“I don’t understand why she couldn’t have brought help instead of cryptic warnings,” Alexis said.

“Likely,” Reka responded, “because she could not convince anyone the danger was real.”

“She was able to convince Lady Jillian to give Aedon his commission,” Alexis said hotly.

Aedon rubbed his eyes. He had endured this discussion ever since Mira left the house. He was tired. The others waited out the storm debating the merits of Mira’s warnings. He used the time to brood. The letter of commission lay folded in his pocket. It felt every bit as heavy as the tabard had. He tried to lose himself in the creaks and groans of the wagon as it lumbered toward town. The two people arguing next to him made it impossible.

“As I read the situation,” Reka continued, “this commission has been offered many times. I think it would not have been difficult for Mira to convince Lady Jillian to sign it.”

Aedon gave up trying to separate himself from the conversation. “Yes, Reka, I have turned this it down many times. I would do it now if I had a choice.”

“But you do have a choice,” Reka said.

Aedon’s shoulders slumped. “If I turn down this commission, I am leaving my town and friends to be slaughtered. If that’s the choice you mean, then it’s no choice at all.”

Reka sat up straighter. The sway of the wagon rocked him back and forth, and it reminded Aedon of a serpent.

“Limited options are still options,” he said.

“You’re not being fair, Reka,” Alexis said.

“This is not about being fair,” Reka said. “This is about taking responsibility.”

“What do you think I am doing?” Aedon said.

Reka smiled. “You are using an obligation as an excuse. If you should fail, and survive in the process, you will always be able to tell yourself you did not want to lead these people; that you had no choice. That is not taking responsibility, Aedon.”

“What would you choose then?” Aedon demanded.

“I cannot say,” Reka said. “This is not my choice to make. I can say that whatever choice I did make would not come with a built-in excuse should I fail. Your people deserve better than a leader that does not want to lead them.”

“So, I should take Mika and run?” Aedon asked.

“I don’t think that is what he is saying,” Alexis said.

“Then what is he saying!” Aedon bellowed.

Reka put a hand on Aedon’s shoulder. “I am saying that before you don that uniform you so carefully packed, you should consider why you do so. Ask yourself if you want to lead these people, or if you just feel you have to.”

Aedon hoped Ulf was having a better time with Marin and Mika in his wagon. He did feel obligated to help the town, but he could remember a time when he was excited to lead. The thought of donning the officer’s tabard and sword once made him giddy. Then Seline’s father died, and he was discharged.

He remembered the day he married Seline. Looking into her eyes, he vowed not to fail their marriage as he had failed the army. He became a devoted and loyal husband. When Mika was born, he turned his energies to becoming a faithful father. Then Seline died, and he alienated Mika. Two more failures. Mira was right. He was afraid, and it wasn’t of death or losing Mika. He was worried if he took the commission, he would fail again.

The wagon rocked violently, and he pulled sharply on the reigns. He was so engrossed in his thoughts; he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going. As soon as the wagon stopped, he stepped down.

He examined the wheels. “Nothing looks damaged.”

“Just as well,” Reka said. “I think we need to stretch our legs.”

Aedon stayed by the wagon as Reka and Alexis wandered off. Ulf walked over to him. His boots squished through the mud, and the sound made his stride seem comical.

“Why are we stopping?”

Aedon pointed at his wagon. “I got distracted and drove the wagon over a large rock. I needed to see if anything was broken.”

Ulf leaned on one of the wheels. “Is there?”

“No, I think we’re ok. Reka thinks it’s a good time to stretch our legs, though.”

Ulf nodded and went to Alexis. He pulled her aside, and they began talking animatedly. He was pleased to see Mika coming his way.

“What happened, Papa,” She said.

“I just wasn’t paying attention is all,” he said.

She took his hand. “I heard you yelling, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Please, Papa, I want to know.” She said.

“Well, Reka said some things I didn’t like.”

