An Unlikely Alliance

An hour later, Merlin and Vortimer sat playing a game of Shatranj, which Vortimer had learned from a Persian trader who happened to be selling a set.

 

Though Merlin was supposed to be concentrating on the game, Merlin found he couldn't. He kept thinking about his conversation with Vortimer just over an hour previous. A born leader. The idea bounced around in Merlin's head.

 

Merlin also realized that in order for him to officially accept Vortimer's proposition, Vortimer's suggestion of alliance must be accepted. Being honest with himself, Merlin realized that was a far shot.

 

"The Shah is dead," Vortimer said, moving his Rukh to a place so that no matter what Merlin did, the Shah would die on Vortimer's next turn.

 

Vortimer put his hands behind his head and admired his move. Vortimer had a smug look on his face, a well deserved one it was, for Vortimer had won three out of three of the games that had been played.

 

As though the fates had been waiting for just that moment, a messenger popped his head through the flap of the medical tent.

 

"The Uther and Aurelianus War Councils have finished discussing your offer, and wish to inform you of their decisions," the messenger said, as if fearful of what Vortimer would do to him.

 

"Marvelous, tell them to come in!" Vortimer said cheerfully, still celebrating his wins.

 

Without another word, the messenger left the tent and fetched the War Council members. In file, just as they had left, the men reentered the tent, forming again around Vortimer's bed.

 

Aurelianus was the first to speak. "Vortimer, the Councils of Aurelianus and Uther have talked and we have ultimately decided that we will accept your proposal of alliance, on two terms."

 

Vortimer attempted to look surprised. "Oh? What might those terms be?"

 

Before answering, Aurelianus looked around and the elite men around him. "Our first term is that the three War Councils that are represented here today be merged into one for the duration of this war and anytime the Saxons should think to attack us again."

 

"Granted."

 

"And our second term is that once this war is over, provided that we win…" Aurelianus trailed off before continuing. "Is that you and I shall share the throne of Britannia, as we both know I am the true heir."

 

Vortimer could not help but be impressed by the audaciousness of the term. Yet, it was true. Aurelianus was the true heir, not he. To give up the throne would be the absolutely right thing to do, but Vortimer was reluctant to give up his throne. As it was, Aurelianus was only suggesting that Vortimer share the throne with him.

 

"I offer a counter proposal," Vortimer said finally, "We share the throne, but either of us will rule of different places. I should get England, as I have lived there all my life, and you should get Wales, as you have lived here for the past almost thirty years. As for the Kingdom of the Picts, you and I should rule it together."

 

Aurelianus thought for only a second before speaking. "Accepted."

 

Without any other words, everyone save for Vortimer, Catigern, Pascent, and Shiroix, who was now lying on his bed again, walked quickly and quietly out of the tent. There was nothing left to attend to, and no reason left to remain in the tent.

 

Merlin began to walk to his own tent as he left, but Aurelianus called to him.

 

"Merlin, we must speak. Come with us."

 

Obeying the simply command, Merlin jogged back over to Aurelianus and the others, falling into stride with Blaise.

 

"Where are we going Blaise?" Merlin asked, curious as always.

 

"You shall see Merlin. Just wait." Blaise said softly, never looking over at the boy beside him.

 

Indeed, Merlin did see where they were going before too very long. They were taking him to the tent where the War Council had held their meeting only the previous morning.

 

As quietly as they had left the medical tent, everyone entered the War tent. Everyone sat down in a chair, leaving Merlin standing at the end of the table closest to the entry flap.

 

"Merlin," Aurelianus started, "I should like to introduce you to some friends of mine. They have been on my side for many years, and are serving on the War Council."

 

Merlin eyed the group before him. There were only three he did not recognize. They must be the friends Aurelianus was talking about.

 

Aurelianus beckoned to one of the three, whom then stood to face Merlin. As etiquette dictated, Merlin bowed before the man. The man acknowledged the bow with one of his own, albeit not as low as Merlin's had been.

 

"Merlin, this is my dear friend Sire Leodegrance, King of Carmelide. He is a fine warrior, and an even greater king."

 

Leodegrance grinned widely and moved to shake Merlin's hand. Merlin quickly took note of the man's features; scruffy beginnings of a beard, shoulder-length dark brown hair, a silver circlet on head, fairly young, tall, handsome, muscular, and medium purple eyes.

 

"You have a strong grip boy, a warrior's grip! I expect that you were on the battlefield yesterday winning the battle for us?" Leodegrance said in a pleasant, vaguely Welsh voice.

