The early afternoon sun dipped and weaved between the clouds, subtly hinting that the day wore on regardless of our need for final preparations. Despite repeated attempts to hold our sincere goodbyes inside the castle, King Saulus stubbornly insisted he see us off in person from the front gate.

“Do as the Chosen One commands, without question,” His Majesty instructed Prince Mito for the dozenth time. “Even if you do not understand the reasons behind the orders.”

“It shall be as you as you say, Father,” Prince Mito replied with a respectful nod, his voice thick with unspoken emotion.

We were all aware of the cause of his unexpectedly humble demeanor. Even though King Saulus occasionally displayed short spurts of energy and strength, it was uncertain if His Highness could return to his side anytime soon. The political and religious climate in Chairo was about to turn tumultuous, likely consuming any free time Prince Mito might have had as a visiting dignitary. This situation might even force him to consider long-term residency within the city.

I feel like His Majesty could disappear at any moment and yet live for another hundred years…

After he shook my hand firmly, I promised King Saulus, “We’ll try to keep you abreast of our situation.”

He gestured to Duke Chadwick and Lord Reginald. “Between the three of us, we will ensure our returning Reds are engaged in the civil service of Amantia, keeping them from idleness and the risk of wandering back to where they serve no Purpose. Should you require their assistance, however, you need only issue the order,” the King proclaimed.

I bowed as properly as I was able while decked out in my half-plate armor and further wrapped up my uniform, signifying I was the manager in charge to whom all complaints should be addressed. Relias then stepped forward, eagerly clasping his old friend’s hand.

“I would implore you to avoid any trouble in my absence," Relias said gently, "but history has shown such requests fall on deaf ears, so I shall spare us both the effort this time.”

A vicious grin spread across King Saulus’s face. “In your confrontation with Pravum, Your Holiness, I hope you do the exact opposite. That tiresome old windbag should have been deflated years ago.”

Relias made an effort to appear pious. “I would not wish any ill will on my colleagues, Your Majesty. However, if I cannot reach him with my words, I am sure one of my trusted companions will help him see the light, one way or another.”

Tetora’s harrumph of approval was the loudest of the entire crowd’s.

I better watch him in particular…

Tired of our fond farewells, Aurum pawed at the ground with a plaintive neigh.

“I suppose he has a point,” I said with a sad smile. “We should get on the road sooner rather than later.”

“Let me just attune to our messenger hawk,” Relias replied cryptically as he walked over to the waiting falconer. Curiously, I followed him and watched as he carefully placed a tiny slip of thin paper inside a leather pouch attached to the hawk’s leg. He then murmured a few words under his breath, and a small gemstone that formed the pouch’s clasp began to glow.

“Does that gemstone—”

“Yes,” he confirmed before I finished my question. “It helps him locate us as ‘home’ now, wherever we go.”

“Neat!” Nora marveled. “A two-way communication bird!”

There was something so absurd about the phrase ‘communication bird’ that I burst out laughing, startling the hawk just as he tried to take off. With one fierce, baleful eye, he gave me a disapproving look before preening his feathers for his second attempt.

Well, it’d be weird if I made friends with all the creatures great and small, right?

We both wordlessly watched as the hawk propelled itself high into the clear blue sky, apparently finding just the right thermal to soar almost effortlessly upwards before heading east by southeast.

“We need to stay just a bit more due east than him, yes? He’s headed for Captain Corwin, who will ultimately approach Chairo from the south, but we’re aiming for the northern gate.”

“I see Nora has already briefed you,” Relias agreed with a nod.

I started making my way back to the group, wondering if anyone had packed a compass. “Um, no… It just seemed like common sense…” We had talked, but it was about something else entirely. The dirty, underhanded coup I was about to wage against my strongest supporter.

Relias started to chase after me, trying to match my stride. “Ah, pardon me! But we really should review the logistics of—”

“Let’s get mounted first,” I replied almost absently, making a show of checking Aurum’s bit and placement of his browband headstall. “We can talk while we ride, right Aurum?”