She frowned. “I wish you could get along.”

“It isn’t that,” he said. “The things he said made me angry at myself, not him.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t, sweetheart. I know you don’t know everything that’s going on, but I have to make a choice, and I’m afraid.”

Her frown changed to a smile. “What are you afraid of?”

“I’m afraid if I make this choice, I might fail.”

She let his hand go and looked at him with a stern expression. “Reka says that if you try your hardest, you can’t fail. Even if things don’t work out the way you want. And you said you shouldn’t let fear control you.”

He sighed. “I know that’s what I said, and I believe it. It’s just that—“

“It’s just that you don’t want to mess up and let everyone down,” She said.

“Exactly,” he said.

“Then don’t,” she said. “They can’t be can’t be mad at you if you try really hard.”

He hugged her. “You are such a smart girl.”

He called everyone back to the wagons and climbed up. Once the horses were moving again, he turned to Reka.

“If I do this, I’m going to need your help.”

Reka nodded.

“I mean it,” Aedon said. “If I am going to lead, everyone needs to follow, even you.”

“Is that an ultimatum,” Reka said. “Take your orders or watch you tuck tail and run?”

“No, it isn’t,” Aedon said. “But whether those people run or fight, I’m the best chance they have. I need them to see you following my lead. Maybe then, they’ll do the same.”

Reka clapped him on the shoulder. “In that case, I’m your man.”

Aedon pulled the reigns again.

“What are you doing,” Reka asked.

Aedon hopped off the wagon. “It’s time they see me for what I am, not what I was.”

He walked to the back of the wagon and pulled his pack down. With deliberate care, he put on his new identity.

It felt good to be back in his soldier’s grays, and when he pulled the tabard over his head this time, it didn’t feel heavy at all. It felt right. He cinched the sword belt around his waist and smiled.

This was not how he imagined this day. No one applauded him as he walked to the front of the wagon. There were no soldiers in ordered ranks to give him his first salute. No rousing speeches heralding his worthiness of the uniform he now wore. There were only the determined stares of his companions. It was enough.

“It’s time we got moving.” He said. “It’s going to be a long night.”

They stopped the wagons in front of the town hall. The sun that lay hidden for so long beneath a curtain of clouds now sat low enough on the horizon to be just visible through the haze. Aedon leaped from the wagon.

“Wait here.”

A scrawny boy sat at the main desk. He stared at Aedon in awe as he strode into the room.

“Ring the bell,” Aedon said.

“Ring the bell, sir?” The boy said.

“Yes, ring it.”

The boy looked around nervously. “I c-c-can’t do that. Only the magistrate can.”

“I’m the magistrate now. Ring the bell, then go and fetch Jonas.”

The boy retreated to the back of the building. Aedon walked around the desk and sat down. As his rear end made contact with the cushion, a loud bell tolled three times. It felt ominous. There was a slight pause, and then the bell tolled three more times.

His companions came into the hall at the last toll. Jonathon was standing behind them next to Martin.

“Jonathon. You and Martin come here.” He said.

Jonathon moved forward, rubbing his eyes. He had been asleep for the entire journey and did not look pleased to be awake. Martin nudged him aside as he too came forward. Aedon grabbed a piece of paper. He made them wait as he wrote. When he was finished, he poured a little wax from the candle and pressed the magistrate’s seal onto the folded sheet.

He handed the paper to Martin. “The two of you are now couriers in the Prail militia. Take this dispatch to Cathair and deliver it to Lord Ian.”

“Yes sir,” they said in unison.

“Ulf,” Aedon said. “Take this key and go to the armory. It is a small shed next to the blacksmith. Inventory the weapons there and bring me a detailed account. Take Alexis with you.”

“Yeah, I can do that,” Ulf said.

Aedon sighed. No ‘Yes sir’ from him.

“What can I do, Papa?” Mika said.

“You just wait here with me,” Aedon said.

