Passing by the TV, she looked at the screen and stopped, feeling her heart beating. A man was standing on the podium, dressed in a grey business suit without a tie. The light of the Wyrm Lord was falling on him, giving him an aura of light. Four guards in purple power armor stood behind him, like angels keeping vigil. Projectors built into the podium put light on him, making him cast a shadow larger than life on the building behind him. The man spread his arms wide, asking the crowd before him:
"People of the Wastes. Are you bothered by our guests?" The man, who could only be the Dynast, liege of Annie and supreme ruler of the Reclamation Army, spoke in a loud and calm voice, a sense of certainty was behind each word. And this was the man who had spoken with Lia and to whom Annie had nearly threatened to shove his arm into...
Shit. I mean, anyone could be mistaken in my place, right? I mean… Annie felt her skin become red from shame. The Dynast did so much for people and she… He could afford to be less creepy toward the cub!
"There has never been such chaos before!" People shouted to the face of the Dynast, "My son ended up being dead on a simple trade run! My shop was burned down! My crops are ruined. My daughter was violated! Ruins, sickness, and death are all that they brought to us!"
"I see that there was little point in asking." The Dynast let his hands fall and spoke in a softer tone, "I understand your fears. The unknown is scary, who better to know this than me? You seek answers to your woes, and you find them in those who have come to our lands. They look weird, unknown, their arrival unexpected. All of this is true. Yet they are not at fault!" His voice boomed all of a sudden, but the sound came not as a threatening roar, but rather as a triumphal call, "They suffered the same way you suffered! You said you had lost your son, fair lady," The Dynast jumped off the podium, walking toward the woman who screamed about her son. His bodyguards aimed to follow after him, but the ruler merely raised his hand, and they stood back. Surrounded by countless angry faces, the Dynast walked toward the grieving woman and took her hand, "I would’ve lied to you had I said that my heart bleeds for him, for I never knew him. Instead of lies, I will tell you the truth. Retribution for your son’s demise has been delivered, the murderers of your son are in prison, those who dared to attack our lands pay their price even now!" He let go of the woman and spread his arms wide once again, addressing the crowd, "But refugees who came here are not at fault for the vile actions of others! They, too, had loved ones and homes taken from them by tyrants, thugs, and bandits! At the hands of scum who came here to ruin our lands, our lives! The fault lies with the state's military as well as with me personally, because we were supposed to keep you safe! We failed you, and I can only ask for your forgiveness. Will you lash out on the weak, just for the crime of looking different, or will you help the weak to stand up, so both of you can build a world in which future generations never have to feel the pain of loss that you feel today? I understand, it is hard to think reasonably right now to accept such a grievous loss," The Dynast allowed his head to fall on his chest, suddenly becoming smaller and speaking more softly, "Just like you, I have lost countless friends and family members during my life. I will not ask you to abandon your grief. I will ask you to do a much harder thing! Live on, people of the Reclamation Army, live on as human beings, no matter how hard darkness tries to drag you back to barbarism, resist the urge to give in to hatred and fear! Beat back the darkness and see the light of a new day along with the rest of us! Even now, security is improving, lost crops and lost trade goods are compensated, damaged buildings are rebuilt, and trade routes are given more protection. We can’t bring back the dead, this much is true. Let us honor them by living, at least! You can live through this! This is all that I ask of you, people of the Wastes."
The angry faces still surrounded him, but the people were no longer enraged. One of the people in a business suit stepped forward, wiping his face with a white piece of cloth. The Dynast gestured for him to speak:
"We only have eight sand cruisers in the Wastes. How are we going to live now that one of them is gone?"
"Good sir, we are already working on the construction of a new safe route to the lands of Oathtakers. The military will watch over you, you will not have to worry about attacks by raiders anymore. Sand cruisers will no longer be as crucial to the economy here as before, but worry not, their crews will receive help in getting new jobs should they go out of business." The ruler gave his answer.
"That’s all good and well, but without supplies from the sand cruiser, our factory could go out of business. We can’t afford to wait weeks for a new delivery, before we can start producing bread, cakes, candies, and other treats. We worked so hard to start our business and now it’s all just gone." Complained a tall woman in shabby baker's clothes.
"I understand that it is problematic situation. Worry not, good lady, supplies will come from the Core Lands themselves within a week. The Trust Fund was made exactly for situations like this, while government officials will evaluate your losses and what exactly you need to keep on running, we will provide stimulus money for your workers directly and materials for you and other business owners to keep the local economy up and running."
"Just make sure to send checks to ones who actually need them this time!" Laughed an elderly leader of the nomad community, "During the famine and plague fifty years ago, my uncle and I received stimulus checks as well. Do we look like someone who can find ways to spend money?"
