I originally wanted to write this after the expected news would arrive from the north. But the rumours that popped up made me want to wait to have some hindsight behind this. Now I am really glad I chose this. Some very surprising news came after the declaration of the victory.
First, the obvious news. As expected the battle for the Frostling capital took some great tolls on the colonial army. Around the third of the army was either dead or wounded. Even the newly appointed commander of the council reinforcements perished during the fighting. I don't know how the Tigrans will react. The poor commander came from the Youngblood faction that spilt off from their elders in Kusahne. I still remember the troubles that we had here when his life was threatened by other Tigrans. I expected some celebration here but surprisingly there was only silence. Is there something I am missing? Did something change while I wasn't looking? Well, whatever it is, Tigrans mourned the dead with the rest of us regardless of where they came from. You could have even seen some Tigran rituals if you went to their quarters during the mourning period.
Now for the more surprising news. When we started this war, we made it about the revenge for every life lost in the Rebellion as well as the ones who died in Byrnoth and Frynghid. Everyone had expected that the rewards would have been the secure archipelago and anything we have managed to pillage from the conquered cities. Nothing more since, according to the Treaty of Krid that divided this archipelago, the area and the island where the Frostling state was under the control of the Crimson Company. Other than some payout for the war effort there was nothing they had to concede to us.
So imagine everyone's shock when we received the news about the revised treaty. According to this new treaty already signed by the Prince, the city formerly known as Ermendal, the entire Spyre Island (the official name of that island), the entire bay area where the former mermaid city was and all the territorial waters surrounding the island were officially conceded to Metzaca. In addition an official alliance was signed with a mercenary officer provided to the colonial army. This was beyond anyone's expectations. The only concessions on our part were some favourable deals as well as a merchant quarters in Ermendal dedicated to only the Crimson Company that was to be exempted from taxes and to be able to pass its own laws, if I heard this correctly.
I can only imagine how the council was elated seeing this offer and took it. The entire island with a major city on it and all of its resources? It doesn't matter it's a part of the frostlands since they are proving that other races can coexist in the frostlands with our other cities. I am sure Frostlings will mind this arrangement. Well, those who escape the massacre currently underway up there. But no one will mind their protests at all. I am sure all nations will finally feel relief from the fact that a 30 year nightmare will be somewhat over.
Now as for the new settlers who will inhabit the city. It seems like it will be mostly composed of dwarves. There are already planned convoys from our side that will soon depart for Ermendal. Not to mention all the people from Krid who already left hoping for the land. I guess the ones in charge of Krid are happy either way. It was a miracle that Krid was left standing during the Rebellion. Now it sits as the only state east of the frozen wasteland on Locrum still standing. You can imagine how many people left there hoping to escape the cold. Now they want to do this because of rising tensions between the elves and the goblins too.
Anyway, I am sure Cass wasn't too happy about this. It meant that a lot more resources was redirected to Ermendal rather than to Byrnoth. But I don't think she will mind that for too long considering her new post. I had to ask the person responsible for archiving official records of the council because I couldn't believe the news. Apparently Prince asked her to become the new mayor of Ermendal. Just yesterday the council confirmed it and announced it publicly. You can imagine our shock when we heard the news. I knew she was capable, but to handle such an important city already? Part of me thinks there's something going on behind the scenes.
As much as I know that she is capable, I can't imagine she did such a great work with Byrnoth in the short time she was the mayor and she entered the politics only recently so she doesn't have the experience. This is something I have to ask when she returns back to Metzaca for the celebration. Though that also means she won't be at her new post for months. While there is an effort to explore the archipelago, we are still behind on the accurate maps of the area as well as the currents map. Simply put what takes days on the open sea it takes months to cross the same distance due to lack of experience and inaccurate maps.
As for me, I have started to practice my magic at night. It's easier to avoid getting the unnecessary attention as long as I don't go overboard. Plus it's easier to have conversations with Merlin without the chance of anyone eavesdropping. Maybe someday they will even be useful. Who knows?