Gavin stood at the podium once more. His tooth hurt, and he ignored it. Everything else was perfect. Everything was his. He surveyed his assembled army.
The women were in his front now. They stood behind his generals. Gavin looked past them. The plumes rose like stairs. Only the subtle breeze disrupted the elegance.
“I stand before you bringing a proclamation. Bringing his truth. Dare I say, bringing your salvation.” Gavin’s notes flapped in the wind and he splayed his hand down upon them. His sapphire’s star gleamed.
“You have heard in your taverns, your ale houses, how the plague spreads. Our latest intelligence states it is contained in Kisten still. I do not believe this to be the truth. If you search your hearts, you will know, that this cannot be possible. In spite of Kisten’s history of isolation.”
“Ormand the Dragon has named me his Sovereign of the Unblemished.” He looked to his king standing to his right.
Ormand stepped forward and placed a silver scepter in his hand. The tip shimmered with the shards from Ormand’s collection of black ice.
“I take this staff, and my burden of responsibility that comes with it, into my hand and into my heart. I ask that you will save yourselves by following me as I lead you through our coming darkness. The plague is spread through contact with the infected.”
Gavin raised his scepter high. “Therefore! Their infected will not contact us! Envoys have returned from Switforst and Terndowns. They refuse to close their borders. Instead they permeate their purity with their infection.”
“Duchies disloyal to our crown will be quarantined! As of this moment, egress in any direction must be stopped. Force is our last resort, but our burden, as the exertion of order upon our kingdom.”
Gavin turned a page. “No envoys have returned from Kisten. We must assume them lost. I believe that to mean they are all infected.”
I will show Mother fire like she has never seen, Gavin thought, thinking of Riley.
“Fire is cleansing. From their ashes, green growth. Our priority is Terndowns.”
“We seek peaceful passage for a company to bring health to Kisten. May it be reborn anew. Lady Maribelle refuses us. Negotiations are ongoing.”
“Your primary directive during the interim is domestic. The Dragon demands his home remain stainless. Each house, each body, is to be systematically searched. Any exhibiting signs of infection, rash, tears, or madness, will be placed under home arrest and guarded day and night.”
Gavin looked up, and brandished his scepter. “I have established a regulatory commission who will ensure the safety of our armed forces. The body of each soldier will be examined for purity daily.” A whisper, a gasp, swept through the assembly like wind.
“May the Sun bless and keep you all.”