The Crownless

Galan sat down on his bunk finally able to rest for the night. His bones ached and his chest hurt. He was not sure if it was the codex or old age or both that hurt so bad. He knew one thing for certain, it was a blessing straight from Olympus to have competent capable committed men around him now. Men that were determined to do the right and that he could trust. Mountains of weight had been lifted from his shoulders now that he had other paladins to talk to and stradegize with.

"Good evening...General." The weight returned in even a small measure as he heard Jag's voice. "You have an army now. Not doing to bad for yourself."

"Yes Jag. I am both excited for the companionship and force that can do good and devastated at the need for it and the reality that men will soon die."

"Don't get all guilt-trip-regretty before anything even happens. Drink?" Jag opened the bottle of wine left with the dinner Lucian brought in for Galan and poured a small glass.

"No, thanks. I'm not up to it."

"You not up for something?" He shrugged, "I thought you could face anything? Like the Rock. I tried to warn you about him. I said, 'he's after you. be careful' and what did you say? If I was worried about my safety I'd get a new job, blah blah blah. How about we start trusting the intelligence agent assigned to help you."

"You advise, I make the decisions. What are you here for?"

"Congratulations. And to confirm for the council what your next move is."

"I already sent Greyson adnd Dante to head the evacuation of Marathon. We can't reach the rebels before they get to Marathaon and they'll sack it for food and supplies. Hopefully we'llslow them down enough that we can catch them."

"And when you catch them?"

"I haven't decided yet. We could use the manpower against Jonathan. But they are villans, killing Genevan citizens when they encounter them. This Prince Airrose is evil and can not be tolerated. Pinch tells me they are hoping to meet up with Illyena soon."

"Two days."

"That is what he said. Which greatly complicates things because Pinch says the Den has placed an imposter on the throne. He also said they'd ensure a peaceful transfer of power if I decide to ally with the Rebels and can defeat and kill Jonathan. Though the Den prefers status quo, so long as the threat to Dante can be neutralized. There is just no way to do it all. Kill the rock and leave him alive."

"Let me propose something. You ally with the Rebels, kill Airrose and befriend Illyenna. Have Captain Dante call in his Dragon Sworn army and kill Jonathan. We'll have the crownless Queen on her throne quickly and she will rule GreyHavens and Enron, indebted to you. Possibly married to you. That's the exact scenerio the council is afraid of. Atrayu especially, he thinks you can't be trusted. They know if you do that they could never stop you and great kingdoms would be yours. I, for one, would back you."

"Watch your tounge -- you speak treason."

"Treason? I'm just telling you what the Council is discussing. It's the only real victory. You wouldn't have to declare independence -- you'd be the defacto King, they could do nothing to stop you."

"DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?"

"Just keep an eye on Morgan. You leave too many enemies around. Veritas, Arvan, Tatyana, The Rock. You engage and never destroy you can only fight a tide so long. You have to thin the ranks of your enemies, general. That's not an order, just common sense. Though the Tatyana thing is complicated by a cute little vampire you have sharing your tent. "

"Bella only stays in here because she's afraid the Volturum will find her."

"Of course." He finished his drink and said, "You are yourself a King, you only lack the crown."

He disappeared as Bella came in to retire for the evening.

----------

Dante was told by Lt. Marcus that a James was here to see him. Dante had swords in hand and ordered him brought to him. James kneelt before him. "My Lord, the scrolls you requested." Dante was surprised and it showed on his face. He had asked James to get a means to communicate across distance. James had attacked him and was in jail now. That is what started this whole war. He tuned his senses to detect lie.

"Are you James?"

"Yes my lord." He meekly answered.

"How did you escape?"

"I escaped nowhere lord, I returned from the errand you sent me on."

"You are the real James?"

"Yes, my lord. Are you in danger?"

"Not anymore." Dante realized the other must be a decoy. Magic can do anything it would seem. Though the false James' words echoed in his ears, you are the destroyer if you love humanity you will end your own life- you have to end it, you are the deceiver. "Is the Legion still ready?"
"When you command."

"Ready them."