From the Ashes

Chapter 62 ~ Shaping the Future

    Silence fell throughout the chamber and all eyes turned to them when they stepped inside. Morana held her chin high, meeting every gaze that sought hers. Tarion shifted closer to her side and warm magic caressed her skin as he cast a protective shield around her.

    She knew he'd already shielded himself and Neeri too. She could see the gleam of his magic around them. She hadn't heard what they said to each other in the hallway, though her father had pointed out when they fell behind briefly.

    Morana thought she could guess just from the emotions that had been drifting across the tether between her and Tarion. He had been hurt here in a way she could never grasp, even after everything he'd told her.

    But Neeri could understand. She'd endured some of it too, and witnessed what he'd been through. If the two of them could help each other through the difficulty of being here, she wouldn't stand in their way, no matter how harshly it grated against her instincts to do so.

    Tarion stiffened beside her when Gaelen stepped into view. At once, Neeri and Lonan took up defensive positions in front of them, though their weapons remained sheathed. Even Arlon had tensed beside Rehema, his gaze flitting between Gaelen and their group.

    "What did we miss?" Morana asked, hoping to distract them before that tension could erupt.

    "Most of the Ash Fae have agreed to surrender peacefully," Rehema answered. "Though there have been reports of others killing their guards and escaping into the wild. Our scouts have been ordered to keep an eye out for them, but not to track them down yet."

    "Good. We don't want them to feel hunted or trapped," Morana replied. "Unless something changes and they begin to pose a threat to innocents, we can afford to let them find their own path."

    "What about those who have surrendered?" Tarion asked. "Will they be held as prisoners or given a chance to rebuild like everyone else?"

    "We were just discussing that. Most of the leaders here think they need to be kept under guard for now."

    "But as I just said, we don't want them to feel trapped," Morana insisted.

    Rehema bowed her head. "I know. If you have suggestions, we are listening."

    Morana frowned and began to mull over any possible ideas, but none seemed promising. She glanced back at Tarion, feeding a silent plea for help into her gaze. He didn't seem to notice though. His own features had grown thoughtful, and he spoke before she could try to catch his attention again.

    "What if we give them this city?" He said, rubbing his chin as he contemplated. "I doubt other Humans and Fae will want it now, and many of the Ash Fae might feel safe here because it was built for them, despite what happened here. We can appoint someone to watch over them, act as their own Elder of sorts, but give them liberty to change the city how they want and live independently just like the rest of us."

    "And who would be their Elder?" One of the other village leaders asked. "You?"

    "No," Tarion replied quickly. "I have no desire to remain in this city."

    "Then someone they already respect and trust," Morana suggested, her gaze landing on Gaelen.

    His eyes widened. "You would trust me with this after what I've done?"

    Even Tarion, Neeri, and Lonan were looking at her with obvious disbelief as Morana nodded. "I recognize that you were only trying to do what you thought was best. What you thought would spare Asterria and her people. I can't fault you for that, although I wish you wouldn't have gone behind my back to do so."