The child of the group was finally awake, and while her powers seemed to require some adjustments, she was fine. Hayla and Aelene barely knew her, but they were happy to see it. Life was precious, and nobody wanted to see the young girl suffer after everything she went through. What they were less happy about was when, suddenly, everybody seemed to run away in different directions.

Reurig was going to attempt entering Alarna again to gather supplies, as he had apparently done many times before. Miles took Riala with him—back to his secret project—because he wanted to show her something new. And Berla decided to go hunting with Hati, as the group would naturally need something to eat today.

The only ones without a role to play were the Ruler and the Worshipper, who found themselves sitting alone around the burned out campfire after a few hastily spoken “You can relax for now”s and “See you later”s.

Being left alone with someone you didn’t know was awkward enough, but these two had additional problems to deal with, as their former groups weren’t exactly known to mingle. Some Rulers looked down upon other classes, and there was also a certain rivalry between them and the temple, going back to the very beginnings of Alarna. Said other classes would in turn feel the occasional contempt of the Rulers, and many priests believed that the world would be a better place with those close to the gods in leadership positions. It was difficult to imagine a worse pair-up.

The two sat close to each other, and neither really knew what to do now. They had been assured of this location’s safety, and with Aelene present, they would even be able to defend themselves against beasts. In the absolute worst case, Miles was just a stone-throw away. This also meant that they had to stay together though, and moving too far from the camp wasn’t possible either.

It was unlike Hayla to initiate a conversation with someone she barely knew, but after quite a few silent minutes had passed, awkwardness and boredom pushed her to say something.

“So... About earlier,” she said. “I didn’t know you fought the beasts as well. I didn’t mean to sound like I was lecturing you.”

She had noticed Aelene’s displeasure in her response and figured it might be better to address the misunderstanding.

“It’s alright,” Aelene said curtly.

More silence. Under different circumstances, both of them would’ve greeted it with open arms, but it felt somewhat uncomfortable at this moment.

“You don’t like me, right?” Hayla asked curiously.

“Not particularly, no.”

“Because I’m a Ruler?”

“Do we need to talk?”

“No, no. We don’t,” Hayla said, pausing for a moment. “But maybe it would be less weird if we’re left alone again in the future.”

Aelene glanced at Hayla, irritated. “You think me telling you why I don’t like you would make it less weird?”

“Shall we give it a try? It can’t get worse... can it?”

An annoyed sigh escaped Aelene’s lips. “Your Calling doesn’t help. I grew up in the Ruler district, and it wasn’t a great experience. But I try not to judge people. I believe you don’t look down on people. Generally...”

“Hm. Then it’s something else?” Hayla hadn’t had that many interactions with Aelene, limiting what she could dislike her for. The only other thing that came to mind... “Was it my reaction to Lilly’s and Tomar’s deaths? If so, let me apologize. It’s not that I don’t feel for you, but I just didn’t really know them, and my head was filled with the good news instead. Miles even rebuked me for my behavior...”

“He did?” Aelene said in surprise.

“First and only time I’ve seen him lose his head. It was quite something.”

Aelene smiled despite herself as she pictured Tomar reprimanding Hayla for her sake. It wasn’t exactly what happened, but it made her happy nonetheless. She glanced at Hayla once more, thinking, Oh, whatever.

“If we’re talking anyway... Explain to me what it is about this baby that makes you so happy.”

“Is it not obvious? It's the beginning of a generation of mana users. Tomar and you... It’s my understanding that you’re quite powerful, and if the child is taught appropriately from a young age... Well, just look at Riala. It’s exciting!”

Hayla was blabbering a little, clearly thrilled. But her explanation lacked details. She presumably wasn’t a maniac like Oryn, who would go crazy about just the fact that this child existed.

“Right, but... What does that have to do with you?” Aelene asked.

“I’m Miles’ fiance, I’m going to be the child’s stepmother,” Hayla said matter of factly. “It’s going to be part of a new ruling class family. Isn’t that right?”

“Excuse me!?” Aelene said, perplexed. “What’s that supposed to mean? This is my child, and Tomar is its father! Where exactly did Miles and you enter the picture?”

“I... Uh...” Hayla was taken aback by Aelene’s outburst. There was clearly some kind of miscommunication here, but she wasn’t sure what it was. “Wait, let’s go through this step by step, to prevent any misunderstandings,” she suggested. “Tomar is the father of this child, and he and Miles shared a body. Now that Miles is the sole owner of Tomar’s body, he is technically the biological father. Do we agree on that?”

