Banished Pt. 18

"Is this what my advisory duties have come down to?" she asked, and I snickered in response.

"It might be the single most important decision I ever make in my life," I countered.

"Guard is a good word, though. Safe. Doesn't imply that you're planning on sending out kill squads all over the place."

"Hmm. So, something like mediators? Oh! Arbiters! Arbiters of justice?"

"How is that any less basic than 'King's guard'?" Casey asked, and I sighed.

"I know. I've been at this all afternoon," I said, and Casey raised an eyebrow at me.

"All afternoon?"

I shrugged.

"What? This is important. It'll affect how the Kobalt view us, and how other civilizations regard us later on," I said, and she eyed me.

"Huh... really planning ahead, then, are we?"

I nodded, and she let out a sigh before moving to take a seat on the sofa.

"What about a pantheon? They think of us as gods, so it might work? The elder gods of Eltari?"

"Pantheon, huh? I think that works well, actually. Then I could still use 'arbiters' for the individual names..."

I shot Casey a smile, and she rolled her eyes again, before smiling a little.

"Am I gonna be in your pantheon?" she asked, and I shrugged.

"Do you want to be? It was gonna be more of a warriors thing," I added, but she quickly waved her hand dismissively.

"It's fine. I guess we'll probably have more titles to fill along the way, though. As things progress."

I nodded.

"They're not a bad way to keep people happy. Though I'm not feeling too badly about the Kobalt's systems of governance. They seem to function well enough."

Casey nodded.

"Would be easier for them to adjust to as well. We just need to make sure we keep our own people in check."

I studied her as she added that.

"Has anyone been a problem?" I asked, and she shrugged.

"Nothing unexpected. Just, a few of our new additions are probably looking forward to having their own little servant girls."

I frowned.

"Let's definitely hold back on assigning servants to random otherworlders then. Maybe have qualifying terms? Combat service? Or being useful, I dunno."

"That shouldn't be a problem. But, maybe hold off on that announcement until all of our fighters are back here," Casey said, and I swallowed uncomfortably.

Not that I didn't think Raul could handle it, mind you. I just didn't wanna come back home to a desolate graveyard of otherworlders.

"Just make sure Gisela and the others know where we stand," I said, and Casey nodded.

"Frei-Casey?" a girl called, just as a knock sounded at the door.

"You can come in," Casey replied, and the girl stepped timidly into the room, bowing as she did.

"Everyone is gathered at the entry hall," the girl offered, and Casey nodded.

"We'll be there in a bit," she answered, and the girl bowed again, before leaving.

"Before we head down, there's something we should discuss," Casey said, and I studied her.

"Hn~. What is it?"

"I think you should cut the training short, and head out tomorrow," Casey said, and I shot her an admiring smile.

"I see. What prompted that suggestion?"

"I talked it over with Aletta," she explained. "She's given our fighters a good idea of how to turn their own developing abilities into useful techniques in combat, but it doesn't seem that training them without actual fighting experience will do them a whole lot of good."

"So, one extra day won't do much except give Ethan an extra day of prep?" I asked, and Casey nodded.

"More or less," she replied, but as I smiled at her, she shot me a confused look. "What?" she asked, and I shrugged.

"Oh, nothing. It's just nice having my advisor back," I replied, and she rolled her eyes in response.

"Just don't go expecting me to get right back to your sick little 'advisorly duties'," she chided, and I waved the suggestion away.

"It's fine; I've had enough sex in the past day to last me a lifetime," I replied, and Casey groaned in frustration.

"I did not need to hear that," she muttered, massaging her temples agitatedly, and I snickered in response.

"Well then, shall we?" I asked.

"After you," she replied, and I chuckled as we got up and headed out of the room to where a familiar face awaited us.

"Mein Herr," the girl said, bowing a little, and I smiled.

"You're Alina, aren't you?" I asked, and the girl nodded timidly as she followed us down the corridor that led to the stairs, and I smirked a little, as it was quite the odd conversation to be having with a girl that I had just recently impregnated.

"Cameron seemed to really like you. Is it alright if I rely on you in her absence?" I asked, and the girl shot me a slightly awestruck look.

"O-Of course; I am yours to instruct," she added, bowing slightly, and a little awkwardly, as we walked.

