Chapter 33 #2
“There doesn’t appear to be. The Authority soldiers who surrendered seem genuinely relieved not to be getting executed. Many served out of fear rather than conviction. Quite a lot of them were conscripted, or signed up because it was the only guaranteed way to feed their families.”
I nod, filing away the information. Fear is a powerful motivator, but it also makes for unreliable loyalty in either direction.
“Have we heard anything about Sereven?”
“From the reports I’ve been given, he escaped. Ellie had him cornered, but his commanders stormed the plaza and got him out. She tried to give chase and Corwin stopped her before she could leave the city unprotected.”
“As he should. She could have been captured or killed. He’ll try to regroup, though. Rally what loyal forces that remain to him, and establish a new stronghold. We’ve dealt him a serious blow by taking Ashenvale, but that won’t stop him.”
Varam nods. “I’ve arranged for you to meet with the Veinbloods and Veinwardens who fought yesterday.
Your father’s old study has been cleared out.
It looks like Sereven used it, and we’ve found a treasure trove of information about their plans and tactics.
There might be something in there that will hint toward where he might be holed up. ”
“I’m going to need fresh clothes. I have nothing but what I’m wearing.” I glance toward the bedroom door. “Organize something more … suitable for both of us.”
The flicker of a smile crosses his face. “I will arrange that now.”
As he stands to leave, Ellie comes out of the bedroom, wrapped in a sheet. She takes the chair Varam vacated, and reaches out to take a slice of fruit.
“Varam is arranging some new clothes, and then we’re going to meet with the people you brought to Ashenvale,” I tell her. “I’d like to start with those who helped you. Is there anything I should know?”
“I think some of them have been waiting for this moment for their entire lives. Some were children when the Authority claimed they’d killed you.
Others are older and remember when the Authority was still in its infancy.
” She meets my eyes. “Your return means everything to them.” Her hand reaches out to cover mine.
“There’s something else you need to know.
One of the masters … Vorith. She’s the woman from our dreams. She said she was sending the dreams to guide us.
Her Windvein abilities let her reach across distances through visions.
She was trying to prepare us for what might be coming. ”
No more than half an hour later, Varam returns with a group of people, both men and women. He directs the women to Ellie, while the two manservants and Varam accompany me back into the bedroom.
The clothes they’ve brought remind me of how I used to dress. Black material with silver threading that catches the light, cut in the formal style of Meridian nobility. The rich fabric reminds me, once again, of what I am. What I’ve always been.
The manservants work quickly and quietly, one adjusting the fit of the jacket while the other ensures the silver clasps are properly fastened. Through the partially open door, I can hear Ellie's protests from the main chamber.
“I can manage my own hair!”
“This really isn't necessary!”
Firm but patient responses from the women attending her follow each objection, their voices gentle but insistent. They're determined to present her properly, whether she cooperates or not. The sounds make me smile.
“She's not accustomed to formal preparation,” Varam says quietly as he adjusts the ceremonial blade at my hip.
“No.” I laugh at another muffled protest from the next room. “But she will learn.”
When the manservants step away, Varam comes to stand before me, a circlet of black metal inlaid with silver resting in his hand. He places it on my head, and for the first time in thirty years, I wear the Heir’s crown once again.
I turn to look at my reflection in the mirror. Varam moves up to stand behind me.
“My Vareth'el.” His voice is thick with emotion he rarely allows himself to show.
For a moment, we simply look at each other. This man who mourned me for twenty-seven years, who carried the burden of believing his prince was dead while continuing to serve the cause I left behind. Who never stopped fighting, never stopped hoping, even when hope seemed impossible.
His hand moves to his heart, but his eyes never leave mine. “Welcome home, my Lord.”
The manservants withdraw quietly, leaving us alone. From the main chamber, the voices have grown quieter, Ellie's protests replaced by murmured approval from the women attending her.
“Are you ready?” Varam straightens my collar with the same care he once took with my armor before battle.
“To meet with them? Yes.” I pause. “To be what they expect me to be? I don't know.”
“You don't have to be anything other than what you are. That’s enough.”
“Then we should go.” I take a deep breath and step toward the door.
When I walk out of the bedroom, the women are putting finishing touches on Ellie's appearance. I stop to stare.
The dress they've chosen is black silk, with silver embroidery that compliments the patterns on my coat.
