Still standing at the window of the Library, Muldran smiled again. It was odd, he mused. He was terrified about what he'd done, but it couldn't be part-time, couldn't be pretend. And with the reactions of the Court to what he'd done in agreeing to adopt Tim Hunter, he had to show he was serious.


In front of the fountain, the Court were stunned at Tim's appearance - as well as Muldran's decision to adopt Tim. But that wasn't all they were surprised at. Muldran knew he had to take a further step.

He stood forward, Tim at his side, and told the Court that he hadn't planned this. It was earlier on, as he'd seen Tom totally take over Tim that he knew he had to have a drastic action to shock him back, but to do it and then just say "Oh, I did that just to save you" would show the action was hollow. And also - Muldran had felt responsible for Tim and the many troubles he had experienced.

He then apologised for upsetting the Court again, and said
...which seemed to course an even bigger storm, with people stumbling over words, and even Tim tugging on his sleeve.

Muldran was steadfast, but he still laughed. He suddenly felt lighter. "Who would have thought it!" he chuckled out loud, "I've made a huge change to all of our lives - and I didn't even use magic!"

As the Court discussed this further, Muldran held up his hands, "This is not the end of the Court. We have two Lords Cardinal - Cherry and Gorthyn - who should continue to direct the Court. You will all need to convene, to decide who to nominate as your Shadow King. The members of the Court can then vote as to who should be your Shadow King."

Palirond immediately pledged his fealty to Decardo who smiled, and spoke about his support for Gorthyn. Cherry, meanwhile, looked aghast, entreating Muldran to not make this hasty decision. Muldran agreed it was hasty - but that he wasn't going anywhere - and he'd decided. He was no longer the Shadow King.

Long Live the King!

Gorthyn paced through the snows of the Valley his mind focussed and turning over and over as he thought over the startling events of the day before. He had been doing so for what seemed like hours, restless and oblivious to the cold as he wrestled with an array of emotions and concerns.

He had long thought that nothing that Muldran could do these days would surprise him - well he had been proved wrong on that score comprehensively. While he was more than a little aghast at what Muldran had done, he also found it begrudgingly admirable...For a moment his mind drifted to one who was long past gone from the lands and for whom he would have sacrificed everything much as Mul had done. The memory brought his pacing to a sudden stop for a moment, then he let it fade back into the shadows of his memory and began his thinking and striding once more.

He had seen Cherry's concerns, not to say hostility to the situation as it arose and no doubt towards himself too. He was also only too aware that personal allegiences and alliances could tear apart the Court as its very own Balance was stretched and distorted to breaking point in the wake of what happened.

It had fallen to him to call the Convocation of Court members to discuss the election of a new Shadow King, somehow during it he was going to have to try and steer them all to safer shores while at the same time achieving what he wished for.

His mind settled on a plan of action, he turned back towards the dark bulk of the Keep and into the warmth suddenly more at peace than he had been for many months.

For those who observe, there might not be too much to report. For those that were inside the room, more was said. What follows now is a description of what appears to have happened in the Shadow Court's meeting room, in the heart of the Great Library of Rhovanion.


The discussion - argument, really - started with Cherry accusing Muldran of not knowing what he'd done, and was a justified rant about the tipping of the Balance. Muldran - who seemed resigned to his resignation - didn't raise his voice to Cherry's accusations, but steadfastly stated that he'd done what he needed to do.

Cherry's worries about the Balance being disrupted (with the Warriors in the Court) having more power than the Mages would cause a problem; indeed Muldran was more relaxed about this, which seemed to infuriate her further. Words went back and forth, but there was not a nomination in sight.


More of the Court arrived, and Palirond left, as the discussion went on, with Callum getting people to talk about who should be Shadow King. The point was raised about there being 'no leader' but it was decided that such a thing could not happen.

Callum got people to say if they would stand - and Muldran stated he would not unless nominated. Callum asked him if this meant if he was to be King, would he. In a confused state, Muldran answered yes, since he already had been King he had a good idea of the job.

Cherry immediately withdrew her own candidacy, which left Muldran and Gorthyn the nominated, and confused. Decardo threw his hands up in the air stating that this game of politics was as bad as those played in Trinsic, and left. Gorthyn looked aghast at Muldran, accusing him of wasting their time. Muldran put his head in his hands, and didn't even make the effort to fireball Callum.

Muldran started to laugh, as he realised that, as the votes were then counted that there were 4 votes for Muldran, and 4 for Gorthyn - Balance, at last! No one else found it funny, apart from Scathatch, who had also reminded the group earlier about the prophecy Muldran had seen a long time ago, about Scathatch ascending to the head of the Court.

As the group spoke further, Muldran stated that he couldn't, absolutely couldn't be the Shadow King, he'd made this decision in good faith. And he apologised to Cherry, but he said he believed that the Gorthyn would make the best choice. Cherry gave a short speech, reminding Gorthyn that she had the best wishes of the Court at heart, and would work with him.

Gorthyn expressed discomfort as the balance of votes shifted - with what had been said by all, how could he be sure that the Court would follow him? Bertrand spoke up here, advising that all the members of the Court were loyal to the Court - therefore all would support the grizzled warrior.

And so it was decided - Gorthyn, stalwart warrior, Knight of the Shadow Order and long-suffering follower of Muldran would ascend to the position of Shadow King, and direct the Court in its future battles...

(OOC: Please add your IC comments and views to the thread below. For day-to-day running, Muldran's still the 'GM' but the In Game direction of the Court is now the Worrying Warrior - Gorthyn!)