Eldania Excerpt 2

This is yet another excerpt from my book, Eldania. This one happens to be a flashback/dream my main character has.

Delwa casually watched the men gather at the table. Each took his place at the large, round slab of black, carved marble. The stone was polished until its dark surface mirrored everything around it like the dark water of the deep, calm sea. The glossy surface was inlaid with silver tracery forming the flowing Eldanian characters that told the brief history of the small island. The people had prospered during those years, though the first few months were difficult. Their ancestors had been driven out from their homes in the middle lands, and fled across the ocean to this island. The island itself was vast, full of lush forests, searing desert, and tall mountains, more than enough land to sustain the small nation.
Nevertheless, some were not happy here. It had started as a small murmur, and now had become an issue significant enough to warrant the attention of the Eldanian counsel. People wanted to return to the middle lands and take back their ancient homes. The sentiment was understandable, human, but Ilu had made it clear that they were not to do so.
The men were all seated and Delwa took his own seat on one of the smooth, high-backed oak chairs. "My lords," he greeted them, "we all know why we are here. It has come to the attention of the counsel that a faction of the people wishes to return to the middle lands and take back their ancestors’ homes. We all know what the Law says about such action; therefore, our decision on the issue is non-negotiable. What we are here to discuss is the most effective means of quieting this issue before us. We do not need a rebellion on our hands."
The lords nodded in agreement, except for one. He stood slowly, an incredulous expression on his face. "And why do we have to do anything about the people at all?" The young, impetuous man said; his dark red tunic wrapped tightly around him. "The Law says we cannot leave the island, of course. However, do we not possess the power to write laws? It seems to me that the Law is the real problem here, not the people." He was met with some uneasy agreement, even by some of the older lords. Delwa abruptly stood before the dissent could grow and faced the young man. The whole assembly dropped into an uneasy quiet.
"Sitea, we cannot change the High Law given to us by Ilu. It is true that we have the power to write and rescind laws to govern ourselves. However, we do not have such authority over the High Law." He intently stared into the young lord’s eyes. "Are you proposing that we should rebel against Ilu?" He inquired in a cool, steady voice. "Would you have us cast from earth as our father was cast from paradise?"
The young man bowed, trying to sooth Delwa. "My humblest apologies, milord Delwa. I was unaware that you spoke of the High Law." He sat down, a smirk barely hidden on his face.
One of the other lords rose and faced Delwa. "My lord Delwa, might I speak?" Delwa inclined his head to the aged man, and the man thanked him. Turning to address his fellow lords, he began. "Lord Sitea raises an interesting question, I believe. While we do not possess the power to change the High Law, we might plead for such a change from Ilu himself, if that is the will of the counsel." He bowed slightly to Delwa and sat down.
"Kishne, perhaps you forget that the Law of Ilu does not change?" Said a keen-eyed, gray-haired gentleman clothed in a jet-black robe. He stood and turned to Delwa, his tone earnest, but composed. "My lord, it would do this counsel no good to offer such a plea, for Ilu Himself cannot change His Law anymore than we can. He is the Law, and He does not change." Sitea scowled as the old man finished his statement. The young lord was far from pleased.
Delwa sat up in his seat. "Thank you, lord Kenie." Kenie inclined his head. Delwa then addressed the assembly. "My lords, as I have said, and as Kenie has just now reminded us, the issue of the Law itself is non-negotiable. We must decide what to do to alleviate this potential uprising, not divide ourselves over something non-negotiable. The Eldania have always been a wise and powerful people, we must not destroy that heritage with vain disputes."
Sitea’s scowl grew more intense as Delwa spoke. He jumped to his feet, and began passionately, "They drove us out! We, the Eldania! And we let them! Will we cower in this self-imposed exile, or take back what is ours!" The other men murmured in mixed response. Delwa attempted to intervene, but Sitea continued. "If we are as powerful as we know ourselves to be, we cannot cower like frightened children when mere men threaten our homes. We must destroy them! They would do the same to us if they knew we were here. Our watchtowers are not for show."
Delwa had enough. He stood, extended his spread hand, and the young lord was firmly forced into his seat by an unseen power. The young lord stood again and reached for his sword, but Kenie had already drawn his blade and forced the impetuous youth to sit down by pressing the edge of his extended blade against the young lord’s throat. "Down, boy." The old man growled. Sitea glowered at him; the veins in his forehead were about to burst. "Enough of this madness!" shouted Delwa angrily. He stepped away from his chair and walked purposefully over to where Sitea sat. Anger burned in the young lord’s eyes, as he continued to glare at Kenie. "Sitea, you have disgraced yourself and this counsel." Delwa coolly began. "By law you are to be killed for you actions just now." Some of the lords murmured in approval, but Delwa held his hand for silence. "However, since it is only the common law that calls for your death, as High Lord of this counsel, I grant you life." Mixed grumbles from some of the lords filled the air as lord Delwa finished. "Sitea, you are forthwith removed from this counsel and stripped of lordship." Delwa stepped back and nodded at Kenie. "Release him." He commanded.
Kenie slowly removed his blade, and the former lord stood, still glowering. Delwa stepped up to him, deep pain etched in his blue-gray eyes. "Why, friend? Why?" He whispered. The young man said nothing, but turned scornfully and stormed from the chamber.

(c) 2006 Joshua Chaffin. All rights reserved.