"All, please stay seated. I appreciate the support nonetheless," the king said, his voice calm but edged with the gravity of the situation.
The nobles and council members, adorned in their opulent robes and insignias, slowly sat back down in response to his majesty's request. The grand hall, with its towering stained-glass windows and flickering torches, fell silent, the air thick with tension and anticipation.
Henry sat down and looked intently at the king. He wasn't sure what to make of the situation, his mind racing with thoughts and concerns.
As he listened, he slowly thought to himself, "The matter of this decision was taken due to the disappearance of several innocent lives and peace negotiators. It's evident that his majesty used war as the very last option, showing his pacifism. Hell, a whole year passed since the first people disappeared. This pacifist mentality sure didn't get the best of him though; he has already been in the process of preparing the kingdom for war, even going as far as to give adventurers a year's notice. However, any adventurers could've let the news slip and given the heads up to the elves. This in turn would've probably put them on edge, evoking who knows what type of response. I am opposed to this, but if innocent lives are at stake..." Henry paused, a deep furrow forming on his brow. "This worries me. Why are we, the Council, here?"
Henry realized he had been lost in thought and had missed several of the king's words. Suddenly, he caught the tail end of a critical statement.
"—this is where the council will come into play. Great minds of the Council of Bright Ones, I, your king, ask humbly and desperately. Please assist us in our efforts. We ask that you invent weapons that will help tip the scales of the battlefield."
The king's voice, usually so commanding, was tinged with desperation. His eyes, reflecting the flickering torchlight, pleaded more than his words. He was highly respected and loved by everyone, and his speeches were usually enough to rally even the most hesitant hearts. Today, though, the weight of his request was almost palpable.
Henry, despite his reservations, felt the heavy burden of duty settling on his shoulders. He knew that he had no other choice.
"My esteemed nobles and council members, I would also like to inform you that I will be heading out of the kingdom in an attempt to unite our nearby kingdoms. They may be enemies or allies, but we need all the help we can muster," the king added.
The room, already tense, seemed to tighten further. People straightened their backs, exchanged worried glances, and whispered among themselves.
Henry rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Our neighbors? That means the Kingdom of CleoDor, who not only hate us but are actively aching to fight a war to steal our eastern lands," he mused silently, his eyes narrowing.
Despite the rising tension, no one objected outright. The situation was dire, and they all knew that desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Sorry to cut my news short, but I'm sure I need not remind you why time is of the essence. Please excuse my sudden absence, but I will be making that effort of unification this instant," the king announced, standing tall and resolute.
"Your majesty!" A murmur of concern rippled through the hall as people whispered in worry, their voices hushed but frantic.
Out of all the kingdoms, CleoDor was the least trustworthy, and this set much of the nobles on edge. Whispers of unease rippled through the hall, but the king stood resolute, his expression calm.
"Worry not, for those who dare disrespect a peaceful gathering will surely be met with the full might of your king," the king declared, his voice ringing with authority. He drew his sword and, in a dramatic gesture, stabbed it into the stone floor before him, resting his hands on the pommel.
The gathering drew to a close the moment the king made his departure. The grand hall, usually buzzing with conversations and debates, fell silent. Nobles and council members watched in respectful silence as the king walked out, his cloak flowing behind him.
Just before he had departed he apologized once more for the sudden leave and left papers with written information he didn't have time to announce.
"Why? Perhaps the fact that peace negotiations are truly useless made him speed up the process. If you calculate, in four months the adventurers are to arrive. But since the king has initiated a meeting with the other kingdoms, does that imply the idea to involve adventurers is out of the window? Perhaps this might work in the king's favor," Henry mused silently.
As he pondered, a noble approached him. "Prestigious Henry, a word?" The noble's voice was soft but insistent.
Henry looked up to see Victorian of the West Ridge approaching, his regal bearing unmistakable.
"Victorian," Livius spoke up, acknowledging the noble. Fredrick, standing beside Henry, also looked curious.
"Livius, Fredrick, how are you both?" Victorian greeted them with a courteous nod.
"Fine," Fredrick replied, intrigued by Victorian's presence.
"Can I help you?" Henry interjected, sensing the urgency.
"Henry, the king himself requested that you lead the Council in this mission. We all know the Council of Bright Ones has a head seat, but due to the king's request, we are to treat that title as nothing more," Victorian said with a warm smile.
Henry felt the weight of responsibility settling on him. "Well, if it's the king's wishes, I have no reason to object now, do I? Besides, if it were up to me, I'd choose someone like Kenneth or Weathers, who have excellent leadership qualities and are more familiar with weaponry."
Victorian nodded. "You are correct. If it's the king's wishes, then we all should have no reason to object. And because I serve the king as one of his most loyal nobles, it's my responsibility to make sure his wishes are fulfilled."
Henry sighed, feeling the pressure. Despite the serious undertone, the situation wasn't tense. Everyone knew well what type of man Henry was—soft-spoken, genuine, and a pacifist. Victorian, a longtime friend of Henry, had taken it upon himself to deliver the news personally, knowing how difficult this would be for him.
