CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE #2
“Allund is an oligarchal democracy,” Deckard explained.
“We will be called a republic. During our conversations, the ministers informed us that there are to be eight provinces governed by chancellors and commanders—one Mage and one Warrior per province. It will work almost like a fief where the governors will supervise the land and its people, but they will work for the people rather than for the government.”
Calyn blinked, then turned to Thom beside her. “Do you understand that?” she asked.
Thom shook his head, an amused grin on his lips. “Not really,” he admitted.
They stayed an extra three days in Whickam Village.
It was a welcome reprieve, though Deckard had to admit he grew bored with the humdrum life rather more quickly than he expected.
Evylin couldn’t sit still either, adding to his anticipation of their departure.
They were intending to travel to Virwoud next on the same mission, facilitating the reconstruction of the Order of the Sea.
However, they received a summons from the Alliance, calling them back to Loclight early.
While the magistrates of East Allund would still need time to accept the new reign, the country as a whole was flourishing under the assistance of the noblemen and women who were already on the Alliance’s side, and the work in Norhels was moving more swiftly than they anticipated.
On their last day in Whickam Village, Deckard—urged by Evylin—persuaded Lawton to let Calyn accompany them on their return journey.
After much cajoling, Deckard managed to convince the magistrate that his daughter would have better odds of finding a husband in the city than in their tiny village.
And it helped that Thom was paying the young Glaas daughter kind attention.
Guiltily, Deckard even allowed himself to hint that Thom might be more amenable to marriage if he had time to fall in love with the girl.
Lawton assented.
When Deckard asked Evylin why she wanted her sister to join them so much, she said, “Because Calyn is growing up. You can see it in the way she acts and in the way she listens to our conversations. She wants to understand.”
“And you don’t think that’s just because she wants Thom’s attention?” he pressed.
Evylin gave him a knowing smile. “She wrote to me, Jonn. After our last visit, she sent me a letter in Loclight telling me how, for the last several months, she’s discovered that there’s more to life than this village.
When I left with you, she began a journey of self-reflection.
She isn’t the same as me; she doesn’t long for adventure. But she does want more.”
“More of what?”
“Life.”
And though Deckard was apprehensive, he understood Calyn’s desire.
Even more, he was glad to make Evylin happy.
After everyone she’d lost, either to death or the demands of the Alliance, the companionship of her sister cheered her up.
She fostered Calyn’s growth and exploration of the world while taking comfort in her more simplistic view of life.
Over the next week, they returned to Loclight.
No longer the capital of Ephria, the Allundan banners of white and black embroidered with eight stars—four gold and four silver—hung on the wall.
Soldiers casually patrolled the streets in light gray coats.
Merchants sold books about Mages, and a few had managed to find tales about Warriors.
The citizens had recovered from the siege, calling out praise as they rode through the streets.
Everything Ephrian was done away, and only Allund remained.
“This is incredible,” Calyn muttered, staring in awe as they passed over the cobblestones. “I’ve never seen such large buildings. Or so many people.”
Evylin smiled. “Just wait until you see the palace.”
Calyn’s jaw dropped at the mere thought.
“Don’t gape,” Thom teased. “No husband will claim you if you look like a fish.”
Her mouth shut with a click of her teeth, and she blushed.
“Ignore him,” Deckard advised kindly. “He’s prone to exaggeration.”
“Though gaping isn’t very ladylike,” Evylin said.
As Deckard rode to the barracks to return their horses, he sensed Allund’s increasing influence.
After Blount’s annihilation of the army within the city, it required a great effort to regain a military presence.
To the great sorrow of Evylin’s family, Lieutenant Druan Silvaa, the husband of their eldest daughter, was caught in Blount’s attack.
He died defending the city, leaving Euna a widow and her five daughters without a father.
Deckard was saddened by the news as well, remembering the kind man and wishing he might have come to know his brother-in-law better.
However, with the war concluded, most Ephrian soldiers were granted the choice to return home or sign new contracts and join the Allundan Army.
Consequently, fewer soldiers occupied the barracks, and Sergeant Maac Byan, the husband of Evylin’s sister, Albina, was able to return to his wife and daughters.
Despite the losses, the army was under the steady hand of the Warriors from the Alliance.
While several Warriors embarked on missions across the East, three stayed in the city to manage the soldiers.
