Following the vote, Tribesmen shot out from the Elder Hall in all directions, bringing word of the new political situation to all corners of the island. The Ax-Bringer took care of spreading the word within Stormhollow, and he was so efficient about it that by the time Leon strode out of the hall, the streets were lined with countless Tribesmen waiting to get a glimpse of him. Celebration could be heard throughout the city as the people almost spontaneously began partying, and with his tour through the Harts’ capital city still fresh in his mind, Leon remained in human form and began walking through the city, intending to take a circuitous route back to the Jaguars’ guest palace.
Following him were the vast majority of the leadership of most of the Tribes. The Bears and Spiders were the two main exceptions, but even then, Leon had a handful of elders from each Tribe and many of their Chiefs with him. He wasn’t yet concerned about them, but he knew he’d have to deal with those two recalcitrant Tribes at some point in the near future.
For now, though, he let himself get swept up in the city’s jubilation.
At just about every street corner the people burst out into song and dance, and street vendors popped up everywhere selling food. It was like the entire city had turned into a fairground, and nearly all the songs were about the Thunderbird Clan. Leon couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he passed every group, all of them celebrating the return of his Clan to their island and his elevation as King.
As he walked through the streets, thousands of people rushed out to see him, and while the rest of his followers were a little wary of so much attention, he waved them off and allowed his people to approach. He confidently strode through the crowds, thousands of people shouting their blessings at him and reaching out to touch his clothes.
Leon had long been insecure about how the Ten Tribes would receive him, even after he’d arrived. Seeing so many people in Stormhollow now celebrating his ascension was intoxicating and terrifying and relieving all at the same time. He felt like he could drown in the public adoration, but he immersed himself as much as he could. Eventually, he reached his limit and took off into the sky, transforming as he did. He, followed by his most direct followers, flew back to the Jaguars’ guest palace, though he didn’t hesitate to fill the sky with silver-blue lightning to give the people that much more assurance that he was still there and still celebrating with them.
He just wanted a more private celebration, now.
He landed in the guest palace’s forecourt where Cassandra and the Tempest Knights were waiting. All but his wife took a knee as he landed and returned to human form, the rest of his retainers doing likewise at his back.
“Welcome back, Your Majesty!” Alcander roared, the greeting echoed throughout the assembled knights.
Leon, wearing a face-splitting smile, strode through them, nodding to as many as he could. But for all that appreciated them and wanted to acknowledge their service and loyalty, it was Cassandra that he wanted to reach. It was she, Valeria, and Maia that held the lion’s share of his attention.
Cassandra awaited him at the top of the stairs separating the forecourt from the peristyle, a proud smile on her lips.
“Welcome back, Leon,” she said as he ascended the last step. “I take it every—”
Leon interrupted her by sweeping her up into his arms and planting his lips upon hers. He spun her around a couple times before putting her down and repeating the gesture with Maia and Valeria, both of whom were happy to participate.
“Take out the crown,” Leon said to Cassandra.
She shot him a rather provocative smile before glancing at Valeria and Maia, both of whom nodded. A moment later, the crown was in her hands, and Leon guided it up to her brow.
Down below, those watching cheered as Leon’s Queen was crowned. He didn’t think he’d ever wear a crown, but letting Cassandra, Elise, or even Valeria or Maia wear one was more than fine with him.
And with that done, he led his ladies inside to wind down. It had been a stressful day, and while he was still amped up over his victory, he needed a few hours to rest.
---
“That Hector’s going to be a problem,” Valeria said once Leon was finished telling them what had happened in the Elder Hall.
It was just the four of them relaxing in the main bedroom. No one was feeling too amorous, though Leon was still cuddling with Maia while Cassandra and Valeria sat on the edge of the massive bed. They were joined, however, by a projection of Elise, who’d been called almost immediately once they were in private. More than an hour was spent catching everyone up and sharing their warm, loving congratulations, and now talk was turning more to business.
“The Bears sound like they’re going to be betraying us at some point, too,” Cassandra bitterly spat. “And the Spiders.”
“We’ll deal with them,” Leon said. “They can do a lot of damage, yes, but we have the Bisons and most of the Tigers in our corner, now. If they’re rational, they’ll stand down and either fall in line or get out of the way.”
“And if they do neither?” Valeria asked.
“Kill them,” Maia growled.
“Is that necessary?” Elise asked from Occulara. “If most of the Tribes are with you, then there doesn’t have to be a war, does there?”
“The problem with war,” Valeria said, “is that it isn’t always up to us. If the Bears or whoever else makes themselves a problem, then they’ll have to be dealt with. Likely in the manner that Maia endorses.”
Maia grinned and projected a little killing intent before cuddling deeper into Leon’s embrace.
“Ugh,” Elise moaned in jealousy. “I wish I was there with you…”
“We’ll get you here,” Leon reassured her. “Soon enough. We just have to get into a stable position. It’s not just dealing with the Bears, the Spiders, and Hector, we also have the Thunderer. Technically speaking, we only voted on making me King, not on whether or not he should keep his position.”
