Rebellion - 6 (Patreon)

In the early morning after the skirmish in Roningham, the most notable members of the rebellion were assembled in one of Darius' orangeries. Myself as the one who originated the topic of discussion, Frazzle as an experienced expert on the topic, and Lord Candren, Lady Tulvan, Darius, and Bishop Warren as those who needed to be convinced.

Lorna was here too, but despite her being the one to pass it all along to her father without me knowing, she was here in the capacity of being his heir. Not my supporter.

This wasn't about the shape of the war, battle plans, or even the aftermath of Roningham. No, it was to talk about what came after everything – after the war, what would be done, and how exactly Gilneas would be changed.

Considering it was my cobbled-together notes, which I increasingly realised were less coherent and convincing than they could have been even with Lorna's intervention, it was a miracle I was staying as calm as I was. I had never liked watching and waiting while someone read what I'd written, wondering about their thoughts over and over and feeling judged.

It was just unpleasant.

The only reason I could keep my nerve at all was the wonderful treats the kitchens had cooked up, going all out for the assembly of two dukes and a duchess. Little lemon cakes and creamy biscuits were an excellent distraction.

"Tell me you aren't seriously considering this codswallop, Crowley." Lady Tulvan said with a severe frown. "Representation? For the peasantry? I always knew magic went to one's head, but this is beyond reason."

Especially when so many of them were clearly either disapproving or outright aghast by what I'd proposed.

Frazzle looked up from the notes she was scribbling. "I will have you know Gnomeregan has been operating under a system of democracy with the Tinker's Council and the elected High Tinker for centuries!"

Bishop Warren hummed thoughtfully. "The Archbishop is selected by a council, peers of equal standing and well informed on the duties of the role. But that is the key – we are informed. This... democracy may be all well and good for your kind, Adept Tindersnap, but our peasantry is not so... erudite as the average gnome."

"And without giving them a reason to become educated, they will not become so." Frazzle retorted without hesitation. "Gnomes are not born intellectuals, it is through the shape of our society that we learn and inquire and grow and advance our civilisation, and the ability to participate in how our civilisation grows is part of that. This is a great opportunity for you to experiment and see if it–"

"I will remind you, Fralatina Tindersnap, that this is the fate of our nation and people you are discussing." Darius said coldly. "Not a trinket easily mended or discarded if something goes awry."

Chewing on my lip, I wondered if Frazzle was right. How grand would it be to have the first fully-fledged human democracy on Azeroth? But, at the same time... I wasn't blind to the costs.

As much as I hadn't exactly filled my notes with bits of history from a world that was long gone, I knew that democracy didn't come about in a single day; it was fought over, again and again, gaining a few rights and privileges each time. A living and breathing thing that grew and changed as its people did.

No, the reforms I'd proposed, even after Lorna had adjusted and changed them, were ambitious enough.

"That is why I kept my suggestions... more reasonable." I said, taking a sip of my drink as I caught their attention. "As much as I feel my fellow peasants," I looked calmly at Lady Tulvan, a mask hiding my disdain for the woman in this moment, "deserve their say, I understand that they are not ready to rule alone."

"Certainly not all of them." Lord Candren muttered, drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair. "Not all of them... but some of them? Tulvan, this is only different by a matter of degree from Archibald's – may he rest in peace never knowing what his son has done with his legacy – policies of trade and his initiative with his inventors."

He looked up and met my gaze, a frown present but deeply thoughtful. "There are common men and women, good sailors, I'd give my – my daughter's – flagship to before some lords I am friends with." Rifling through the papers he reached the part which discussed the composition of the proposed House of Lords. "Or even these parliamentary seats, representing the Gilnean Navy. Better the captains and admirals decide amongst themselves, commoner or not, than a lord who has never paddled across a pond let alone sailed the seas."