 

"Yeh shoulda seen him takin' on Vortimer all by himself Leo!" Uther said pride fully, "He was doin' a fine job of it too!"

 

Almost imperceptibly, Leodegrance's eyebrows arched, now full of respect for the young warrior. "Is that so? I suppose my earlier comment has more truth to it than I had expected."

 

Aurelianus decided to butt in before a lengthy conversation started. "And over there is-"

 

"Gorlois!" Uther interrupted, just noticing the man. Upon hearing his name, the small man in the corner beamed at Uther and chest bumped with Uther. The two men began laughing heartily and beating each other on the back.

 

"It's been a long time Uther," Gorlois said, his oversized belly bouncing up and down as he spoke.

 

"Five years it's been! How've yeh been these days? The war had any effect on yeh up till now?"

 

"Ahem!" Aurelianus coughed, beckoning not so subtly to Merlin.

 

"Oh, yes, pleasure to meet you boy. Now where were we Uther?" Gorlois said, barely glancing in Merlin's direction. Apparently the two men were very good friends, but Merlin would never have guessed such. The only thing the two had in common was their circle beards. Other than that, the two were almost complete opposites. While Uther was tall and bulky, Gorlois was short and overweight. Uther had tanned skin while Gorlois was rather pale. The more Merlin observed them, the more differences he observed.

 

Aurelianus let out a sigh. "Quite sorry about that," Aurelianus said, "They're just happy to see each other again. They last saw each other when the two saved each other's lives in an adventure in Normandy five years ago. Needless to say, they became good friends because of it. But that's a tale for another day. There's one more person I want you to meet Merlin. Ulfius, why don't you introduce yourself?"

 

The third person got up from where he was sitting and walked through the crowd of socializing men to Merlin and Aurelianus.

 

The man was in truth, not a man at all, but still merely a boy, maybe a year or so older than Merlin himself. He was slightly taller than Merlin with tanned skin that complimented his shoulder-length ivory-colored hair, which was worn straight in a fashion that reminded Merlin of a flickering flame. The boy had a decidedly Slavic look about him, with hard, unforgiving eyes.

 

Merlin bowed to the boy, but did not receive a bow back. Rather, the boy gave a mere nod of the head, acknowledging Merlin's bow. Merlin wondered how the boy could be so ignorant of Briton customs. "Aren't you a bit young to be on the War Council?" Merlin asked the boy.

 

"Aye. Yet, who said I was on the War Council?" the boy asked in a thick accent that confirmed Merlin's suspicions of his Slavic origin.

 

"Oh, I believe there has been a misunderstanding here," Aurelianus said, "You see, Merlin, Ulfius's father served on my War Council after being exiled from his tribe in the east. Under normal circumstances, I would introduce you to both Ulfius and his father, but… But his father was lost in the battle yesterday."

 

Merlin suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn't have said what he had to Ulfius. He looked sheepishly over at Ulfius, curious to see what was on the boy's face. To Merlin's surprise, Ulfius had only a touch of saddened emotion on his face.

 

Merlin began to apologize for his behavior, but Ulfius held up a hand to stop him. "Enough about my father. It's best to put that behind us. I'm Ulfius. And you are?" Ulfius said, holding out his hand for Merlin to shake. Merlin gripped Ulfius's hand and shook it firmly twice.

 

"Merlin."

 

"Nice to meet you Merlini," Ulfius said, a smirk crossing his face.

 

Merlin for his part could not believe he was being called Merlini, and moreover, from a person he had only just met! Terribly rude he thought.

 

Aurelianus barked a quick laugh. "I'm sure you two will enjoy being tent mates."

 

"What?" both Merlin and Ulfius exclaimed as one. Aurelianus could certainly tell they weren't getting along well already, so why put them together in a tent?

 

"You heard me."

 

"But I already have Shiroix as a tent mate!" Merlin protested, Ulfius nodding as though he already knew this.

 

"And Shiroix has recently been moved to the medical tent while he heals up, leaving empty space in your tent, and Ulfius here can help to fill it."

 

The two boys had to agree with Aurelianus, though that did not stop them from arguing further.

 

Holding his hands up, Aurelianus spoke forcefully. "It's decided. You two will be tent mates. End of discussion."

 

Before Merlin and Ulfius could protest further, Aurelianus clapped his hands three times to gather the attention of the people in the tent. Once Aurelianus had their full attention, he poured himself a glass of beer, as did the rest of the adults present.

 

"Cheers," Aurelianus said, "To a new alliance with Vortimer against the Saxon invaders!"

"Cheers!" everyone said, clinking their glasses together while beer spilled.