“I hope you’re not suggesting that that arrogant bastard keeps his position?!” Cassandra exclaimed.
“Let’s not go throwing around words like ‘arrogant’ too readily, my Queen,” Leon said as he leaned over, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her closer. She playfully resisted for a moment until Leon called her by her new title, and she just melted into his arms.
Elise growled in frustration. “As soon as you get back, we’re going to bed and not leaving for at least two—no three days!”
“Promises, promises,” Leon said with a lascivious grin. His expression turned more serious a moment later as his grip on Cassandra weakened and she easily struggled free. “I don’t know how much longer this will take, though. There’s a lot of work ahead of us. Years of it. The Tribes didn’t have much of a central government, and now that I’m their King, I want to build one.
“Fortunately, the Thunderer has already done a lot of work in that regard, which is why I want him on my side. A mind for bureaucracy and the will to set up paper trails… I can’t let that kind of person just go, and besides, he cast his vote for me. I think it’s for the best. And with him on side, the Bears ought to fall in line, too. Without the support of another Tribe, I can’t imagine the Spiders will resist too much to my rule before they start reaping the benefits—which should quiet down any further dissent.
“Hector remains our only wild card, but with Solomon and most of the Tigers with me, I don’t think there’s much he can do, officially. He seemed determined enough to resist me—or the Jaguars, at least—that I’m sure he’ll make himself a problem. But again, with the Thunderer with me, what power does Hector have left?”
“He’s still a ninth-tier mage and the brother of the Tigers’ Hegemon,” Valeria cautioned. “He can do a lot of damage.”
“He’ll submit to the Thunderer,” Maia lazily stated. “Thunderer’s stronger.”
“Maybe…” Leon murmured. “At the very least, I think the Thunderer would be able to keep these rogue elements in line.”
“Then that’s the first thing you have to do,” Elise determined. “Ensure cooperation. Solidify your rule. Then come and get me.”
“You’re not wrong,” Cassandra added. She glanced back at Leon. “When should we go?”
Leon gave her an incredulous look. “Rushing me now of all times?”
“Leon!” Elise practically shouted though she was still smiling. “The sooner this is done, the sooner I can come to you…”
“And the sooner we might be able to negotiate peace with my Empire,” Cassandra said. “And the others, too, I guess.”
Leon lightly sighed. He’d hoped for at least another hour or so, but when he projected his magic senses, he found that while the city was still in the throes of celebration, many elders from all the various Tribes had made their way to the guest palace and were now waiting in the huge forecourt.
“You’re right,” he said as he struggled to get upright again. “And when you’re right, you’re right. I’ve gotten enough rest; let’s get this done!”
---
“I must protest one last time,” the Jaguar said as he and Leon floated above the Thunderer’s home.
“Protest a thousand more times, my mind won’t change,” Leon replied. He glanced at the spotted man, his golden skin now turning a reddish hue as the sun began its final descent toward the edge of the plane. “I understand your reticence, but we need him. As much as it may pain you to admit, many of his reforms are needed. But I promise you that I won’t infringe upon the Tribes, your people will remain your people. The Ten Tribes, however, must also become one people. These two things are not mutually exclusive. And, even if all of this falls through, he’ll still be the strongest elder of the Bear Tribe. His support must be secured, we can’t assume we have it just because he voted for me.”
The Jaguar frowned quite deeply, but he didn’t protest any further. Instead, he bowed slightly and flew back into the sky where the rest of Leon’s followers were waiting.
And so, Leon descended to the entrance of the Thunderer’s home, still guarded by a number of Bears and Tigers, though with considerably fewer bureaucrats scurrying about within. In his wake came the rest of his family, retinue, and the Tempest Knights, though the horde of elders that had accompanied Leon here—many of whom joined the Jaguar in expressing their dissent about trying to recruit the Thunderer—remained hovering in the sky.
The guards at the Thunderer’s front door watched him descend, and though Leon thought for a moment they might try to deny him entry, or at least kick up a bit of a fuss, they wordlessly opened the door for him.
Leon made it to the Thunderer’s main courtyard where he was met by who he assumed was the Thunderer’s steward.
“Your Majesty,” the man said in greeting as he bowed low. “Lord Thunder has sequestered himself inside with orders not to be disturbed…”
Leon frowned slightly. “Inform him I’ve arrived to talk. If he’s not in the mood, we can speak later, but I hope he’ll at least meet with me today.”
The steward bowed again and escorted Leon and all but his Tempest Knights into a large waiting room before leaving to find the Thunderer.
Leon fielded a few doubting looks from his retainers, but he didn’t think the Thunderer would turn him away. It was a bit manipulative, but propriety at least would demand the Thunderer find out what he wanted, let alone the optics of turning away a King.
The steward returned after about five fairly tense minutes.
“Your Majesty,” he said as he returned.
“Drop the style,” Leon said with a good-natured wave. “My name is enough.”
The steward grimaced. “King Leon, Lord Thunder has agreed to meet with you.”
Leon grinned in triumph. At least he wasn’t wrong about that part.
