After their decisive victory over Orinovo, Lys-Akkaria's army crosses the border to take back territory that used to be theirs. With the combined forces of a lightweaver and shadowforger, Orinovo doesn't stand a chance.
In spite of their newfound a...
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For days, Ainreth had been talking to the protesters, trying to figure out how to help them out. It gave him some reason to get up in the morning. It was nice. Because the only other thing he had going on was regretting everything he'd said to Fennrin.
He really hoped they could make a difference and bring him home. Fennrin would probably be annoyed with him, and more than likely hurt, but they could move on from this, surely.
"Are you sure you want me giving a speech?" Ain asked Anyri, dubious.
He knew this would be part of it. It made sense to have him give a speech. He was a former general who had been involved in this war, and a popular public figure. People would listen to him, and the Court would have to deal with it somehow.
But he was so blighted awful at speeches.
"Look, just speak from the heart. You're good at that," Anyri said, smiling. She apparently had much more faith in him than he did in himself. "Like you spoke in that meeting room. I don't think it makes sense for you to prepare a speech. Just say what comes to mind."
Ainreth shrugged. If she didn't mind him potentially messing this up, then he saw no problem with it. And yet he felt anxious.
He had never been anxious about public speaking. It felt as though no matter what he said, people ate it up. But now he actually cared about the results. Cared about the whole thing. This wasn't just some speech Varilik was making him give. He wanted this to work so Fenn would come back to him.
He nodded to himself. It would be fine. He would be fine. He could do this.
"All right. Let's do this, I suppose," Ainreth said, walking toward the little stage the protesters had set up on the main square. The thing was made up of planks, about six feet tall, with wood steps leading up to it. It was so similar to the one he'd given a speech on during last Dragonrise. But somehow it was completely different. It felt different. Maybe because he had agency in being here this time.
The crowd of people who have gathered on the square was eagerly watching him approach the lectern. It was always so amusing to see it. That was where his speech notes should go, but he never made any ever. It wasn't even laziness. He simply couldn't put anything good on paper even when he really tried, and whatever he could come up with was usually ignored when he actually started talking.
He scanned his eyes over the crowd, seeing the usual mix of hope, frustration and deep concern. It was very familiar by now.
"Hi, everyone," he started, not all that interested in making this speech particularly original or awe-inspiring.
Despite the lackluster start, people cheered and whooped anyway, prompting Ain to wave at them.
"Look, we all know why we're here. This war can't keep going the way it is, no matter how successful it's being."
