A rousing speech

They emerge into the bright afternoon sun to the sound of cheering. Kael has always known that Lord Greyheart is a beloved ruler, but he hadn’t realized just how much the people of Foresthearth adored him. The cheers are shockingly loud, enough to cause Evie to cling to his arm, enough to make Kael hesitate for half a step. Lord Greyheart smiles, looking over the packed crowd, seeming invigorated by the cheers.

The champions and their companions line up behind him, with Bernal close at his side. After a few moments more, Lord Greyheart raises his one hand, and almost immediately the cheers stop. The sudden silence is almost as shocking as the noise was, only broken by the songs of nearby birds. Still smiling, Lord Greyheart looks over the crowd once more. Finally, he begins to speak, his mellow voice easily carried out across the crowd.

“It is good to see you all here. We have much to celebrate, indeed. A victory over a vile enemy, a new beginning, a brilliant future. I hope to be worthy of all the cheers.”

He pauses, still smiling. “First, the reason we’re all here today. I spoke of a new beginning. I know the rumor is spreading, and I am here to confirm it. Foresthearth no longer stands alone. In fact, much more than that. Foresthearth is no longer a nation to itself, but now the capital city of a new nation, a crown jewel of our new country. May we all join together in a glorious rise!”

Cheers break out once again. Lord Greyheart lets it build for a while, before raising his hand again for silence. “Our allies are now our countrymen, and they look to us for leadership and support. And we do much the same for them. We all rise together!”

More cheering, quickly stopped as Lord Greyheart continues. “Together. That’s important. I spoke of a vile foe defeated. Karlia.”

A scattering of boos. “Yes. Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of our warriors, we turned back our enemy. But not before they showed us the depths of their villainy.”

He gestures back towards Kael. “It’s only thanks to Champion Kael that their vile tactic failed. But what tactic? And why is that important? Because we, as a new nation, have a responsibility. We must be more than what came before.”

Lord Greyheart gestures again, this time encompassing all of the champions. “You see the champions gathered her, but what else do you see. I have asked them to bring their companions, and aside from good Bernal here, they have done so.”

Lord Greyheart grins at Bernal. “He’s too busy being attached at my hip.”

A chuckle from the crowd, and a laugh from Bernal. The elder champion is well known and well liked, and rarely seen apart from Lord Greyheart.

Growing serious again, Lord Greyheart turns back to the crowd. “Jokes aside, what do you see here? The commonality between these champions? Humans, paired with nonhumans.”

He waves his hand out to indicate everyone there. “Many of you are similar. Thou they are slaves, the nonhumans are treated as friends and family.”

He sighs. “Not so in Karlia, or indeed many nations. In the battle, slaves minds were violated, and they were **** to unwillingly hurl themselves upon our blades. One survivor stands among us today, only alive because Champion Kael broke the ensorcellment upon them.”

Kael feels Gabby tense up beside him, her hand squeezing his almost painfully. There’s murmurs in the crowd, as details of the battle were not widely shared.

“Vile, I know. And yet, how much better are we? We consider ourselves caring, but though the slaves are largely well treated, they are still slaves. Property. Objects. Can we truly call ourselves just if we keep others as merely property?”

More murmurs in the crowd, as people begin to understand his intentions. Kael sees a lot of nodding, but there’s no shortage of discontent as well. Lord Greyheart raises his voice, speaking over the sound.

“It’s not a change that can happen overnight, but it’s a change that must happen. Our new nation will be a free state! We are not beholden to the actions of our ancestors. We can be more. We can be better. I give you my word, we will start for what’s right, together as one!”

Unexpectedly, a cheer begins, not as wholeheartedly as at the beginning, but powerful nonetheless. The champions exchange glances, among themselves and among their companions. Lord Greyheart isn’t finished, now shouting to be heard, a baritone bellow that carries over the tumult.

“Humans and nonhumans, all freed to build the greatest nation this world has ever known. Hail the rise of the free nation, hail Erillia!”