Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 195: Crafting Hope

Toren Daen

Seris' words settled over her small council of captains like a light blanket. Each seemed to be individually contemplating her words; trying to figure out the logistics of her proposal.

A captain I didn't recognize spoke up next. "It could work," he said, his eyes widening as he stared at the board. "It would also provide us a more stable and reliable foothold on the continent."

The talk continued for a while after that, each captain inputting their own ideas and observations about the proposed plan. Seris interjected every once and a while, clarifying her intent and solidifying her control over the group as a whole.

But even while this plan–which seemed valid to me–was spoken about, a sense of wrongness threaded through my veins. Like a single edge was out of alignment on a building's foundation, leaving the entire structure unbalanced and off.

"Though all of this hinges on the dwarves cooperating with us," Captain Dromorth said with a snort. "The traitors have solid numbers, true, but will they follow this plan to capture Vildorial?"

The captain who had spoken up first in response to Seris–whose name I now knew was Alyx–replied with a gruff sigh. "They're all roaring and raging about Rahdeas' capture. They'll flock after our Scythes' orders like wogarts into a pen."

My mind flashed back to Elder Shintstone's bitter words. Of the unfair treatment her people received from the Triunion Council. From their point of view, they were underrepresented and never afforded respect. And honestly, as I stared at these captains speaking of their own allies, I realized I could see it. The discrimination the short, stocky people of Darv experienced wasn't just from Dicathen. It was from Alacrya, too.

For the first time in the meeting, I spoke up, interjecting myself into the silence following Captain Alyx's harsh words.

"We're talking of what the dwarves can contribute," I said slowly, "Conversing about their rebellion and their future. But I don't see a single dwarf in attendance." I tapped a finger on the map. "Shouldn't we seek their input?"

The captains present nearly all looked at me askance. Some of the looks were hostile, others were curious. I felt a cautious respect from Dromorth, at least.

"This is a meeting called by Scythe Seris," Captain Alyx said, a dismissive cast to his voice. "Only Alacryans are allowed here. The dwarves can tell us how to help later." He paused, then focused on me with narrowed eyes. "You've been interacting with them, haven't you, Spellsong? You should be able to get them to agree to whatever we decide. After all, that was your job, yes? To ease them into the rule of the Sovereigns?"

I felt Seris' eyes on my back. Instinctually, I knew she wouldn't intervene in this. Here was where I needed to prove the value of what I'd been doing.

I tapped a finger against the table. "That's the wrong way to look at what my task is," I said. The eyes of all in the room were focused on me. Maybe I would have felt nervous in such a situation upon my first arrival in this world, but now it was practically nothing. "I'm supposed to be the glue that holds our alliance together, Captain. Not their leader or some manipulative schemer." My gaze slowly swept over the gathered men. "Many dwarves are in rebellion due to the unfair treatment from the Triunion Council of the Graysunders and Elder Rahdeas afterward. It's clear to them that Sapin and Darv don't give a damn for the dwarves. So tell me, what do you think the dwarves–who supposedly should help and assist us once they've captured their capital for however long we need–will think that we made the decision for them? Just as their previous allies did?"

That got a few murmurs out of the military men. "Trust between allies is important," Dromorth grunted as he nodded slowly. "If the dwarves feel they can't trust us when they hold their city, then it would be difficult to operate from it effectively."