“And me, Aedon? What can I do?” Reka asked.

Aedon looked at him. “I seem to remember you being very good at getting people’s attention when they are particularly stubborn.”

“Understood,” Reka said.

Alexis and Ulf were leaving when Jonas came rushing into the room.

“What’s the meaning of this, Aedon? Ya can’t just come in here and claim to be the magistrate!”

Aedon stood. “Per Article Seventeen of the Dilis Town Defense Pact, I declare Prail to be under imminent threat of invasion. Under that declaration, I am placing Prail under Military control. I am in command until the crisis is over.”

“Ya can’t do that!” Jonas shouted.

Aedon handed his commission to Jonas. “Yes, I can. As of today, I am a duly appointed officer in Lady Jillian’s army.”

“But Aedon,” Jonas bleated, “that ain't meant for nothin but war!”

“This is not up for debate!” Aedon said. “Send the first man to answer the bell to me. The rest can wait outside for now.”

“Ah,” Jonas stammered, “yes sir, ah, Aedon, sir.”

“Did you have to be so mean?” Mika asked.

“I wish I didn’t,” Aedon said. “But these people have to take me seriously. You know what, I do have a job for you.”

Mika jumped in excitement. “What is it?”

“I want you to go find Sean. Bring him to me when you do.”

“Yes, Papa,” she said.

“I thought you were planning to tell them to run,” Reka said.

“I was,” Aedon said, “but they won’t, and we don’t have time to convince them.”

“What’s your plan, then?” Reka asked. “You heard Jonathon, fighting seems contraindicated.”

“We don’t have to beat them,” Aedon said. “Maybe we can hold out until Cathair sends aid. Mira said aid would come.”

“Aedon, I warned you about listening to her.”

Aedon sat back down. “I know, but what choice do I have? I know these people. It will be hard enough to convince them to obey me. There is no chance I can convince them to leave. If I am going to lead, I’m going to do it my way.”

“Very well,” Reka conceded. “At least send the women and children away.”

“I’d love to,” Aedon said. “There just isn’t time. I will have them hold up in the Inn. If things go badly, maybe we can buy them time to escape. Until the danger is on us, though, most of these people won’t believe it exists. I know I didn’t”

The door opened, and Sean came in. “What’s going on, Aedon? And why are you wearing that costume?”

Aedon handed the commission to Sean. He read it slowly.

“You finally accepted it?” Sean asked.

“Yes, old friend,” Aedon said.

“What can I do to help?” Sean asked.

Aedon couldn’t keep from smiling. “I’m making you a sergeant. Please wait outside and coordinate the men as they arrive.”

Sean turned to leave.

“Where’s Mika?” Aedon asked.

“I don’t know,” Sean replied, “I haven’t seen her.”

“I’ll find her,” Reka said.

“No,” Aedon said. “She knows her way around. Sean, please do as I asked.”

Sean left, and Aedon turned to Reka. “How much support can I expect from you?”

“I do not understand, I already said I was with you.”

“I’m sorry,” Aedon said. “I mean magically. How powerful are you, really?”

Reka smiled wickedly. “Not as powerful as Taian, but I think I will be useful.”

“That isn’t an answer,” Aedon said. “I need to know.”

“I don’t know how to answer,” Reka said. “I don’t truly know what we are dealing with. If I was to combat your militia, for instance, I doubt I would take even a single wound. These Zombi, though, I just don’t know.”

“What about Alexis?” Aedon asked.

“Again, Aedon, I don’t know. She is unique among us. Her talents aren’t really made for fighting.”

“Very well,” Aedon said. “Do I have your word that you won’t hold back when the fighting starts?”

“I will do everything in my power to see that you and Mika are safe,” Reka said. “To that end, I will not hold back even a trace of power.”

“Good enough, I suppose,” Aedon said.

The bell tolled five times while the assembled militia awaited its commander. Aedon got up.

“Shall we?” He said.