"Good; then there's something I need, but in a bit of a hurry."

The girl nodded, listening closely as I relayed the instructions to her, and Casey shot me a slightly annoyed look as the girl headed off.

"You know, I could have arranged that," she said, and I nodded.

"Sure, but I need you by my side right now," I said, and she frowned.

"Why?"

"Because if our worst-case scenario comes to pass, the group needs to understand who their second in command is," I explained, and she frowned.

"This falls apart if you don't come back, Nate. I need you to-"

"Ugh, that's not what I mean. I'm not gonna be here sometimes; people need to know who calls the shots then, alright?"

Besides, I thought. I'm leaving behind enough kids for the princess to still build the empire she envisions.

I just need my successors to get on board with her vision, and Casey would be key to that.

As we exited the grove tree where the medical staff were housed and made our way over to the tree where all of the otherworlders were gathering, I could see that tables had already been assembled, and an air of grandeur had overtaken the entry hall.

There was also a veritable buzz of excitement there, though I did note with some disappointment that Miriam was not present.

"Hey; could you find out from Gisela if the princess is coming to this thing?" I whispered to Casey, and she nodded.

"Your wish, my lord," she answered mockingly, and I shot her a wry grin as she slipped away.

As I approached the entrance, however, Alva quickly cut me off.

"Nathan; I am told there will be proclamation?" she asked, and I nodded.

"Uh, yeah... sort of," I answered, and she furrowed her brow as she looked me up and down.

"This will not suffice. May we at least arm you?"

I frowned.

"It's not really that big a deal, just a small announcement," I explained, and she shook her head.

"Many delegations are present this night; your proclamation will be received by many notable branches. We must present you in an honorable manner."

I frowned, but even as I protested, Alva quickly whisked me away to the nearby entry hall.

"This way," she offered, and I followed as she led me to one of the guest rooms on the lower floor.

Once there, she stripped me down and gave me a quick washing, but as she hurriedly dressed me in some comfortable robes, I eyed her with a somewhat amused look.

"What?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"It's nothing. You just seem more comfortable touching me than most other Kobalt," I replied, and she quickly withdrew her hands. "It's fine," I assured her, and she smiled a little, but the moment was cut short as the door behind us burst open, and two companions rushed in, followed quickly by Casey who'd brought my armor.

"They wouldn't bring it themselves, huh?"

She shook her head, panting a little from probably having rushed over here.

"Sorry," I said, and she shook her head.

"This is my fault; I should have realized that you'd need to be dolled up a little for this whole thing."

I shrugged, shooting her a reassuring smile.

"It's fine," I said. "I kind of just sprung this out of nowhere anyway."

I quickly put on my armor with some assistance from the companions, and Alva, whose lack of a reluctance to touch me was making her a much more competent aide than the others.

"Okay, is he good?" Casey asked, and Alva frowned.

"This will have to do," she said, but as I turned to leave, she suddenly called out to stop me.

"Here," she said, bringing a little vial to me, and dabbing some of it onto my hand, she took my hand and guided me to apply the ointment beneath my ears on either side of my face.

It was sweet smelling, and as I brought my finger to my nose and took a whiff, I shot Alva an appreciative smile.

"Pretty good," I said, and Alva nodded in agreement.

"You are acceptable," she said, after observing me, and I smiled.

"Not as beautiful as your Raul?" I teased, and she shrugged.

"Such a feat is beyond your capabilities," she replied, and I laughed.

"Give this girl a promotion," I said, and Casey rolled her eyes at me as we headed back to the main hall.

The extra time taken on our detour seemed to have resulted in some rather impatient looks around the grand hall, but as I swept into the room, all attention seemed glued to me.

"The high one!" someone called, and murmurs began to erupt around the hall.

The newcomers amongst the otherworlders seemed to regard the greeting with some interest, with Blair smirking at me with exaggerated amusement, but as I stepped into the room, I took a quick look around for Alva.

"Has everyone eaten?" I whispered to Alva, and the girl nodded.

"The meals were served, but many will wait until you are seated," she explained.

"Should I perform the ceremony now, then?"

She nodded.

"It would be customary to perform as such," she answered.

