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A Visit to the King
12 August 2007 11:45 am"Wizard Howl to see the king!"
"Wizard Howl to see the king!"
"Wizard Howl to see the king!" The voices start to blur together in an echo as he's passed from page to page along the corridor. He doesn't need their help; he's been here more than enough times of late to have the path memorized. Besides, he's aggravated, annoyed, and tired. He's spent the past twenty-four hours either spying in Strangia or being yelled at by Sophie and neither of those pursuits were the way he intended to spend his day. It might seem dutiful for him to report to the king just now, but this isn't duty: this is negotiation. As he's ushered into the royal meeting chamber and told to sit, he shakes his head and stands.
He's exhausted and wants to go home, and he's not without power in this castle. He is Royal Wizard, and as such, the king relies on him. And that reliance translates to things the king probably couldn't have conceived of when he granted Howl his position.
Yes, the war is important, critical even. But when he's done telling the king about his foray into Strangia and the two-week calm before the storm, he holds up his hand before the king can say a word.
"I tell you, your highness, I'm content to stay in Ingary and work on weapons systems or medical supplies or even seven-league boots for you and your army, but I won't be doing any more reconnaissance missions for you in enemy territory." The cost for the last one was too high; he won't let that happen again. He already doesn't know whether the damage done with Sophie is even reparable. "And I won't be doing any more work -- period -- unless we build in some prearranged time off."
"Preposterous," the king tells him, enraged, "we're in the midst of preparing for war! There are no holidays from that!"
This, he knows, is where being a fairly decent strategist and negotiator come into play. "It's true. There are no holidays from war, but even wizards need time to regenerate their magic." It's not true, strictly speaking, but he's betting the king won't be able to argue it. "Our magical reserves are fast becoming depleted with all this work we're doing. We have two weeks' time before the Strangian army sets foot on our soil and I promise you -- I swear -- we'll have your army fully stocked and ready by then, and keep the supplies coming for the next month after that. For six weeks you have me but then, your majesty, I respectfully request a break. One week, no more. Just one week. Surely as strategic and strong a ruler as yourself can survive without my help for seven days."
He'll not let this destroy what he has with Sophie... if it's not already too late to repair the damage done by the king's last set of orders. Truthfully, he'll do whatever needs to be done to mend that, irrespective of the king's wishes, demands, or threats. If worse comes to worse, he'll simply take Sophie -- kicking and screaming if need be -- to Wales so they can stop this madness and remember what's most important.
The king gives him a somewhat appraising glance. "Six weeks for seven days?"
Howl nods.
"I'll want twice the number of self-healing medical kits before the six weeks are up."
"Half again as many," Howl counter-offers. "We're already stretched to our limit. Doubling it will leave you without a Royal Wizard, I can promise you that."
"You can't just quit!" The king gets to his feet, irate. "This is my land, and my word is law."
"Half again as many." He can be as fierce as the king if need be; the edges of reality start to fade in and out a little and he becomes somehow bigger, more feral, menacing, towering over the king. "Half again as many." By the time he says it the second time, he's back to his normal stature.
The king blinks once, twice. "I need you, Howl. Six weeks for seven days, and half again as many kits. But more if you can manage."
"Fair enough. Oh, and no more trips to Strangia." He doesn't even give the king a chance to bluster over that one. "They know my face there now. I would serve you no further purpose as a spy." His bow is deep and compliant, only... not really. He knows he could leave any time he wants -- take Sophie to worlds the King of Ingary has never even dreamed of -- but the proud and vain part of him actually likes carrying the title Royal Wizard, even if it is only until Wizard Suliman's back on his feet properly. He also likes the little taste of power, of tit-for-tat, of being able to recommend actions to the king.
He's never claimed to be without ego.
Standing again, he looks the king straight in the eye and nods. "I'll not take up any more of your time, your highness. For the next six weeks, you know where to find me." He's almost certain he hears the king muttering don't push it, Howl Pendragon beneath his breath as he turns to leave, but that doesn't concern him. There's an end in sight. Knowing that, he almost has the courage it will take to face Sophie again. She's so angry with him but now... now he's got those seven days as a peace offering.
