By:
Heidi L. Lane
January 1891
“Expecting trouble, Blaize?” Merlin asked, just before the entered the Great Hall. The Lord Elder looked nervous, which was unlike the usually calm sorcerer.
“I hope Phillip does
as he promised. We need someone to run
against Darren, Merlin,” The Lord Elder fiddled with the hem of his formal
robe. “I have a feeling that Ulliam is
going to do something unnecessary also.”
“Only unnecessary in
our eyes, Blaize,” Merlin said, glancing at their colleague who hadn’t yet
joined them at the door. “He can’t
abide warlocks. You knew that when you
proposed Phillip as your successor.”
“Phillip’s a good
man. He’s honest –”
“To a fault,” Merlin
agreed.
Blaize nodded and
continued, “He’s fair-minded and… well, I just feel something about him.”
Merlin nodded in
agreement and said, “Let’s go; they’re waiting. Ulliam, coming?” The
conjuror nodded and joined them.
Frowning, he took his usual place between Blaize and Merlin. “Deep in thought, Ull?”
“It’s not that I think
Darren should be on the Tribunal. He’s
barely a good mage; certainly not a good man.
But… a warlock?” He shook his
head.
“Well, let’s go,”
Blaize interrupted him.
Phillip looked around
the crowded Great Hall. He scurried
between the taller mages all around as he made his way to his seat, towards the
front. He got there just as the
Tribunal members were entering through a side door and taking the dais. Sighing, Phillip sat and looked down,
thinking about what he knew was going to happen.
“First order of
business: the election,” Lord Elder Blaize stated from the podium. “The first election will be for the position
of representative from the sorcerers, warlocks and wizards– ”
“You,” a sorcerer said
from the crowd.
Chuckling, Blaize
looked down and said, “This is the end of my second term as Lord Elder and the
end of my fourth term as a member of the Tribunal. I think that in the last 400 years I’ve served my time. I’ve decided to retire and return to my
studies.” There was a collective sigh
from many mages in the room. Lord
Blaize was a well-loved Elder, considered to be the best mage in that position
since it was created and held by Lord Math.
“Are there any who wish to be nominated for this position?”
“I, Master Darren,” a
wizard said standing. “I wish to carry
on your work, my Lord.” Many of the
warlocks in the room began mumbling amongst themselves. “I will continue in the good work of
bringing mages to the side of light,” Darren continued.
“Thank you,” Blaize
said. Looking towards the section where
the warlocks and witches sat, he tried to find Phillip. Would the little mage take up the challenge?
“I would – I – I wish
to run, m’Lord, um, Master Teacher Phillip,” came a soft voice from near the
wall on the farthest end of the warlock section. There was a great deal of chatter that followed the announcement.
“Silence,” Merlin
said, standing, as he realized that the little warlock would never be heard
over the noise of the crowd. A hush
fell over the hall.
“Thank – Thank you,
Master Merlin,” Phillip said, standing on his chair in order to be seen by more
people in the hall. “I – I too would
continue the good work of bringing mages towards the side of light,
gently. A good person doesn’t lead by
threats, but - but by example.”
“The example of a
warlock?” Master Darren sneered.
“Well…” Phillip looked
down, collecting his thoughts, “I don’t pretend to be the most eloquent person
but… In the last two terms that Lord Blaize has been Elder of the Tribunal of
this good mages council, warlocks like myself have made some headway against
the prejudice that chased us after we began turning from the dark to the
light. With all due respect, I fear,
and others here agree, that if the wrong person is elected to this position,
then we could return to a time of persecutions against warlocks. Most warlocks are good mages now, and have
been for many years. I, myself, have
always been a good mage, as was my father before me. But it’s a shame that my people have never had much of a voice in
this council. I would, if elected, try
to give everyone a voice in the council, equally.” Blinking, slightly startled by his own audacity, Phillip stepped
down off the chair.
“Well, anyone else
have something to say?” Merlin asked.
When the room remained silent, he nodded and said, “Let’s vote
then. The ballots from those currently
represented by Lord Blaize will be counted while we determine who will
represent the conjurors and other forest mages. Are there any who wish to run for this position.” He looked back at his colleague, who sat
quietly.
“I will, Master
Alaric,” a voice said from the conjurors section.
