====== Changing Day, Changing Faces ====== There was not a question regarding the proposal. The Monarch listens to Azer's suggestions, and replies with genuine care and seriousness. //“Of course, Lady Hope shall be knighted. There is no question about that. However, the fact that we were one step away from a war with Koralia is a sign of a deep problem within our system.” The Monarch stands up from their seat, walking to the nearby window and looking out into the sunny afternoon outside Castle Mydreign.// With the return of the sun, and the lifting of the Villain’s monstrous threats, Myddul has finally stopped holding its breath. Flocks of wood pigeons can be seen cooing in the trees below that window. Cheery murmurs rise up from the nearby market square. And far far away, tiny dots are moving about on the open farm lands as farmers have returned home and have begun planting another season of crops. //“We could have lost all of this… if not for the steady hand of you, Azer, and other ministers. Some nobles let the crisis get into their head and act irresponsibly, including me. Perhaps, one person should not hold that much influence, and perhaps we should try something new…”// The Monarch turns to the Minister. They put their hand on his shoulder and speak with intent. //“Azer, perhaps we need a system that puts power in the hands of those who deserve it. Those who will act responsibly. Those who are trusted by everyone… //and// will act in everyone’s best interest. I still do not know how we will design such a system, but we should make the next council last only temporarily. For now, we must focus on steadily rebuilding Myddul. We lost so much, and yet -- we have lots to celebrate. Azer, if you agree to be by my side, I would like to anoint you as my first official Royal Advisor. I want you to continue the good work… as you have proven yourself beyond exception”// The Monarch turns and walks up toward Azer, with their ceremonial sword in tow. While unexpected, this is exactly what Minister Zeemark had envisioned -- a transformation from the Minister of War into a more civil pursuit. Something befitting of the peacetime and of Azer’s persuasiveness. And thus, Azer kneels down on the floor of the meeting room, as the Monarch puts their sword on the burly shoulder of the ex-Minister of War. //”In the name of my forebears and the might of Myddul, I, the Monarch of Mydreign, command you to rise up, Azer, my loyal advisor”.// ---- Just a few days later, the meeting was set, and the invites were sent. As the only advisor to the Monarch, Azer was put in charge of organising the Knight Council. The Monarch trusts him to invite the right people, and so he calls on his trustworthy companions. Lady Hope, Lady Pika, Bread, and some other trustworthy nobles. However, a day before the meeting, while most people had accepted the invitation, one letter was noticeably absent. Bread’s. Azer rushes out of the castle, heading towards the outskirts of Myddul where Bread’s farm is located. Passing through rows and rows of empty fields being plowed. The war and the loss of the sun had changed the local flora so much that he could not remember exactly where Bread’s farm is. But one thing he can remember are the farmers. Azer can recognise some of them that are plowing the barren field, and they too recognise one of their ex-commanders. They cheerfully greet Azer as he rides by on his horse, and so Azer removes his captain hat to wave and slow down, hoping to inquire if they have seen Bread. //”Oh, Commander Bread? Oh yeah, we just saw them at lunch. Us farmers had a little communion at lunch and they were there. Perhaps they will be at their farm? I heard there is a lot of repair to do after that battle but they refuse any help…”// One of the old farmers answers Azer's inquiry. //”Commander Azer, before you go… thank you for keeping us alive that day.”// The old man hands you a gift… a hand-carved wooden figurine of a sail boat. //“Again, good luck on your endeavor…”// Azer graciously bows to the farmer and his companion. Being a Royal Advisor cannot stop him from being gracious… from being the kind person that he is. Azer thus departs for Bread’s farm with the information of Bread’s whereabouts and the thoughtful gift from the old farmer. ---- The closer Azer gets to Bread’s farm, the more he can recognise the area. It was, after all, the battlefield where he bled with the Monarch, Bread, and the farmer guards. The scars of battles are long gone, cleared right after its conclusion even before the sun has returned. The farmhouse is now in sights, and its freshly-applied white paint makes it stand out in the barren fields. A figure can be seen on its roof. Their hand moves up and down as they repair the red-tiled roof. A recognisable face. A comrade with proven reliability. //”Hm? Azer!”