Forged Destiny [Book 9: Ch. 27]

There would be crowds watching from the walls of Vale. I didn't dare look back, but I knew they'd be there.

[...]

"I will be casting a spell to allow our voices to travel," Glynda said. "You won't notice anything, but the city will be able to hear everything that is said."

[...]

As the procession came closer and closer, they slowly diverted to meet us, spotting and accurately surmising we were the diplomatic envoys from the city.

Black armour highlighted with gold and pale blue cloth became visible. Pennants and banners streamed behind them, the black and blue of Mistral. Adorned like knights all, they marched in a column four wide, with one man at the lead standing out by virtue of his long crimson cloak that fluttered down on either side of a white horse with long hair and a graceful tread.

His skin was pale, his smile handsome and gentle. He had piercing brown eyes that looked like chocolate and curly brown hair that fell in ringlets over his forehead. He was handsome. Incredibly so. Even I couldn't argue against that, and I was sure many a woman had felt their heart race at the sight of his smile. It was so friendly and inclusive that I found myself liking him even from a hundred metres away.

[...]

The King of Mistral held up his left hand and the man to his left raised his flag. The signal brought the column to a halt, horses stamping skittishly. They stood in the shadow of the artificial forest I'd created to ensnare Salem and a few Soldiers among the column looked to it in awe. They had to have heard about the siege and how it ended.

The first four of the column nudged their horses on toward me. The King of Mistral, two soldiers I didn't recognise and one Noble. All of it no doubt part of the royal court, and the noble his most trusted advisor. The royal guard of Vale didn't challenge them, instead staying still as Glynda and I nudged our own steeds forward, meeting them halfway in a gesture of respect. Arcane sigils flared around Glynda's hand as she cast her spell. The subtle nod she sent told me it was now active, and everyone could hear us.

[...]

He gestured to the broken outer walls, their crumbling remains guarded night and day but still a weakness and way in for Grimm and the like.

[...]

Crocea Mors sang as she was torn from her scabbard, reversed and stabbed down into the ground. She pierced inches deep, standing firm as I crossed my hands over the pommel and leaned casually on her, my legs straight and my eyes hard.

[...]

I stood before them all, sword in the dirt, eyes focused on the entitled brat of a king and my attention elsewhere. On the grand forest of silver trees that rose up to our right. For the briefest of moments, my eyes flickered blue.

Metal cracked, splintered and groaned. Horses whinnied and soldiers panicked, all looking away – along with Gabriel – as the largest of the metallic trees shrunk back into the ground as though it were growing in reverse. Soil and rock crumbled and ground to dust, splintered or pushed aside as the root buried deep underground, racing away with my fire burning bright inside it. My eyes that had flickered now burned blue, locked still on King Gabriel as he watched the city in awe and horror.

I knew what it was he saw.

He saw the city walls move. He saw shining silver burst up from the ground, grip the shattered walls and cling to them. He saw branches and roots grow vertical, expand and weave together like cloth. He saw the uneven and wild roots merge and connect, expand and flatten, match the width of the wall and become a part of it.

Before his and his entourage's eyes, the walls of Vale reformed themselves and were rebuilt anew, now a mix of solid stone and gleaming Ironwood, the metal shining in the sun like silver fire. With a smile and a final flash, I formed two hooded figures who burst from the front, grand statues that stood on the left and right of the mighty gate, staves extended as though guarding the gate itself.

[...]

I wasn't sure if it was my imagination, but I swore I heard cheering from the city walls. People roaring in joyous agreement. Clapping. Screaming. Weapons being beat against shields and armour and a chant that may or may not have included my name.

[...]

The ride back to the city was in silence on our end, but anything but from the people. The raucous cheers and cries must have reached the retreating figures of King Gabriel and his force. Flowers rained down on us as we made our way through the gate, me on horseback again and with the crown of Vale resting atop my head.

—Forged Destiny [Book 9: Ch. 27]