Victory
Laila kneels victorious before Gryan Stoutmantle
Laila slowly came awake, but didn’t move. She just lay there, letting the sunlight warm her and luxuriating in the feel of a real bed with clean sheets. Heather’s beds were not a lord’s bed, but even busting at the seams and creaky with hay instead of feathers, they were the most comfortable thing she had slept on for a while.
An enticing smell reached her nose and she sat up sleepily. Heather rushed to her side. “Oh Miss Laila, you’re awake. I’ve made you the biggest breakfast.”
“Oh Heather, you shouldn’t have. I mean, don’t get me wrong, this smells wonderful and I can’t wait to eat it, but I don’t need anything special from you.”
“Oh, it is nothing. This meal doesn’t even begin to thank you for saving Westfall!”
Laila laughed, but then grew grave. “Oh Heather, I wish I had. Not only did I barely do anything, but there are still many Defias out there and now they have no leader and will be desperate to grab what they can for themselves. It will be some time before Westfall is safe, I am afraid.”
Heather sighed. “Yes, I know, dear, but the worst seems over to me. We have the Westfall Brigade to stand strong against the remaining Defias and in time I am sure it will be safe enough for us to reclaim more of Westfall. In any case, the main thing is that I have this wonderful breakfast waiting here and I would love for you to eat it. Do you accept?”
Laila laughed. “How could I refuse? It smells way too enticing.”
As she sat down to eat, Elsharin walked in. Laila beckoned her over. “Please help me eat this breakfast, there’s far too much of it.” Elsharin looked as if she were going to refuse but the smell in the room was irresistable. She sat down and began to nibble on a small oat and honey cake.
“After breakfast, you are to go see Gryan Stoutmantle. I do believe this is not work but merely a congratulatory meeting. All of your superiors, including myself agree that you’ve earned a bit of a rest. After that it is your choice what you do. Your time in service is completely voluntary, but if you wish to continue training as a mage and you leave the service, you will have to find some way to finance it.”
Laila smiled. “I have no intention of leaving at this point. I’m not even sure what I would do! It is true that I have a bit of reward coming to me, but it is not so much as all that. I have also been promised some land here of my own as I have some ideas for a vineyard, but I personally am not the farmer type. It will be nice to have a home, but I would like for this to remain my occupation.”
“In that case, there is another offer on the table for you. SI:7 had already had their eye on Edmond, but they were quite impressed with you as well. They are not prepared to induct you into their organization, but they do have people they use as operatives out in the world. People who appear as ordinary folk unconnected with the world of espionage and secrecy. The powers that be in SI:7 have made it known to me that they would welcome you in such a role. If you chose it, you would remain a part of the mage council and could probably soon expect a promotion. Your training would continue albeit in a somewhat different way, and you would settle down to live where you chose – here it seems. From time to time you would receive certain requests for information and temporary assignments couched in innocuous tasks, errands, and meetings. Potentially you could in the future be involved in larger operations as well, much like the one here in Westfall.”
“That sounds … like exactly what I would like to do. But what about you, and what about Edmond?”
“I am returning to Stormwind, but I will remain in contact with you and we will meet regularly and I will continue to provide training to you. Edmond has been asked to join SI:7 officially.”
“But … he was training to be a paladin.”
“He was. But his past, his personality and his talents and abilities make him particularly well-suited, and as I hear it, he was all too happy to accept. Being a paladin is … one generally has to be called to it, simply choosing it is not always enough. But that is something you can discuss with him yourself. If you accept SI:7′s offer, I am sure you will still work with him in the future.”
“Oh yes, I fully intend to accept. It sounds like the perfect combination of occupation and freedom for me.”
“Very good, I will relay the message and someone will contact you. Since you are choosing to remain here, I will have you appointed as the Mage Council’s representative to the People’s Militia. You will work with them to help secure the area and begin reconstruction.”
“I would like nothing more.”
“Now, we must make haste to see Gryan. He is waiting for you.”
Laila soon found herself kneeling before Gryan Stoutmantle.
“What is all this,” he laughed. “It is I who should kneel to you, child.”
“I really didn’t-”
“Yes, I know we’ve all heard it all. Whether you did or didn’t anything, we are grateful. Now, come inside and sit with me a while.” They retired into the watchtower, where Gryan sat at his rickety camp desk and Laila pulled up a stool. He poured some strong dark coffee to warm them, as the early morning chill penetrated the tower.
“Tell me, child, what are your plans now?”
Laila told him of what she and Elsharin had discussed previously, and she thought Elsharin must have known this was coming.
Gryan smiled widely at her. “Good, good. I am glad to hear you are staying. I was going to offer you a place in our militia, but this will be much better for you. We have plenty to do and could use capable help such as yours. I hope that once it is safe for you to get settled in your own place, we will still see you around Sentinel Hill often.”
“Why of course, I shall need to meet with you regularly and I am sure there will be much to do for a while to come.”
“Good, good! Now off with you, I am sure you have a lot to do today!”
“Sir!” Laila saluted the commander before taking her leave. He merely winked back at her. As she left she thought she could really get used to this type of military organization.
