Brea shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’ve yet to speak with him on the subject.”
Calyn nodded with enthusiastic understanding as Deckard and Evylin entered the parlor. Thankfully, their arrival put an end to Thom and Brea’s more personal conversations. They weren’t scheduled to meet with the Administration until later in the afternoon, leaving the morning free for relaxation and exploration.
After breakfast, Thom murmured a subtle “Happy birthday” to Deckard while the women prepared to leave. Then they met up with Ethenn, Ilain, Vayden, and Reyana. Brea excused herself to spend the morning with her family, easing Thom’s discomfort even more. Though part of him never wanted to be apart from her, another part of him was glad for the separation. It allowed him to think of other matters.
Such as what he was going to do with the rest of his life.
One of the Alliance clerks gave their party a tour of the Aulden Palace grounds. The sprawling palace featured a training ground suitable for the grandest military in the world, along with numerous dance halls, apartments, and governmental offices. The clerk informed them that the official administrative work of Allund would take place within the palace walls. It would function as their central command, while the chancellors, commanders, and ministers would enact the laws across the land.
Thom wondered where he fit into this new world of theirs. He would follow Deckard and Evylin so long as they’d let him, but he had no idea what that future would look like. He didn’t think he’d make a good general, so it was just as well that they wouldn’t accept the position in Loclight. Perhaps they could all become soldiers together.
Though he considered speaking with them about their requests to the Alliance, he decided against it. With their friends around, he knew Deckard wouldn’t want to discuss it, nor did he care to reveal his own thoughts on the subject.
The day flew by faster than Thom preferred, and before long, Calyn and Reyana went off together while the clerk escorted the rest of them to the throne room of Aulden Palace, where Brea was already waiting.
Situated on the palace’s lowest floor and at its very center, the throne room awaited them. Its breathtaking design reminded Thom of the Keeps. Eight tall, arching entrances lined the circular space. Constructed from the same creamy stone as the rest of the palace, the grand room featured no columns for support, as it seemed to have no ceiling. Rising high above, a glass and iron roof allowed sunlight to pour in. Thin rectangular windows positioned along the room’s walls provided light to the other spaces in the palace.
Eight thrones were positioned on tall platforms, with stone staircases winding around their bases for easy access to the seats. Yet, both the thrones and the expansive platforms they occupied remained unoccupied.
The ministers were arranged in a semicircle on the far side of the room. “Good afternoon,” greeted Archminister Essen, her aged face lighting up with a smile. “I hope you all had a restful night and morning?”
A chorus of their approval resonated throughout the vast room. Thom struggled to concentrate amidst its overwhelming grandeur.
“We don’t wish to take up your whole afternoon, so we’ll get to the point, shall we? Do you feel you’ve each had ample time to consider your reward?”
A pause lingered as the troop exchanged glances. Ilain edged closer to Ethenn’s side while Vayden stood behind them. Breaturned to Thom, who pressed his lips together and shrugged before glancing at Evylin and Deckard.
After assessing the entire team one by one, Deckard stepped forward. “I think most, if not all of us, feel that we’ve had sufficient time to consider, ma’am,” he stated as if he were speaking to a commanding officer rather than an elderly woman.
Archminister Essen’s smile broadened, and her pleasure was reflected through the expressions of her fellow ministers. “Wonderful,” she said, bringing her hands together in delight. “Don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need or desire.”
Deckard turned back to the group, his gaze darting nervously to Evylin as if he were afraid to speak first.
Ilain stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with something like hesitation. “I suppose we might as well be the ones to get us started,” she said, flashing her husband a warm smile.
Ethenn’s neck flushed slightly, yet he nodded. “Ilain and I have spoken, and we feel we must ask...” He paused, glancing at his wife. At her nod, he smiled, encouraged. “We would ask that you allow us to spend however long it takes with the Order of the Day, seeking a cure for the Deep. It was the greatest wish of Highlord Magister Auden Calder that this task be accomplished, and together, Ilain and I would like to see that task fulfilled.”
Taken aback, the ministers exchanged confused looks. Thom himself was surprised at first, but knowing they were seeking a cure for Maura, he understood completely.
Archminister Dudleye spoke first. “Is this a refusal of the positions of chancellor and commander?”
“As we are incapable of being in two places at once,” Ilain said with a lighthearted apology, “yes, it is.”
“We could grant that the resources and effort be placed into this discovery for you, Highlady,” Dudleye said. “You needn’t go to Norhels yourself.”
“I must, though,” Ilain said. “I promised my brother I would see this done. If I don’t attend to it myself, I cannot feel that I’ve honored his memory with my best effort.”
A muttering of questions spread among the ministers. They mentioned the idea of interim rulers in Ilain and Ethenn’s places, but the fact was, there was no guarantee of how long it would take for this cure to be found. It could be months, years, or decades. Possibly even a century. Ilain hoped it would be within a handful of years, for Maura’s sake, but she could not say with any certainty.
After a long, regretful conversation, the ministers granted the request. “You will,” Dudleye finally said, “henceforth be known as Highlord and Highlady Loxley until such a time as you have discovered this cure and chosen your next path. And we will pursue another couple to lead our people in Doorstunds Province.”
Ilain and Ethenn shared a contented smile, and Thom knew they’d made the right choice. Together, the pair would make excellent leaders, but this choice wasn’t about their personal desires or skills. In the Alliance, they made sacrifices, and this was their sacrifice.
“It seems,” Vayden said, setting a hand on Ilain’s shoulder, “that I’ve found my request as well. I don’t know what good I can do toward this cure, but my daughter and I would request to go with Ilain and Ethenn. Whatever their path, it is mine also.”
The siblings exchanged a warm smile as the ministers granted their approval.
Deckard offered his best wishes to Ilain, Ethenn, and Vayden before facing the ministers again. Evylin intertwined her fingers with his as they exchanged a long, curious glance, one that suggested both excitement and trepidation, as if they were on the brink of something significant.
