Twelfth of Frostmaire

It was a very different atmosphere now as Belkai sat in her throne. She thought of it as Lithmae’s now, though he insisted that she would remain lord until she chose to leave. For the first time since she’d come to Narandir, she didn’t feel fear or anger. She had won her fight and earned her freedom. She finally had a measure of peace. As she looked around at the gathered mages, she was finally able to see them as equals. Certainly they looked at her with a respect that she found it hard to accept, and now they waited for her to speak, ready to hear her wisdom. She took a deep breath, and took encouragement from the smile that Lasiri gave. Thankfully, it was Siara who spoke first.

“The Arcane have accepted Delorax’s death as necessary. There will be no vengeance as there was for Ashelath.”

She looked to the head of the Spellcasters, who had only arrived the day before. “Mistress Selma, the reason why Lumina was silent to you was because she was working amongst the Arcane to oppose Delorax.”

“Who gave you this information?” Selma asked.

Siara looked at Belkai and smiled. “An emissary of Elkur. This is the first time that he has reached out to me.”

“He chose well,” Belkai told her. “Then it is doubly confirmed. Delorax’s rebellion has finished. What of Falkar?”

“There will be consequences for him,” Siara answered. “But I have no details about that.”

“It is likely we wouldn’t understand even if we did know,” Lasiri pointed out. “There is no use pursuing that. Leave the Arcane to judge him.”

“I agree.” Siara sat back in her seat, and Belkai slowly stood. When she spoke, all eyes were locked on her.

“For better or worse, the world has changed, and there is no going back. We mages have spent too many centuries in the shadows. If nothing else, this war has shown the world the power of magic. With this new land that Delorax has cursed us with, the kingdoms will need us more than ever.”

Belkai burned with passion as she spoke. “It is time for us to guide the kingdoms and lead the people into this new world.”

“What do you propose?” Grishwar asked. Belkai could sense his concern, and she softened her voice as she answered.

“Our Orders have operated independently for too long. I propose that this Council be made permanent to regulate magic and provide leadership for the kingdoms. They see us as divided. Let us join together and serve this world as one.”

At first there was silence, and for all her gifts Belkai wondered if she had completely missed the mark. Mistress Selma stared at Belkai for several long moments before she finally broke the silence.

“We have no idea what Delorax has unleashed upon us, and he is not alive to regulate it. We are now left to deal with whatever chaos has entered our world. My Spellcasters are powerful, but I have learned our place in this world. I would be willing to accept your proposal, Belkai.”

“Where would such a Council be based?” Grishwar asked. “My people would be hesitant to follow leaders who are not of our kin.”

“As would our own,” said the leader of the Aliri Herders. “Especially if we are joining with a nation that we have been at war with.”

“It seems that location is less of a concern than a leader,” Siara pointed out. “We need someone who all can respect and follow, regardless of kinship or school of magic.”

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“I propose a vote, as the first act of our Council,” Belkai announced. “A unanimous decision to appoint a head of the Council. We must have firm agreement, or else our Orders will clash. Unity must begin with us at the top if we expect it to last.”

“We would all agree with that statement,” Siara affirmed. “But I do not believe that a vote would be necessary. We have one among us who has conquered the Arcane, risen to the top of her Order, and has the respect of mages and kings alike.”

Belkai looked down at her feet and took a deep breath. This wasn’t what she had aimed for, but part of her knew that it was coming. Who else would they choose? Each mage here was powerful in their own right, but none had achieved the same as her. She could sense their agreement with Siara, but it was important to begin this union with the right steps.

“All those in favour of the appointment of Belkai Androva of the Brilhardem as the head of the Mages’ Council, indicate your agreement.”

It took only a few moments for each of them to declare their affirmation, and inferred submission. It would take the rest of the day to lay the foundations of what they sought to build, but through it all Belkai rejoiced at the bright future that was now in sight.

***

Shontelle had long abandoned Torleight. After surviving the cataclysmic collapse of the eastern city, she had barricaded herself inside her room in the inn, armed only with some knives. The initial collapse had only been the beginning. Soon looters took advantage of the chaos to make themselves rich, then while the guards and militia were focused on them, the first monsters had emerged from the newly formed canyons. They had been driven back, but Shontelle had gathered her things and joined the growing column of survivors heading west towards Svaleta. Some rode on horses but most, like Shontelle, were left to make their way on foot. For the second time in her life, she was leaving home behind. It hadn’t taken long for soldiers to take charge of the refugees, breaking them into smaller groups of two hundred or so to present less of a target. It was slow going with the children and the elderly, but each group made good time on their separate routes.

Tonight Shontelle’s group made camp a few yards from the main road to Svaleta. As was her custom, she moved away from the crowd and spread out some blankets near an old oak tree. She shivered in the cold winter air as she looked up at the stars. The air was clear here, and it felt as if she could see the entire universe up in the sky. The tears came unbidden, and were soon a river running down her face. They hadn’t received official news, but the rumours said that there had been a massive battle in the east, that the Third Guard Corps had been virtually wiped out. Jacque was likely dead, then. The first man who had ever really seen her, and now she had no one. Again.

A twig snapped, and Shontelle looked up at a figure approaching. She wiped away her tears, sniffled, and frowned at the approaching soldier.

“It’s okay, I just brought some tea,” the man said, and passed over a cup. He glanced back at the main group. “It’s not wise to separate like this. We don’t know what’s going to be out there.”

“I know,” she said, and gave him a half-hearted smile. “It’s just too many people for me.”

The soldier nodded knowingly. “Who did you lose?”

Shontelle grunted. “Everyone.”

“I’m sorry.” The soldier sighed and looked around. “I’ll leave you in peace. If you hear anything weird, you run back to us.”

Shontelle nodded and watched him go. He reminded her of Jacque, and that thought made her weep again. She was still awake a few hours later when the soldier returned. He approached quietly and gave a soft cough to announce his presence.

“I’m sorry to disturb you again,” he said quietly, “but someone is asking to see you.”

Shontelle frowned, having no idea who would be searching for her out here. A second figure emerged from the darkness, and despite his limp she quickly recognised him.

“Jacque!”

She scrambled to her feet and raced to him, letting herself be taken in by his strong arms. He held her close, kissing her hair as her tears ran down his neck.

“I thought you were dead,” she whispered once she had recovered from the initial shock.

“I nearly was,” he said, and let out a laugh. “I’m sorry, I tried to find you sooner but Torleight is in ruins. Yours is the third refugee group I’ve searched for you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to look up at him. Despite his joy at seeing her, he looked far more tired than he had before marching away. There was a distant look in his eye, as if part of him had been left behind. What did you see out there, she wondered. That question would have to wait. For now, she just wanted to enjoy having him back with her.

“I’m glad you found me,” she whispered. He leaned down and kissed her – the first time that they had ever kissed. She felt as if her body was on fire, and she pushed her lips hard against his.

The younger soldier walked away with a smile, glad that for one woman, at least, hope had been found. Maybe it was there for all of them, somewhere out there in the dark.