“That’s pretty much it.” Calëb said as Deag and Shiru poured over the documents the Arcusus handed them.

Much had been done in the few days since Deag and Shiru became regents.

The stream had been restored and water was once again flowing into the Expanse.

A temple was being built in what was now known as southern Coh and Eimval was being gouged out for resources. What remained was a gaping hole in the ground. One that was seared into Shiru's mind.

The armies of the Expanse had set up a large base in the Kommátia planes and they were ready to be deployed should the need arise.

Serenaya and its inhabitants were sending fish to the Expanse while establishing themselves as a distant extension of the Expanse itself.

Mt. Jivu and the refugee situation were being handled diligently by the Custodians and the Ash Wraiths.

Shiru read through the document in her hand.

It detailed the number of life magicians the Oasis had and how many more were in the army.

These details were important to Shiru as she and the rest of the leadership in the Expanse had a plan.

“Have them all ready to leave for Coh when the time comes.” She said flatly.

“A-alright. But where will we get the-“

“Don’t worry. That’s why we’re going to the Western Wilds as soon as possible. If we are met with heavy opposition, then we’ll deal with it accordingly.”

Calëb frowned at this.

“So we will condemn others for the sake of our own survival.” She muttered but Shiru shook her head.

“We will give them an option. Work with us to ensure peace for our children or-“

“Kneel? That sounds exactly like what Caligo would say.” Calëb said but her eyes widened upon seeing that Shiru’s eyes were trembling.

“Everything we do, will be to ensure that the Expanse knows peace.” She said.

Calëb sighed before grabbing a map and pointing at a certain town several kilometres north of the Oasis.

“I-if you’re going through with this, you’re going to need a ton of Cavumium and this town has quite a bit. Do I have your permission to send out some miners?” Calëb asked while avoiding Shiru’s malice laden eyes.

“Mmm… things are pretty tight here… I don’t want to leave you vulnerable in any way. Is there anywhere else we could get the manpower for that?” Shiru asked.

“Mmm… those in Eimvu are probably tired of sitting on their hands right now. Should I go ask Yiden for some people?” Calëb asked.

“That sounds perfect.” Shiru said.

“Then I’ll get to it right away.” Calëb said prompting Shiru to nod.

She then joined Deag in standing up and they turned to leave.

“Don’t worry. We won’t do anything he wouldn’t have.” Shiru said as Raer suddenly appeared besides her.

Calëb remained silent and before she could even blink, her guests were gone.

Shiru and Deag made their way back to Coh as the morning sun hid behind the clouds.

Cool winds blew by but Coh’s architecture was almost impervious to weather that wasn’t apocalyptic.

They made their way to the war room where they then entered Fìora's office.

“Everything is ready on Calëb’s end. I take it we can begin soon?” Shiru asked prompting the tired woman to raise her eyes. One thing to note was that her head was covered in short white hair. Something that made Deag smile a little.

“Umm… yes but we have a separate problem. You see, Yna entrusted a lot of her secrets with a woman named Aevana and although she isn’t key or even necessary for the plan, she holds a lot of vital information and insight on other things. That women is now refusing to leave her quarters in Site A. The guards say she hasn’t stopped crying since… well, you know.” Fìora said prompting Deag and Shiru to exchanged curious glances.

“Did she lose someone important?” Shiru asked.

“Quite important. Apparently she, Yna and a man named Timí were quite close-“

“I know Timí! Katsíki said he was some sort of test dummy.” Shiru said with a light gasp.

“Well, he died during Caligo’s attack and this has left the woman, Aevana… distraught, for lack of a better word.” Fìora explained. She was in her uniform, although several of her shirt’s buttons were undone.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I see. Could I perhaps talk to her?”

“Sure. If you need me, I’ll be in my office.” Deag said.

Shiru nodded before dashing out of the office and running towards the war room’s kitchen area where she asked the cook to make some tea.

Deag left Fìora’s office just as Shiru grabbed some biscuits and ran back into Fìora’s office where she offered the sleepy woman the foodstuffs.

“Thank you.” Fìora said before digging in.

Shiru stood by and watched in silence as Fìora ate.

“You’re not gonna leave until I’m done, aren’t you?” She asked but Shiru didn’t respond.

Fìora scoffed before deeply sighing.

“How are you doing?”

“I could ask you the same-“

“Shiru!” Fìora snapped.

“I… I’m in a constant state of agony.” Shiru said with a weak smile.

“For so long did I sit by while you all worked so hard. I watched, with idle hands, as you all built Coh and I watched, my hands unchanged, as it all burnt down. I am truly a useless, pitiful woman.” Shiru said. Her voice clear in the silence of the office.

“He wouldn’t have wanted this for you.”

“Oh, I know. But I couldn’t just sit by anymore.”

“And what of Erna?” Fìora asked.

“Don’t worry. I have not forgotten the fact that I’m a mother. Every night, when my work day ends, I return home and I sleep with her in my arms. Although, admittedly, I sometimes sleep on the couch.” Shiru said with a weak laugh.

“Hehe. your work ethic frightens even me.” Fìora said as she finished her tea.

“Mmm… speaking of work, how are things in Cohval?”