"Yes! Exactly!" Frazzle cheered. "Promote experts to their roles so that they can guide–"

"I for one will not accept it." Lady Tulvan interrupted grimly. "Not this... this enfranchisement proposed. And I warn you, I am not the only one who shall think this way. Who are you to say I must surrender the rule over my people to someone the ignorant proles have decided will magic them up a pot full of gold?"

"To do away with the House of Commons entirely would unbalance the system as presented," I argued, biting back a harsh response over her insult to the people who made her powerful. The whole point of Lorna's changes were to balance things; a House of Lords, a House of Commons, and the House of Greymane. Any two might overrule the other, but not one alone. "Or would wish for an eternal battle between the nobility and the king, only for him to declare the parliament null and void on a whim?"

She threw her papers on the low table at the centre of the orangery, scattering biscuits and cakes and seeing them fall into a bowl of punch. "I might tolerate granting some folk, proven men and women, that kind of power. Inventors, mayors, captains, generals, or the like. But the proles?" She looked down her nose at me. "When any two-bit hack with an ounce of the Light can convince them a bottle of swamp water mixed with piss will cure their ills? Not even if good old Archibald asked me would I accept them having a... the–"

Her fingers snapped together, and her expression grew profoundly frustrated.

"The vote, I believe it was described." Darius supplied neutrally.

"Yes, that."

Bishop Warren and Lord Candren nodded along with her; Lorna was... quiet, reading one part over and over again with an intense look on her face. Frazzle was clearly disappointed, and...

My liege lord, Darius Crowley, kept himself so expressionless I couldn't even begin to wonder which way he fell. "You have few issues with the House of Lords as presented, nor the fate of the Greymane family?" He asked with only a lightly curious lilt to his voice.

"Hah!" Lady Tulvan barked out, her lips forming into a dark sneer. "I would rather we cut them out, root and stem, for what Genn did to my boy... but I know we cannot. I'd bleed my family dry trying, too many swear by the Greymanes, remember old Archibald, to imagine a Gilneas without them. His daughter would be... controllable, at least."

"Liam would make a good king, a just king." Lorna said quietly, but not truly loud enough to be heard. She cleared her throat to speak up for the first time this morning. "Keeping the Greymanes in power will ensure stability, even as we remove Genn. And add legitimacy–"

Near vibrating in her seat, Frazzle couldn't help but interrupt and complete the explanation. "Because it undercuts their accusations that Lord Crowley is committing treason if he ensures a Greymane retains the throne and settles back into being a loyal lord afterward! I can understand why my great aunt spent so much time on politics now, the interplay between different factors and requirements is quite fascinating."

Lord Candren shook his head as he let out a low chuckle. "Though perhaps in ill taste, I am glad you find our situation a pleasant curiosity." He smiled warmly at her. "I have never met a gnome who failed to resolve a problem that fascinated them."

Frazzle, to my surprise, flushed and settled herself back down at his words. "Well, solving puzzles is something of a pastime for us gnomes..." She murmured.

"Then I believe we are in agreement." Darius intoned firmly, drawing us away from the light-hearted moment. "There will be reforms to the House of Commons, to restrict it more thoroughly to those suitable for the position and role, but this is the shape Gilneas shall take in the future." He poured himself a glass of brandy and raised it up into the air. "To our righteous victory."

"To revenge!" Lady Tulvan hissed, clinking hers with Bishop Warren's.

Lord Candren tapped his glass to Crowley's with a wide smile. "An end to tyrannical kings."

"Peace, to peace and a brighter future." I said, matching mine with Lorna's.

Much too early to be drinking, but as things progressed into a mix of gossip from Lady Tulvan and a drawing down of the rights I'd presented for the common folk of Gilneas to hold, I was sorely tempted. Alas, I was sensible enough to stick to fruit juice.

-oOoOo-

A single day of discussions wasn't enough to cover everything. Some aspects I hadn't considered came up; where the judges and courts fit into things, how the bureaucracy was handled and who they were subordinate to, and on and on. It got to the point I gave up giving it all of my focus and brought my knitting in with me.

