The One True Commander [BOOK 1]

Chapter 22: Will you be my second?

I stood at a long table in the food hall, breakfast had just finished and I was doing some paper work ready for the treaty that was going to be signed by the leaders of the twelve clans. Today was a big day, the coalition will go into effect and I was really hoping that everything would go to plan and so that we could finally start our journey to a more peaceful land.

"Heda." I looked up from my paperwork. "They are ready," Titus informed me.

I nodded and put the paperwork down.

The ambassadors walked in and all lined up on the opposite side of the table.

I stood with my hands behind my back, looking at the people in front of me. Azgeda, Delfikru and Boudalan Kru had new ambassadors to sign the treaty and they looked a little nervous, which was understandable.

"As you know, today we will sign a treaty to form a coalition, to start our journey to a more peaceful world." I announced to the silent ambassadors. "Are we all still in favour?" I specifically eyed the new Azgeda ambassador. He stared back but didn't object, and neither did the others. "Good." I picked up the piece of paper that would serve as the treaty and put it in front of the first ambassador. "If you would please sign under the symbol of your clan and pass it down," I ordered.

The first ambassador nodded and scribbled her signature under her clan symbol and passed it down to the next person. Once the treaty had been signed by everyone, it was now back in front of me, waiting for the last signature. I grabbed the pencil and wrote my signature underneath the sacred symbol which would serve as the commander's signature and that the coalition could finally start.

I placed the pencil down and looked at the many signatures scribbled on the treaty, "thank you all for your agreement. This is a great day, and one that should be celebrated. So, me and Titus have decided that the coalition will be celebrated by a feast tomorrow night and I hope you will all join." I announced, giving a warm smile.

All the ambassadors smiled and nodded and spoke words of agreement.

"Good, you are welcome to bring your families. We will remember this day, and I will do everything in my power to keep this alliance going, for the years to come and also when my rein ends and a new commander rises, and I hope you will too," I gave my speech and the ambassadors all listened to my words, giving me looks of respect and hopefulness. "That will be all, thank you for your time."

The ambassadors bowed their heads and exited the food hall.

I rolled up the now signed treaty and stored it in a leather case to keep it safe. I was happy that everything went to plan and it didn't all go sideways, but I also knew that peace is a slow process and there will still be fighting, there may always be fighting, but my aim was to lessen the violence, but I would never let my guard down, and if the time comes when I have to fight and kill then I will to protect my people.

"Heda," Titus's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes?" I turned to the bald man.

"In the meeting later, you will meet the war chiefs of each of the twelve clans, and I will advise you to choose a second from Trikru," Titus spoke.

"A second from the Trikru war chiefs?" I raised my eyebrows, questioning his words.

Titus nodded.

"A second should be someone you train to be a warrior or a friend you can trust. I am not going to chose a second from war chiefs, they are already great warriors," I retorted back to Titus.

"Heda, this is how it's been for years, are you sure?" Titus questioned.

"Yes, I know the perfect person to be my second. She can fight well, but I can train her to become a great warrior. Her parents were warriors, and I know they would want her to follow in their footsteps. She is strong and brave, she will make a great warrior," I smiled at the thought of her.