Kayelar was not normally used to crowds this big. Heck, he wasn’t really used to crowds at all. The only crowds he ever saw were from the windows of the Maza buildings in Portalia and Kolasi, and even then, those crowds were normally protesting something from some other race. Just the other day, they were calling for the resignation of the Thanatian Maza Circle members unless they came out in support of their new leaders or some nonsense like that. He’d never had crowds actively standing in front of him, waiting for him to speak.
“Um, good afternoon, everyone.”
The crowd of journalists and reporters, a collection of beings from every Maza race, gathered round, some of them flashing him with their annoying cameras.
Kayelar gulped nervously. Something in the back of his mind was telling him that this was all a bad idea. Thoughts drifted from the night before, from the long, arduous conversation he’d had with the High General. He pushed those thoughts to one side and finally addressed the crowd.
“I would like to make an announcement. I…”
Kayelar paused again. Only for a moment. He didn’t want to look weak.
“Last night, I had a very long and… interesting conversation. I spent two hours discussing a plan with the High General of the Retha, who the other day said he was running to keep his job.”
More cameras started to flash. Kayelar hated them. But these beings were all going to be following him around for a while. Especially after his little speech.
“General Photeianos said that he was looking for someone to be his running mate, his Vice General should he win. I offered many suggestions, many big, powerful Rethan warriors and stategists, but he turned them all down. He was looking for someone else. In the end, General Photeianos came to the conclusion that I would be his perfect running mate.”
Even more flashes. Some of them were blinding. Kayelar kept his head down, his eyes focused on his little, hastily written speech.
“I was very uncertain at first. After all, I have been here a long time and have a duty to uphold, representing the Rethans within the Maza circle. Not to mention, the last Threan-type Vice General we had was… uh, thrown out of a window. Nonetheless, General Photeianos did finally convince me that I would indeed be a very good choice.”
The reporters were all begging to ask him questions now. He could see their excitement, barely being contained.
“So I accepted. I am running for the position of Vice General, alongside High General Photeianos.”
Many of the beings, most notably the Cassids, were ready to leap out of their seats and throw questions at Kayelar. But he had a small addendum to make.”
“Because of this… temporary conflict of interest, I am resigning from my duties as one of the Rethan representatives for the Maza Circle. A new representative will be chosen in a few days by the Generals of the Rethan Council. As to who that will be, I do not know. Whether they will be kept after our elections, again, I do not know.”
Kayelar sighed. They all had so many questions, but he had so much work to do. The flashing was getting to him.
“I have many things to do to prepare. For this reason, I will not be accepting questions right now. General Photeianos will arrange a proper Q&A in the next few days. Thank you all for listening.”
With a wave, Kayelar left his podium and walked off, a nagging feeling in the back of his spine.