Originally written December 18th, 2023
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Chapter 5

Thick stone walls and high, thin windows let the city breeze in but kept the heat out of the palace. There were no torches or lamps to assist the sunlight; a task slaves would have undoubtedly performed before the sun ever rose should their masters have been in a position to give orders any more.

The absence of lavish decorations inside the palace brought a smile to Cass. She'd ordered her soldiers to take everything that wasn't nailed down and destroy it, and it was apparent that even after she had departed to celebrate they had taken it to heart. There were a few overturned statues with missing pieces, and the shredded remains of fine fabrics clung to the higher arches of windows and wall hangings. All else was gone. Vacant rooms of painted stone and tile.

It made the palace feel smaller, somehow. Without anything to occupy the vast space it rang out hollow, and Cass's boots echoed with each step. The thin streamers of sunlight did nothing to warm the cool air, making the vacancy all the more enjoyable.

This was success. This was victory.

She crossed the grand hall and walked over the dais where a throne had once sat. She heard voices echoing out of a smaller room off of the back wall. A place where the Emperor and his advisors probably discussed things but was now a room where the Council wanted to meet.

Cass saw them standing around a large, cracked, marble table. It looked like a leader from each of the nations allied in the rebellion. Sammos, Shen, Gymir, Chol, and Harenae all represented, and each of the representatives gave her looks as sharp as daggers.

"A general should not be late when ordered to come to the Council," the woman from Chol said. Her purple tunic was lavishly trimmed with gold filigree and hung off of her shoulders and arms, giving her an almost figureless shape.

Cass was taken aback by her tone. "I-"

"And you had your unruly rabble vandalize this palace!" The man from Harenae was not dressed as boisterously as his peers. Rather, he was wearing white robes not dissimilar from Cass's own, marking him as a follower of the Flame. Cass was only slightly less angered by him interrupting her for that, but she would not have him insult her soldiers.

"Listen here-"

"Your robes are filthy." The spritely man from Shen - whose outfit was a clashing assault on the senses - ran his finger down a thin, pointed beard as he clicked his tongue. "Blood on your cheek? Dirt? That could be seen as a sign of disrespect." His artificial smile did nothing to mask the contempt in his eyes.

Cass slammed her fist into the table, silencing the squawking Council with a loud boom and adding a few new cracks to the smooth white surface. Her jaw worked as she swallowed the worst of what she wanted to say; direct, detailed, bodily threats. The anguish she could put them in for the way they were treating her. She deserved better than this.

"And just why should the general show you any respect?"

The soothing, commanding voice cut through Cass's clouded thoughts like a knife through butter. The councilmembers all bowed and Cass turned around.

Helen, standing at all of three and a half cubits, smiled up at Cass and gave her a wink. "Calm yourself, Cassandra." Helen touched Cass on the elbow. Her golden hair caught the sun through the window and seemed to glow with its own radiance. She shook her head to one side and Cass stepped out of her way so that she could stand by the table. The council members stood upright again, their postures no longer tall and haughty.

"I am waiting for an answer. Why should she show the least bit of deference to anyone here?" Helen asked.

The council members exchanged glances. Cass could see uncertainty pass between them. Cowardice in the face of an actual challenge. Their silent admission of weakness made her feel great.

"High Priestess," the Haranae man said, half bowing and crossing his hand over his chest, "You chose us to-"

"General Cassandra fought and bled more for our cause than anyone else in this room," she tapped the table with her index finger for emphasis, "She was unaware of the formation of this Council. What right do any of you have to criticize any of her decisions? Without Cassandra and her brave Thiria we would not be here, in this room, in the Emperor's Palace. Look beyond your egos and consider that for a moment."

Cass had a hard time looking beyond her ego at that instant. She felt pride swelling in her chest. Recognition. From the person she admired most in the world. It was a heady feeling, and she felt tears well up in her eyes. Cass tried her best not to smirk at the Council and instead kept herself solemnly silent behind Helen.

"The General was unaware of this Council's formation," Helen continued, "She was taking a well-earned respite to celebrate our victory. When we sent for her she was right to come here immediately. Punctuality over presentation."

Cass glanced down at her white robes. They had certainly gotten dirty on the way up to the palace. Kneeling down to lift a cart, walking through the streets after leaving the camel behind for Kebb, and moving rubble aside was not clean work.

"You all discuss the agenda for the meeting, I am going to speak with General Cassandra for a moment."

The sun-haired priestess turned and walked out of the room. Cass watched her go, gave the council members one more look, and followed Helen away.