I was about to ask about Alina when the girl came in on cue, followed by a line of companions who were all dressed in matching robes, with color designs matching Grenze's crest.

I handed out the stone tablets to them, before standing beside Alina, and as she glanced at them, I noted that they stood prepared to mimic her actions.

Cameron chose well, I thought.

I cleared my throat, and as all eyes turned towards me, the hall seemed to go silent.

Alva shot me a quick nod, indicating that she would be translating for me, so I began:

"Salutations, tongued folk of Eltari!"

"Our ears for you, Auslander," someone shouted, and I smiled.

"Our gathering here today is another blessing amongst blessings, given that the monsters of the blighted grove have yet again failed in their quest to eradicate the true inheritors of these woods," I began. "But for this victory, we have again paid dearly. Though Gods and Kobalt banded together alike to brace this grove, and weather a storm unlike any ever seen; many Kobalt perished that night, and an entire grove fell to our monstrous foes. And even as we earned our victory against them, we stand today upon fallen branches and scattered leaves."

A silence fell over the gathering as Alva finished translating my words, and I took a deep breath, before continuing:

"But we will not allow their sacrifice to pass for naught. New groves will spread across these lands, that for generations, have been too blighted to touch, and our roots will be planted firmly, that we may yet weather whatever coming storms, and raise up a new generation of saplings that will endure still, long after our own branches are withered with age!"

Alva moved to my side, translating as I spoke, and cheers erupted as she finished speaking.

"To the saplings, Auslander!" a voice cried, and I raised a hand in recognition of the cry, before clearing my throat again.

"But the forest remains perilous; unknown shadows yet linger in the shade of its branches, and if we are to preserve our hard-fought gains, we must venture forth into that wretched grove once more, and purge what remains of that blight!"

"Victory will become the Gods!" someone cried, to the sound of more cheers, and Francesca shot me a slightly confused look.

"Indeed, but do not think that these threats are to be taken lightly. More than once have my best warriors faced the fangs and claws of things that would plague these lands for seasons, and emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins, and only with the guidance and leadership of the princess who would be queen!"

As if on cue, Miriam strode into the hall, and awed expressions swept across the room as she moved to my side.

"My king," she said, bowing to me slightly, before offering me her hand.

"It is my honor," she began, "to oversee the selection of the Gods who would serve my mate, and accompany him in the subjugation of the blighted grove. I have decreed this land for my people, and by the will of the Gods, our roots will plant firmly into the fertile earth therein, and raise up a new kingdom!"

She spoke the words in English, and Alva quickly translated, resulting in a series of cheers.

"Impeccable timing," I whispered, and she smiled.

"As expected, no?"

She turned to me, and I nodded, taking the artifact into my hand, and raising it for all to see.

"Today, I appoint to my service many who have stood beside me through all of these struggles, and whom it is my hope, will continue to do so; for my sake, and for that of my princess', and that of the Kobalt who would form our new kingdom."

I gestured to Alina, and she stepped forward, raising her own token as I had.

"Francesca," I called out, gesturing to her, and she shot me a slightly panicked look, before coming forward at my urging. "To you, I offer the token of the fighter. You have fought many battles by my side, little lion, and none who opposed us will walk these lands again. Will you stand beside me in the battles to come?"

Francesca nodded, smiling at me as she did.

I moved to Alina's side, and after taking the token and touching it to the artifact, I placed the token into her hand, and she took a deep breath as a wave of energy pulsed from her, and the thing began to glow with an energy matching hers.

As Francesca accepted the token, hooting calls began to break out amongst the group, and I quickly recognized many of our hunters as the ones who were offering their respect to her.

She smiled, then stepped back beside Alina at the girl's direction.

"Jordan," I called out, and as he quickly scrambled to his feet, he shook his head, a bit hesitantly, until the crowd began to urge him forward.

"To you I offer the token of the druid; your journey into understanding these woods in an intimate way was thrust upon you, perhaps unfairly, but that journey has only just begun. And just as you have accepted Nymphadora into your own core, it is my hope that you will accept this token as well, as a symbol of the place that you will take up at my side."

Jordan nodded, bowing slightly as he did.