Aelene stared into the air, speechless. She hadn’t thought about it quite like that yet, but she couldn’t brush it off either. This was indeed the logical conclusion.

Taking her silence as confirmation, Hayla continued. “I believe you two also have an unspoken agreement that Miles will take care of you and the baby, which I would argue makes him at the very least a father-figure. And once we marry, I will essentially become the child’s stepmother. Does it not stand to reason that it would then be part of our line?”

An appropriate response eluded Aelene. She understood what Hayla was talking about now, and technically it made sense, but... did it really?

“And where do you see me in all that?” Aelene asked, dumbstruck into neutrality.

“Oh, I don’t mean to imply that you would be replaced, you’re the child’s mother after all. That is and always will be your role. I was only trying to establish the family relationship. You are an extended member of the family.”

“Your family,” Aelene said, an eyebrow raised.

“Miles’ family,” Hayla corrected.

In this young Ruler’s mind, Aelene’s child was the start of a new line of leaders, with Miles at its head. Granted, they had just lost Alarna, but that was a minor stumbling block—a pebble at best. He would undoubtedly become a god among men, if not an actual god in time. Anything Hayla’s family and her ancestors had ever accomplished would pale in comparison to the kingdom her new family would build.

Meanwhile, Aelene’s enthusiasm about this potential future and becoming part of some new class of Rulers was lower. Much lower. She pictured herself and her child running around in fine garments, like the ones she was forced to wear as a divine messenger, how she would have to act high and mighty in front of some form of citizens that Hayla was surely aspiring to have, and how much she had hated every second of all that in the past. The monotony... The annoyances... The pretentiousness... Not getting to read until the afternoon every day...

“That’s not going to happen,” Aelene said.

“Huh? Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to live the life of a Ruler! Nor do I want my child to experience that! I just want continued peace and quiet...” Aelene lamented, her shoulders slumping. “Is that too much to ask?”

“Oh?” Hayla’s ears perked up. For a second she was worried her plans might be in danger, but this she could work with. “That’s perfect then, isn’t it?”

“What? Why?” Aelene asked, confused.

“Just look at where we are right now,” Hayla said, gesturing around them. “We’re in the middle of the woods, a place previously thought to be so dangerous that we locked people up behind a wall, to prevent them from endangering themselves. The one responsible for our freedom to sit here is Miles, who’s casually working somewhere over there,” she said, nodding southwards. Then she turned around to point the other way. “On the other side, a few hours in that direction is Alarna, which has a king and an entire army who would like to see him dead... But they don’t dare even approach him. To decide what you do and when you do it, you need an environment where you’re allowed to make such decisions. You desire peace and quiet? Then you need true power, directly or via proxy, so nobody can rule over you. You should desire to be a part of a family that nobody will dare raise a hand against—ever. This is the only way.”

As arrogant and overconfident as Haylas little speech sounded, she was hitting a nerve with Aelene. Not once in her adult life had she had a say in her daily routine. Others had always told her what to do, where to be, and somehow even who to be. Miles on the other hand—despite some issues he didn’t seem overly concerned about—was the one who decided what he wanted to do, and by proxy, the men and women in his group as well. Right now, Aelene was free. A little bored, but free. If things could stay like this, would that not be desirable?

“Go on...” Aelene said.

Hayla’s encouraging smile warped into a smirk. Today is a good day, she thought.

***

Fingers drummed impatiently on the armrest of the chair in the king’s reception room. With a grimace, Hertar awaited the next of hopefully few remaining petitioners to step inside.

There were arguably more important matters he had to attend to this evening. So soon after he got his position back, there was still a host of tasks left open. However, many people were concerned about the town's state, and over the past couple of weeks, Hertar had been reminded not to take his power for granted. Even Grom, a Ruler who was as conceited as they came, advised for a course correction. He suggested mimicking the more open approach of the Lilly administration in this area, who reportedly stopped and listened whenever someone approached them on the streets. During times of uncertainty it was a good idea to pretend to pay attention. Especially with the loss of several perks the usurpers had provided.

Luckily, not too many people had actually come forward on this day, and the process was nearing its end after half an hour.

Hertar leaned to the side. “How many more?” he asked quietly.

Standing next to him was Lait, who bowed down slightly to whisper into his ear, “There are two more, Your Majesty.”

“Hm,” Hertar grunted.

One half of the door to the reception room opened and a middle-aged guard strode inside. With practiced movements he walked right up to the raised platform the throne was on and kneeled down almost exactly three meters in front of the king.

