The Windcaster [Fantasy/Adventure | Featured | Complete ]

Chapter 60: Peace

"On this glorious day," announced the speaker, "the first equinox of year 2100 V.F., the countries Gwent and Dernexes hereby declare cessation of all warring activities and accept this peace treaty. May the Graces and peace be with the two countries forevermore."

The ten advisors of Gwent stood up from their seats and bowed respectfully, in the Dernexan way; similarly, the eleven advisors of Dernexes stood and bowed. As they straightened up, they moved forward and clasped their counterparts' outstretched hands in turn with warm handshakes, in the Gwentian way.

Among the advisors representing Dernexes was Enlil. His scar was in broad sight, almost purple and shining on his wrist, and he was dressed in a beige-coloured tunic, like the other advisors. His pale eyes met Tia's, from across the room, and she was glad to see satisfaction on his face. Behind him, the Dernexan flag hung from the ceiling. The emblem gleamed in the sunlight pouring in from the sky windows. She knew, without looking, above her head on the wall would be the Gwentian flag, with its bright, clashing colours.

Tia nudged her companion as the latter finished finalising details with Nabu, the old king's trusted confidante. The middle-aged man's pale green eyes smiled at Tia, and he broke off to converse with one of the Dernexan representatives.

"I suppose that means we are all comrades of war, should that time comes. Is that not right, my queen?" Tia murmured.

Her companion jumped and glared at her.

"Don't call me Queen, Tiamat!" Sarpanit snapped, with indignation. Tia giggled, linking arms with her. Sarpanit's coronation had been a modest occasion. As first-in-line to the throne, she was crowned Queen shortly after Lahar's funeral; both ceremonies were attended by Gwentians and a few Dernexans, who had been won over by the fair, hard-working king. Subsequently, Sarpanit took her place among the advisors, filling the space her late father had vacated.

Nothing had changed though; she was still the hot-tempered, no-nonsense girl with a flair for medicine Tia had always known. She looked most uncomfortable out of her healer's apron, picking and tugging at her long-sleeved, slim-cut tunic. Her red-brown hair that had always been tied back tightly for practicality was cut shorter and fell in layers around her face. Her full lips were pursed in a disgruntled expression.

"May I have a word with you, Sarpanit?" one of the other advisors said. Sarpanit raised a subtle eyebrow at Tia, who pulled a face at her, and excused herself. The next group of advisors consisted of three Dernexans and two Gwentians; Sarpanit joined their deep conversation, their voices mixing with the low mumble in the background.

Tia made her way across the room, seeing Mommu and Enlil talking to another Gwentian advocate. They excused themselves as they spotted her meandering between the talking adults, her light blue Windcaster's cloak billowing behind her and her hide boots tapping lightly on the smooth stone floor. Her green eyes gleamed as they met her friends' and a bubble of delight made her grin.

"I see Gwent is doing well," Enlil said in a low voice, clapping Tia's shoulder in a most Gwent-like fashion. Tia chuckled.

"These people are hardy, Enlil." She gave the advisors a fond look. "They had lost so many men, and yet they persevered. My Hearing had helped, but even if I were not there, they would have been fine, I think. What is the situation with Mawlin?"

"Well, after we released the men trapped in Ptarmigan Valley, we kept an eye for any retaliation or suspicious signs. All the advisors – Gwentian and Dernexan – have been keeping vigilant eyes out, all around. Advisor Nabu said there will be plans to organise a peace treaty offering for Mawlin too, but only once we have both recovered. We have men stationed at Westersands in the west at the moment, with Advisor Gerard there."