Those three were easily noticeable when they entered the barracks’ courtyard. Soldiers in the Allundan Army donned gray coats, while Warriors sported black. This color distinction quickly highlighted those with magical abilities and, therefore, greater authority.
As General Waaver conversed with another non-magical officer on the walkway above, Colonel Reid and Brea, recently promoted to captain, sparred below.
Reid had quickly established himself as a true friend in the brief time they knew him.
He was accommodating and respectful, yet an underlying hint of danger led one to wonder if he was always up to something.
Despite both appearing to be in their late twenties, they learned that Reid was actually fourteen years older than Brea.
His well-groomed black hair, stout build, and piercing gray eyes struck Deckard as a mixture of Thom and Hewitt upon their first meeting.
However, Reid was the traditionally short Easterner.
Surprisingly, he exhibited a unique personality that combined Deckard’s composed friendliness with Rafferty’s playful spirit and sense of adventure.
An unexpected blend if ever there was one.
As their horses’ hooves clacked through the courtyard, Brea glanced in their direction, giving Reid the chance to disarm her. However, she didn’t give up; instead, she opted to drop low and sweep his legs while he anticipated her surrender. Thom applauded as Calyn watched with wide-eyed wonder.
The two Warriors hurried over to greet them as they dismounted. “That,” Thom said, slapping Reid on the shoulder, “was a sloppy finish, my friend. Aren’t colonels supposed to be better than that?”
“She cheated,” Reid replied, giving Brea a mock frown. “Disarmed is disqualified.”
“And losers rely on qualifications to justify their loss,” Brea said, then shoved him aside to hug Evylin. “Thank Allore, you are back. No place has the right to be so boring.”
“Boring? This place is magnificent!” Calyn exclaimed, stepping up to Evylin’s side.
“Oh,” Brea gasped at the young woman’s sudden appearance. She glanced at Thom before turning back to Calyn. “I didn’t realize you were coming to Loclight, Calyn.”
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Brea,” Calyn said with a tiny curtsy. “Evie and Deckard were kind enough to let me stay with them for a while.”
“How nice,” Brea muttered, though it didn’t sound sincere.
“It’s good to be back,” Deckard said, shaking hands with both Warriors. “Have we missed much the past four weeks?”
“Not too much, Colonel,” Reid replied, standing tall with his shoulders back.
Despite not being an official member of the Allundan Army yet—his new contract still pending—Deckard was permitted to retain his rank.
“There have been a few young recruits causing trouble lately and some attempts to incite a rebellion among the rabble, but overall, the city is functioning well.”
“Count on Reid to focus on the negative,” Brea teased before adding, “We’ve had half of the Ephrian troops sign their Allundan contracts throughout the East, and about two-thirds of those remaining have returned home.
We’re still waiting for word from the rest. However, things are going well, and we’ve received a positive response from the current officers regarding the change in command. ”
Brea turned to Thom. “Which reminds me,” she smirked, “I’m afraid your rank has been revoked, as you haven’t signed your Allundan contract yet.”
“Forgive me,” Thom mocked. “But I haven’t been offered an Allundan contract.”
“I believe it’s sitting on General Waaver’s desk if you’d like to sign it.”
“I’d be honored,” he replied. “Did I get a promotion, too, Captain?”
Brea’s eyes twinkled merrily. “Of a sort.”
Thom narrowed his gaze suspiciously. “What sort?”
Reid clapped him on the arm. “Ah, don’t worry, friend. Your contract is ready for signing, and you’re back to military life as a major.”
It took a moment for the words to register before Thom stammered, “A major? I don’t want to be a training officer!”
Reid and Brea exchanged proud grins. “I told you he’d fall for it,” she said.
The colonel sighed good-naturedly, then fished out a silver coin and placed it in Brea’s waiting palm. “Don’t spend it all in one place,” he quipped.
“It was a joke?” Thom asked.
Evylin chuckled and slipped her arm through Calyn’s. “Come on,” she said, gesturing to the others. “We ought to get home.”
“Don’t we need to get our things?” Calyn asked.
“Nah,” Thom grumbled. “These idiots will send our things once they’ve unloaded.”
“But not yours,” Brea said slyly. “As you’re no longer a soldier, I’m afraid you’ll have to pick it up yourself.”