As Em'brel walked out into the meeting hall, the gathered argu'n cheered. Noble and villager alike had gathered, or at least the nobles who weren't too busy scheming and the villagers who could afford to take a day off. Em'brel would have to worry about what she could do to and on behalf of those two groups later. Today was set aside for something very different.
Looking out over the crowd, she could see various faces that meant so much to her. Her cousin, To'brel, who was now a village lord in more than just name. He'd taken their home village from bordering on the brink of dissolution to one of the rising stars of the kingdom. Next to him was his partner, Chal'ac. Though for once, the huntress was smiling instead of scowling, even if the grin held an edge of malice...or perhaps smugness? Still, she'd seen those two enough to know that To'brel was perfectly capable of smoothing over whatever trouble his partner got up to. In fact, it happened so often that it seemed like a game to them.
Not far away were the representatives of the hill tribes, Rak'shal and Dar'shal. Em'brel was a little disappointed more members of the tribes hadn't come, but to be fair, it was still a significant journey for them, and they were only allies of the kingdom, not members, so she could hardly fault them for their absence. Besides, as members of some import of the wolgen speaker tribe, these two often represented the rest of the tribes in whatever negotiations S'haar had held. It was funny. After seeing how dour and severe Dar'shal was in his time with them during their exodus, she'd expected his father to be much the same, but instead, he was much more like Lon'thul once you got to know him.
Speaking of the master hunter, Lon'thul was sitting next to the hill people's representatives. He looked particularly pleased with himself. Perhaps he'd just shared a particularly good joke with Rak'shal? Or, more likely, a particularly bad one. She also noticed the hunter had what looked like the beginnings of a bruise on his face, almost like he'd been slapped... Definitely the bad joke, then! But that didn't seem to bother Bar'ela, who was happily riding on her uncle's shoulders. Em'brel only hoped she wasn't too close when Lon'thul had said whatever it was that had earned him that slap!
Fea'en was seated with Jan'kul, Mar'kon, and Tel'ron, with several other craft masters from various villages in attendance. Em'brel sometimes wondered if Fea'en and Mar'kon wouldn't have become an item if not for Ger'ron winning her heart back at the outpost. Their rivalry was well known enough to have reached her ears before she'd left her home village. Still, at least they seemed good enough friends, though rumor had it that her attempts to teach the old metal master chess hadn't gone so well.
Speaking of what might have been, Tel'ron was another question. Years ago at the outpost, he and Lon'thul had been constantly competing for Em'brel's attention, but these days he seemed more attached to his work than any eligible females. Between his position and the physique all that metalwork had given him, the master of all things metal could attract almost any partner he wished, but Em'brel supposed that was none of her concern. So long as he was happy in his work, anything else could sort itself out in time.
Sur'ruin and Lady Ta'miel were sitting in their own little section, pointing at Em'brel and tittering amongst themselves. Em'brel wished she knew what they were saying. Not that she feared any malice on their part. Quite the contrary, it was all but impossible to find two more generally cheerful and upbeat argu'n in the land. But they did have a habit of knowing all the juiciest gossip, often before the people they were gossiping about were aware of all the facts!
Lady Ta'miel had taken to Sare'en's methods of handling and raising wolgen quite well. In fact, she'd discovered that if you raised them around arlack as pups, they made excellent protectors for the pack, enabling the lazy lizards to graze with even fewer concerns than before. You just had to ensure you kept them well fed, which meant you needed even more arlack, which meant they required more grazing lands, which meant you needed more wolgen... Jack had mentioned that maybe breeding smaller wolgen breeds, like Grim, might be the solution since he required considerably less food than a full-sized wolgen, but that was a deliberation for another time.
On the other hand, Sur'ruin was the same as ever. Running her inn and flirting with every male who popped in for a bite to eat, as well as many of the females. Though Em'brel did notice that whenever Jack was in town and eating at the inn, she always paid particular interest in the human. S'haar might have something to worry about if not for how blind Jack was in his love for her.
Speaking of Jack, as Em'brel turned to the raised portion of the room, Her adoptive father awaited. The years had taken a toll. His leg was getting bad enough that even with his cane, his limp was more pronounced than ever. And the claw marks around his eyepatch had never fully healed. But it wasn't just that. In his remaining eye and around his shoulders, anyone looking could see the weight of the world bearing down on the human. Em'brel suspected that one of the reasons S'haar had been so insistent on this ceremony was so she could take Jack away from all this and let him rest. If anyone had earned such a thing, it was Jack. For such a small, unassuming male, he'd wrought more change in their world than any noble or lord. He'd fought more battles and saved more lives than even their most legendary heroes out of myth and legend. Em'brel suspected S'haar was going to take him away to some small home in the middle of nowhere for some peace and quiet and would likely kill anyone foolish enough to track them down...figuratively speaking...probably. Though Em'brel hoped they wouldn't stay away too long.
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Speaking of S'haar, there she stood, front and center. She didn't wear a fine gown or fancy fabrics. Instead, the queen stood tall in simple leathers, with her two legendary swords, Vulcus and Hephtus, at her back and a crown on her head. Though, Em'brel did notice the crown she was wearing was slightly different than the one she was used to. It was still relatively simple as far as such finery went, barely more than a circlet, but it seemed a little fancier somehow, and it covered a part of one ear. But the simplicity of her attire didn't take anything from her bearing. The queen stood tall, and everyone in the room could feel her strength and calmness as it radiated from her like light from the star above their planet.
