Keeping the Fire: Comaes

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The three ascending tiers of the Hall of the Speakers were all full. The massive vaulted ceiling with its spiral pillars and open arched windows reflected a hundred conversations into a low rumble of speech. The Flinish nobles were here, royals whom The People’s Alliance called Domineerists ever since exiling them in the Revolution nearly three hundred years past. This was no surprise, for Polena had always seen at least one of their nobles or diplomats about at any thing of merit. But the Free Westins were here too, peoples of many diverse nations. The purple plumbed warriors of the Dorrishmen who had been visiting of late, the elderly Minister from the Twin Kingdoms and his daughter. In another corner was that corpulent diplomat from Mona whose name escaped Polena and the Rena whose rank she could not remember – it was something obtuse like, “least favored ear,” or “nearsighted peer” or something like that – and most notably the deputies from the Parliament, hardened men and women patriots all of their many so called “Downtrodden” nations. Along the top tiers were the dozens of other Edgaran nobles that she had met once or twice before but now could not all remember save familiar faces here and there. But despite the number in attendance they were dwarfed by a sea of orange in the hall's lowest central space, the orange cloth Westa Proper, of the great western empire of the High King in Fiedjan. More than a hundred people wore it, for today the soldiers of Fiedjan visited their fair-weather ally, today Fortress Edgar must take notice. 

And there was so much to take notice off. The warriors were arrayed in three long lines extending up the center of the assembly area and stairs that lay before the throne, standing at attention and awaiting his presence. This column of soldiers, men of the Shield of Edjin, the largest fighting force of what they would call Westa Proper, or the Pureblooded Westins, had come in full raiment with orange cloaks across their shoulders hiding the dark iron of the ancient and well crafted blades at their sides. The leather laced ceramic plates of their armor were well polished, a dark rich color like that of strong tea. Their dark hair and dark skin seemed of uniform quality, as if each man had been cast from the same clay, their perfect stance adding to the feeling that this was glory of a nation carved the same tree and painted from the fiery reds, glowing oranges, and somber browns of an autumn forest. 

“What are they doing here?” asked Polena in as quiet a voice as she could muster. She and Coralm had been granted a space on the second tier, a rank equivalent to that of diplomats and nobles of foreign lands. 

“They have not yet announced their purpose yet, but it is held that they seek the Fortress' aid.” replied Coralm, never taking his eyes off the group of soldiers, “I do not know if that means they finally intend to make war again on the Free Westins to the south, or if…” 

“Make war?” interrupted Polena, “But ten years ago they embarked on that tragedy, and it was a defeat for everyone involved. It’s not happening again is it?” 

“or if…” continued Coralm as if he had not been interrupted, “they simply want to see where the Edgarans stand, with them in Westa Proper, with the Free Westins in the Westin Interior, or with Flin and neither Western power. In any case there are likely to be a lot of unhappy people after today.” 

“Is it not possible they might stand with us?” asked Polena, “Have you not been here nearly a decade spreading the Way of the People and offering our nation’s good will?” 

“Look around you. Do you see anyone from the People’s Alliance besides the two of us Polena?” 

Indeed, she did see a few Alliance citizens among the gathered masses but they were only tradesmen or exiles. 

“We are alone, Comae.” Coralm said before she could answer him. He did not use that common word, Comae very often though it was rife among the speech of patriots in their homeland. It's meaning was brother or sister, compatriot, and fellow traveler all in one. To hear it now Polena mused it meant as a call to rally. She took it up. 

“By the fact you can say that word, Comae, you prove yourself wrong.” 

Though his face did not change Coralm seemed to smile. In a foreign land, surrounded by foes, and on the cusp of what could be the start of the next great war of Creace at least they had this to stand by. Polena held her breath as the King and Queen entered the chamber and the leader of the Fiedjan contingent came to the fore.

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