I took his single snort as full-on approval, adjusting his reins slightly for our comfort before holding them in my left hand as I pulled myself up into the saddle.

Just like Nora said. Don't ask for permission. Just do what you need to do, Rachel.

Relias stood frozen below us, appearing slightly bewildered as a stablehand brought him his mount. “Well, I suppose yes… however, perhaps an inspirational speech to those accompanying us, reminding them of the divine necessity behind our Purpose, would be appropriate…”

I'm sorry about this, Relias… but if I’m ultimately responsible for leading this group to Chairo, then I will do it my way. I promise to apologize later once it’s over.

Knowing that the soldiers accompanying us had already been carefully vetted and briefed by Duke Chadwick, Reginald, and even the prince himself, I turned Aurum away from Relias to address them on my own. “We’re going to spend quite a few days on the road together,” I announced loudly. “I can lecture you now ad nauseam about the importance of maintaining a professional decorum and tending to the duties you’re already masters at, or I can treat you like the subject matter experts you are by simply asking if there’s any questions or concerns before we head out.”

As expected, a sea of grins and a few relieved chuckles broke out among the armed men and women. Some asked a few inane questions, like when dinner was, most likely to test the waters of my respect for them. My reply was, “When my stomach rebels, which will be much sooner than anyone else’s.” The declaration was greeted with more laughter. After doing my best to provide answers to some other questions, I instructed them to find their mounts and return when ready.

Let's face it: no employee enjoys a long-winded explanation of the reasoning behind a task they already know all too well. As their new leader, I also wanted to communicate something even more important; I not only acknowledged their proficiency but would rely on it to ensure our journey together was successful. I wanted them to actively engage in our travels, not just passively react to the events unfolding before us. Many of them were Lightwielders, and while I might be stronger with amity, they could be even more skilled than I was at this point.

That particular realization, of course, was something I hoped to keep secret. Fake it until you make it.

I did plan to watch and observe to see if I could pick up a few tricks of the trade myself, but it would have been foolhardy to assume that, as the supervisor, I knew more than they did about this whole operation. They knew the land and the climate and most likely had been to Chairo multiple times in the past. While I had asked questions to gather a general sense of the city, it couldn’t compare to having seen it already.

…Unless I have seen it and simply can’t remember.

Relias, mounted on his horse, came to my side. “While I could never forget your captivating charisma, I should have foreseen that the others would inevitably be drawn to it as well,” he murmured begrudgingly, still seeming somewhat flummoxed.

Captivating charisma?

…Me?

“I think you have the wrong person,” I whispered as the tips of my ears began to burn. “I just told them what they wanted to hear.”

His mouth twitched momentarily before he replied, “There is no better way to inspire devotion in someone than to comprehend their hopes and aspirations and reflect back their desires.” A long sigh escaped him. “I must confess, my prepared sermon would fail to align with their present necessities.”

“I’ll be your captive audience if you want,” I offered, trying to ignore yet another wave of guilt for figuratively stepping over him and his authority.

I might have won today's small skirmish, but this wouldn't be the end of the war. I was acutely aware that many of my future actions would meet with his disapproval. But they needed to be done anyway.

He briefly considered my offer but then shook his head, smiling slightly. “You do not require a sermon, either, and I would much rather pass our time together speaking of more pleasant topics.”

Whatever topics he had in mind would have to wait since our now-mounted cavalry had begun to line up before us in perfect formation. To my surprise and awe, they unfurled their multicolored standards depicting Amantia's royal coat of arms in practiced unison, emphasizing that they knew what they were doing and appreciated my acknowledgment of their expertise.

“We humbly await your orders, Captain Lightbringer!” their thunderous shout rattled through the air.

“Onward to Chairo!” I replied in my loudest and clearest voice, finally taking the lead.