There is no man who can stand against the will of history. One may dam the river, seek to divert it, channel it through painstaking effort - but in the end, n may only alter the minor details of its course.
The reclamation of old Ghar has been a long and tortuous course, and the future shall prove no different. Holding actions and barricades spring up in our path, years are spent squabbling over inches. Ultimately none of it matters; the river always reaches the sea.
- Saleh Taskin, On Reclamation, 687
Even in retreat hes a bastard, Antolin grumbled, running a hand through his iron-grey hair. Weve got forward elents heading west along the coast to Rouns, and north inland, but the roads are clogged with Safid civilians. Trade has stopped from Pashaluk Qalo right at the peak of the harvest.
We do have so people in place, but our resistance cells in the west were always smaller than in Ardan territory, Sobriquet said, tapping her finger on the coastal highway. In Rouns, at least, our n control the docks. If you can get supplies across the bay, we can use it as our staging point to begin picking up the pieces.
That may be harder than you think, Antolin said. He t Sobriquets glare with a flat look, rapping his knuckles on the map where Safid blue still tinged the land. Those refugees, theyre almost exclusively the younger generations, the backbone of the labor force. So of these cities have been part of Saf since the War began. There are still pockets of Daressan sentint-
I know the situation on the ground. Sobriquet stood up to look Antolin in the eye. There have always been people who preferred Safid rule. They have a choice, were not stopping them from leaving. Those who stay will be part of Daressa. That part is non-negotiable.
And what will their introduction to Daressa be? Antolin asked. After decades of relative peace and prosperity, their cities are upturned and half-depopulated with winter on the horizon. Taskin didnt give you a gift, he gave you a length of rope. In far too short a ti hell be rested, repositioned and in an excellent spot to sweep back through and restore the country, no matter how well you rebuild.
Sobriquet made a face. I know, she said. But we have so ti, at least, and our country back. Its everything we fought for. Even if its a trap or so device of Salehs, I wont squander it. She looked at the map, then back at Antolin. Will ndian stand with us, now that the fighting is done?
Antolin let his breath out slowly, then nodded his head. I cant speak for the Batzar, but Id wager theyll be glad enough to have scored a victory against Saf. Our initial rationale for intervention was humanitarian, so they cant very well neglect Daressan welfare as soon as the guns stop.
I sense a but trailing behind that sentence, Sobriquet muttered.
But the Star will grow to be their chief concern before long, Antolin admitted. I suspect that theyll embrace the rebuilding of Daressa to distract the public from that ugly truth, at least through the winter. I wouldnt count on extended support past then unless the Star of ndian is Michaels to wield.
Michael felt a chill; he caught himself tracing his fingers over his left hand absently and stopped, clasping his hands behind his back. Has there been any sign of Luc? he asked.
None, but we havent truly begun to search, Antolin replied, pacing over to his desk; he withdrew a folded communique and brought it to the table. Its been more than a century since they were last tasked with it, but the Batzars foreign directorate has historically borne the responsibility of finding and recovering the Star when it goes astray. Theyve maintained that capability into the modern age; Leire made sure of it.
A shadow crossed Antolins face; he shook his head.
Ambassadors? Michael frowned. I dont know that diplomacy is going to serve, in this case.
There are many aspects to diplomacy, Antolin said. Formal and - informal. The Zuzendaritza handles both.
Spies, then, Sobriquet mused. I can see how that would be a help, although I doubt they could do more than point the way.
Antolin looked away to the window. I would not discount them, he said. I said finding and recovering. Until you arrived in ndian, our preparations assud that we would have to locate and recover a hostile soul from the very heart of Saf. He t Michaels eyes. The current director is Xabier Lekubarri.
Michael leaned forward on the table, feeling the information click into place in his head. Lekubarri, who had orchestrated Galens death on Leires behalf. They had caught him out, of course, but it had taken Emils ticulous recordkeeping, Sobriquets nose for secrets and Michaels personal intervention to finally draw that link; even then they were left with a fait accompli.
He felt the table give under his grip. Michael released it, looking down at the dents in the tal, then back up at Antolin. Okay, he said. Does he have any agenda past that mission?
Usually, the grand marshal snorted. But I imagine that his next priority after finding the Star of ndian will be to establish a relationship with its next bearer; he has long enjoyed the benefits of being Leires voice in the Batzar. The nature of that relationship, however
Antolin looked down at the map of Daressa, his eyes tracing over the slew of forces still spread across the coastal road. He picked up one of the small markers, turning it over in his fingers. What will you do? he asked.