Of course, Lady Tulvan, angry and spiteful woman that she was, made snide comments about what I was doing and questioned my dedication.

'Gifting' her a warmth-enchanted scarf by throwing it into her face was... satisfying. And somehow got her approval, which was more than a little baffling; she was probably even wearing the damn thing now.

Not that it'd be unreasonable, the weather had cleared for long enough that the snows had thinned out or gone away entirely. She was heading north, along with a good-sized contingent of soldiers wearing everything that we'd managed to prepare, to strike out against those of her vassals who had refused her call to arms.

Take control of the Northern Headlands, the dales as she called them, before any proper resistance from the king could form.

"What're you thinking about?" Vivi asked as she sat behind me and pulled me into her lap.

I leaned back and tucked my head under her chin. "What happens next, mostly. Not so much point in continuing with my tailoring for the moment without more thread, and we're not likely to have another force ready before winter ends, either..." I shrugged. "Lorna's gone too, so we can't go off trying to take people out. Would be safe for me alone."

Vivi hummed thoughtfully, a hint of regret in the tone for some reason. Well, probably same as me; we'd, um, gotten enthusiastic and overslept seeing her off.

It was right embarrassing, even if she'd apparently taken it in good cheer.

"We... I should've told her before she went." Vivi mumbled quietly. "But you were so busy. And now... I'm worried about Howard. He should be here."

I shifted to look up at her, thoughts running through my head as I tried to figure it out. We'd left him behind in Northgate, but other than Vivi running away with us there should be nothing to connect him, and since she was, well... mine, that wouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

And then there was the fact I'd been there after we left, and the place hadn't been in shambles. "My mother didn't say anything while I was there..." She'd have told me if something big had happened, I was sure.

We certainly spent long enough talking.

But Vivi shook her head. "No, no, that's not why I'm worried. He got out of that okay; the letter I got says so. But... but, he went north. With my mother. She ordered me to come to, to go to her family's home and... join the 'right side of the war'."

I squeezed her arm, telling her that I was still here. That I was with her.

"I've been trying to decide what to do, how to go about it, but I have to rescue him." She said, wrapping her arms around me tightly as if I might disappear.

Or she might.

"I wanted to go with Lorna, with you, have an adventure and save Howard and come home happily like in the stories..." I could just imagine the three of us arriving, bursting into Isobel's family manor and tearing it apart to find Howard. It would be... satisfying, to see that woman hurt for what she did to Vivi all these years. "But I know you're important, that Darius needs you, so I won't ask you."

She pulled me into a kiss, soft and tender. "If I did, you'd come. I know it. But that isn't right." Though the kiss and touch were sweet, the moment, the words, were not.

I closed my eyes and leaned into her chest, wanting this embrace to last. If the three of us were here, if Vivi had mentioned things before Lorna left with Lord Candren, we could go off on another daring rescue mission. Quickly and easily reach the home and take Howard back.

Just like we did with Calia, and therein lay the issue. We had abandoned our tasks and responsibilities, rushed off without a word, and... made a mess. To put it lightly.

Lull in activity here or not, I couldn't just ditch my duties. I had to support Darius and the rebellion, to be there when I was needed. I was committed to our cause and that meant following orders from the people who were organising and coordinating the war.

That said...

"We'll speak with Darius." I declared, standing up and grabbing her hand. "If Howard, his friend Tobias' son, is in danger, then he needs to know."

What we did wrong with Calia was not seeking advice; not making use of the people who were old enough to know better. That understood the situation we were in – caught up in youthful enthusiasm, we just went to rescue her. A single day wouldn't have changed things, even as long as a week wouldn't.

And it wouldn't here. We could delay long enough to speak with him. "It'll be easier to save him if you've got backup, even if it isn't me." I said gently.

