Chapter 22

“We’ve decided that we will swear fealty to Galdacil, Erimbril and you, depending upon where our jobs lie.” Riulan said sweetly, “The scouts would swear to you, the mages to Erimbril and the army and the rest would swear to Galdacil. Galdacil would become the lord of Mistrew’s citadel and would be our leader overall.”

Narn’s response was choked sounding, “You are what? Are you mad?”

Riulan’s look was one of surprise, “You didn’t think we could elect any of our own to that did you? And we will need to have some kind of leadership if we plan to survive this thing.”

The normally calm demeanor Narn projected had completed collapsed under this surprise announcement as they neared the town and Riulan and begun explaining how she would introduce them all.

“But why us? I mean really, we’re not even from here, none of you know us and well. We’re not even human like the rest of you!”

Riulan shrugged, “All the better really. The populace would accept the idea of one of us, if they were a magic wielder, but they’d expect somebody like the sorcerers. Somebody who will punish the least disrespect. And none of Erimbril’s apprentices could either be trusted if they lived up to that, or would want to even try to live up to that. The first sign of decency and the populace would assume we aren’t strong enough to hold onto the rule. On the other hand your kind are already something new and they will accept rule under your hands, or rather Galdacil’s, more easily and when you start making things a little less restrictive we can pass it off as the odd rule of strange demons. It won’t be a sign of weakness because they won’t know what you are really hiding under it.”

Narn looked at Riulan his mouth gaping a bit as she explained things and then stopped a hasty reply. His look became thoughtful, “You’ve really thought this out haven’t you.”

Riulan nodded, “This is our chance and we have to think it out. Weldan and I spent three nights convincing the rest of the people that this was the best way. Strangely enough it wasn’t spent convincing them to decide you would be our leaders, it was more convincing them that we should tell you that we had made you our leaders. Making that shift from being merely observers and taking a role in our future by actively supporting you.”

“Well who am I to argue, though I plan to retire to wood carving if we ever win this war. So don’t expect me to rule over a bunch of people like some tyrant.”

The sweet smile was back as Riulan turned to Narn, “Of course not Lord Narn. We’ve decided you will be given control of the great forests when all is done. You will merely need to administer it’s usage and teach our people your wonderous ways of working with the forests and protecting it for all generations.”

The only response was a sour grunt for a time, “You are a tricky individual indeed Riulan. I’m going to have to remember that. I can only be thankful you are on our side. And I think I am going to pray for the townsfolk. They are going to need all the help they can get. Once you get into there and begin convincing them I think it’s going to be all over for them.”

Riulan’s smile became even more brilliant as she thanked the Fae Lord and even he had to grin slightly in response as they continued down the road, silently accompanied by the normally grim scouts. Now though those same scouts wore smirks, as they claimed Riulan for one of their own and Riulan claimed them in return. Their good humor was as much for the deft handling of their chosen commander and his discomfort as it was for the weather and the approaching town’s comforts.