Merlin looked over to
find a very tall mage in pale gold robes standing. “Have you anything to say in favor of yourself?” he asked. The mage shook his head. “Well than, would anyone else wish to run
for the position for representative from the forest mages?” he again looked
back at his colleague. This time the
man shook his head. “So be it,” Merlin
said softly. “The ballots from those
currently represented by Master Ulliam will be counted while we determine who
will represent the magicians and other mixed mages. Are there any who wish to run for this position?” The room was silent. “Well, thanks for that rousing
endorsement. By your leave I shall run
for the position that I currently hold.”
Cheers from the assembled mages met this announcement. “As member of the Tribunal with the longest
term in office I would act as the Lord Elder, any opposed?” Again silence met the question. “Very well then and I see our ballots are
counted. The representative from the
sorcerers, warlocks, witches and wizards is…” Merlin opened the envelope. “Master Teacher Phillip, with only two votes
against. Well then, please come
forward, Master Phillip Long-blade.” He
waited until the smaller mage was before him and said, “Please kneel.” The warlock knelt down and placed his hands
between Merlin’s. The magician was
shocked by just how small those hands were and barely noticed that Phillip
winced. Figuring it was just nerves he
continued with the ceremony that would appoint the mage officially to the
Tribunal, ”Master Teacher Phillip Long-blade, you have been duly elected to a
position on the Tribunal of the Good Mages Council. Do you swear that you will do all in your power to protect those
who cannot protect themselves, ensure the goodly use of magic gifts and bring
mages towards the light?”
“I do,” Phillip said,
his voice shaking. Merlin noticed that
the little mage’s eyes were narrowed in pain and wondered what was wrong with
him.
“Do you swear to fight
against the darkness in whatever form it presents itself?”
“I do,” he
repeated. Merlin raised him to his feet
and took the pin that Blaize handed him, reaching over to pin it onto Phillip’s
cape over the ties that held it on.
Noticing the smaller
man was shaking, Merlin asked, “Are you alright.”
“Fine,” Phillip
breathed in reply. “You have sweaty
palms,” he explained.
Shrugging Merlin
turned his attention to the other envelope and reading it said, “The
representative from the forest mages is Master Alaric Miralbraken, with 93
votes against.” He repeated the process
he’d performed on Phillip with the tall conjuror and turning towards the two
members who were now to leave the Tribunal, said, “Master Blaize, Master
Ulliam, we thank you for your years of dedicated service. Know that the doors of the Crystal Palace
are always open to you.” The two older
mages nodded and stepped down from the dais.
“Is there any other business?” Merlin asked the assembled mages. When none spoke he said, “I’ll entertain a
motion to adjourn.” Several hands went
up and, spotting two mages he recognized Merlin said, “Motion made by Mistress
Pol and seconded by Master Peral, having no further business, this meeting is
adjourned.”
As the crowd began to
disperse, Alaric looked over at Plillip and said, “Your hands!”
“Lord Merlin has
sweaty palms,” he explained. “I need to
go wash my hands and put a salve on them, before they get worse.”
“What’s wrong? What do my sweaty palms have to do with… that?”
Merlin asked as he led the way to the back room where the Tribunal met in
privacy.
“Salt,” Phillip said
succinctly.
“Who didn’t vote for
you?” Alaric asked as Phillip went to wash his hands. “Obviously, Master Darren himself, but who else? Does he have any family?”
“No, he –” Merlin
started.
“I did,” Phillip said.
“You did… what?”
Alaric asked.
“I was the other
person who voted for Master Darren,” he replied, patting his hands dry
carefully and taking out some salve from his belt pouch.
“Why? You surely didn’t want him to win,” Alaric
asked.
“Well… it didn’t seem
right to vote for myself and….”
“Next time, Phillip,
abstain,” Merlin advised. The younger
mage nodded and scowled in thought.
“What’s wrong now?”
“I just realized
something,” he replied. “If you, that
is when you retire I’ll be the one who’s been on the Tribunal longest.” Merlin nodded. “There’ve never been warlocks on the Tribunal at all and I’ve
just been set up to be the Lord Elder after you!” Merlin nodded again. “I
think that I’m feeling a little lightheaded,” Phillip said putting his hand up
and sitting down heavily. Merlin
laughed outright and Alaric soon joined in chuckling. Looking from one to the other and realizing that he’d been deftly
played Phillip said, “Oh dear….”
Continued…