The city council was bustling with more life than it had in centuries. The citadel’s servants ran to and fro, trying to accommodate their esteemed guests and their retinues to the best of their abilities.
The inner chamber, reserved only for the lords of the Seven Ruling Families, was now open to the King of Undergrowth, the chieftains of the Valley Tribes, and even one of the Lunar Elects. Lumi, the Shaman Elect, had arrived in the city only an hour ago as a representative of the newly reborn City of Lunis. Like the others, she had been invited to attend the momentous meeting.
Three chieftains, including Mylaril, sat on chairs offered by the servants of the citadel. Though the chairs weren’t as ornate or personally designed like those of the Seven Lords, they were nonetheless elegant in their make, worthy of fine guests rather than enemies.
“Stop fidgeting,” Mylaril hissed at her two fellow chieftains.
“But we’re in Hollow Shade’s innermost sanctum,” whispered one of the other chieftains.
“That would be in the city’s grand temple. Now relax,” Mylaril said.
The two chieftains nodded and when a servant brought them goblets of wine, their shoulders visibly relaxed, if only a little.
As for Calex, he ignored the chair offered to him and walked into the inner chamber, looking up at the tapestries that hung from the walls and the painting that decorated the ceiling.
“Is something wrong, my lord?” asked one of the servants as she wrung her hands together.
“No, it’s just… I’m the first Thorn to step into this place since the rebellion. It’s been two hundred years,” Calex scoffed quietly. “My ancestors always thought we’d return here in triumph as conquerors. Never thought I’d stand here as an ally.”
The servant wasn’t certain how to respond to such a statement, so instead, she curtsied as low as she could. “We are happy to have you, my lord.”
“Thanks.” Calex gave a wry half-smile.
At the council table, the seven chairs of the city lords were all occupied—even Loh was present, having recovered sufficiently from her injuries—save for one; the black ruby-encrusted chair of Veres. Aurelia had been given a chair next to the Veres chair, and beside her sat her long-time adversary, the Shaman Elect.
“This place is pretentious.” Lumi crossed her arms and held her chin up.
“I agree. I prefer the simple, clean-cut stone of Evenfall’s castle,” Aurelia said.
Lumi looked at her, surprised at her rival’s words. In a moment of solidarity, she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, “When do you reckon we’ll get to see the Evenfall and her mountains again?”
Aurelia blew out a deep breath. “Not for a long time, I’d wager.”
“I thought so,” Lumi muttered.
The heavy metal doors of the chamber swung open with a loud creak and all heads turned to see Stryg walk in, Lady Gale at his side. Where before he might have entered in a stride filled with confidence and a touch of swagger, Stryg walked with a slow gait, unrushed. His eyes were pensive as he took in the scene before him. The whole chamber fell silent as all eyes fell upon him.
“There he is, the man of the hour, my son!” Krall Katag stood up and opened his arms wide, a giant smile plastered on his face.
Lady Evelyn Katag stood behind him and placed a gentle hand on her husband’s shoulder, and gave a pleasant half-curtsy. “Welcome home, Lord Veres.”
“What is that asinine orc talking about, Aurelia?” Lumi whispered.
“You don’t want to know.” Aurelia rubbed her brow with a sigh.
“Three cheers for Hollow Shade’s resident savior!” Freya held her goblet up.
The others at the table raised theirs in turn, some more enthusiastic than others. A servant rushed to put golden goblets in Stryg and Gale’s hands.
“Thank you,” Stryg tilted his goblet to the room and took a long drink before sitting down at the table with the others. Gale followed close by and took her place behind his chair, next to Gian who stood behind Aurelia.
“You’re late,” Calantha noted.
“Oh, come on, I think we can give our resident hero a bit of slack, hm? He did have a parade to enjoy,” Krall said.
“His mother arrived in the city alongside him, but she arrived nearly half an hour ago. Our guests have been waiting,” Calantha said.
“For one day, Lady Ashe, you can relax with the etiquette and simply enjoy our victory,” Loh said. Lily stood behind her and nodded in silent agreement.
