Stormhaze

Chapter 33: Freedom

The sun was rising. Gillien, along with Zenobia, Edras, Xianwei, Verigan, and Lorin were gathered in the garden of the Istendil palace, overlooking the sea as Kilas and Brodd's exiled army crossed into Mizdrak. Edras' speech had worked, though, not on all. Six thousand soldiers—including all of the Etherion guards—had chosen to side with Kilas. Two thousand remained in Argead, swearing their loyalty to Zenobia and pleading forgiveness from the public.

Olav approached Zenobia, his fleet of twenty ships still housed the recently freed women. "They say they cannot return to the capital, so long as the soldiers remain unpunished for what they did." Olav said.

Zenobia nodded softly, her eyes looking at the gathering of ships with understanding. They had let Kilas and Brodd go free with an army to settle in Mizdrak, choosing to end the bloodshed before it erupted into civil war—at least for a time. Two thousand soldiers still remained in Argead, however, and had been pardoned for their crimes under Kilas' command. But it was not enough for the five thousand women to feel safe again, and everyone understood that.

"I think I know of a safe place they can go," Gillien said, fishing for something in his pocket. "Trawlton should have recovered well by now. It's a quiet town not far from Ryken, and if its people are as well-tempered as Verigan, the women will have a safe place to call home."

"I know of the place," Olav said, "but the women will need a lot of food, clothes, and money to settle."

Gillien took up the compass he had been given by Kilas long ago, and then Kilas' own compass that Edras had held onto. The pair was finally united again. "I haven't needed this compass ever since I found my son—when he returned from Ryken—and I have feeling that finding each other won't be a problem in the future. Take these compasses, Olav, I've been told their value in gold is as great as a small town. It should be enough to give the women a safe start in Trawlton."

"Thank you, Gillien. The world needs more people like you." Olav said, turning around to wave them all goodbye as he boarded his ship by the harbor, preparing to set sail.

Zenobia turned to Lorin who was sitting in a wheelchair, having lost all mobility below her waist after the crescent's mutilation. Though her clothes covered it from view, her chest was of solid, mechanical steel. Lights blinked below the fabric, gears turned, and pistons moved. It would take some time to learn exactly what Tarian had done to her body, but they were determined to find out what, and none more so than Verigan.

Zenboa took her hand. "What will you do, now that Ryken is officially and publicly independent?"

Lorin smiled. "My army will guarantee that Ryken's first election goes smoothly. I, however, am not brave enough to debate laws and regulations, so I think I'll stay here for the foreseeable future. I'd like to find Dardûm and thank him, but my soldiers told me he simply left without a word. Whether he has rejoined Kilas or not, I cannot say. However, something tells me he has a bigger part to play before this truly ends—for good or ill."

Xianwei nodded in cautious agreement. "My sources tell me Kilas' navy in Dirina will soon be completely restored—all 300 warships. We did the right thing today by leaving Kilas alive. Verigan and I agree; had we killed him on his coronation day then the Apexion fanatics would declare Kilas a martyr, and the eastern navy would attack and decimate what little we have on the seas. At least now we have bought some time, but we must gather our allies quickly and prepare; Iruvia, Ryken, and perhaps some independent tribes in Mizdrak."

Edras agreed. "Kilas will be back one day, with or without the Dirina navy. He and his army of six thousand soldiers are more like-minded now than ever, and the numbers will only grow. Remember, Mizdrak is independent from Alecaria now as well, with Brodd as their leader. I'm not ashamed to say that fact frightens me."

"That may be true," Gillien said, "but they are driven mainly by strength, wealth, and pleasure. Yet those are only substitutes for something greater: Integrity, enough, and love."

* * *

Gillien looked into the bedroom mirror as another dawn was rising. He traced the countless scars along his bare chest and bandaged arms, and the healing shrapnel wounds leading further down to his cybernetic leg. He studied himself closely, smiling for the first time in a long while. He had slept the whole night—without clothes—and had not once been roused in panic by any nightmare. He felt truly rested... truly free and at peace.

He saw Zenobia's beautiful figure approach him in the mirror. "Thank you," she said softly, sipping from a warm cup of tea Gillien had just prepared for her. She said it in a way that, somehow, told him she was thankful for more than just the steaming cup. She squeezed her warm body against his, hazel eyes glowing as they too studied his figure in the mirror. She smiled, sliding a soft hand up to his face, turning him towards her. "Gillien?" she said, her radiant hazel eyes diving into his blue ones.

Their faces edged closer, eyes locked, bodies melting into one as their lips met each other for the first time. They kissed in a way that—without saying a word—still managed to convey the three words both had been longing to say. She threw her body around his, squealing with delight.

Gillien felt a surge of heat rush through him, prickling the inside of his fingers, and making his cheeks radiate a deep crimson. It was a warm and welcoming heat, the kind that only comes once in a decade or so. He was proud of Zenobia for allowing herself to open up and trust in another's intentions, and he was proud of himself to have become the man to earn her trust. No longer was there a cold shoulder between them, as there had been for a decade, but one to lean on.

A knock sounded from the door. Edras walked in after Gillien told him it was safe to enter. "Sorry to disturb, but the celebration is starting soon."

Gillien put on a shirt, then grabbed Zenobia and Edras with each arm and squeezed them softly to him, embracing them with all the love he could give. His thoughts, however, floated for a moment to Yrra—the Mizdraki girl carrying his future child—and wondered where in Erylon she had fled to. He had to find her, to make sure she and their firstborn was safe, not see her captured and used as an instrument by Kilas to gain the upper hand once more.

Edras had also informed him that Saril was the one that had predicted the Stormhaze Event. It was she who had begun this long chain of events that finally led to Kilas' exile. Perhaps she held more answers, more information? Nonetheless, if Edras and Lorin learnt of her identity, it would only be a matter of time before Brodd or someone else reached the same conclusion. And what did that bestiary book mean when referring to 'Black Bokon enhancements'?

Gillien shook away the endless thoughts. Despite his many worries, he smiled to the horizon—embracing the future regardless of what it held. He could face it all, no matter what, so long as he was standing beside those he loved.

THE END