Dragon Mage II: Chapter 37 - Announcements

The following weeks were relatively calm at the Council.  Eric received reports from workers who inspected keeps, and signed off on them, approving recommendations when it was necessary.  Everyone did their job, which made Eric's supervisory role both easy and minimal.

In the meantime, Rebecca exhibited some signs that concerned Eric.  She would grow tired early in the day, and have to rest for some time before continuing her duties.  She was in bed early, as well; when she woke up, she did not always feel well.

Eric was helping her sit up from the bed one morning before they had to leave.  Rebecca was giving him instructions.  “Slowly, please.”  Her eyes were closed tightly, and she grimaced with obvious discomfort.

Eric was supporting her head in his arm, with his other arm behind her back.  He carefully brought her to sit upright, over what he felt was an excruciating length of time.  When Rebecca was seated upright, they both caught their breath.

Rebecca was still winded.  “I am so sorry, Eric.”

Eric's concern was written on his face.  “Don't, love.  What's wrong?”

Rebecca smiled broadly.  “Nothing, dear,” she chuckled.  She took Eric's hand, and placed it on her belly.

Eric's face registered confusion, especially after her chuckle.  Rebecca moved his hand around so he could feel a small, distinct bump.  Her eyes were shining as she looked at Eric's face, moving to realization and wonder.

“You mean …” his eyes went wide, and his mouth remained open.  Amazed, he had stopped talking.

Rebecca, still smiling, nodded coyly.

For the first time in his life, Eric wanted to jump and dance around jubilantly.  He felt as though he wanted to launch through the roof, and shout from the rafters.  He wanted very much to run and tell Percy, Cyrus, Serene, Rose, Scarlet, and anyone and anything else he could think, all at once.  He felt that he could run around his property many times, and not be winded.

His bodily limitations would not allow all of this at once, however, and he sat for a split second before laughing and embracing Rebecca tightly.

Words also failed him.  So many thoughts ran through his mind; to be honest, they started with those of disbelief.  After what Eric felt was a long time of effort, were they really having a child?  He had felt the bump, and it wasn't fat.

Finally, Eric managed to say something.  “Wow,” he was smiling broadly, now.  “Wow.  I – I can't believe it.  We're having a baby!”

“Yes,” Rebecca laughed softly, “yes, we are.”

“Does anyone else know?”  Eric's pleasure was still written across his face, but he did wonder.

Rebecca shook her head.  “I wanted you to be the first to know.  The dragons may already know, but not from me saying anything.”

Eric nodded enthusiastically.

“Eric.”  A look of concern crossed Rebecca's face.  “We should be careful who we tell, right now.  I think Serene should know.”

Eric knew exactly what Rebecca meant.  While he had been exempted from the policies pertaining to Dragon Mages, the exemption would not automatically pass to his offspring.  The child, yet to be born, would be subject to those policies which threatened Eric's very life.

When they arrived at the Council building, Eric and Rebecca walked purposefully to Serene's office.  Serene invited them into the office, and they seated themselves in front of her desk while she sat behind it.

“We have some news,” Rebecca started, with a bit of cautious excitement.

“Oh?”  Serene looked interested.

Rebecca started, sighed, and collected herself.  “I – I'm having Eric's baby.”

Serene brightened; a wide smile crossed her face and her eyes positively shone.  “That is fantastic!  How are you?  How have you been?”

“Tired, mostly, for now,” Rebecca explained as she unconsciously rubbed her belly.  “I'm otherwise doing well.”  She still smiled.

“That's great,” Serene nodded.

“Serene, if I may?”  Eric interjected.

She was smiling, and nodded.  “Of course.”

Eric took a breath.  “We actually have some concerns.  The policies for Dragon Mages are still in effect.  We're both worried about if the child is a Dragon Mage.”

Serene looked puzzled for a moment, then realized what Eric was saying.  She slammed her hand on her desk, with her face set in stern determination.  “I will speak to President Crannin.  You, Eric, will introduce your proposal for repeal, today, before Rebecca's pregnancy becomes more evident.”

Rebecca turned her head to Eric.  “Repeal?”

Eric nodded.  “I've written a proposal to repeal the policies against Dragon Mages.”

Rebecca had a stunned expression.  “You didn't tell me?”

Hoping to defuse the situation, Eric apologized.  “I'm sorry, dear; we never really had a chance.  I locked it up before we went to Razor Ridge, and nearly forgot about it.”

Rebecca seemed to calm down, as she nodded.  “Alright.”

Later in the day, the Council was called to order by Executive Councilor, and Vice President, George Hawkins.  He had a similar manner to Jason, with his attitude toward disrespect and disorder.  George's appearance probably lent itself to receiving respect.  He was an elder gentleman, and behind the long gray hair and chest length beard was a round face with a protruding nose.  His deep bass voice carried better than Jason's baritone.

