Old Friends Reunite

There were twenty soldiers from different branches of the military standing in front of a large crowd of people. Each of these soldiers was a war hero from the recent battles agains the Nazdar forces. Among the twenty heroes was Corporal Chiecra Gwynor, Captain Ilkez Brutius, Sergeant Viktorov Gwynor and other members of the Vestrisian Vanguard.

             "Look sharp boys here comes the new Maxim Senator." Ilkez told the group of Vanguards around him.

            "Wasn't he senator of the Tante Republic?”  a Corporal asked.

            "No that was Argrithe." Chiecra commented correcting the soldier.

            Arctice and his party walked to the stands where he gave a brief speech. The group of magistrate assembled behind their Mastar. Arctice approached the podium with a clear view of his audience. He addressed the city of Udraine.

            "Good afternoon citizens of Udraine city. I Mastar Maxim-Senator Arctice Greymir return to take my father's place in the role of Maxim Senator successor. It has been three years since my departure from the public eye of the world. Much has happened since my father's death. The attempted assassination on Queen Lizan, massacre of Vullan's leaders, fall of the Vullanese Empire, our soldier's retreat from the Balkmells allowed the Nazdar to take claim over the valley of Vrec Wren Vieth. The stalemates in Zekmar and Vimasdra as Nazdar, Gantronese forces reclaim territories, the loss of multiple allies along with many victories at sea and air. We are gathered here to celebrate a shocking victory that was won over and underneath the Bymere Country. If it were not for the Vanguards' actions taking the fight to the enemy, all of our hopes and dreams would vanish.  I call upon the heroes of this battle to come up as your name is announced."

            Arctice looked down the list of selected heroes. He saw no names he recognized until he reached Corporal Chiecra Gwynor, Vestrisian Vanguard of the Balkmell unit. His eyes gazed in wonder at the name of his forgotten friend. He began with the highest rank to the lowest ranks starting with Captain Ilkez Brutius and then a line of Lieutenants. The last Lieutenant was Liviscart, the Sergeants were few in number. "Sergeant Viktorov Gwynor... Sergeant Eric Azzony, and Sergeant Gunnar Lienett. Now on to the Corporals, Corporal Vaed." After Vaed two other corporals walked before Chiecra. "Corporal Chiecra Gwynor." Arctice called out to the remaining heroes assembled before the crowd. Chiecra marched to the stage in a proud stride. He appeared the stage from the left side in front of an audience of more than twenty thousand. Chiecra walked up the steps to the risers making his way to the Maxim-Senator. As he drew closer to the high official Chiecra noticed something about this new Mastar Maxim-Senator. Did he know this man at some point in his life? Chiecra stood face to face with an old friend.

            Arctice held Chiecra's hand in his own frozen stiff as a statue. He stared into the eyes of Corporal Chiecra Gwynor to whom he was about to reward a Medal of Honor and duty. The old friend placed three badges and a single medal on the Vanguard Corporal's chest. "Each reward I give Corporal Chiecra Gwynor represents his experience and heroism performed on the battlefield." Ten bronze and silver stars were added to Chiecra's rewards. Arctice could not believe his eyes, his friend from Vrec Wren Vieth stood before him alive and well. "It's good to see you again my old friend. How have you been?"

Chiecra was stunned to see a best friend he never saw in the past three years. Arctice was like a brother to him, since he lived with him in the Gwynor manor. Memories of their past together as buds stuck in their minds as they stood on the stage. Both of them were glad to see the other again.

'I have been well, thank you.' Chiecra answered in Arctice's mind, who was taken aback by Chiecra's ability to speak with his thoughts. As Chiecra stepped down he was bombarded by Ilkez's voice.

"Who was that? Did you know him by any chance? Many would be amazed to know your friendship with the Mastar Maxim-Senator. Tell me who it is then!" Chiecra ignored the pestering, nosy Zhenrai Knight wishing his voice would get out of his head.

Chiecra answered Ilkez as he sat next to him. "Yes I knew him, that's Arctice Greymir son Argrithe. The two of us were like brothers in the Gwynor Manor."  

When the last hero to receive medals returned to his seat the audience applauded the brave soldiers of the VAVR for their triumph. The attention reverberated to Arctice as he readied himself for his next speech. He requested this one be broadcasted to the rest of the Union.

            A moment passed before Arctice began his other speech. He looked up making eye contact with the audience seated before him. "People of Vestrisia, leaders of the Union Republics, and soldiers of the Vestrisian forces. You remember my father Argrithe, he was a great leader, magnificent organizer, and a politician. I return to the eyes of the public to take his place. Follow in his footsteps as I continue where he left off. Soldiers of the Vestrisian Republics your days on the front will not end. The enemy will not cease their advances on our borders. It will be decreed that all troops be stationed at the borders and frontlines of the battlefields. Unless there is a ceasefire called you will fight the Nazdar and Gantronese, taking every base cleared of enemies. Not an inch of ground is to be left untaken in your crusade to cleanse the world of slavery. The men currently at the fronts, stand your ground at all costs. No land should return to the hands of our enemy. My father's decree did not reach the ears of our commanders until now. His assassination was the cause for the Nazdar's counter-offensives. Many could say it was the absence of forty thousand vanguards that allowed the Balkmell Mountains to fall to enemy hands!" Arctice glared at his audience, pausing before his next speech to the Union Republic.