Taking a deep breath, Em'brel stepped forward and knelt before her queen, her adopted mother, and her friend, while S'haar spoke loudly and clearly enough for all to hear. "The time has come for change! This land, this kingdom, was forged in the fires of battle and bathed in the blood of our warriors, but the time for such conflict is past! Though I had no desire for it, I led you through the chaos following the last great battle of the birth of this kingdom to the best of my ability, but the time that a warrior's hand is needed to lead the way has come and gone! This land now needs someone who can fight when required but is equally able to rule through kindness, empathy, and wisdom!"
Em'brel couldn't help but think back at how slowly and steadily S'haar had eased much of her work as queen over to Em'brel without her realizing it. At first, it had been simple things. Nobles who had no idea how to handle S'haar's brash nature came to Em'brel to entreat the queen on their behalf. Younger or more timid villagers also responded better to the younger noble. Soon, any task that required a more...delicate touch than S'haar was known for was given to Em'brel to resolve, quickly becoming the majority of negotiations and discussions that didn't require S'haars direct involvement. Even those she sat in on under the guise of "getting a feel for everything going on in the kingdom so that she might better advise the queen"... Jack's words.
Of course, Em'brel had been happy to help out. She'd assumed this was all being done so that S'haar could spend more time with Jack, which was enough for the younger female. But apparently, Jack's schemes hadn't ended there...
While she was lost in thought, S'haar continued without pause. "To that end, there is only one person in the land with the knowledge, wisdom, strength, and kindness to lead you into the best possible future. At far too early an age, she learned the cruelties of this world when everything she cared about was taken from her by the raiders who held her captive and tortured her, but where most would have broken, her spirit endured, and she learned how important kindness and empathy are for even the most downtrodden of us all! She studied directly under the wizard Jack and his sister Angela, gaining knowledge and understanding of this world none can rival! Many of you watched as this delicate child fended off fully trained assassins and raiders, proving she has the kind of strength few possess! And many more of you watched as she took up arms to stand with her friends and family in the great battle, proving she has the will to fight for what she believes in! Have any of you a candidate whose knowledge, experience, wisdom, and courage can rival her own?"
A loud shout, born from countless voices, pierced the hall. "No!"
S'haar continued, glaring at the crowd as if staring into the hearts and souls of everyone present. "And do you swear to listen to, follow, and support her as your new queen?"
Again, a unanimous shout from all present. "Yes"
Then turning to Em'brel, S'haar spoke again, though her glare remained every bit as piercing as before. "And do you, Lady Em'brel, swear to uphold the needs of this kingdom as dear to you as your very own?"
Em'brel remained kneeling. "I do."
S'haar leaned forward. "And do you swear to take upon yourself the battles of all those who hunger, all those without shelter, and all those alone who seek your aid?
Em'brel bowed her head. "I do."
Then, even though Em'brel couldn't see anything other than the floor and S'haar's feet, she knew from what was planned that S'haar removed her crown and handed it to Jack, who solemnly walked in front of Em'brel and leaned down to place the crown on her head. What was unexpected was when Jack whispered to her. "We're all so proud of you! Now brace yourself. You're in for a bit of a shock!"
S'haar was still going on about something, but E'brel didn't hear any of it because a voice spoke to her. A voice she hadn't heard in years but one she knew as well as any of her closest friends and family. "Heya, kid. Long time no see! We've got a lot to catch up on!"
Em'brel covered her mouth to stifle a gasp as Jack winked at her. He then stood up and walked off to one side of the throne as S'haar did the same on the other. Em'brel had so much she wanted to say. So much she wanted to ask. So much she wanted to do! But the voice of her friend and mentor cut through her thoughts again. "Now stand up and turn around, silly! People are waiting!"
As Em'brel stood up, she could see the massive grin on Jack's face. That jerk had to spring this on her right now, like this? Who was she kidding? This was all her idea! That...that...woman always had a penchant for mischief and practical jokes! If Em'brel wasn't so happy, she'd be infuriated!
As she turned to face the crowd, her mind a blur of thoughts and emotions, the crowd cheered. Thankfully the shout was loud enough to down out any noise Em'brel might make. "You...you...you..."
The voice just laughed, the sound of which was the most beautiful music Em'brel had ever heard before it spoke again. "Now, take your seat! We can talk more soon!"
As Em'brel sat down, S'haar began the chant taken up by everyone in the crowd. "All hail Queen Em'brel! All hail Queen Em'brel" She took the opportunity to duck her head a little to hide what she whispered next. "Just swear to me that this is real and that you won't suddenly leave me again!"
The voice's smile could be heard over the tiny speaker in the earpiece of the crown. "Of course. I'm never going to leave you again! If I have my way, I will be here, watching over you, your children, and your children's children for as long as you can tolerate me!"
Em'brel smiled, the sounds of the crowd cheering wholly lost on her at this moment. "Then you're going to be here a very long time. Welcome back home, Angela!"