The Changing by Jeremy Laszlo

you as well Shimad," Garret replied in his most regal tone. Now that he could see Shimad better, he still could not place the man. Shimad was short and plump with a red nose and cheeks marking him as a man who enjoyed his wine. He was finely dressed in an elaborate robe and sash indicating he was a man of wealth, but his clothing went beyond what was tasteful to a point of gaudiness. The man liked to flaunt his wealth as well. Garret marked Shimad off his list.
    "I am afraid we have not been properly introduced, Shimad. I am Garret, and I am pleased to make your acquaintance." Garret extended his hand to the man. Shimad took his hand lightly, and with a dainty, womanly shake he smiled awkwardly and bowed his head to Garret in supplication, allowing Garret to discover that his own position was of higher rank than this Shimad character’s.
    "Would either of you mind if I lent my thoughts to your previous conversation?" Garret asked.
    "Not at all, Lord Garret. Any counsel from a knight as high ranking as yourself is certainly welcome," Shimad replied.
    Now Garret saw the drunkard’s ploy. He gave compliments and praise to befriend those of higher station. He used words and wealth to reach that which he was unable to obtain. This man expected to gain from the loss of key members on the council. Garret already disliked the man, but decided to speak anyhow.
    "I fear that I must agree and disagree with both of you," Garret stated honestly. Garret paused a second to let his words sink in, not realizing that several conversations in the room had ceased and many eyes had turned upon him and the conversation he was having.
    "I believe your words to be true, Shimad. We need to lay the king to rest and honor his memory as soon as we are able. But I also agree with Karishtala that we dare not wait to rebuild the council and place at its head an honorable ruler to lead us. The black army was defeated, but we share borders with many other kingdoms who might think to take advantage of our precarious state," Garret said.
    "How do you propose we do both?" Karishtala asked. "Both are important and timely affairs."
    "Yes they are, and until recently I lived a very simple life, having never even imagined standing where I stand this day. However, no matter my life before now, even I know that when you build something, or rebuild it for that matter, you start at the bottom. You must lay a solid foundation to build upon," Garret finished.
    "Those are wise words beyond your years, Lord Garret," Shimad complimented.
    "So you propose we start by filling the lowest positions first and work our way up to the throne?" Karishtala asked.
    "If it were my decision, it is what I would do," Garret replied. "The sooner we begin to replace those we lost in the lower ranks, the smoother things will begin to operate, thus allowing us to turn our attention to those positions of more importance."
    "A good plan," came a voice from across the room.
    Garret recognized the man as one of the king's generals among the common army and nodded to him in greeting.
    "How would you recommend we go about getting things rolling with so few of us here?" the man asked.
    "Again I appreciate the honor of you listening to my suggestions," Garret said. He looked around the room to find that now all eyes were on him. "I suppose I would send out the royal messengers to gather up all those council members who are absent."
    "Where do you think they have gone, Lord Garret?" the man questioned again.
    "I am sure many of them had genuine immediate responsibilities, though I fear that some may be buying favor, bargaining for power, or exploiting whatever other means they might find to attain higher position,." Garret answered honestly.
    "Very direct words from one so young," the old general replied, "though I too fear you are quite correct in your thinking. So what say you about such men?"
    "I believe that each of them was chosen for this council because each brought a unique point of view to