"I accept," he answered, as I touched the artifact to the corresponding token, and as he accepted it, that same burst of energy emanated from him, signaling his acceptance of his role.

I moved on to the next companion, then smiled.

"Raul."

Alva seemed to stand on tiptoe at the mention, and Raul climbed gruffly to his feet.

He, too, seemed hesitant at first, but as Alva shot him a prodding glare, he quickly moved to join me.

"Hey, uh... I'm not sure this is-"

"Nonsense," I replied. "To you I offer the token of the Paladin. Your oaths have been the source of your strength; from the vengeance you meted out to any who would come between you and your path home, to the devotion you offered me in exchange for your life, and perhaps the oath of Redemption that will lead you to your own salvation, and along the way, the salvation of many more."

I shot a glance at Alva, who quickly nodded her approval.

Raul looked to her, then taking a deep breath, he nodded slowly.

"I accept," he answered, bowing slightly as I bestowed upon him the token and completed the ritual.

I rested my hand on his shoulder and smiled, giving him a little squeeze, before moving on to the next companion.

"Bianca," I called out, and the girl eagerly darted up to my side.

"About time! Watchu got for me?" she asked, grinning widely, and I shook my head at her disapprovingly.

"The token of the rogue," I began.

"Rogue? What's a rogue?"

"In a time of monsters, spears, and swords; you have been my dagger. And more than ever, I'll need such a weapon in the days to come."

And a spy, she said, smirking a bit as she sent me the thought, and I nodded.

"Indeed," I said, as I handed her the token and completed the ritual.

As I moved on to the next companion, I glanced around the room, and made eye contact with Blair, and she smiled.

"Blair," I said, and she stood up, walking over to me with a slight swagger in her step.

I noted, however, that some of her peers seemed a bit annoyed that she'd been called up.

"Wasn't sure there was one of these for a wild swinging axe murderer," she said, and I snickered at the comment.

"The token of the barbarian," I said. "Your ferocity is your strength; here's to hoping we can continue to channel that energy into defeating our enemies."

I handed the token to her, and she did a cute little curtsey, shooting Bianca a teasing look as she moved beside her, next to the companion who bore her token.

"Leanna," I called out next, and the girl seemed to jump.

She shot a panicked look around at the sound of her name, and seemed to shrink back as the gazes turned towards her, but as she looked to Jordan, she seemed to calm down a bit, and as he gave her a quick nod, she stepped forward to my side.

"The token of the warlock," I said, and she accepted the token apprehensively. "Like the spellcaster who draws power from his patron, whether that patron be maleficent or benevolent in nature, you have learned to harness the power of the shadows that chased you all your life, into a power that shields you from harm, and that one day, I hope, will be used to protect others like yourself."

She smiled at me, her hand moving to mine, and as I took it, I gave her a quick squeeze, before directing her to stand beside the corresponding companion.

As I moved to the next companion, however, I took a deep breath.

This one could be problematic, but in my estimate, was worth a shot.

"Nolan," I called out, and he eyed me.

"Seriously?" he asked, and I nodded.

He didn't move, so I figured it might be best if I plead my case.

"The token of the ranger. Your knowledge of environments and how to harness them as we settle and expand, will be of great import to our people going forward. Will you accept this token?"

His eyes flashed between Jordan and the others, before settling on me, and after some thought, he stood up and approached.

"Fine," he said, a little glumly, and to my relief, he accepted the token.

As I moved to the next companion, I spotted Casey shooting glances about the room, probably doing the math, and trying to figure out who else would be chosen, and I smirked a little.

"Casey," I called out.

The summons caught her unawares, as she seemed to continue glancing about trying to work out who would be next, when suddenly, she noticed that everyone was looking to her.

"Huh?" she asked, and I gestured for her to come forward, and she shook her head disbelievingly, before standing up and moving to my side.

"I thought you said this was for the fighters?" she muttered under her breath, and I smirked a little.

"I only said that because I knew how cute you'd look when I called you up here out of nowhere," I explained, and she shot me a glum look.

"Not funny," she said. "What could I possibly offer anyway?"

"The same thing you've offered to begin with," I explained. "The token of the wizard. Your knowledge has been a cornerstone of our battle for survival, and something that will always be required; by both this group, and eventually, our kingdom."