The Vampire & Her Witch

The challenges Nyrielle laid out so plainly were ones that weighed on the minds of everyone who had dwelled in the Vale of Mists their entire life. Virve and Lennart both nodded along as Nyrielle laid out the challenges, quickly understanding why, even with the sizeable reinforcements they’d brought from across the mountains, Lady Nyrielle would choose to create a new, more senior position imbued with the authority to command their forces in such an unconventional campaign.

Others around the table showed reactions that had less to do with the coming war and more to do with what they saw as long overdue recognition of Thane’s position within the Vale of Mists. Ashlynn wore a radiant smile as she looked at the man who had declared himself her ’big brother’ when she first arrived in the Vale, and Ollie, sitting nearby, looked equally proud at the recognition his mentor was receiving.

But not everyone reacted to the appointment of Nyrielle’s oldest human progeny to the position with the same levels of enthusiasm.

Sitting beside the bearish commander, Marshal Jacob reached out to put a gentle, reassuring hand on his long-time friend’s forearm. To give an entire life to the service of the vale, leading his men in countless minor actions of the long-simmering conflict since the end of the War of Inches, and suddenly finding himself relieved of command now that the next real war was about to begin...

The diminutive Marshal couldn’t begin to understand how his friend could swallow the insult.

"It’s fine," Bassinger said quietly as he gave his old friend and fellow councilor a fragile smile that held back a storm of conflicting emotions. "If it were anyone else, I might argue, but compared to Lord General Thane, I truly am inexperienced and lacking."

Thane had been old, wise, and experienced when Bassinger was still a cub. It had been Thane who noticed the bearish commander’s talents during the War of Inches, pulling him away from the front lines and assigning him to Nyrielle’s personal guard where he could begin to observe more of the decision-making that shaped the final days of the war. Years later, it had been Thane again who recommended Bassinger to take over the position as Captain of her guard when his predecessor retired.

There had never been a point in Commander Bassinger’s long career when he hadn’t been able to turn to the powerful vampire for support, whether it was honing his fighting techniques or adjusting to life behind a desk when he assumed what had once been the highest office in Nyrielle’s army. Thane had always been there, acting like a big brother to Bassinger and everyone under his command.

"Thank you, Bassinger," Thane said graciously from the opposite end of the table. "But just because I’m assuming command as the Lord General, that doesn’t mean I won’t need capable commanders like you to help through this war. In fact, I need three more men to take up burdens every bit as heavy as your own if we’re going to use our forces to the greatest effect."

As soon as he said it, people once more cast glances around the table, some more overt than others. A few gazes gathered on the newest vampire at the table, wondering if the former captain of Nyrielle’s guard would be taking up some greater responsibility now that he had transcended the barrier between life and death. Others looked to Zedya, Virve, and even Savis, wondering which of them would be next to be named to a position of authority.

"There are five pillars of strength within the army of the Vale," Thane said. "The largest by far are Ordinary Soldiers, men who are well trained, disciplined, and who we will rely on to man the walls in defense and lay siege in offense. Commander Bassinger, these men will be yours to command, and you can expect that you will receive several reinforcements as we reorganize our soldiers to thicken your ranks," the Lord General explained.

"Our next pillar of strength are the elite soldiers who are capable of serving as the sharp point of the spear on the attack, and siege breakers on defense. They are men and women with the power to become arena champions in High Fen City or to serve as the most feared division under the command of High Lord Hamdi," Thane said, turning his gaze to the white-furred vampire from the Golden Eyed clan.