CHAPTER 46: PARLEY AT FIRST LIGHT

The night gave its final breath as the sky bruised with the faintest hue of silver. Dawn approached slowly, like a diplomat uncertain of her welcome. The valley, cradled between the cliffs of Reuven and the fields claimed by the Black Crown, stood still. Even the wind withheld its voice.

Thalen stood in his armor, gauntlets loose at his sides. His fingers traced the leather binding of the Blade That Breaks. It was sheathed now, but its weight sang beneath his ribs a reminder that this day would shift the course of more than a war.

A parley. The word had been spoken in whispers the previous night, carried like fragile parchment from messenger to war camp, from soldier to captain. No blood would be spilled until the sun had climbed beyond its throne. That was the accord one final chance for words to triumph where steel had ruled.

Varos joined him at the edge of the ridge. "They’re readying their lines. I see over four hundred marked banners."

"And yet only one will speak," Thalen replied.

"Captain Renal. Crown-sent and twice knighted in the last three years. Young, but precise. No zealotry in his eyes." Varos paused, studying the field below. "Which makes him more dangerous."

Thalen nodded. "I’d rather a fanatic. They speak in absolutes. Easy to parry."

He turned toward the rest of his small retinue. Miraline stood beside Captain Terres and the twin blade-bearers of Reuven, all watching the Crown encampment below with weary eyes.

Thalen’s breath came steady. "Signal the field. We go down under truce."

Miraline raised a silver-threaded banner white on grey, the emblem of an open palm wreathed in flame. The Crown’s watchers saw it at once. Across the field, an answering flag lifted red and black, the colors of submission tempered by command.

They would meet.

Two cairns had been erected at the midpoint of the valley, each marked by their side’s sigil. Neutral ground. No guards were permitted beyond it, no weapons either. One hour was granted. No more.

Thalen walked first, sword across his back but not in hand. Behind him, Varos and Miraline followed. Reuven’s host watched with hands on hilts, unmoving. The Black Crown’s legion mirrored them rows of lances like a forest of waiting judgment.

Captain Renal emerged from the enemy line, clad in a dark half-cloak. He was younger than expected no older than Thalen himself but his stride bore the chill of command. Two escorts accompanied him. Their helms gleamed with the seal of the Citadel.

They met at the cairns. No handshakes. Only nods. The air was brittle with expectation.

Renal was first to speak. "Ascendant Thalen. I stand under flag of peace."

Thalen responded, clear and firm. "Captain Renal. We meet as leaders. May our words carry more than the weight of steel."

Renal produced a sealed scroll. "The Council has drafted terms of alliance. I am authorized to share and, if satisfied, accept revisions for later ratification. The Council recognizes your influence here. It prefers you not fall into rebellion."

Thalen took the scroll and broke the seal. The wax bore the mark of the Nine Sigils a ring of thrones encircling a chained flame. He read in silence while the valley listened.

To Ascendant Thalen of Reuven,

The Citadel acknowledges your role as unifier in the fractured east. We extend invitation to shared governance under the Black Crown. You shall be granted a seat within the High Council, equal in voice. Reuven shall retain local control, provided Crown laws are observed.

In addition:

Reuven will host one Council Envoy.

You may nominate a second regional representative.

In exchange, you agree to cease expansion, disband independent militias, and open your borders to trade under Crown seal.

Resistance will be treated as insurrection.

Thalen folded the scroll. "A generous leash. But a leash still."

Renal did not flinch. "A chain is lighter than a sword. And often saves more lives."

Thalen handed the scroll to Varos. "Read it. Slowly."

Renal added, "There is one final clause. You will not speak of the Tyrant Spirit in open council. The term itself remains proscribed."

The words struck deeper than a blade.

Miraline stiffened. Varos’s eyes narrowed.

Thalen’s voice remained measured. "You fear what you do not control."

Renal’s tone was even. "We contain what history proved fatal. The Spirit is too strong to be used without consequence. The First Tyrant burned a continent."

Thalen said nothing for a moment. Then he stepped forward. "And yet, here I stand. Not a tyrant but a guardian. The people of Reuven chose me, not by blood, not by decree. By trust. Can your Council say the same of all its thrones?"

Renal’s jaw clenched. "You walk a line between flame and flame."

"And what lies between," Thalen said, "is where new light may grow."

They stood in silence. Wind returned to the field, brushing banners like trembling parchment.

Renal pulled a second scroll from within his cloak. "A counterproposal. From me, not the Council."

Thalen took it, unfolded the page.

Proposal of Parity:

Dual Citadel recognition: Reuven as protectorate, not colony.

Shared military operations only upon joint approval.

One Council seat, one Reuven seat.

Free discussion of all aura types within regional courtrooms.

A test period: three years.

Thalen blinked. "You wrote this?"

"I believe in peace," Renal said. "But I also believe you would sooner die than kneel. I’d rather see you stand beside us."

Varos whispered, "A soft rebellion against his own leash."

Miraline smiled faintly. "He’d make a better friend than foe."

Thalen met Renal’s eyes. "If you present this to the Council"

"They will scorn me. But not before it is recorded." He reached into his coat, retrieved a crystalline disc etched with aura sigils. "Say your answer. It will be sealed."

Thalen considered. "On one condition."

Renal raised a brow.

"I want the name of every SSS-ranked Hero currently allied with the Crown, and their public allegiance declared. No more hiding ghosts in plain sight."

Renal’s mouth flattened. "You’ll make enemies."

Thalen replied, "I already have them."

Renal tapped the disc. "Speak."

Thalen did.

"I, Thalen of Reuven, accept the counterproposal offered by Captain Renal of the Black Crown. Let this stand as proof that unity need not kneel. Let it be known that Reuven chooses parley, not submission. And we remember our roots."

The disc dimmed. The message was sealed.

A trumpet call echoed signaling the end of the hour.

Renal stepped back. "I will carry this to the Council."

Thalen extended a hand. "And I will carry hope to Reuven."

Their hands met a brief clasp. The valley did not cheer, but it trembled as if recognizing the moment.

They returned to their sides.

Thalen reached the hilltop. Varos turned beside him. "Do you think they’ll accept it?"

Thalen sheathed his sword. "No. But the world will hear it."

Below, both armies broke formation.

For the first time in weeks, no one drew a blade.

As the sun cleared the horizon, peace uncertain, fragile stepped into the light.