After procedural matters were settled, George began.  “For the first matter of business, the Council will hear from Councilor Eric Townley.  Mr. Councilor,” he nodded at Eric, “stand and be recognized.”

Eric stood, somewhat nervously.  “Thank you, sir.”  He had never brought a proposal to the Council, nor addressed it as a member.

A slight smile crossed George's face as he lightly corrected Eric.  “'Mr. Vice' will do, Mr. Townley.”

Eric turned red.  “Thank you, Mr. Vice.”

The quiet chuckling that passed came to a halt as the gavel knocked on the table.  George looked sternly across the hall, then leaned back.  “Proceed.”

Eric cleared his throat and began.  “Ladies and gentlemen, I am bringing a proposal today, in response to a situation that is in need of remedy.  Generations ago, this Council responded to a situation with Dragon Mages by passing measures against them. The measures were intended to limit the harm caused by these -” Eric cringed as he spoke the next words, but they were true, and this was politics “- deadly Mages.”

He looked around; somehow he still had his audience.  “I do not intend to question the past practices of the Council.  However, I believe the time that these measures were appropriate is well passed.  I propose that they be repealed.”

The hall immediately filled with discontented rumbling.  George pounded the gavel, and silence resumed.  “Mr. Townley, remain standing.”  He turned to another Mage.  “The Council recognizes Councilor Agnews.”

A tall man rose.  “Thank you, Mr. Vice.”  He addressed the Council Hall.  “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it is quite admirable for Mr. Townley to request that the policies regarding Dragon Mages be revoked.  I would also say I'm not surprised that it is Mr. Townley presenting this, given that he is a Dragon Mage himself, and has been exempted from the policies.”

Eric responded.  “I do not believe it is right that I had to ask for such an exemption, Mr. Councilor.  Nor do I believe that anyone ought to have to ask for the same exemption.  Those policies are directed against a particular set of individuals, and are inherently wrong.”

Rebecca stood and was recognized.  “For the record, I would like to second Councilor Mr. Townley's proposal.”

“You would, wouldn't you,” Agnews sneered.

Eric gripped the back of his chair, glaring at Agnews.  “I do not believe that was called for, in any respect.”

“The Executive agrees with Councilor Mr. Townley.”  George broke in with the gavel and looked sharply at Agnews.  “Councilor Agnews.”

Agnews bowed.  “I apologize to Councilor Mrs. Townley.”

Still slightly shocked, Rebecca only closed her mouth and nodded.  Finally she responded, “Thank you.”

Eric still glared at Agnews, as he continued.  “I would ask my esteemed colleague, by what would he justify repealing the policies?  He himself admits the Dragon Mages were quite dangerous.”

As Agnews spoke, Eric noticed that Jason and Serene were entering.  They took their usual seats, and Jason refused the gavel from George, shaking his head.

Eric answered Agnews.  “I would like to emphasize that I admitted the Dragon Mages were dangerous; that is, in the past.  I would venture that in the recent execution of the policy, there may have been some who were not deadly or dangerous in any way, but were executed regardless of that.  I would like to further show for the record that the current population of Dragon Mages presents no problem.”

“There is no proof,” Agnews spread his arms slightly, emphasizing his point, “that the Dragon Mages killed were not a problem, or would not have been such.”

“You have a Dragon Mage in front of you who is not a problem,” countered Eric.  He was becoming rather angry.  Even couched in the proper legislative etiquette, there was no disguising the insults being hurled at Eric.

“While I appreciate that the particular Dragon Mage we see is neither a problem nor threat, I have to say that a sample size of one, is not statistically significant to review policies,” Agnews patronizingly stated.

Eric narrowed his eyes at Agnews and bristled.  “I would disagree, considering that the sample size in question consists of the entire population,” he replied sharply.

“Gentlemen!”  Eric turned and saw Tevyn standing.

“The Council recognizes Councilor Tevyn,” George announced.

Agnews sat, and Tevyn remained standing; he looked to the Executive table.  “Thank you, Mr. Vice.”  He turned to the hall.  “Ladies and gentlemen, I have to admit that both parties have brought excellent points.  I think what would be best for all concerned, is that the proposal be brought before the Security Committee for review, before any further discussion is made.”

Jarrod stood and raised his hand.  “I second my colleague's proposal to take the proposal to repeal, under committee.”

Eric heard Rebecca's quiet, but very angry exclamation next to him.  At the Executive table, George nodded.  “Very well.  Councilor Mr. Townley's proposal will be subject to review by committee.”  He banged the gavel.

Eric took a moment to look at Rebecca as he seated himself.  “What's wrong?”

Rebecca sighed.  “Eric, I thought you would have realized by now,” she whispered.  “Nothing is taken to committee for taking action.  Committees are where proposals go to die.”

Eric's eyes widened, then he exhaled sharply, suppressing a few words.  He looked at the Executive table just in time to see that Jason had taken the gavel and was speaking.  He was at the end of a sentence when Eric focused on him.

“I have an important announcement to make.”