Michael looked up, blinking. What do you an?
The War has ended, Antolin said. Saf has retreated back within its borders far sooner than expected. The rebuilding of Daressa will be a long and arduous task, especially as the winter sets in, but that charge will be led by administrators and clerks, carried out by laborers. My role in this undertaking is drawing to a close; you must decide what your role will be.
There was a pause; Michael looked down at the map. A land of burnt fields and collapsed buildings, of a tired, desperate people. He turned to Sobriquet, who was lost in her own thoughts. He could feel the pressure, the doubt that settled leaden across her.
Antolin had, if anything, vastly understated the challenges laid out before the renascent state of Daressa. Ardalt was a unified nation untouched by war save of its own volition, and Michael had seen the degree to which feeding and employing the population vexed the Assembly; they were not ideal leaders in any sense, but they ultimately did shoulder the tasks necessary for Ardalts function.
Daressa had only Sobriquet, and even she had voiced doubts as to her suitability for peaceti leadership. There would need to be leaders selected from the populace, trained in the craft of administration, civil structures codified and built over years of work. Rebuilding would not happen in a season - but that was all they could expect, if ndian grew distracted by Stellars absence.
Slowly, Michaels thoughts settled into order. Daressa needs ndian, he said. ndian needs their Star. The only way this is going to work is if ndian makes a lasting commitnt to Daressas security.
He looked up at Antolin. The grand marshals face was solemn, but it could not disguise the intensity of his focus; the fate of two nations was in the balance. There was uncertainty there, and no small amount of grief, but beyond both there was hope. It flared brighter as Antolin t Michaels eyes. Paths branched away, forking and splitting, but there was only one among them worth considering.
I must beco the Star of ndian, Michael said. There is no other path forward.
The low susurrus of conversation around them fell away; Sobriquet turned from her thoughts to look at Michael, then at Antolin. The grand marshal smiled.
That will happen regardless of your efforts, Antolin pointed out. Lekubarri will find Luc, I have no doubts there - and powerful though his soul may be, ndian will not be denied.
Michael nodded. In ti, he said. But we have until spring. And I imagine that if the support ceases, a Star of ndian who has his soul handed to him by the Batzar will not be able to sway them to restart it. Not before Saf takes advantage of the opportunity theyve made.
This is true, Antolin said, motioning for him to continue.
I need to find Luc before then, Michael said. And I need to be the one to stop him. He paused, frowning, then spoke again.
To kill him, he said, quietly. I dont see another path forward. Either Luc dies this winter, or Daressa dies in spring.
There was a pause; Antolins smile faded. There are options, when the ti cos.
There arent. Michael shook his head. It has to be , or the soul will be the Batzars leash around my neck. If - no. When Saf returns to Daressa, they will need ndians help again. The only way to ensure that is by doing what Leire did - using their respect and fear for her to set a course. He paused, his sight straying to his left hand. And I want it to be . I owe him that, for what remains of our friendship.
Well spoken, Antolin said, nodding his approval. But I should warn you that the help I can give will be limited. Youve been accustod to transport, supplies, resources. ndians support for Daressa will shortly transition to civilian oversight, not military - which ans that my abilities will be sharply curtailed, and the Batzar will control what remains.
He has resources of his own, Sobriquet said, threading her fingers through Michaels hand and squeezing. This is for Daressas future, after all.
Your partisans are valuable, but theyre not military - and largely not ensouled, either. Antolin gestured to the table, and the scattered figures representing his battalions. They cant replace this, and many of them will rightfully seek to turn their efforts to rebuilding rather than continuing in conflict.
Michael picked up one of the markers for an infantry squad. Antolin was right; while Sobriquets followers were devoted they were hardly people he could ask to engage in a country-wide search for one of the most dangerous souls known. There was no substitute for soldiers, in the end. He ran his thumb over the marker - and smiled as an idea took root.
Could you support one battalion through the winter? Michael asked, looking at Antolin.
I cant deploy n under your command, Antolin cautioned him. Supplies, perhaps, but my hands are tied once the civilian administrators step in.
Supplies are all Id need, Michael said, placing the infantry marker back on the table. Ill handle the n.
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