“I hope you’re right, Lady Noir, and that this day truly remains a victory.” Calantha sent a skeptical look at Calex and the Valley chieftains.
“As Loh said, relax, Calantha. Today we celebrate.” Krall turned to Stryg, “Tell me, son, how does it feel to have saved Hollow Shade not once, but twice?”
“Like I’m going to have to save it a third time,” Stryg said, causing Gale to frown with suspicion.
Krall just laughed. “That’s the spirit! I heard you saved my son and daughter in Murkton, too. I’ll have to give you a proper thanks later. Perhaps you can stop by for some tea tonight?”
“I’d like that, but unfortunately, I have plans this evening,” Stryg said.
“Of course, of course. Some other time then. Soon? I hope,” Krall said.
Stryg nodded.
“If we could save the idle chatter for later, we have a pressing matter at hand,” Calantha said. “Lord Veres, as the recently elected head of this esteemed council, it is your duty to lead us in such dealings as this,” she gestured to Calex, Lumi, and the Valley chieftains. “I’m forced to ask, why are outsiders in our inner chamber to begin with?”
Stryg looked around and noticed everyone was waiting for him to speak. No one was going to step in, rather, many were curious to hear his answer. Stryg cleared his throat, “I invited them to discuss an alliance.”
“An alliance?” Calantha cocked her eyebrow. “With the people who waged war against us only two months ago? The ones who killed Lady Helene, Lord Goldelm, and Lord Noir?”
Freya and Loh glared at her words, while the young Tristan Helen looked nervous and somewhat afraid.
“Mylaril was never part of the siege, neither was Calex,” Stryg said.
“And what of the other chieftains? And did Calex Thorn not bring his army to Hollow Shade to destroy us?” Calantha asked. “Do not get me wrong, Lord Veres. I am grateful for their help today, but it would be prudent not to rush into things.”
“I agree,” Vayu said. “The Valley Tribes and Undergrowth killed my family and many others. We cannot simply let that go because of a single battle, or lack thereof."
“Precisely,” Calantha nodded. “A treaty is understandable, but an alliance is—”
“—Exactly what we need,” Stryg said. “People change, Lady Ashe. It was Hollow Shade that betrayed Lunis and yet who came to our city’s rescue in our greatest time of need but the children of Lunis?”
Lumi and Aurelia looked smug.
“...What is it you’re getting at?” Calantha said.
“The only reason Hollow Shade still stands is because the Sylvan Tribes chose to put their grievances aside and help. If we are to survive as a city-state, as a people, we must be better than who we have been. That is why I invited the Valley Tribes and King Thorn here today. Because I believe it’s time we put an end to the wars and skirmishes that have been plaguing our realm for the last millennium,” Stryg said.
“Your sentiment is noble, Lord Veres, but it is not as simple as you think it to be,” Calantha said. “We may be the city lords of this council, but there are a hundred noble families and countless commoners under us. Too many of them hold resentment for their loved ones who died in the siege. If we vote against their interests, they could turn on us. We could have another rebellion on our hands and this city cannot endure another war, not right now. A treaty would be better suited at this time.”
Calex and the other chieftains bristled at her words.
Stryg looked Calantha in the eyes. “No. I refuse. There are threats out there that could end us all, and yet too many nobles are preoccupied with keeping their power and nothing more. That ends today.”
“While I may agree with your sentiment, the world does not work that way,” Calantha said. “The city has laws, the nobility have responsibilities, and this council has rules set in place for a reason. I cannot risk civil war.”
Stryg shook his head. “I know you are Bellum’s chosen, Lady Ashe. You believe in her words, that your job is to keep the status quo, and not to get yourself involved if you can help it. I understand why you do it and I don’t blame you for it. But I’m going ahead with this alliance, whether you want it or not.”
“It is not your choice to make, Lord Veres,” Calantha said.
“I’m the council leader, aren’t I?”
Calantha held her head up high. “Even as the council’s leader, if you wish to form a proper alliance with the Valley Tribes and Undergrowth, you will need a unanimous vote. And I will not give it to you.”