// Bread turns their head towards the direction of the hoofbeats as Azer approaches the farm house, before quickly making their way down the roof and the ladder nearby. //“Sorry, I was hesitating on how to reply to your invite... Come, let’s sit”// After the horse is fed, given water, and put inside the barn, Bread and Azer sit down inside the rustic kitchen. Bread pours a warm brown liquid into Azer’s cup - ‘Herbal tea made from Heartwood herbs,’ they tell Azer. At first, Bread remains quiet while sipping the piping hot tea. But, eventually, they put down the cup. //”Azer, did you realise that I only accept your offer for the military post because of the circumstances we were in?”// Bread looks at Azer with genuine sadness. //“I never liked warfare. I can take responsibilities, but I never liked holding onto power. Now that the Villain and the threats against Myddul and our people are gone, I think it is the perfect time for me to pursue my personal interest.”// Azer raises his finger, about to protest, but Bread coughs gently -- reminding him that they will not hear another reason. //”Azer, you know me better than a lot of people. I was not happy as a commander, and I am especially not happy around those pompous nobles…except you, of course.”// They then pick up their tea cup again. //”I am happier now, here, in my own farm. I missed this peaceful life, and I am proud that I contributed to its return. It is time for me to enjoy the return to normalcy. Besides, I can still support the rebuilding effort from here -- growing food to feed our people and others… I am sorry Azer, but this is it for me.”// The awkward quietness thus return again, before Azer begins to ask about Bread’s progress on their restoration of the farm, which they are more than happy to tell… While the teapot is being emptied, and the two friends continue to rekindle their friendships, the wood pigeons can be heard cooing softly from the nearby tree. The lights are being lit on the nearby roads and farms. The sun moves slowly towards the west, casting the tree’s shadow over the farmhouse, until the place is fully engulfed in the darkness of the night. But unlike the shadow cast by the Villain, this darkness is only temporary. For the night will be cast away once the sun approaches the eastern edge of Mydreign, and there is a better tomorrow awaiting the land. Bread’s departure is but a temporary night for Azer, as he can look forward to a better future for himself as the royal advisor and for Bread as a happy farmer. Two friends, in their right places. ====== The Knights' Council ====== Azer Zeemark helps Lady Hope into the meeting of the Round Table. He's also accompanied by a diverse range of... you could say everyone. "I suppose, to everyone, their majesties in some cases or village leaders in others, sometimes not by choice, this is a great day because of our victory. We won. The Villain is dead, many of us secured or powered up the weapon, the Lady struck the final blow... I think rather it's because of our cooperation together." Azer fingers the pearl on his hands. "See here. This pearl I gave The Lady. At the time I thought it helpful. Not critical. Yet it was critical. Maybe life saving. I gave it on a whim, a gut feeling." "We need to convene a full Round Table but for all peoples. To discuss our needs, our crises, and the future. We need to be prepared for the future." "As Minister of War, I feel I have served out the needs of the post as were required. We achieved our objectives, with Bread, Their Majesty, in the depths of Chela's Reach. We won against the Villain." "The war is over. I feel therefore my position needs to change. We need something else. We need peace." "Peace is essential for our survival, for all of us. When I began working with Bread, I was presciently aware of where farming sits. No farming, no food. No food, no people. It's that which keeps our world turning." "We need a new ministry... we need one of the peace. I offer up my services to that role, as a minister to peace, and finding our way together into the future." "I should add, I do not mean we will not have need of an army or navy in our future. Ultimately, a new crisis may arise, and we will then need an army, a fleet, and knowledgeable and skilled heroes to rise to the challenge. So we will maintain what we have, but for now, our focus must be on rebuilding and securing the peace using our best skills. We have no threats now save for circumstance." "I also ask, that we also need to ensure our environmental stewardship of this place we all call home.. we do not need the mass production of arms nor at all costs anymore. Ensure the Lizards Fangs and the forests are preserved, but ready." "That's is all I have to say. Reason says the rest. Now... revels!" //-- Written by Hector H.//