Thom scowled. “Why aren’t you more upset by this?”
“You think I’m happy right now?” Ethenn snapped, heat blistering along his neck. “I’m furious! But what am I supposed to do? Fall down and weep? We have a job to do,” he repeated. “Raff is gone, yet thousands of others are relying on us to save them. This world still needs fixing. I’ll grieve later.”
Thom studied him, a strange look on his face. His eyes flickered to the Fire Relic around Ethenn’s chest. Already, it tugged on his heart, warping his thoughts. Passion swirled inhis chest. He wanted to unleash his anger and hurt. He wanted to tear down everything in sight. But he forced himself to focus on the knowledge that Ilain—the fearsome Fire Mage who experienced these impulsive feelings constantly—would deny herself and save the world before falling apart with grief.
Thom seemed to understand that too.
“Come on,” he said, clapping Ethenn on the shoulder. “Let’s get this done then.”
39TH OF RADIA, 1574
Four days passed in constant chaos, one demand flowing after the next.
Upon finding the hidden Alliance members—Carlile among them—Ethenn and Thom brought them to the palace, where they took over the government. It felt like a runaway horse, wholly out of Ethenn’s control. The city was firmly under Alliance authority, its leaders giving the troop new orders every moment.
Gratefully, some of those commands were to rest. They requested that Deckard, Evylin, Brea, and Ethenn keep the Relics until better guards could be procured.
The days passed in a blur of politics and mundanity. Setting up a country was far more laborious than Ethenn expected. It was slow and arduous. There were so many things to consider: the current state of security, daily routines, the new military regime, law and order, and so much more. Ethenn had a perpetual headache through it all.
While most of the Ephrian members of the Alliance had escaped Blount’s attack, they still mourned the loss of hundreds of Waulden members, as well as a few of their own. Yet, they worked hard and carried on through their grief. Sacrifice was expected in the Alliance, after all. But they also took the time to hold a funeral, remembering the lives of their lost members—specifically Isla—and Rafferty.
Vayden was understandably distraught, but even he was steadily working through the outward expression of his pain, remaining always at Ilain’s side.
Ethenn hadn’t spent much time around Ilain. That was one gratifying part of the work the Alliance asked of him. While he was busy working with the military or training with Brea, who insisted on maintaining the same schedule of training as before in case of another attack, he was often kept separate from the Fire Mage. And when they were in the same room, there really was no cause to speak.
It wasn’t until the second day that Ethenn had even learned of Ilain’s recovery. She simply showed up in the council room—a grand but narrow space filled with a long table, green velvet chairs, and ornate murals on the walls—in a velvet red gown with a mourning flower pinned to the breast. The Alliance’s Administration did most of its work in the council room, often holding meetings to determine its next move. Ethenn had stood at Brea’s side, as he most often did due to his assignments, trying not to stare at Ilain from across the room.
Everyone greeted Ilain enthusiastically, gladdened to see her well. And she did look better. Only the faintest scratch marred her forehead, though sorrow lingered in her eyes.
They hadn’t spoken a word to one another in that meeting or any other.
Several Waulden members arrived in the city over those days. Some had made it across the border before Blount’s slaughter ofthe city. Others came out of hiding to assist in the government’s development.
The remaining Waulden ministers were among these newcomers, their numbers narrowed by three who had fallen to Blount’s rage. Archminister Fishere was, most notably, one who had fallen. Ethenn didn’t recognize the names of the other two.
While Winton Dudleye was promoted to interim archminister, the announcement of two of the three new interim ministers caused Ethenn’s stomach to swirl.
Daulton and Rowana Calder, parents of Vayden, Auden, and Ilain, now sat with the Administration, overseeing the work. In their sixties, the couple made a handsome pair. Daulton looked so much like Auden that it caused Ethenn to take a second look despite his lighter red hair turning a coppery white with age. Rowana herself had golden-white hair and the same cunning eyes as the Calder siblings. Both were tall and willowy, their pale faces lined with wrinkles. And they were inordinately kind.
Their presence was frightening.
Ethenn hadn’t yet had a proper introduction to the parents, which was admittedly intentional. He didn’t know if they were aware of his previous relationship with Ilain, but he didn’t relish looking Daulton Calder in the eyes, knowing he’d shared a bed with the man’s daughter, then jilted her.
Thankfully, Ethenn’s work kept him out of any of the Calders’ presence for quite some time. He and Brea spent their days with other Warriors and restructuring the military. It was rigorous work. He often felt like he was simply Brea’s right hand, running to and from different locations, delivering her messages, or gathering supplies. He didn’t mind being her lackey. It was an easy, out-of-the-way job.
Evylin wasn’t so lucky. As a Bonded Warrior, she was required to sit in the meetings at Deckard’s side, politicking and strategizing. On the few occasions they’d had the chance to sharea meal and catch up, she’d lamented how boring it all was. “I wish I could train with you and the others,” she said.
Ethenn didn’t blame her. All eleven Alliance Warriors had escaped Blount’s attack. Half had come to Ephria, while the others remained in Wauld to secure the government there. Emmaas joined them in Ephria, helping to train the new soldiers.
The Warriors worked as a seamless team. General Waaver commanded the troops, managing them and creating new orders within the rule of Allund. New officers were named, and letters were sent to the various outposts in Ephria, alerting them of the regime change. The Ephrian Army was no more; they were part of Allund now.
On the fourth morning, Ethenn prepared to join the others in the barracks. The Alliance required him to reside in the palace due to his charge over the Fire Relic. He’d offered it back now that Ilain was awake, but they suggested he continue to carry it. He didn’t like it. It made him feel brash and reckless. He was far more reactive with it around his neck. It was troublesome.
But he slipped it over his head again, tucking it beneath his shirt.
As Ethenn buckled his sword belt, there was a knock at his door. Thom stood on the other side. “What are you doing here?” Ethenn asked at the sight of his friend.
For the time being, Thom worked primarily as a liaison between the Ephrian Army and the Allundan military. Though he wasn’t a high-ranking officer, his reputation was known due to his assignment to the Order of the King. And he’d been in the service long enough to know who would react favorably to the Alliance’s regime and who wouldn’t. That meant he and Ethenn often crossed paths but rarely spent time together.
