Chapter 483: Relief At Last
"I will step down as Eldritch Lady of the High Pass and surrender its throne to Young Lord Hauke!"
Ashlynn’s words unleashed a storm of emotional cheers on both sides of the Great Hall. Some, like Odette, dropped to their knees and wept openly in relief. They had been conquered, but the Vale of Mists would only rule over them while Hauke had a chance to grow and learn under the guidance of both the Mother of Trees and the Eldritch Lady of the Vale.
To learn sorcery from one of the great witches was already an honor beyond words, but the fact that Hauke would also benefit from being able to learn how Lady Nyrielle ruled over the Vale of Mists was almost more valuable than whatever Hauke could learn from Ashlynn. The High Pass had long kept to their ways and their traditions, but Nyrielle was right that the world was changing.
Now, Hauke would be able to learn from one of the people confronting those changes directly. When Hauke returned from his exile, Odette was certain that he would face some opposition by the more traditional among the elders. But by then, he would likely command the strength to overrule any serious objections.
On the opposite side, Heila finally took her hand off the handle of her whip and slumped against the warm, comforting figure of Ignatious. They’d done it. Her lady had passed the most fragile, delicate moment of this transition of power, and no blood had been shed to secure their victory.
Now, feeling drained as if she were a wet towel that had been thoroughly wrung out, Heila let go of the last of her reservations and clutched at Ignatious’s crimson and gold tunic, burying her face in the soft fabric and inhaling his warm, comforting scent. Her mind drifted at the edge of sleep, and keeping her eyes open felt like far too much work, but her ears remained attentive, listening to everything happening around the hall.
"Lady Ashlynn," Commander Jannik’s rich, powerful voice called out over the din of the crowd’s celebration. "Lady Ashlynn, will you give me a word?"
"No," Ashlynn said, her voice barely carrying across the hall as she gripped the edge of her throne to steady herself. The room seemed to tilt slightly beneath her feet, and the bandages on her hands had begun to show faint crimson stains where her wounds had reopened from the evening’s exertions. Each breath felt like drawing air through wet cloth as the pain in her ribs intensified, but she forced herself to stand straight, knowing the importance of appearing strong in this moment.
"Commander Jannik, if you wish a word with me, you may have it another time," Ashlynn continued, the subtle tremor in her voice noticeable only to those closest to her. Sweat beaded along her hairline despite the chill of the hall, and her complexion had taken on an alarming pallor that contrasted sharply with the vivid green of her dress.