31. Reign
CHAPTER 31
Reign
ALIA it wasn’t a tent, exactly, but more of a large tepee with enough room to fit fifty Ran. It was designed for public speeches and announcements. Grandma held public disputes and trials here.
I wanted this place to be different, to be a place of communication.
The people were silent. “Please, relax. Source only knows we’ve attended enough silent disputes.”
A tiny wave of laughter spread through the crowd.
“We’re here today because everything is changing so very fast, it’s hard to keep up. One day we’re killing magic, the next we’re supposed to protect it?” I shook my head. “Today, you can say anything you wish and ask any questions so long as they are kind and considerate of your fellow people. That’s all I ask.”
“What if we don’t have kind and considerate questions?” a buxom shopkeeper said, her arms crossed.
I nearly snorted a laugh. “Are you gonna tell me your mother didn’t teach you manners?”
A few people coughed into their hands.
She sputtered, but went silent.
I smiled at the rest of them. “No questions will be turned away today. I may not have all the answers, but I can let you ask. And maybe we can find the answers together.”
“Are ya old enough to lead us?”
“Why’d you change everything?”
“Things were going well for us. We were stronger than any magic! Why must that change just because we found an old book? It doesn’t change how magic is the bane of human existence!”
I nodded and held up a hand, but the crowd surged. The questions were a tidal wave of boiling anger and resentment, trying to crash over and smother me.
Shen stepped from the shadows behind me to set a comforting hand on my back as my heartbeat began to quicken. “They do not need mere kindness. They need to see you as a capable and strong leader who will stand up for them by first standing up for herself,” he said above the rising tide of people clamoring for attention and answers.
I nodded.
I put my dart gun to my lips and blew above the crowd. A loud bang flashed above them. The people dove to the ground, covering their ears. It was a simple stun explosion I used to blind animals with night vision. It wasn’t super loud, nor was it blindingly bright.
“Now that you all can hear me, we can have a conversation," I said with a wry smile as my people slowly rose to their feet. "When you walked in, there was a sheet with a number on it for you to pick up; you’ll be called upon in numeric order. If you can’t write, we have scribes to help. As you can tell, asking all your questions at once is just a way to make sure no questions are answered.”
A few of the people got up, dusted themselves off, and left without a word. Others scowled and scurried off to find the table I mentioned.
My scribe called out the first number, and the questions began in earnest.
A man stepped forward, wringing his hat in his hands. “Matriarch, I thank ye for seeing us. My family ’as long since been part of selling and trading with the big city folk the many pelts and items we receive from the hunts. Mistress, I just… I fear I won’t be able to provide for me family no more.” He hung his head.
My heart went out to him. I understood exactly where he was coming from. I walked down the steps to the line of enforcers who kept the crowds back. The dais was nice to see the entire crowd, but not for communicating on the same level as my people.
When I walked by Enforcer Markus he made a sound similar to a bird squawking. I glanced at him to see worry lining the plains of his forehead. I gave him a slight smile, hoping he could trust me as I trusted him.
“May I know your name, master?” I asked. The man looked up with wide eyes to see me standing before him, then quickly got down on a knee.
“Master Helm at your service, Mistress,” he said.
“Your family are traders. Of what district?” The tribe was split into ten districts which were rings around the Matriarch’s Palace. The First through Sixth were nearer to the center of the town, the last two were on the edges and were normally either hunters or Reds. But districts Seventh and Eighth were typically those who were of lesser means.
“We are Seventh District, Mistress.”
He hung his head further, were that possible. This man was humble, willing to come beg for options when he saw he couldn’t support his family.
“This world needs more men like you,” I whispered for his ears only.
He glanced up, his eyes wide and bald head glistening with sweat.
Ran? I asked.
With pleasure, she said.
“My dragon sheds scales every so often, and I hadn’t known what to do with them. Do you believe your family could find places to put them to use?”
“D-Dragon scales, m’lady?” he whispered, his poor hat being squeezed so hard I feared it would tear. “I—I do not know if we are qualified—” He cut himself off, his voice choking as if he couldn’t believe it.
I bent down to his level. “Master, we aren’t taking away your trade. My Reds will still hunt. It’ll just be a different kind, of those who are too far gone and a danger to society. We’ll find a way for you to provide for your family, alright? My scribe will ensure you’re welcome in my household to bring concerns. Thank you for coming and for being willing to change even if it terrifies the heck out of you.”
