Ella noticed a dust cloud ahead, big enough that it must be raised by a large contingent. She was making ground on them and wondered if she should be worried, but this was the new Empire, and these lands were finally at peace. As she grew closer Ella saw soldiers in Tingaran purple and Halrana brown, marching side by side.
A standard bearer carried a tall pole with a black flag borne high above the dust. The device on the flag was a nine-pointed star, each point of the star rendered in a different colour to represent the nine houses: green for Altura, red for Petrya, blue for Loua Louna, brown for Halaran, purple for Tingara, tan for Torakon, yellow for Hazara, orange for Vezna and even the coral pink of the Buchalanti. The centre of the star was white, bordered with grey: white for the templars, and grey for the Akari.
Ella knew this standard; she had seen it in Seranthia. She knew the arguments had been long and bitter, but Rogan had insisted that none be unrepresented. It was the symbol of the new Empire.
Ella smiled and quickened her step. As slow as they were, she would catch them soon, and there was only one person who could be on his way to Altura carrying that banner. She ignored the curious glances of the soldiers as she made her way through the column. A tall man, his hair nearly entirely grey, led the group, his back straight and bearing proud.
"Rogan!" Ella called.
He turned at her call, and in the afternoon light Ella could see his smile.
"Enchantress Ella!" Rogan said. He held up his arm. "Men, halt!" Soldiers from across the Empire came to a standstill at Rogan's command.
"Just Ella," Ella laughed when she came close. "It's good to see you."
"Just Ella is good for me," he said. "I've never been one to stand on ceremony."
"Where's your family?" Ella said.
"Right here," Ella heard a matronly female voice.
Ella hadn't noticed Amelia and Tapel beside the tall soldiers. Amelia placed her hand over her heart in the Halrana manner while Tapel gave a mock bow.
"I can't get away from them," Rogan muttered.
Rogan had aged, Ella could see. There were more lines and creases on his face than ever. By contrast Amelia's golden hair was still the colour of wheat in the sun. Tapel, Rogan's adopted son, looked dirty even in his fine clothes, and Ella guessed it likely he'd intentionally mussed up his mousy brown hair.
"You're looking well," Amelia said. "Not a young girl anymore, are you?"
Ella blushed. The few times she'd met Amelia the woman had a habit of quizzing her about her love life.
"We might as well make camp here," Rogan said. "It's as good a place as any."
As the dust settled Ella turned to try to catch a glimpse of Samson's Bridge ahead. Suddenly she felt herself lifted as Rogan picked her up in a bear hug. It was so uncharacteristic that she almost shrieked.
Married life must agree with him.
~
ELLA felt nervous. She stood outside Rogan's command tent, where she knew he would be conferring with his aides and marshals. She had announced herself to the guard, who finally exited and nodded to her, holding the opening of the tent wide for her to enter.
Rogan sat at a table with four men Ella didn't know. One was in Louan blue, another in Tingaran purple. The third was in the brown of Halaran and there was even a man in the red of Petrya.
"I'm sorry," Ella said. "I don't mean to take much of your time. Rogan, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course, Ella," Rogan said. He nodded at the men and they each bowed in their own way, first at Rogan, then at Ella, before filing out of the tent.
As soon as they were gone Rogan sighed, and Ella saw him slump. "I wish I'd never let your brother talk me into being regent, Ella. I knew it would be hard, but… Lord of the Sky. Here, take a seat."
There was a bottle of Louan red on the table, and Rogan poured himself a liberal glass. He raised an eyebrow to Ella but she smiled and shook her head.
"I try to keep the worst of it from Amelia but it's dangerous there. The east is different. The people there need a stronger hand, a firmer touch. They're used to leaders like Xenovere and Moragon. Even the Primate. Men who rule by fear and faith. I'm just an Alturan soldier."
Ella felt honoured that a man like Rogan Jarvish would confide in her, but at the same time she felt worried for him. He was the strongest man she knew.
"There's a man, a mason. Not a templar. I don't think anyone will be following one of them anytime soon. Bastian, his name is."
Rogan took a long draught of the wine, and then topped up his glass again.
"Ella, your brother thought it would be best to tell the world what Evrin told us at the Sentinel. I'm not sure if he was right. I'm sure Miro thought it was the right thing, but the people of Tingara and Aynar are devout, and without the Evermen to follow they feel lost. Even we still call out to the Lord of the Sky. We're lucky he was," he smiled, "is, one of the good ones."
Rogan wiped his hand over his face. He looked exhausted.