He hopes it's enough.
"Wizard Howl to see the king!"
"Wizard Howl to see the king!" The voices start to blur together in an echo as he's passed from page to page along the corridor. He doesn't need their help; he's been here more than enough times of late to have the path memorized. Besides, he's aggravated, annoyed, and tired. He's spent the past twenty-four hours either spying in Strangia or being yelled at by Sophie and neither of those pursuits were the way he intended to spend his day. It might seem dutiful for him to report to the king just now, but this isn't duty: this is negotiation. As he's ushered into the royal meeting chamber and told to sit, he shakes his head and stands.
He's exhausted and wants to go home, and he's not without power in this castle. He is Royal Wizard, and as such, the king relies on him. And that reliance translates to things the king probably couldn't have conceived of when he granted Howl his position.
Yes, the war is important, critical even. But when he's done telling the king about his foray into Strangia and the two-week calm before the storm, he holds up his hand before the king can say a word.
"I tell you, your highness, I'm content to stay in Ingary and work on weapons systems or medical supplies or even seven-league boots for you and your army, but I won't be doing any more reconnaissance missions for you in enemy territory." The cost for the last one was too high; he won't let that happen again. He already doesn't know whether the damage done with Sophie is even reparable. "And I won't be doing any more work -- period -- unless we build in some prearranged time off."
"Preposterous," the king tells him, enraged, "we're in the midst of preparing for war! There are no holidays from that!"
This, he knows, is where being a fairly decent strategist and negotiator come into play. "It's true. There are no holidays from war, but even wizards need time to regenerate their magic." It's not true, strictly speaking, but he's betting the king won't be able to argue it. "Our magical reserves are fast becoming depleted with all this work we're doing. We have two weeks' time before the Strangian army sets foot on our soil and I promise you -- I swear -- we'll have your army fully stocked and ready by then, and keep the supplies coming for the next month after that. For six weeks you have me but then, your majesty, I respectfully request a break. One week, no more. Just one week. Surely as strategic and strong a ruler as yourself can survive without my help for seven days."
He'll not let this destroy what he has with Sophie... if it's not already too late to repair the damage done by the king's last set of orders. Truthfully, he'll do whatever needs to be done to mend that, irrespective of the king's wishes, demands, or threats. If worse comes to worse, he'll simply take Sophie -- kicking and screaming if need be -- to Wales so they can stop this madness and remember what's most important.
The king gives him a somewhat appraising glance. "Six weeks for seven days?"
Howl nods.
"I'll want twice the number of self-healing medical kits before the six weeks are up."
"Half again as many," Howl counter-offers. "We're already stretched to our limit. Doubling it will leave you without a Royal Wizard, I can promise you that."
"You can't just quit!" The king gets to his feet, irate. "This is my land, and my word is law."
"Half again as many." He can be as fierce as the king if need be; the edges of reality start to fade in and out a little and he becomes somehow bigger, more feral, menacing, towering over the king. "Half again as many." By the time he says it the second time, he's back to his normal stature.
The king blinks once, twice. "I need you, Howl. Six weeks for seven days, and half again as many kits. But more if you can manage."
"Fair enough. Oh, and no more trips to Strangia." He doesn't even give the king a chance to bluster over that one. "They know my face there now. I would serve you no further purpose as a spy." His bow is deep and compliant, only... not really. He knows he could leave any time he wants -- take Sophie to worlds the King of Ingary has never even dreamed of -- but the proud and vain part of him actually likes carrying the title Royal Wizard, even if it is only until Wizard Suliman's back on his feet properly. He also likes the little taste of power, of tit-for-tat, of being able to recommend actions to the king.
He's never claimed to be without ego.
Standing again, he looks the king straight in the eye and nods. "I'll not take up any more of your time, your highness. For the next six weeks, you know where to find me." He's almost certain he hears the king muttering don't push it, Howl Pendragon beneath his breath as he turns to leave, but that doesn't concern him. There's an end in sight. Knowing that, he almost has the courage it will take to face Sophie again. She's so angry with him but now... now he's got those seven days as a peace offering.
He hopes it's enough.
