“A word, please, Relkir.”
Relkir tried to hide that they were caught off guard as a heavy hand landed on their shoulder. They had just finished a meeting between the Rethan government and the Spast leadership regarding information on the attempted assassination on the High General not too long ago and Relkir thought the meeting had gone pretty well, all things considered. The Spast ministers were rather understanding and did have some information to offer, so it wasn’t a complete waste of time, like the meeting with the Torr leadership the day prior.
However, during the meeting, General Vaksavar had spoken and Relkir had somewhat interrupted, in order to stop Vaksavar from somewhat insulting the Spasts. And Relkir was pretty sure Vaksavar wanted to talk about that interruption.
“Of course, Master of General!” Relkir smiled as they let Vaksavar lead them into an empty office. “What is the problem?”
“You know exactly what the problem is.”
“I do not, actually!” Relkir did now definitely know what Vaksavar wanted to talk about, but they wanted Vaksavar to say the words themselves. “What is wrong?”
“You stopped me from speaking, in a rude manner.”
Relkir smiled. “I did, yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Spast Royalty has not officially accepted the word “Fluffyvok” as a desirable name for their kind. It has shown a sudden surge in popularity among very young Spasts, below the age of one hundred, but older Spasts do not like the word at all. Until the Spast leadership uses the word themselves in an official manner, it is better to only ever use the word “Spast” unless we are given permission to do so. It is a common minor mistake, I correct other Rethans about it all the time.”
Vaksavar grunted. “You overstepped your boundaries.”
“I did not. My duty is to advise others and stop people making simple errors. We have always been uneasy allies with the Spasts, and they have always been quick to anger. I was just doing my job.”
The Master of Generals paused, then inspected Relkir somewhat. There was a confused expression on their face.
“You have changed, Relkir.”
Relkir continued smiling. “Of course I have. Everyone has changed. Nothing has been the same since the Sudden Darkness struck. You are calmer now, and less quick to anger. More humble too, I guess.”
Vaksavar looked Relkir up and down some more. “That is somewhat true, yes. But you have changed more dramatically. You used to hide in the shadows. You cowered beneath Rethais and would not dare ever even considering stepping out of line, always trying to be the perfect little school student and keeping as low a profile as possible. Now though? You have confidence.”
Relkir thought for a moment, then shrugged. “I do, yes.”
“Is it because of the Sudden Darkness?”
“No, it is because I am no longer honour-held. The Bloodline Traditions made me a lesser person.”
Vaksavar clearly didn’t like that answer. After all, Vaksavar was the current matriarch of the Ethranios Bloodline Tradition, and Relkir had somewhat caused all the other Bloodline Traditions to come to an end.
“Explain.”
“Well alright!” Relkir didn’t like Vaksavar’s attitude. “It was all fine for you! You were the Bearer in your generation, you were destined for greatness from the start! I was the third damn Rethianos, I was honour-held and scheduled to be executed until you intervened. I spent most of my life thinking I deserved to die that day, that I SHOULD have died that day, and lived a meagre existence because of it. Ending the Rethianos Tradition meant I no longer felt like a burden. I was free. I was a normal Rethan once again. And of course, I finally allowed myself to grow.”
“I feel there is more to it than that.”
Relkir shrugged. “There always is. Development is a twisting, disorientating process. But once I was free, I could slowly work my way towards being a true Rethan. I was made a captain, I was given proper respect and I was allowed to fall in love. I slowly learned that I was a true Rethan all along, and my actions during the Sudden Darkness have cemented that fact. Yes, I am small, yes I have blue eyes, but I am a true Rethan with a true Rethan spirit! I no longer fear attempts to belittle me, because I am above them all. Simply put, I AM.”
Vaksavar smiled a little. “You definitely are.”
“I am a true person. Despite what you and the universe think!” Relkir tutted. “And I am building up a real life for myself. The life I deserve. I built a strong network around me, I obtained a title and a proper rank, I have an amazing, gentle, caring soon-to-be forever partner, I adopted a wonderful little child and, next year, I hope to have a kid of my own!”
“Oh? You plan to lay?”
“Indeed. Rethais never wanted to be the Bearer. Retvik never had a chance. I have ALWAYS wanted a partner and a kid. And I have grown tired of the universe and people like you trying to stop me. I own my life now. I am, and I always will be.”
The smile on Vaksavar’s face grew quite a bit. Relkir blinked, not sure why Vaksavar was smiling, especially since Relkir had just suggested that Vaksavar was part of the reason why they used to consider themselves inferior. After a few awkward seconds of silence, Vaksavar patted Relkir on the shoulder.
“You passed.”
“I… I passed? Was this some sort of test?”
Vaksavar nodded. “I wanted to know if you had a General’s Spirit. You clearly do. I had my doubts, but my doubts were incorrect. That indomitable Rethianos strength is there, just different. Perhaps more powerful… Either way, Relkir, you are absolutely correct, you have proved yourself worthy. I am glad.”
“Huh…” Relkir paused briefly. “I appreciate that. But were you genuinely annoyed by my interruption?”
“A little. But you were right to do so. In all honesty, I could see a very bright future for you in a position of higher power.”
“I do not follow.”
“Rethais will require a political successor…” Vaksavar didn’t finish their sentence, and instead switched topics. “Either way, Relkir, are you and General Gath still available for our meeting next week, in regards to your wedding?”
Relkir blinked in confusion some more, then shrugged. “Uh… yes, I assume so. Assuming nothing important comes up.”
“Wonderful!” Vaksavar grinned as they patted Relkir on the shoulder again, then made their way out of the room. “Speak soon, little one.”