He ordered his people to remain in the waiting room and followed the steward deeper inside. He was brought to a private balcony sheltered by an arched roof and many powerful wards. It faced west, and as Leon was shown in, he found the Thunderer sitting quietly, watching the sunset, a look of morose serenity on his face.
After showing Leon in, the steward bowed once again and left, leaving Leon and the Thunderer alone.
Leon took a deep breath and joined the Thunderer, sliding into the only other chair on the balcony. And then he sat there in silence, appreciating the way the sun set over Lake Ontarii as much as the Thunderer seemed to be.
After what felt like an eternity, Leon asked, “Why did you support me?”
The Thunderer responded in a quiet tone, “It seemed the quickest path to peace.”
Leon slowly nodded. “Do you still believe that the Ten Tribes don’t need a King?”
“I do,” he readily replied.
Leon let his statement linger for a moment before saying, “I meant it when I said I would support your reforms. The Ten Tribes need to be unified. There was a real chance there that a civil war might’ve broken out. You supporting me might’ve been the thing that brought us back from the brink.”
“I will always do what I believe is best for the Ten Tribes,” he stated.
“And it is for that very reason that I want you to work with me, Thunderer,” Leon replied.
The Thunderer smirked self-deprecatingly. “That is no longer who I am.”
Leon gave him a thin-lipped smile. The Bears strongly linked what one did with who they were. The Thunderer’s name, so long as he filled that position, was ‘the Thunderer’. It was his identity as much as it was his position in Bear culture.
“Why not?” Leon asked. “I don’t recall you losing your position.”
The Thunderer finally spared him an almost derisive look. He kept that as his only response.
“I want you to work with me,” Leon said. “To continue your work and to ensure that the Tribes remain at peace with each other. We need this.”
The Thunderer sat and thought for a long moment before saying, “I know we do. I… I have always tried to show deference to the Tribes. Despite what the Jaguar of the West claims, I have never wanted to be a King. I have only ever wanted to strengthen my people. I have always followed the laws passed by the Elder Council and abided by the restrictions placed upon my office. And I… I thought I had found people who saw what I was trying to build and wanted to support me. But now I understand that my Tribe only wanted to seize power, and Hector wanted to spite the Jaguar.”
Leon sighed but didn’t interrupt.
“I don’t know what to do anymore, Leon,” the Thunderer continued, sounding rather choked up. “My Tribe nearly started a civil war. Everything I’ve built is now so… fragile… I have tried to honor my people and the Elder Council, but any support I’ve ever had has always been begrudging at best. My people don’t want me. They want their rightful King.”
He glanced at Leon, a look of such sorrow on his face that Leon felt his heart sink in empathy.
“I don’t know what use you might have for me,” he said. “I don’t know what use I could possibly provide you. All I’ve tried is to bring my people together, but all I’ve done is sow discord.”
“You’ve laid the groundwork for the Kingdom to come,” Leon finally said. “I know that you have said you don’t think the Ten Tribes need a King, but they’ve clearly disagreed. Now I ask that you honor their decision, but that doesn’t mean your work has failed, or even that it has to stop. Work with me, help me maintain peace within the Tribes, and together we can bring about a new golden age for our people.”
The Thunderer softly snorted. “If only it were that simple…”
“It is. And if it isn’t, then I’ll make it simple.”
“Tribal politics can’t just be bludgeoned through.”
“You’ve clearly never seen me bludgeon.”
The Thunderer chuckled.
“I am the King now,” Leon continued. “I want people at my side who I trust and who I know are competent. I trust you, and I know that you’re competent. At the very least, you’re a tenth-tier mage and a member of the Booming Bear Tribe. Out of everyone on this island, I want your support the most.”
“You flatter me,” the Thunderer replied.
“I but speak the truth. Peace on Kataigida is in our hands; we need only work together.”
“What exactly do you need me for?” the Thunderer asked.
“What don’t I need you for?” Leon shot back. “The army you’ve built, the bureaucracy you’ve established, the Inquisitors you’ve raised! Your contacts with the Tigers, Spiders, and Bears!”
The Thunderer grimly grinned and waved for Leon to stop. “Fine, fine. It was my fault I couldn’t gain the support needed to keep trying things my way, so we’ll try it your way instead. I’ll… well, I’ll do what you ask of me, so long as I believe it to be in the best interests of my people.”
“Then I’ll only ask that you always speak your mind and remind me if you think I’m straying too far from honorable ideals,” Leon responded.
The Thunderer nodded. “I’ll need a new name.”
Leon thought for a long moment as he curiously regarded the Thunderer. “You were once known as ‘Iron-Striker’. Did you like that name?”
The Thunderer frowned lightly but shrugged and nodded.
“Is there a more fitting name for a man who will work with his King to build a better government for the Ten Tribes?” Leon asked.
The Thunderer’s frown turned upward a bit and he said, “I suppose not.”
Leon grinned, rose from his seat, extended a hand to the other man, and asked, “Well then, Iron-Striker, shall we get to work?”
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