Victorian placed a reassuring hand on Henry's shoulder. "We're all here to support you, Henry. The king chose you for a reason. Trust in his judgment, and in yourself."
Henry nodded, appreciating the gesture.
"Thank you, Victorian. I'll do my best."
With that, the nobles began to disperse, leaving Henry to contemplate the daunting task ahead. The flickering torches cast long shadows on the stone walls, and the weight of the kingdom's future seemed heavier than ever.
—
Henry took a deep breath as he approached the Council Hall, a stately building near the royal palace. Its high, arched windows and intricate stonework gave it an air of gravitas befitting the assembly of the kingdom's brightest minds. The Council of Bright Ones was comprised of 32 members, each chosen for their intelligence and expertise in various fields. Though they hailed from a medieval era, their closeness to nobility meant they were both respected and influential.
As Henry entered the hall, he was greeted by murmurs of conversation. The council members, dressed in elegant robes, stood in small groups, discussing the urgent matters at hand. The room was filled with an air of anticipation and urgency.
Henry took his place at the head of the large, circular table. "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We have much to discuss and little time."
The room quieted as the council members took their seats. Among them were scholars, strategists, inventors, and mages, all of whom had proven their worth through years of dedicated service to the kingdom.
Henry stood, addressing the assembly. "As you all know, the king has tasked us with devising a plan to tip the scales of the battlefield. We are to invent weapons and strategies that will ensure our victory. Let us begin by hearing your proposals."
One by one, the council members presented their ideas.
First up was Lord Ignatius, a brilliant inventor known for his eccentricities. "I propose a giant trebuchet capable of launching boulders the size of houses. With such a weapon, we could obliterate enemy fortifications from afar."
Lady Eleanor, a seasoned strategist, shook her head. "While impressive, the resources and time required to build such a machine would be immense. We need something more feasible."
Next, Sir Alistair, an alchemist, suggested, "We could create a potion that grants temporary invincibility to our soldiers. Imagine our knights charging into battle, impervious to harm."
Lady Beatrice, a renowned mage, interjected, "Alchemy is unpredictable. The risk of such a potion failing at a critical moment is too high. We cannot afford to rely on chance."
Lord Percival, a master blacksmith, proposed, "What about a new type of armor, lighter and stronger than anything we've seen? Our soldiers would have unparalleled mobility and protection."
Duke Reginald, a military tactician, countered, "Even the best armor has its limits. We need offensive capabilities, not just defensive improvements."
The discussions continued, each idea met with skepticism and critical analysis. Despite their intelligence and creativity, the council struggled to find a solution that met the king's requirements.
Henry watched as the debate grew more heated. He knew the council's reputation for intellectual rigor meant no idea would go unchallenged. Finally, he raised his hand for silence.
"It seems we have reached an impasse," Henry said, his voice calm but firm. "While each of your proposals has merit, none seem practical given our constraints. We must think beyond traditional warfare. The king has placed his trust in us, and we cannot afford to fail him."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the council members absorbed Henry's words. They were the kingdom's best and brightest, yet even they struggled with the enormity of the task before them.
Lady Margaret, an elder stateswoman known for her wisdom, spoke up. "Perhaps we are approaching this the wrong way. Instead of focusing solely on weapons, we should consider strategies that could outmaneuver our enemies. Sometimes, the mind is the greatest weapon of all."
Henry nodded thoughtfully. "You may be right, Lady Margaret. We need to combine our intellects and devise a plan that utilizes our strengths. Let us adjourn for now and reconvene tomorrow with fresh ideas. Remember, the king's trust is our greatest asset."
As the council members rose and began to file out of the hall, Henry felt a mix of frustration and anxiety. In reality, Henry, a pacifist, didn't want to create a new weapon. But surely, that's what the king wanted.
The rest of the Council of Bright Ones suggested potions or even new tactics, but realistically, they would need more than just new battle strategies if they were to overcome their enemy.
In that instant, Henry remembered Leon. The boy's angry remarks and frustrations when he couldn't think of the right answer for one of Henry's math questions often brought a smile to Henry's face. Although he had cut the meeting short, the thought of Leon made him smile even now.
"That silly Leon," he thought. He recalled when Leon struck two rocks together, creating a spark. Suddenly, his mind stopped. "The black powder."
"Fredrick," Henry called out to his friend.
After the rest of the council members left the hall, Fredrick approached him. "You're going to tell me what this is about?" Fredrick asked, curious.
"Alright, I have an idea. I just needed to get the others out of here so I could think properly." Henry picked up a piece of chalk and wiped the board with his hand.
"That sounds exactly like you," Fredrick laughed.
The rest of the council members were experts in their fields and highly educated, but their flaw was that they thought only within their own disciplines. For example, the blacksmith, despite his proficiency in mathematics and various other disciplines, sought to solve the problem only with new armor.
Henry drew a simple diagram on the board. "Do you remember that black powder I was working on?" He said as he continued to draw the diagram.
"Yes not sure what it was for but what of it"
"It might be useful as a propellant"
"Propellant?" Fredrick questioned unsure of what Henry referred to.