Vivi started laughing as she hauled herself up. "Of course he'd care, he wouldn't... I was being stupid, wasn't I?"

"Maybe just a little." I teased, holding my fingers a few inches apart.

She responded by picking me up and tossing me over her shoulder, then starting to jog towards the Crowley manor. "At least I fit the stereotype, big strong, little smart." She snarked back.

I was giggling all the way there.

-oOoOo-

Darius gave Vivi a nod of acknowledgement as Vivi finished her explanation, stepping away from his desk and clasping his hands behind his back as he strode to the window and looked out over the training grounds where the many volunteers for the Northgate Rebellion were being put through their paces

He'd been out there, training alongside them, taking a few hours to offer personal instruction and insight into the realities of war, and learning of the troubles his soldiers faced. A not inconsiderable amount of his precious time spent inspiring the men and women who made up the rebellion.

That we had to wait was understandable, our need wasn't urgent and he had his own duties and responsibilities.

"You have my blessing, Vivianne. I bid that you find and rescue Howard Mistmantle from the machinations of Isobel Nee Frontes." His words were spoken with little hesitation, a few moments thought at most. "I release my witch to aid you in this task."

It seemed almost rushed, not the level of consideration and value weighing I would have expected for when he sent me out. Only Magroth was a more powerful piece he could play; that came from the faith the common folk had in the Paladin's righteousness rather than the ability to change the direction of a war.

"Your Grace," Vivi bowed immediately, using the more formal but archaic form of address, "thank you." She hesitated, but still pressed the question we both had. "But why?"

He smiled as he looked at us with his one eye, but it was a sad one. "Duty comes in many forms," He said with quiet but clear conviction, "duty to our liege, our people." The rebellion, and why he had turned against Genn beyond just my word. "Our oaths, promises, and word. Our ideals."

"And, above all else... to our family." His eye closed, yet that made the sorrow he felt only all the more clear. "Tobias Mistmantle fought at my side, we saved each other’s lives more times than I could count. An orc's axe, a deathknight’s casual disregard, working together to kill an ogre that threatened the army... he is my brother in arms. Was. The loss of Tobias Mistmantle is one we share, Vivianne."

Waving his hand he bid we sit, opening his desk drawer and withdrawing a bottle of liquor and a trio of glasses. "When I could not care for my daughter in my grief it was Tobias that cared for her, he who opened his home. Who ensured that I would not fail to show my love of her, no matter what others might think of such softness."

"I... I remember the day Lorna came, the first time." Vivi whispered quietly. "She was so lost, and I jumped her asking if she would take me riding. Like Howard did."

"And she cried." Darius snorted and shook his head as he poured and passed Vivi a glass. "Her mother took her riding, cared for our horses. An equestrian."

Vivi nodded and took a sip of the drink. I felt deeply out of place, like I was intruding, but Vivi held my hand tightly so I wouldn't consider leaving. Tobias had been kind to me, I cared for him as I would any good man, but we weren't close.

I don't think Isobel would've ever let me get close to him.

"How could I refuse to send aid to him? How could I refuse the earnest plea of my friend's children?" Darius asked rhetorically, leaning back in his seat. "So go, Vivianne, go with the morning. Join with the force heading northward and make your way to the Frontes manor and reclaim our family."

"I will." Vivi said resolution. "I'll do him proud, D-Darius."

"To the brave sons of a brave man." He said, lifting his drink and calling for a toast. The whisky burned, but it felt fitting. "Let me tell you of our first adventure, the day I lost my eye and Tobias earned the nickname Mudmantle amongst our peers..."

The night was spent telling stories of Tobias' life, drinking to his memory, and allowing the two of them to grieve.

I had little to give, just the adventure with Caedan that felt so very, very long ago now. Where he had sought to rescue those we had already saved; how I had him to thank for all the change I had managed to bring about.

Tobias Mistmantle, a brave lord and a braver man. May he rest forever in Odyn's halls.