Twixt Heaven And Hell Read Free Page A

mistakes, Arric. Darius does what is needed – he just doesn't always do it at the leisure of the High Council.”
    Arric nodded slowly, letting his cool gaze work under the young man's wizard's calm. “He does what is needed? Have you already forgotten the battle of Lafken Hill? Darius and his Gryphons were a crucial element there – as Darius had insisted. When the time came for his attack, what did he do, Alain?”
    Alain did not speak, and Arric answered his own question smugly. “Precisely. He did nothing. He dithered, and the entire battle was lost. He gave us an excuse about countering some new spell – a new spell we have never seen used again.”
    Before Alain could answer, another man spoke. His voice was gravelly and calm, but all the chamber fell silent before it.
    “Do you accuse Darius of lying to this council, Arric?”
    All eyes turned towards the speaker seated at the end of the council table. His robes were as white as the hair on his face and head. He did not stand, but spoke from his seat.
    Arric’s response was carefully respectful. “Lying? Of course not, Lazarus, but perhaps he would go so far as to blur certain details.”
    Lazarus cocked his head to the side. “To what end, Arric?”
    Again, Arric thought for a moment before responding. “To conceal the fact that he was too concerned with his own safety to do his duty as a commander, and attack as per our plan. A plan you helped formulate, I might add,” Arric added.
    A smile tugged at the corners of Lazarus’s mouth. “I remember quite well, thank you. You say that Darius was concerned for his own safety… do you call him a coward?”
    Arric shook his head. “I said nothing of cowardice.”
    “If not cowardice, certainly there was no mention of bravery. Yet, many here can recall the battle of Uldoss pass, when Darius attacked a Demon. Alone. Only the timely arrival of the Angels saved him from certain death that day. This is not the action of a man concerned with his own safety.”
    “Every man has his day,” Arric replied.
    Lazarus nodded. “We both know that I could recount many such acts. I daresay that Darius is the most selfless and courageous person I’ve ever known, outside the ranks of the Angels themselves.”
    “Courage and cowardice are not the issue here!” Arric exclaimed. “We could sit here for a week and a day extolling the man's virtues, but the fact is that he ignores orders as often as he obeys them. We cannot allow a commander to act outside the authority of this council. Darius must be brought to task.”
    Arric turned once again to the older wizard. “Lazarus, we both know that you opposed Darius’s decision to organize the Gryphons. Both of us thought a wizard should not be so involved with the army. Perhaps he has had some successes, yes – but who is to say that a wizard of his talent would not be doing greater good in a more traditional role?”
    When Lazarus did not seem about to speak, Arric once more addressed the assemblage. “I propose that the council relieve Darius of his command, effective immediately. Another able commander will be placed in charge of his men,” Arric said, and glanced to where Alain stood at the edges of the chamber. “Darius will return to Bastion as an active member of the council. I do not wish to throw him in prison. He is a wizard of no mean ability, no one denies this – but his place is here or in what battles we put him.”
    Alain looked about himself at the rest of Darius's supporters. Though they were not happy to have any decision forced upon their adopted idol, none were brave enough to oppose Arric further without Darius there to defend himself.
    Until Lazarus spoke.
    “Arric, surely you must admit that Darius has done much good. Since he formed the Gryphons, we have successfully held more land than ever before, and confined the minions of Pyre to a smaller realm than ever before. Darius and his Gryphons were present at most of the important battles