However, Dudleye continued to speak, his eyes on their table. “Colonel Deckard,” he said, “if you and your team would remain behind, we’d like a word.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Deckard, halfway out of his chair, suddenly froze, a twist of anxiety in his stomach. The weight of the meal and wine felt even more burdensome as he looked at Evylin. Her expression went slack upon meeting his gaze. It seemed the Alliance was prepared to reveal their heavy-handed request after all.
Deckard stood up completely, unable to find an excuse to refuse the meeting. “Of course,” he said, raising his voice over the loud footsteps of the hundreds leaving the dining hall. “Would you prefer that we stay at our table?”
“Oh, no.” Archminister Essen waved her hand. “We’ll go somewhere more comfortable, shall we?”
Deckard turned to the table where the others stood. Calyn watched him and Evylin with her lips pressed together in anxious expectation. “Excuse me, but my sister-in-law,” he motioned toward her, “can she join us?”
“I’m sorry, but no,” Essen responded. “This meeting is reserved for those who were on the team to retrieve the Ateri Relics. Shall we arrange for Clerk Fairburne to take her back to your apartment?”
Deckard glanced at Calyn, who looked disappointed. She clearly wanted to attend the dance, but without a chaperon or at least one acquaintance, it would be improper.
“I can take care of her, sir,” Cris Lohen addressed Deckard, drawing the rest of the table’s attention.
“I bet you can,” Thom muttered slyly.
Brea jabbed her elbow into his stomach, causing him to gasp. She held Deckard’s gaze steadily. “My nephew is as honorable as they come,” she promised. “He will be sure Calyn is safe and cared for.”
After checking with Evylin, Deckard nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Lohen,” he said. “We would appreciate that.”
When Cris offered his arm to Calyn, a soft pink flush worked across her cheeks. She accepted his escort, and they walked toward the door together.
The ministers proceeded to guide the troop through a side entrance from the dining hall. They navigated through more winding corridors, eventually arriving at a cozy meeting room. The walls bore murals of the western moors and eastern Shires, and several large tables formed an unconnected square. The ministers sat around three of the tables while the troop took the chairs at the fourth.
A fireplace blazed at the rear of the room while several servants busily arranged fresh glasses of wine at each table setting. The ministers swiftly settled into the divide between East and West: Archminister Essen on the right, Archminister Dudleye on the left. The Calder parents sat on the Western side as well, retaining their interim roles.
As though they’d rehearsed, the troop sat down, leaving the center seat for Deckard. He wet his lips, steeling himself, and took the seat.
Essen and Dudleye exchanged a nod before the woman spoke. “Thank you all for coming to this late meeting,” she said, her dark eyes sparkling in the room’s warm glow. “Although we’ve just arrived, we want to provide you a day of rest andcelebration tomorrow, so we thought it wise to handle these matters right away.”
Those around Deckard shared glances, although none of them spoke as they awaited the Eastern archminister’s next words.
“First,” she beamed at them, “let us express our genuine gratitude: We owe you a debt of thanks. For everything you’ve done and all you’ve sacrificed, we are forever grateful to you.”
The chorus of acknowledgment and gratitude expressed by the other ministers resonated throughout the room for a brief moment. It was, much like all else in Aulton, as authentic as Deckard could conceive. Their remarks were strikingly sincere.
However, it didn’t ease the tightness coiling in his stomach.
Archminister Essen clasped her hands in a prayer-like gesture. “With the Alliance in control and Allund gaining momentum, we can advance now. While several matters still need to be addressed to ensure the nation’s smooth operation and integrity, that process will require time.
“Given the current relationship between the Alliance and the people, we feel we can confidently set our sovereigns in place. You have all protected the Relics well, but we wish them to be granted to the Bonded Warriors and Mages who will be their bearers for the next century or more. Over time, we believe the Relics will add to the stability and vitality of our nation. But they are also great threats to our safety, as the ancient Mages understood.”
Dudleye nodded, taking over the lead as he said, “A millennium ago, the ancient Mages locked the Ateri Relics away due to the wars and greed caused by their power. This kept the vilest of Mages from obtaining their deep power, but it also caused our world to deteriorate. The creatures of legend faded, the weather shifted, and magic waned. With their return, we will experience a righting of Terraeus to the world Allore intended itto be. However, this comes with the weight of protecting these Relics well.
“Once the world discovers the truth and power of these Relics, they will come for them,” Dudleye concluded. “Our chancellors and commanders of each province will be responsible for keeping them safe.”
Deckard wanted to squirm but forced himself to remain still. However, he did allow himself to ask, “Do you mind explaining what the rule of Allund looks like in your eyes?”
At his question, the ministers turned surprised looks their way. “You don’t know?” Archminister Essen asked.
“We were never told,” Evylin replied.
During their travels, Auden and Ilain disclosed fragments of the Alliance’s plans for the nation; however, the complete narrative remained unknown to them. Their knowledge was limited to the involvement of Mages and Warriors in government and the ministers’ efforts to maintain the organization in the interim. The information provided still lacked clarity and official confirmation. As they faced a nation that they had contributed to establishing, Deckard felt that they were entitled to this degree of transparency now.
The ministers looked to Ilain, who pursed her lips. “Our minds weren’t exactly on the minutiae of governmental policy,” she offered.