“Functional but tense. Young, hot blooded Rendaro want revenge. They want to step onto the plateau and march north, like he did, but we must exercise patience, lest were suffer more. My work is actually being made quite a bit easier since I have two ex sevenths down there, so yeah. Can’t complain.”

“I see. Well, let me know if you need anything or wanna chat.” Shiru said as she walked towards the door.

“Same to you.”

Shiru made her way to Site A and was led to the dark door that led to Aevana’s room.

She gently knocked on it prompting the nearby guard to sigh.

“Sorry, ma’am but knocking ain’t gonna cut it. She just won’t come out.”

Shiru nodded and turned to Raer.

“Take me inside.”

The Kommáti nodded like that, the two were in a messy room that looked like it had been ransacked.

Sitting in the corner, was a woman who’s arms were covered in scars.

“Get a healer, please.” Shiru asked Raer disappeared shortly after.

Shiru approached Aevana, who wore nothing but a piss stained dress.

“Hello?” She called but received no response.

Shiru walked up to and knelt in front of Aevana, who sat eerily silently.

“Hello?”

“Mmm…” Aevana groaned.

“My name is Shiru. When was the last time you ate or drank some water?” Shiru asked but like before, Aevana didn’t answer.

Raer eventually arrived with a healer and the man curtly healed Aevana.

“She’s pretty hungry. I suggest you get her some porridge, then you can move on to more solid stuff later in the day.”

Shiru nodded before bidding the healer goodbye.

“Oh- could you also get her some food-“

“What do you want?” Aevana wheezed.

“Mmm? I heard you weren’t doing very well so I wanted to help.”

“Do you honestly think you can help me?” Aevana asked while resting her head on the wall.

“The least I can do is try, no?”

A moment passed as the two sat.

“All is not lost.” Shiru simply eventually said.

“True… I still have my father. In some sick and twisted way.” Aevana muttered. Her voice hoarse.

“Say… if I ask you to free my father… would you?”

“Who is your father and why was he incarcerated?” I asked.

“Petrus of the Regal Thorns. He was a golden knight who partook in the Great War. His body now hangs above a pile of shit in the Oasis.” Aevana explained.

Shiru nodded before tapping her chin tightly with a finger.

“Would you help us in rebuilding Coh if I managed to convince the others to let him go?” She asked but Aevana laughed in response.

“And who are you to command his people? Apart from a simple housewife, of course.”

“I acknowledge that my hands are not the most experienced, nor am I in any way worthy of a title such as his, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit and sulk, much like yourself.” Shiru said with a faint smile.

Aevana raised her head and glared at Shiru whose smile remained.

“You… free my father then I’ll do whatever it is you want.” Aevana said before lowering her head once more.

Raer returned with a bowl of porridge which she handed to Shiru.

Shiru then offered the bowl to Aevana, but she didn’t move.

“If you don’t eat this, I will leave this room and you may never see your father again.”

Aevana raised her head and glared at Shiru again.

She accepted the bowl while narrowing her swollen eyes.

“Did… did he know you were this cruel?” Aevana asked as she ate the cornmeal based porridge.

“I offered you a choice. Where is the cruelty in that?”

“You grabbed my scarred heart and asked if I wanted you to chuck it aside or mend it. The Choice is clear and yet you still asked.” Aevana said while eating spoonfulls of porridge.

“You were being stubborn. All I wanted to do was help.” Shiru sighed.

“But I understand that my approach was… harsh. I will learn from this and hopefully, I’ll be able to be more useful.”

Aevana scoffed before eventually emptying her bowl.

She tossed it at Shiru who clumsily caught it.

Shiru then stood up and walked up to Rear.

“I cannot promise that they’ll listen, but like I said. I’ll try.” She said before suddenly being teleported to one of the mess halls in Southern Coh.

There she handed in the dirty bowl before making her way back to the war room where she found Thneia discussing various things with Colonel Koráki and captain Gunguo.

These three uniform clad individuals had become living legends with Koráki attaining the title of Deadliest Rendaro ever.

They all noticed Shiru as she approached the central table and she couldn’t help but tremble as they looked at her.

“I heard you went to visit Aevana. How did it go?” Thneia asked.

“About that… is it possible that we transfer her father to Site A?”

Thneia frowned at this.

“Is that what she demanded for her work?”

“No! Not at all. It’s just… she too lost so much in the attack… she’s also a valuable asset and I think allowing her to live with her father would be a small price to pay for her continued work.” Shiru said.

“If that’s the case, then I fully support this action. Although, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t his head… big? Like, really big? That’ll require some healers and doctors to fix if you don’t want to accidentally kill him.” Koráki said before widening his eyes.

“Oh- and good afternoon, ma’am.” He said.

“Good afternoon.” Gunguo greeted but Shiru nervously waved her hands.

“No need to be so formal. And you’re right. But where will we find healers and doctors that aren’t busy? I really don’t want to disturb anyone. Things are already pretty hectic.”

“Mmm… Site C comes to mind.” Koráki said, but Gunguo droned.

“Pardon my frankness, but you’re all forgetting the fact that the Foph may not let him go. Especially after all that he did.” The captain of the new scouts said.

“Mmm… you’re right. Their hatred is probably far from sated. But the needs of the Expanse come well and far before our own. I will ensure Calëb and her people know this.” Shiru said with narrowed eyes.