Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 50: Appeasing The People

Three days later in the main square. The center that had been a place of dread for the people. A place that for the longest time was used for executions. That day it was prepped for a festive gathering. The town criers had made their announcements, word spread by word of mouth to the rest of the people. As the sun slowly set, torches were lit all around the square. A platform had been placed for Aiden and his council. Red-coated men stood alongside knights of Rathorn. Several pairs were already patrolling the area.

When Aiden arrived in the main square, he was met with silence as everyone turned their heads to see him. Hesev was waiting by his men. Both leaders walk towards the platform, followed by Henry and Ingrid, and Distira and Gytha. Their guards were close by.

At last, they came to their table. Aiden faced the people. "The plague has drudged us all―shed light into our indifferences. But this night is for you, the people. Let us celebrate the peace with our newfound alliance with the Ursa Ignis." He glanced at Hesev who nodded with respect.

"Long live Lord Aiden" a man shouted from the crown.

And soon the gathered crowd started chanting with him. "Long live Lord Aiden!" They cheered several times.

Aiden gazed upon the crowd with a hopeful smile. He had been met with praise before but not quite like this. No secrecy, no lies, just unity once again. He raised his hand to quiet down his people and motioned to the minstrels and they started playing their instruments. "Go and be merry, he said before sitting down."

The crowd gave way to the middle of the square for those who wanted to dance. People were scattering to find a pair to dance with.

* * *

"Care for a dance?" Distira asked Gytha.

Gytha tilted her head. "Aren't boys suppose to ask us to dance?"

"We don't need them," Distira replied before grabbing her hand.

After the two mages left. A young man who walked slumping to one side approached their table. A knight held him back.

"I just want to dance with the lovely lady." He looked at Ingrid dazed.

Aiden closed his fist and eyed Ingrid, then back to the man.

"I'm afraid, she already has someone to dance with, young chap," Henry put in while motioning for Ingrid to go with him.

"Away with you now, boy," Hesev said to the drunkard.

Before Aiden could object, Hesev asked him a question, "What position will I have gained in our alliance, my lord?"

"If you are willing to join my ranks and with a trial period, of course, you shall gain the title Knight Commander. I'll knight you myself."

Hesev merely crooked his brow and looked back at the dancing crowd.

* * *

Meanwhile, amongst the festivities, Henry and Ingrid moved with the music.

"Look at those two," Henry said while pointing at Gytha and Distira.

The pair danced like there was no tomorrow. Yet they seemed graceful in their fun.

"I'm going to miss those two."

Henry slowed down their pace. "We all went through hell together...Again."

Ingrid sighed.

"So, you and Aiden?"

Glancing back at Henry with a raised brow, Ingrid tried to intimidate him into silence.

"I see the way you look at each other." Henry continued.

Ingrid briefly glanced back at their table where Aiden was talking to Hesev. She smiled briefly.

"I just wanted to hear it from you is all. Ingrid, you're blushing right now."

"Hush, I am not."

"Even more so now that you've noticed." Henry laughed and Ingrid stomped on his foot.

"I really hope their peace treaty lasts."

Henry cleared his throat. "The prime hunter has more to prove still." He looked down at his sister. "Have you sent word to the Academe?"

"I did. They expect us back there soon. Those two won't be needing any trial period to prove their worth. They'll be fully pledged mages when they return."

"But you're staying, right?"

Ingrid looked her brother full in the face, a look of anxiousness grew in his expression. The same one he had the day she left him and Aiden. The same one she had when he escaped into the Mundane world. "There's a higher purpose here. So, yes, I'm staying."

Henry grinned and hugged her immediately. She felt a tear on her shoulder and hugged him tighter. "Sorry," he said after a while and tore himself away from her. "It's been so great having you back here. I didn't want to imagine you leaving again. You always knew what to do."

Shortly after the music stopped. Food was being brought out on tables.

"It's a feast. Back to the job then. I'll bring you back to, Aiden. The pair walked back to the table.

When she sat next to Aiden, he reached for her hand by the side of her chair. She gripped his hand and looked him in the eyes.

* * *

After dinner, most of the crowd had gone. And the men drank. And the minstrels and bards sang. Hesev volunteered to watch over the musicians and bartenders left on the square. The hour was near midnight when the residents of the castle returned to their palace.

Aiden was walking with Ingrid when he invited her to the study room with him. He lit a fire and held her gloved hands and placed them on his shoulders. "I'm sorry, I didn't get to dance with you at the celebration."

"You didn't eat either."

"I'm not suppose to eat anything unless it's food from the palace or food that has been tasted by my taster, which I don't have because I dislike the idea of having one."

She placed her forehead on his chest. "You always worry." Looking up, she stared into his blue eyes.

"And I'll continue to worry with you in my life... You mean that much to me." He rested his forehead against hers.

Ingrid closed her eyes. Aiden leaned in and placed his lips on hers. She kissed him back. When they both pulled away, Aiden let her spin as he held her hand. She smiled as she did so. He held her close and snugged his cheek on her head.

* * *

The next morning, Ingrid waved goodbye to Gytha and Distira. Gytha blew her back a kiss as they passed through the gates.

She walked hand in hand with Aiden back into the throne room. Henry walked behind them. He stopped after the door turned around and closed them.