He gave a nervous chuckle, glancing up and then back down, bowing down with his forehead flat on the floor. A tiny mewl came from my lips and made him pause. “Master Helm, I just got down here so we’d be on equal ground. Please rise, I’m no freakin’ different from you. I serve Source and try to do what’s right for myself and my family and friends; my family and friends just consist of a few more people than most,” I said with a wry smile.
Those around wore shocked expressions. A few were nodding. Others looked like they’d stab me if they could.
One who was reaching for something beneath his cloak was interrupted when Shen stepped behind him. I saw the dude’s eyes widen before he slowly lifted his hands out of his pockets. Shen whispered in his ear. The dude paled before Shen walked away, blending with the crowd that didn’t even know they had Sicario Hood in their midst.
I stifled a smile as the next question was called up.
Change was coming, even if not everyone embraced it.
Shen
The people loved her. I am unsure she saw it.
Her laugh was contagious, and the little girl who had just given her a tiny flower smiled up at my Little Red as if she had hung the moon.
The people were drawn to her as a dragon is to a flame. She answered questions, entertained the crowd with her sharp wit, and put a few in their places with pointed questions that made even the tallest blacksmith look away in shame.
It was a beauty to behold. But she grew weary, her smile more forced, and her fingers clenching and unclenching around her blades.
I told the scribe to cut the last few short for tomorrow. He nodded, speaking with them discreetly. I approved his methods. If Alia knew some questions were unanswered this day, she would stay until she fainted attempting to satisfy those who would not be satisfied.
A man stepped up beside me. I had seen him around, and many showed him a respect beyond his station as Head Enforcer. He wore the Red’s hood, but it was down and he had on chain mail armor with a bow across his back. An emblem of the Ambrose flower was on his shoulder. He stood beside me for a moment, his silence one of thoughtfulness.
Then he spoke. “Will she take her own safety seriously?”
I snorted in amusement. “No,” I said.
He nodded. “She seems to be handling this well.”
I glanced over at the man. He had his hair pulled back in a queue and braided. It was a silver mixed with dark black, and his green eyes were sharp despite his years. This was a fellow warrior, and one even I would fear as an enemy. “Does she trust you?” I asked at last.
He blinked as if I’d surprised him. “No,” he said. “There are few she trusts.”
A smirk tipped my lips.
He turned to stare at me, his eyes seeking—and finding—some blades I had hidden about my being. I quirked a brow. “But she trusts you, Wolf,” he said without scorn. It was merely a statement of fact.
“She should be careful about those she trusts,” I replied.
A tiny smile turned his lips, looking odd on such a severe face. “She has good instincts,” he said.
It was my turn to be surprised. But he offered no more information.
“Is she handling this well?” he asked at last.
Ahhh. So that was the reason he sought me out. He cares for her in his own way. “No,” I said.
His lips pursed. “She hides it well.”
“ She hides well.”
He turned to look at me and bowed. “Thank you.” He held out his forearm. We shook, exchanging a glance between two warriors.
He walked to guard Alia's back, and I felt a sense of peace. He would ensure her protection, both mentally and physically.
Soon, I would need to leave. He would do.
When the last question was asked and the last person exited the tent, I was at Alia’s back, my eyes scanning the small crowd left and the shadows of the tent edges. There was no hint of danger.
“I need some time alone,” she whispered.
My heart clenched, but I understood. She had been through much and we still had not spoken.
“I understand. What would you have me do while you are recovering?” I asked.
She glanced over at me as if surprised. “Could you watch over my family? Ran needs a break to hunt.”
I smiled and bowed. “It would be my pleasure. Thank you for asking, Alia. They will be safe until your return.”
She nodded, her eyes glassing over just a bit as her mental energy declined rapidly. I wished to ask her if she needed a hug, but I needed to respect that she asked for friendship. And right then, she wanted me away from her.
Lycus whimpered in pain.
I know, bud. I know. But she trusts us enough to ask for help.
His pain lessened, but was still there. We feared she would reject us when she knew.
As would be her right.
“She needs someone to sit with her. She may not wish to speak, but please sit with her,” I whispered as I slowed my walk behind the man in the Red hood.