            Arctice sighed letting his body relax solely for the purpose of his next speech to the people. In his mind he wanted to destroy Aliscar to avenge his father's death. He cleared his throat again. "I came here before you as a man who has returned to save the Union in the place of my own father. Although I was young at the time I still understand the reasons behind his assassination. Not only have I returned to take his place, I have returned to avenge my father's death for the sake of the Union of Republics!"

            Thunderous applause erupted in response to Arctice's speeches. No one doubted the will he inspired in the forces of the VAVR. From this day to the day the war would finally end, every soldier would dedicate their time and energy to defend their borders from the enemy forces.

            "That was a good speech in the end. An excellent addition to the honorary rewards ceremony to the troops." an elf boasted behind Chiecra and Viktorov. The Gwynors looked at each other and snickered to themselves. The elf moved on unaware the soldiers were snickering in front of him. A few heroes remained as the crowd filed out to the awaiting transports and homes. Chiecra stood amongst the last six heroes at the ceremony.

            Arctice paved his way through the media answering questions as he went. When the last of the reporters left Arctice was surrounded by his companions and fellow senators. He watched the chairs and stands be put away except for a column of chairs left in the center of the plaza. Six men filled a portion of the column with the chairs positioned in a circle. Chiecra conversed with the men from time to time mostly listened to what was said in the circle.

Othellis approached Arctice, "Should we proceed to dinner? We could discuss the plans from earlier."

            "Yes and add six more to the group. I would like to know how these heroes fought and what dangers they faced." Arctice replied. "Jousen, Jousen there you are." How many do we have in our party?"

            "Excluding you, me and Juno-Rose there is Orion, Othellis, Nemare, Alon, Aivos, KYen, Aedile Devor Enius, Ledos and Senator Curtian. That makes a total of nine in the party. Add the three of us and make it twelve plus the six of them, eighteen. "

            Arctice nodded pondering in his head over how many tables they should reserve, or divide up the group evenly. To him it seemed possible to separate the groups so they could take up little space in the restaurant. Jousen tapped Arctice in the shoulder. "Umm, excuse me sir our party has decreased leaving a handful of people."

            He turned to face her. "Who isn't going with us tonight?" he asked patiently. Three of the soldiers left the plaza, Chiecra, Ilkez, and Viktorov remained at the plaza sitting near the group of politicians.

            "Consulate Alon is not dining with his he has to leave for Geverin. His wife wants him home soon from the vacation.  She calls it that for some reason. Any way Senator's Aivos, Curtian, and Kyen won't be joining us. Those three are headed for the inn." Jousen wrote in her notebook scratching out those who were not joining them. She glanced at the list of senators before looking up. Arctice sat down with the three heroes engaging them in conversation.

            "Chiecra Gwynor how many years has it been?" He asked his old friend.

            Chiecra turned his gaze over to Arctice. "It's been too long for me Arctice." he responded, glad to talk to an old colleague. The two friends conversed about their loves and experiences during the three years of no contact. "Arctice you would not believe your eyes if you saw what I experienced in the underworld. While I confronted the enemy multiple times, something happened to me I can barely explain." Chiecra said excitedly.

            "Care to share your stories at dinner? We have a lot to discuss and most of it can't wait long." Arctice said encouraging Chiecra to join him for dinner The Corporal looked at the other two heroes. Both seemed fine to tag along the party.

            "We'll join you Mastar Greymir." Ilkez replied.

            "Call me Arctice, after all you are one of the many heroes of the Vestrisian Republics." Arctice laughed heartily wanting to give Ilkez a bottle of wine and drink with these heroes. A party of twelve made its way out of the plaza through the streets of Udraine.

            "So where should we dine tonight?" Arctice asked eyeing Jousen and Juno-Rose with interest. Chiecra observed the expression on his colleague's face. From the way he stared at the Keint and the humanoid it was clear that Arctice craved their bodies.

            "There is a place called Recetrs. It is a cafe and restaurant mixed into a single dining hall. They have plenty of booth space for a party of twelve." Orion recommended to the group. Recetrs suited the whole party.

            On the way the politicians discussed the matters and organizing the sub-leadership. Arctice made it clear to all the offices of Quaestor, Aedile, and Steward would be added to Lheobethe, New Valde, Naatidra, and Gaskouth Ladai. What the trio heard spun around their mindful brains. A new branch of leaders maintaining the cities, counties, while the main leaders ran the ongoing war.