Somewhat perplexed, Hertar looked down on the guard’s lowered head—the first Fighter of the day. There certainly wasn’t a rule against them approaching the king during this new audience period, but as a Fighter, he could’ve requested a meeting with the king at any time—he wouldn’t have had to stand in line.

“If I recall correctly, you’re Zale Kalen,” Hertar said. “Why have you come here today?”

“King Hertar,” Zale said, full of reverence. “I feel honored that you know my name. If I may, allow me to first congratulate you for taking back your rightful place in this town.”

“It would not have been possible without loyal Fighters like you. I’ve heard you were at the forefront of the effort to subdue those who would rather not have seen me back on this chair. You have my thanks.”

“Yes, I was. Right until...” Zale paused while gathering his courage. “Your Majesty, I have come here on a personal matter. I must ask you to grant me justice for the death of my daughter.”

Hertar had yet to review much of what happened while he was incarcerated, and so he didn’t know exactly what Zale was referring to. Lait quickly and quietly conveyed the most important key points, about how Eissen and his men accidentally killed a young guard during their attempt to assassinate Lilly.

“I see...” Hertar said in contemplation.

This was a difficult subject. To a degree, the king was dependent on the goodwill of the Fighters, but granting this man his revenge would create a dangerous precedent. Hertar couldn’t blame Eissen for his actions. The law stated that casualties in the line of duty were to be avoided when humanly possible, but if Zale’s daughter died that day, she must have been one of the lumberjack guards. There was only one possible response.

“You have my condolences for your loss,” Hertar said. “It is truly heartbreaking to see a child pass away. As such, it pains me to say that I cannot grant you your request.”

Finally, Zale raised his head. His eyes wide, they met the king’s gaze. “Why? Your Majesty, Eissen is a murderer!”

“Your daughter chose to side with the usurpers. Not only did she help them come to power, she and her companions also became the group’s personal guards. Due to these circumstances, your daughter was an enemy combatant at the time, protecting her new master at the cost of her life. It is truly unfortunate she did not survive—for a chance to redeem herself—but Captain Eissen is not to blame for what happened.”

His mouth agape, Zale’s brows furrowed into a desperate frown. “B-but... That’s.... She didn’t do anything!”

“Hear me when I say that I don’t make this decision lightly. I don’t doubt that your daughter didn’t mean anyone any harm. Unfortunately that doesn’t change the facts. Consider this: Would you not have risked hurting another Fighter in the battle against these liars and murderers? Would you expect to be punished for such an accident?”

Zale glowered at the king for a fraction of a second, before lowering his head again. Swallowing his rage, he said, “No, Your Majesty.”

He could hardly tell the king that he would not have done everything for his hometown, nor that he would be happy to be executed for an accident afterwards. Though he questioned whether it actually was one. His daughter had been very dear to him, but a strong Fighter she was not. Eissen should have been able to disable her with very little difficulty, yet he chose to strike her down.

The king had spoken though, and he was adamant in his opinion. Zale hung his shoulders as it became clear to him that this administration wouldn’t grant him justice either. Even a five year long prison sentence would’ve been more fair than Eissen going free.

“It is good that you understand,” Hertar said. “Your daughter has met with a cruel fate, but we must not seek revenge among those who did their god-given duty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Zale said, subdued.

The king was pushing the blame onto those who were conveniently no longer here. He hoped that it would pacify Zale, and it appeared like it was working. Unbeknownst to Hertar, however, the guard had other plans.

“Thank you for listening to me,” he said.

“Of course. I’m looking forward to your continued and excellent service.”

Standing up straight, Zale saluted the king, turned on his heel, and left the room the way he entered it—albeit without the hope that Hertar might help him. Its place was taken by a burning desire to right a wrong.

King Hertar meanwhile looked at the door closing behind the guard and sighed. Just back on the job, and already there were a slew of problems to deal with. It seemed like Lilly, Tomar, and Hayla had actually done a fairly decent job given the circumstances, but it was not a good time to be the ruler of Alarna.

Just one more... Hertar thought.

A glimmer of hope. One more meeting and he could return to issues that demanded less of his patience. A minute after Zale left, the door opened again. This time, a young woman marched in. With no sense of etiquette or even a modicum of respect, she stomped in his direction, only stopping once two guards leveled their spears at her.

“King Hertar! I demand that you send men after Tomar Remor and rescue my little sister!” Zara said with fury in her voice.

Closing his eyes for a moment, Hertar took a deep breath as he rested his head on his arm and began massaging his temple. Unless he were to remove her by force, this would undoubtedly become a longer conversation.

There goes my evening... Not a good day, he thought.