingham was appointed to run the kingdom, would you want Harold to take the Throne of Uthdore?” Kimos asked.

The Table of Hondoron grew silent at the mention of the mysterious Baron of Crystalford. Nothing was known about the Nottinghams, save that they sailed from the Eastern Lands and conquered the People of Mer by taking the Crystal River and pushing the Mer to the sea.

“Fair point, Kimos,” Onskel said. “However it does not change the fact that, while he has been in power, the strength of Osfort has grown.”

“At what cost? The fief has been taken over by a racist!” Kimos said.

Draton looked to the radicals. Hollowvale did not tolerate the racism of Whiteholt, Crystalford or Osfort. They considered all races, Elven, Mer or Dwarf, to be equal.

“I will admit: the racism of Sulryn is disgusting. But you must think of the war on the horizon. We need a general, not a boy. And you have heard of what some… say about… his majesty’s Court Mage, Darech.” Onskel said, choosing his words carefully.

“How dare you bring up such gossip at the Table of Hondoron! You should be ashamed of yourself, Onskel. We have no right to speak of things of which we do not know. If the gossip is false, you, Onskel, will have a guilty conscience.” Draton said, his temper reaching its zenith.

“What if the rumors proved to be true, my lord?” Onskel asked.

Draton’s eyes narrowed.

“Then we need not criticize who the King chooses to employ.” Draton said.

“Yes, my lord.” Onskel said, his head lowering.

“Do you realize what position you are putting me in?” Draton said to the radicals. “I must consider the wishes of the people of Hollowvale. Do you expect me to believe that they wish to go to war with their own King? I know that you crave war, Onskel, so that you may flock to the new King’s court and begin your quest for power through Oshin and his legacy.”

Onskel did not speak a word.

“And to you, Councilman Raybur,” Draton said, his eyes drifting to a nervous looking man who sat himself near Onskel. “I know why you wish to side with Sulryn as well. Correct me if I do not speak the truth, but are you not trying to have the hand of Sulryn’s daughter given to your son? That would give your son quite the position at court. And give you a direct connection to the throne,” Draton said.

Councilman Raybur did not speak.

“My lord,” Councilman Rilen said from the Baron’s immediate left. “I have no agenda behind wishing for Sulryn as King. I only strive for our kingdom to be led by someone with experience and authority. His majesty is young and has not yet smelt the foul stench of war or gazed out into a battlefield with thousands of dead soldiers. I wished for the change of power to come through diplomacy, but the times have changed. All diplomacy has been halted until the Gathering. I will respect your right not to make a decision until that point.”

Rilen Emormale, like all from the Emormale family, was sound of mind and true of heart. Rilen simply wanted the best for Uthdore and Draton could see this simply by looking into his eyes. Draton had been alive for too many years not to be able to see the truth in a man’s eyes.

“Thank you, Rilen, for giving me a reasonable answer. I am the Baron of Hollowvale and I will not make a choice that my people do not agree with. Therefore, I will put it to a vote. Every man in Hollowvale who is of reasonable age will be given the right to choose the fate of this fief.” Draton said.

The Councilors all nodded their heads in agreement to Draton’s plan.

“Very well then. Lerage?” Draton said, asking for his Mage and advisor.

A tall, thin man dressed in the standard robes of the Mages stepped forward from the shadows behind Draton.

“My lord?” Lerage asked.

“Organize this vote and schedule it for a week before the Gathering. I want to know my people’s choice before I travel to Dragonfield.” Draton said.

“Yes, my lord.” Lerage said.

“This meeting is adjourned.” Draton said.

The Councilors stood, bowed their heads to Draton, and filed out of the Council Room. Draton motioned for his guards to leave. Once he was alone with Lerage, Draton placed his shaky hands on the Table of Hondoron. Draton thought of his ancestors and the oaths that they had taken to protect Hollowvale and its people, prompting a small tear to fall on the ancient table. Lerage was at his side in an instant, his hands placed gently upon the Baron’s shoulders.

“Draton, why are you filled with such sadness?” Lerage asked.

“My old friend, am I a just ruler?” Draton asked, still touching the table of his ancestors.

“Of course, my lord. You rule Hollowvale fairer than any fief I have ever been to. Most Barons rule like Kings, but you rule with the people and that is something to be proud of.” Lerage said.

“I am too old for all of this. War. Usurpers. Sulryn. I remember when I only had to worry about such trifles as land disputes.” Draton said. “When did the entire world go to hell?”

“Oh no, my lord, this is not hell. Far from it. This will all pass with time. Kings die. Wars end. This is not hell.” Lerage said.

“I do not want to disappoint my people. Or the Council. Or you, Lerage.” Draton said.

“Whatever you choose to do, my lord, I will support it wholeheartedly.” Lerage said.

“Thank you, Lerage. Please, send word to the King about the vote. I want him to know what I plan to do.”