Her hair has been arranged to leave her neck bare, showing the graceful line of her throat.
But it's her expression that stops my breath.
Gone is any trace of the uncertain woman who stumbled into my world.
What stands before me is someone who belongs here, who has earned her place at my side through blood and courage.
“Are you ready?” I ask, offering her my arm.
She takes it without hesitation. “I don’t know why I needed to wear a dress for these meetings, but I’m ready as I’ll ever be.”
I pat her hand. “You deserve to have the finest clothes.”
Varam leads us down through the Spire to what was once my father's private study. Veinwardens nod respectfully from their posts as we pass, and I catch glimpses of people moving through doorways, as the Spire comes back to life under Veinblood rule.
We enter the study. It feels strange to be standing in here and not seeing my father behind his desk, but I know he’d approve of this use. At the edge of my awareness, Varam tells Ellie that he’ll bring in the Veinwardens first.
I have just enough time to cross the room and stand in front of the desk before he returns with four figures who carry themselves with the quiet confidence of people who've fought for what they believe in.
“My Lord.” I frown at Ellie’s formal choice of address, and she gives me a smile. “You have already met Jorana and Corwin, but may I present Bessa and Masha of the Ashenvale Knot.”
All four Veinwardens bow, and when they straighten I gesture for them to sit. These people have earned the right to be treated as allies, not supplicants.
Jorana speaks first. “My Lord, it has been our honor to serve in reclaiming your city. The Ashenvale Knot has managed to keep in contact with networks throughout Sereven's reign, waiting for this moment.”
“We learned to blend in,” Corwin adds. “I worked as a carpenter, Masha as a seamstress. Bessa ran a small bakery. People trust those who provide useful services. Jorana lives outside the city and is one of our primary contacts between the Knots who live in surrounding settlements.”
“The real advantage was that Sereven never believed any serious resistance could operate here anymore,” Bessa adds. “His arrogance made him blind to what was happening under his nose.”
“And when Ellie arrived in the city?” I ask.
“I opened my home to her when she needed shelter. She knew one of the old phrases, and I could not ignore that,” Masha replies. “I fed her, gave her clean clothes, and helped her stay hidden.”
“You took considerable risk. The penalty for harboring enemies of the Authority was death.”
“It was worth it, my Lord, to see this day,” Masha says with a small smile.
The conversation turns to how they survived without being caught, and when they finally withdraw, I have a clearer picture of how yesterday’s victory was possible.
The masters enter next.
“May I introduce you to Vorith, Kalliss, and Meren.” Once again, Ellie gives the introductions.
They bow deeply.
“Please, sit. Before anything else, I need you to know what yesterday meant. What you accomplished. After believing our people were gone, to see Veinbloods in the Spire again …” I pause, trying to find the right words.
“You have given me back my birthright, but more than that, you have ensured that our people may have a future.”
Vorith inclines her head. “We have waited a long time for this moment, my Lord.”
“Tell me how you survived.”
Vorith speaks first. “We learned to live hidden in plain sight, in places remote enough to avoid close Authority scrutiny, but not so isolated as to draw suspicion.”
“Our children grew up learning to suppress their abilities,” Kalliss adds. “We taught them control above all else, concealment before expression. It was ... painful to watch.”
“But necessary,” Meren says firmly. “We learned that survival meant patience, meant teaching our children to fear their own nature for the sake of staying alive.”
“And when she arrived?” I nod toward Ellie.
“Her arrival settled the debate,” Kalliss says. “I'd been arguing for direct action for years. Her presence gave us the catalyst we needed.”
“I still believed hiding was safer. But her presence proved the prophecies were real, and eventually her words convinced even me to act.” Meren’s tone makes it clear his mind was not easy to change.
“When she stood before us and said we should take back what belongs to us, take back Ashenvale. That changed everything for all of us,” Vorith adds.
Kalliss hesitates.
“Speak freely.”
“My Lord, if I may ... Sereven escaped yesterday. He won't accept this defeat quietly.”
I lean back in my chair, studying their faces. These people fought yesterday not just for victory, but for the right to exist openly. They've earned honest answers instead of evasion from me.
“No, he won't. We'll need to be ready. I need to address the city. The people of Ashenvale deserve to understand what's changed and what it means for them.” I pause. “Then we have work to do. Not today, though. Today, we will celebrate what has been accomplished and prepare for what comes next.”