“Neither will I,” Vayu said.
“There you have it. A city lord, even an Ebon one, cannot overturn the will of the council,” Calantha said.
Stryg scowled and gripped his hand on the edge of the table until his claws dug through the stone.
“And what about a king?” Loh asked.
“What?” Calantha said.
“A city lord may not be able to overturn the council’s will, but a king’s will is absolute,” Loh said.
Calantha frowned. “Careful, Lady Noir. Such words should not be spoken lightly.”
“I assure you I am not.” Loh turned to Stryg and smiled proudly, “My apprentice has become more than I could have ever hoped. And he’s right. This council has only cared about maintaining its power for so long that it almost destroyed us. We need change. And if you lot are unwilling to do it, then we need someone who can.”
“Loh, stop this,” Vayu said. “Our ancestors rebelled against King Atreus Thorn for good reason. They refused to be slaves to the whims of the Ebon Lords.”
“We need to be better than our ancestors.” Loh stood to her feet. “Stryg is not like the Ebon Lords of old. I believe in him. He will not fail us as his predecessors did. And I refuse to fail our people as our predecessors did. So I, Elohnoir of the Great House of Noir, vote to crown Stryg of the Great House of Veres, First of His Name, Sovereign King of Hollow Shade.”
The whole room stared at Loh in surprise.
“Loh…” Stryg said, eyes wide.
Freya threw Oginum on the floor with a loud clang and stood up on her chair. “I second that vote. There is no one I trust more in this life to have my back than you, Stryg. The bond between our Houses has stood for 700 years and it will not be broken today. You have our support, Lord Stryg Veres.”
Krall glanced at Evelyn and the couple shared a subtle nod. “As well as the support of House Katag.” Krall stood to his feet. “Lord Veres has saved this city twice now. If anyone can lead us to a better future, it's him.”
“You’re only saying that because your daughter is marrying him. His rise to power serves your interests,” Vayu spat. “Your family has been calling him the Ebon Prince for months now and has made sure that everyone knows Stryg by that title. But he is not a prince! And he cannot be king.”
Krall cocked an eyebrow. “Is that where your vote stands, Lord Glaz?”
“I vote nay,” Vayu growled.
“I vote nay,” Calantha said. “We cannot allow a monarchy to rise in our midst, not after everything our ancestors sacrificed.”
The council turned to Tristan, who hadn’t spoken a word since he sat down. The young boy glanced at his caretaker, but she said nothing, providing him the chance to make his own decision on the matter.
“Don’t we want peace?” Tristan said quietly, his voice rising with every word. “My family died because we kept fighting each other. If Lord Veres wants to form an alliance to end the fighting… then I stand by him.”
“Lord Tristan, you don’t understand what you are saying,” Calantha said.
“I think my young master does,” Tristan’s caretaker placed a hand on his shoulder.
“This is ludicrous. Even if you four stand by Lord Veres, you cannot make him king without a unanimous vote of the council,” Calantha said.
“You’re right. But what happens if we don’t accept your vote?” Loh said.
“You cannot.” Calantha looked at her as if she were crazy.
“Oh, I think we can. I think our armies certainly can,” Loh said.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Calantha hissed.
“Loh, don’t do this,” Vayu said.
“Tell me, do you two think your armies can hold out against the rest of us?” Loh asked.
Calex jumped on her words and stood up. “If you march to war, Lady Noir, I will pledge my armies to your cause.”
“As will we,” Mylaril said.
“I'm quite certain the Chosen of Lunae will have my people's support,” Lumi added.
“There you have it. So long as we depose House Ashe and House Glaz, the council’s vote will be unanimous. I’m confident of our victory. Are you?” Loh said.
“You would cause a civil war, risk everything, just to give up your own power to a tyrant?” Calantha asked.
“I am not giving up my power. I’m entrusting it to the one person on this council who doesn’t care about wealth or lands, only the people who live here. And it’s like you said, this city cannot survive another war. So, what will it be, Calantha?”