"You are citizens of a state and deserve an equal share. Venerable elder, you might ignore me, but please allow kids from your commune to go into schools this yea…"
"What again? Our children have attended schools and universities for the past thirty years. We ain’t dumb, ya know." The nomad leader laughed again, joined by hunters, and the Dynast blinked in surprise several times, while reporters were busy filming him. His bodyguards slowly moved to him from the podium.
"One last question, please!" A woman in the clothes of a city doctor pushed forward, "Please! Tell us what will happen with all the equipment that is currently used in the refugee centers. Can we please get some of that at least?"
"All equipment from refugee centers will be moved to the people of the Wastes. The state planned to introduce public healthcare to this region in forty years, but with war happening at our border and with the sufferings that befall you, the Champions of the State…" The Dynast pointed at the statues of Outsider, Ravager, Wyrm Lord, and Devourer above doors leading inside city hall, "…Along with countless other good men and women, convinced me to speed up implementation of this plan and use the Trust Fund for this in full. Worry not, noble soul, people here will have the same benefits as those in the Core Lands within months. Free medical care will become a reality before the end of the year," The Dynast looked aside and saw a hunter without an arm, "This includes free augmentation, of course."
The woman, who screamed about her lost son, angrily slapped the Dynast across his face, and he raised his hand, stopping his bodyguards.
"If this is your fault, then… Then be better!" The woman said and exhaled, keeping her face calm and trying to let go of her anger.
"I will try as hard as I possibly can," The Dynast replied in assured voice, "I was born in the time before the fall, you know this? At a time when no illness was too severe, when hunger no longer existed, when stars were within our grasp, and when no human being was left behind. What a golden era it was for humanity. And it was all taken away from us, and instead the horror of barbarism fell upon our planet. Since then, it has become my duty to ensure that humanity can return to these golden days. Each day I wake up and see people die following my commands and goal is nowhere near. Yet I see you all," He smiled, looking at the people, and true warmth was in the voice of the supreme ruler, a wide smile appeared on his face, "Just mere two hundred years ago, people here demanded blood sacrifices when food was scarce, hated members of other tribes, and distrusted new breeds. And now I see cities, villages, cake factories, schools, cooperation, hospitals, unity… I thank you. I thank you for making my dream come closer with each day," The Dynast bowed to the people before him, "Thanks to you, through your happiness, I have the power to move on as well. And because of this, I will protect you all to the best of my abilities. Please believe in others as well."
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
Bodyguards closed in on their liege, leading him away. The Dynast stopped as he saw two massive forms pushing through the crowds. With minor surprise, Annie recognized the two shamans who worked in the den near the military base and who helped during the battle of the facility:
"A word, please, my liege!" Shouted the shaman with a crimson mechanical eye. The Dynast stopped, and both shamans fell on their knees before him. The Dynast gestured for them to stand up, but both shamans only prostrated before him, showing their necks to him. According to several photos, the Dynast bit Ravager’s neck several times, punishing her for misbehavior.
"Stand up, proud servants of the state," With an open smile on his face, the ruler said, gesturing up with his right arm, "It warms my heart to see you as part of this demonstration, standing shoulder to shoulder with other citizens. Far too often, the Wolf Tribe stands aside from most decisions in the state when you have the same rights as others. Tell me, what woe or fear made you come here tonight."
"We beg your pardon, Dominator of Dominators. We were told that this was the place to ask our questions. We are not part of the people here, we don’t even know any of them. We never intended to challenge your authority. Please forgive our impudence if we do not have the right to ask questions." Whined the shaman without ears.
"Like abyss, you don’t know us," The leader of the hunters said, pushing closer to the shamans, "I remember you, back when I was a kid, your group brought medicine and food for our tribe when we were cut off from the rest of the world because of an earthquake. Many in my tribe would have died if you hadn't helped us then."
"I don’t… remember you at all. On the orders of the state, we helped lots of people, but I can’t take credit for something that I don’t even remember." Earless One raised her head and looked at the man.
"Well, I do remember you. It was forty years ago."
"And you allowed me to ride on your back when I was a kid!" A tall woman said to the shaman with the mechanical eye, "When an avalanche fell on our village and we moved toward the city, I broke my ankle and you put me behind your back, while you and others led us to safety. I remember these scars and eye anywhere."
"Please stop. I was young and stupid. It is embarrassing to remember such things." Scarred One asked.
"Stand up, servants of the state. This is an order." The Dynast said, with laughter in his voice, "Seems like you are closer to people here than even I. Tell me, what question did you wish to ask me."
"It…" The shamans stood up, looking at each other in embarrassment. Finally, the shaman with the metal eye nodded to her companion and told the Dynast, "There are far too many new believers in the lands. We can’t maintain prayer dens near base, near refugee centers, near villages and cities. We just can’t, we don’t have enough hands."
