after his long time as monarch, Edward replied sincerely.
‘King Alfred was my role model. I learned a great deal about sovereignty, defense, and governance of people from studying his long reign. Did you become close friends throughout those savage and brutal battles against the Viking?’
Twilight considered his answer carefully. He didn’t want to open up the old debate about Christianity versus the enchantments because Edward, known as the ‘Confessor’ due to his great piety and deep attachment to the Christian Church, would not agree. He decided to approach the matter from the standpoint of the independence of a veneficus from the monarchy.
‘Following Merlin’s subsequent repentance of his role alongside King Arthur, he taught me that we venefici have to be very careful about getting drawn in to the causes of charismatic kings. I was always careful about getting too close to King Alfred, although I did develop a huge respect for his abilities, bravery, and farsighted reforms.’
‘Very diplomatic.’ Edward laughed. ‘Your talents are wasted as a wizard - you should become an ambassador.’
He lifted his hand to his mouth in order that his words would not be heard elsewhere.
‘A king’s veneficus should also be a permanent fixture at court.
Occupancy of the throne of England is a precarious thing. Your skills would prove an invaluable aid in deflecting and dissecting all the gossip, intrigue, lies, and other attempts to usurp the monarchy.’
This was the opening Twilight had been waiting for.
Your majesty. Try not to look surprised, but I’m speaking directly to your mind now in order that my words are not overheard by others, some of whom are close by and mean to challenge your position through an armed rebellion any day now. I was approached earlier by a senior earl and his two sons, also earls, with yet another son banished by me to Denmark, to see if I was interested in joining them. Following this approach I briefly read their minds, and soldiers are ready to attack at various locations around the country.
The king’s face drained of all colour and he looked at Twilight in something approaching disbelief. Gradually the black eyes of the wizard revealed their sincerity and the words began to sink in. The king began to nod slowly. Finally he put an unsteady hand back to his mouth, this time holding a silk napkin and muttered.
‘A senior earl with two sons who are also earls and another banished can only mean one person. There is a paradox here. It is largely due to the support of this person that I was crowned king in the first place, and I am married to his daughter!’
It is that person I am referring to. There is no doubt as to his actions. Whatever made him support you has changed, or it may have been his intention all along. Don’t worry, with your permission I’ll attend to it.
Edward’s pleading eyes gave him away. He wanted Twilight to
attend to it very much indeed.
Throughout the meal and this exchange the Earl Godwine had been observing their conversation very closely. He wasn’t close enough to hear them, but his senses told him something was being discussed, and judging by the king’s pallor, he had a good idea what it might be.
Damn that sorcerer, he shouldn’t have said anything to him.
Godwine leapt to his feet. Raising his goblet he waited dramatically until all conversation had petered out before clearing his throat. Queen Ealdgyth nudged her husband to pay attention; her father was about to speak. With his oily voice raised to carry across the room, Godwine spoke.
‘My lords and ladies. I wish to drink a toast and a pledge to our beloved king and my precious son-in-law and the noblest liege of England. Edward, I pledge my complete support and loyalty to you and consider myself your most obedient, patriotic, and trustworthy subject. My lands are your lands, my men are your men, and my heart is yours to command . . . and will be always. With this wine I will also
‘King Alfred was my role model. I learned a great deal about sovereignty, defense, and governance of people from studying his long reign. Did you become close friends throughout those savage and brutal battles against the Viking?’
Twilight considered his answer carefully. He didn’t want to open up the old debate about Christianity versus the enchantments because Edward, known as the ‘Confessor’ due to his great piety and deep attachment to the Christian Church, would not agree. He decided to approach the matter from the standpoint of the independence of a veneficus from the monarchy.
‘Following Merlin’s subsequent repentance of his role alongside King Arthur, he taught me that we venefici have to be very careful about getting drawn in to the causes of charismatic kings. I was always careful about getting too close to King Alfred, although I did develop a huge respect for his abilities, bravery, and farsighted reforms.’
‘Very diplomatic.’ Edward laughed. ‘Your talents are wasted as a wizard - you should become an ambassador.’
He lifted his hand to his mouth in order that his words would not be heard elsewhere.
‘A king’s veneficus should also be a permanent fixture at court.
Occupancy of the throne of England is a precarious thing. Your skills would prove an invaluable aid in deflecting and dissecting all the gossip, intrigue, lies, and other attempts to usurp the monarchy.’
This was the opening Twilight had been waiting for.
Your majesty. Try not to look surprised, but I’m speaking directly to your mind now in order that my words are not overheard by others, some of whom are close by and mean to challenge your position through an armed rebellion any day now. I was approached earlier by a senior earl and his two sons, also earls, with yet another son banished by me to Denmark, to see if I was interested in joining them. Following this approach I briefly read their minds, and soldiers are ready to attack at various locations around the country.
The king’s face drained of all colour and he looked at Twilight in something approaching disbelief. Gradually the black eyes of the wizard revealed their sincerity and the words began to sink in. The king began to nod slowly. Finally he put an unsteady hand back to his mouth, this time holding a silk napkin and muttered.
‘A senior earl with two sons who are also earls and another banished can only mean one person. There is a paradox here. It is largely due to the support of this person that I was crowned king in the first place, and I am married to his daughter!’
It is that person I am referring to. There is no doubt as to his actions. Whatever made him support you has changed, or it may have been his intention all along. Don’t worry, with your permission I’ll attend to it.
Edward’s pleading eyes gave him away. He wanted Twilight to
attend to it very much indeed.
Throughout the meal and this exchange the Earl Godwine had been observing their conversation very closely. He wasn’t close enough to hear them, but his senses told him something was being discussed, and judging by the king’s pallor, he had a good idea what it might be.
Damn that sorcerer, he shouldn’t have said anything to him.
Godwine leapt to his feet. Raising his goblet he waited dramatically until all conversation had petered out before clearing his throat. Queen Ealdgyth nudged her husband to pay attention; her father was about to speak. With his oily voice raised to carry across the room, Godwine spoke.
‘My lords and ladies. I wish to drink a toast and a pledge to our beloved king and my precious son-in-law and the noblest liege of England. Edward, I pledge my complete support and loyalty to you and consider myself your most obedient, patriotic, and trustworthy subject. My lands are your lands, my men are your men, and my heart is yours to command . . . and will be always. With this wine I will also
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