CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE #2
“Excellent,” Archminister Essen said. “That leads us nicely to the point of this meeting. As we prepare for the final phases of establishing Allund’s government, we hold some aspirations for your futures within it.”
Deckard struggled to stay seated as Essen spoke. He wanted to pace and work through the internal conflict within him. But he held himself still, feeling Evylin’s anxiety at his side, melding with his.
“Corporal and Highlady Loxley,” Essen said with a knowing grin.
“It may not surprise you, but we would like to officially ask you to accept the role of Highlady Chancellor and Highlord Commander of the Order of the Flame. You would govern the Doorstunds Province in the southwest of Allund, which includes the counties of Doorstunds Reach, Highloft Moors, Idlevere, Faurfield, and Vlaugmira. We believe that both of you would serve not only as powerful but also as capable and kind-hearted leaders. We have faith in your ability to guide the Order of the Flame with your understanding and wisdom.”
Ethenn placed his hand over Ilain’s on the wooden table. Her gold and silver moonstone ring reflected the firelight.
“Mr. Calder,” Essen continued, prompting Vayden to straighten next to his sister, “we ask you to lead the guard in Doorstunds Province as the general overseeing the chancellor’s and commander’s security.
We believe no one is more qualified to protect your sister and her husband than you.
With your extensive background and training, along with your deep love for family, we are confident you will fulfill this role with honor and diligence. ”
Vayden’s bright blue eyes kept flickering between his parents, Ilain and Ethenn, and the ministers, but he didn’t speak.
“Captain Lohen—” Brea lifted her gaze at the mention of her name.
“We would like you to Bond and rule with one of our candidates for chancellor. Highlords Wilkinsone, Humes, and Grames have all expressed their interest in being your partner. We would support your marriage to any of them, or another Mage, should you so desire. You have proven yourself a strong, brave, and insightful Warrior. If you think our desire for your union and Bonding stems from your gender alone, let us clarify that this is not our main motivation. We recognize you as a natural leader and a true servant of the people.”
Thom adjusted in his seat next to Brea, pulling his arm away from resting casually on the back of her chair. Yet, the Warrior herself showed no reaction to their appeal.
“Colonel and Private Deckard,” Essen continued.
Deckard’s stomach tightened, and Evylin grasped his hand under the table.
“We request that you accept the position of Highlord Chancellor and Highlady Commander of the Order of the Heavens. You would oversee Loclight Province in the north of Allund, which includes the counties of Loclight, Hartfolley, Tindon, Dunbriar, Maasters, and Harmouth. After these past five months, we have no doubt that both of you exemplify noble leadership and inspire loyalty among your peers. You represent everything we in the Alliance believe defines good sovereigns: honor, selflessness, trustworthiness, and devotion.”
The compliments had no impact on Deckard. He wasn’t interested in hearing how well he would perform in the role. What he truly wanted was assurance that the position was wholly unavailable to him, that he wouldn’t have to refuse to serve his fellow countrymen.
Heat burned beneath Deckard’s skin as his emotions surged. A wave of fear coursed through him, stemming not only from within but also from Evylin. He could feel her distress at the announcement, evident in her trembling hands.
“Lastly, Captain Deckard,” Essen said, and Thom turned from his inspection of Deckard and Evylin to face the ministers.
“We ask you to lead the guard in Loclight as its general. We believe you are exceptionally suited for this role. Your commitment to your brother and sister-in-law, your support for your friends, and the competencies that aided you on your mission strongly endorse you over anyone else for the position. Additionally, you have prior experience as an officer. We have complete trust in you for this responsibility.”
A storm of emotion rolled through Thom’s gray-blue eyes as he ran a hand over his jaw. But he nodded to acknowledge the request.
Deckard felt his panic intensify. Everything was moving too quickly and becoming overly complex all at once.
If he and Evylin declined the position, they would also deny Thom his potential appointment.
Deckard couldn’t gauge from his brother’s response whether or not he desired to be a general, but he suspected that Thom’s personal discomfort stemmed more from the Alliance’s plans for Brea’s future than his own.
Although he anticipated that Archminister Essen would ask for their response and acceptance, Deckard flinched when she spoke again.
“All these hopes,” she said, her mature voice filled with tenderness, “are nothing more than that. They are requests alone.”
A chill rolled down Deckard’s back, and Evylin’s fingers tightened on his encouragingly.
“Your team has provided invaluable service to our country,” Essen said with a smile.
“We don’t require you to accept these roles; you have already done so much for our nation.
Now, it’s our opportunity to do something for you.
The Alliance presents these roles as options.
We envision you in these positions, but the choice to accept or decline is yours. ”
Deckard didn’t know whether to be grateful or disappointed. Evylin had been right earlier; it was harder for him to decline in the face of their goodwill. From the start, the members of the Alliance had given their lives to the cause selflessly. Who was he to do any different?
Essen continued speaking. “We present these positions to you tonight to give you time to think about them,” she explained.
“Tomorrow, after you’ve rested and reflected, we will meet again.
At that time, we would like you to either accept the offers or, if you wish, propose your own requests to us.
You can ask for any job and any compensation, and if it’s in our power to grant it to you, we will. ”
Deckard met Evylin’s hopeful gaze. Their offer seemed both impossible and incredible. The Alliance was presenting an opportunity for them to have everything they desired. Any future they wished for was laid out before them.
A short gasp of disbelief escaped Deckard.
“We can have anything we want?” Thom asked in amazement.
“Unless there are any questionable or disreputable petitions you may possess,” Dudleye stated, followed by a chuckle shared with the majority of the ministers. “We shall make every effort to approve and fulfill all of them.”
“Anything?” Ethenn asked. “If we didn’t want what you just offered and instead said . . . I don’t know—that we wanted to move to Schon, would you let us?”
Another chuckle. “We would.”
“We could go home?” Deckard asked, finally finding his voice. “We could return to our lives before and walk away from all of this; you wouldn’t stop us?”
“You could, and we wouldn’t.”
Deckard leaned back in his seat.
Everything was in front of them. Every option they could ever come up with was within their grasp.
He could return to his former life. He could abandon his role as a Mage.
He could become a soldier and build the family he’d always envisioned with Evylin by his side.
This time, she could also be a soldier. They could reside in their home in Loclight, spending more than just a few nights there.
They could explore together. Serve alongside each other.
Or they could explore the world like she’d always intended with Ryen. They could sail the five seas, see all that Terraeus had to offer, and become legends worth five hundred tales.
And at last, Deckard would fulfill his promise to Hewitt. He would give Evylin the life she’d dreamed of.
The life she’d always deserved.