"Religious matters lie separate from matters of state. I feel for you, but it's best if you consult with the council of shamans... "
"We asked! We even have a paper stating that we have arrived on behalf of all shamans! Here is the council's plan, but we need approval and assistance." Scarred One produced some sort of official letter from her belt and showed it to the Dynast. The bodyguards tried to take it from the shaman, but the ruler stopped them and read it. His brows slightly lifted in surprise.
"I am not sure how this is a problem. If you want to create prayer dens in cities, what is stopping you? Belief in the Spirits is perfectly legal, and..." The Dynast scratched his temple, shifting his gaze from paper to shamans and back again.
"We don’t have tokens to buy land." Scarred One explained.
"Or a TV." The shaman with no ears was added.
"That too. Therefore, we come here with the permission of the council, to plead our case before Wyrm Lord, hoping that he could help us solve our problems."
"And to watch TV." Once again added Earless One. The shaman with the mechanical eye glanced at her fellow. The woman simply shrugged her shoulders, "There are some cool shows. I like them."
"I am not sure that I follow. People of the Wolf Tribe are servants of the state, why exactly your council does not have tokens to purchase land…" The Dynast asked in visible confusion, reading through the paper once again.
"You don’t pay us. Unlike other members of the Tribe, shamans are forbidden by tradition to accept payments for their help or work. We only accept weapons and armors from the state. Without tokens, no land." Scarred One explained the situation to the ruler of the state.
"Yeah, we usually just accept payments with food or clothes or material for clothes." The second shaman pointed at her ragged outfit, a vest made of several jackets crudely stitched together.
"And there you have it, folks," The camera stopped focusing on the Dynast, showing the face of Larry Kosh, his every word was soaked with disgust, "Straight from the mouth of the people. The Dynast is using slave soldiers in his army. A religious group that gives up their lives for the sake of his ambitions, and yet they don’t even have money to buy a house, can you imagine this, people?"
The cameraman switched view back to the ruler, showing how Dynast blinked in surprise for a couple of moments, while the crowd of people around him started grumbling angrily. Shamans looked around in confusion, not fully understanding what exactly caused such ire. When they heard angry shouts directed at their liege, the snouts of shamans turned to genuine horror.
"Wait, so we pay our taxes, and you don’t even bother to pay our military?" The man in the business suit exploded.
"No wonder that we never see wolfkin in cities! They don’t have tokens to purchase anything! Is this any way to help our economy?" shouted the tall woman.
"Screw the economy! The Ice Fang order gets to live like kings in the Core Lands, but our new breeds are forced to live in a gullet! Shame! You ignore the Wastes too much! It is our heroes who are always on the front lines, not snow boys!" The nomad leader screamed, veins appearing on his neck from anger.
"Wait, please, we wish to show no disrespect to the Dominator of Domina…" The shaman with the mechanical eye tried to plead with the crowd.
"ENOUGH!" Earless One shouted with an ear-piercing shriek and the crowd stopped for a moment, looking at her in a shock, "How dare you insult Great One! He saved us! It is our tradition to not take payment for our services, our faith demands sacrifice from us! We are not at fault for others' suddenly believing in the Spirits, we are just trying to help new believers! Stop fighting on our behalf, you igno…"
"Calm, yourself, child." The Dynast put his hand on the shoulder of the shaman, and she immediately fell on her knees before him. The ruler had to forcibly lift the scared to death shaman to stand before himself and made her look him in the eyes, "These people mean well, don’t you see that they care for you? It's just that everyone has their own view of the world. Worry not, Wyrm Lord, and I will look into your request and help create prayer dens… And we will also get you TVs, you earned that much for sure." Said the Dynast and the corners of his mouth twitched in the smile once again.
The image on TV switched to the host all of a sudden, who announced that Wyrm Lord will address people in a few minutes.
"Huh, so this is the famous Dynast," One of the doctors said to another, while they were sitting behind a table, taking a break, "Talks too much about himself."
"He can sing praises to himself for all I care if he actually implements free healthcare," shrugged the woman in response.
"I wonder how it will influence our paychecks…" The man wondered, pouring juice on himself and his fellow doctor.
Annie left them to their devices and walked toward the exit, lost in thought. When wolfkins become too old, shamans take them to a special tent. There, after final rites, the wolfkin is given her or his final rites, and the shaman ends the existence of the poor soul. However, some wolfkins, such as shamans and warlords, were forcibly given rejuvenation injections, injections that kept them ever young, due to how valuable such individuals were. A few wolfkins were even fully ageless, Zero, Alpha, Dragena, and other members of the first generation no longer aged. Such fate scared Annie, after she heard the words of the Dynast. Living on, forever and ever, seeing how all your comrades and friends vanish… What if she forgets Sveta one day?
Oh please, as if you will ever be a warlord. Annie chuckled to herself at such foolish thought. Still dressed in pajamas, she exited the hospital and caught a ride to cub’s wards. Usually, she could walk all the way there, but in her current condition, she decided not to take risks. That and she looked really stupid, dressed like a patient who escaped from a mental hospital.