Enforcer Markus paused, glancing up at me. He saluted me with a fist to his heart and bowed before following Alia into the woods. I waited until I could no longer hear her light footsteps crunch through the underbrush before I left to guard her family.
Alia
The rest of the questions weren’t so easy to soothe as the first. Many came with problems that rose from being unable to continue their trade—some made figurines out of werewolf bone, which made Shen growl—and some were just unhappy about having to allow werewolves and dragons and unicorns in their streets.
And others, I had no answers for. One questioned why we had hunted magic at all. I didn’t know. I needed to ask Grandma, but I was avoiding the Matriarch’s Palace like the plague infested its halls. Who knew, maybe that was closer to the truth than I realized.
Another asked if Reds were being disbanded since there was no place for them, but I told him they were to protect instead of hunt. He asked if that still meant killing, and again, I had no answer.
For rogues who were beyond saving, yes. But others? It would likely depend on the extent of their crimes, though I wasn’t entirely sure we were the ones to be judge and executioner any longer.
I wasn’t sure if we were even going to be assassins anymore. We would still hunt rogues and unicorns who went after humans. There were still dangerous magical creatures who needed to be killed and humans who still needed to be rescued. But what about the citizens of the cities? Did we have any right to end their existence because we deemed them dangerous?
After, I ventured beyond the city and into the woods, finding my log and my safe place. The gentle shush of the little stream through the center of the clearing brought a sense of peace. In the very center, my other sister’s willow tree spread its boughs, providing a home for tiny fairies and birds alike. This was where I came to remember her and clear my head. And it was where I had met with Shen before Graham turned me in.
Everything had changed since that fateful night.
The overwhelm was growing. Nothing had prepared me for facing the problems of a people displaced and lied to for hundreds of years. I was tired. Burdened by all that had happened and all that I had to do.
I felt eyes on me. Enforcer Markus was in the woods, giving me some semblance of privacy. I gritted my teeth but bore it, knowing my safety was not about me anymore, but about the tribe. If I died, the matriarchy would return to Grandma.
That would erase everything we’d worked so hard for.
“May I sit?” I glanced back to see Enforcer Markus had exited the woods to come within ten feet of where I sat.
I furrowed my brows then jerked my chin in a tiny nod. He sat a good few feet from me, resting his bow against his leg. His eyes never left the woods. In a way, it was nice to have someone near.
Enforcer Markus said nothing, he just sat, keeping watch over the wildflowers growing in the small basin of my special place.
I slowly relaxed. It was weird having him watch me from the shadows of the trees. This felt more like friends sitting in the woods.
“What do you think about the changes I’ve implemented?” I asked at last, picking apart a leaf before reaching for another, letting the small pieces flutter from my hands.
He glanced over at me, his eyes a deep green that nearly matched the trees swaying overhead. His black and silver hair was pulled back in a braided queue. There was an old scar on his nose that made it seem like lightning tried to cut his nose in half. “Do you wish me to make you feel better or give honesty?” he asked at last.
A chuckle bubbled from my lips. “Honesty, please.”
A tiny smirk crossed his lips before he looked away. “Felt you’d ask for such. It’s different .”
I scrunched up my nose. “And?” I prodded.
“Patience, madame,” he said, a tiny smile reaching his eyes even if it didn’t pass his lips. “You are what this tribe needs, if not entirely going about it the proper way.”
I leaned forward. “Can you tell me more?”
He sighed, leaning his elbow against the inside of his knee, his eyes still watching but also seeming not to see the swaying of the trees or the flutter of fairy wings darting between the flowers and grasses.
“You handle everything with grace and compassion, but should you give too much, the others will become jealous and there will be a power struggle to see who can get the most from you,” he said at last.
I nodded. “You’re speaking of Master Helm?”
“I am.”
“Do you know of a better way?”
He sighed, his eyes coming to rest on my face. “Yours is the duty of leadership, madame. It is not so simple as a better way, but perhaps a different way. What you did was an excellent introduction to your rule. They understand now that you will be much different from your grandmother. But you must not be seen as a bleeding heart, or the vultures will come to peck to see what they may make bleed.”
That was the most words I had ever heard Enforcer Markus speak. “Thank you,” I said, staring at the willow without seeing it.
He bowed and then we sat in companionable silence until I was ready to return.