Tilly voiced a question that has been in her mind for quite sometime after learning about the events
"Will brother still rule Neverwinter thru the Dream World?"
Anna directed a warm smile towards her she knew that her next words will probably be big.
"Roland recommended that you should take over Graycastle as its new Queen" Anna taking in Tilly's surprised expression continued "He trusts you will be able to handle it and believes you will do what's best for Neverwinter and its allies"
"But…what about you?" Tilly couldn't help but ask. Anna has all the rights to claim the throne. She led them in the final phase of the war. She was every bit as capable as her if not more.
"I shall leave Neverwinter and stay by his side" Anna said with an excited expression.
She knew from her demeanor that her decision was already made and no amount of words would sway her mind.
Tilly looked down towards her hand clasped tight in between her thighs. What she would say next would determine her future. She knows what being royalty entailed she has lived in it all her time in the castle but this was on an entirely new scale. She would rule the entirety of Graycastle including the Taquilla witches.
She knew that the fertile plains will soon be their territory as well and she again would be responsible for all of this. It was too heavy and daunting a task for her to lead humanity itself into the future. The longer she thought about it the more it seemed impossible to accomplish.
Then a hand grasped her shoulder. Tilly was startled from the sudden interaction and she was pulled from her thoughts. She raised her head to look at the owner of the hand and instead found that all of the City Hall officials were looking at her with eyes full of trust and determination. Finally, she turned to Wendy who was still holding her shoulder.
She knew immediately what she had to do next.
"Tell brother that I accept this responsibility" Tilly proclaimed
Zooey of the Gods Punishment Witches came forward drawing the attention of Tilly and the City Hall officials. She came to a stop near Tilly and kneeled on one knee.
"The witches of Taquilla pledge allegiance to the new Queen"
Tilly eyed the Taquilla warrior "I accept"
Zooey stood up and smiled upon their new ruler. Pasha and the other carriers also bowed when she did. They wanted to show that they look favorably upon the new Queen and that they would like to keep their previous relationship the same.
The Pearl of the North Edith Kant stood up and bowed to Tilly "As the Chief of Staff I speak on behalf of all those under my management and pledge my loyalty to the new Queen" when Tilly gave her an acknowledging nod she sat and stared at the flabbergasted officials who then took turns pledging their services to the new Queen.
Tilly couldn't help but feel determined to face the future. After hearing everyone pledge their services and loyalty to her she felt an indescribable feeling welling up inside. Like she could face all the challenges she previously thought impossible for she had capable people to rely on.
Now she understood how truly amazing the relationship and trust his brother has established. How reliable the City Hall he has created from a mere border town is. She knew that Greycastle would flourish for years to come and she was now excited to know what the future would be.
*
Skylord was busy every day since the war was over. He together with Silent Disaster had managed to rally the remaining members of their race to trace where the others have fled. This was to gather everyone so that they may migrate as one to their new home.
Although it took some time for the decision to be finally implemented they had decided to take the offer of the new Custodian Roland and transfer to a new land or "Planet" as he called it. With a full lush and untainted environment for their kind to flourish.
To make the transition faster Roland promised his help in the relocation.
Using Hackzord's distortion door Roland connected the other side to their new home. Although Hackzord did not have infinite reserves of magic he was able to hold the gate open for several hours a day. They created a system in which they would stockpile everything first then haul it to the gate at once. This saved time and magic power for Skylord.
Although everything was going well in the relocation there was one being who did not seem eager to leave for their new home. It was Silent Disaster Hackzord knew what was bothering her but did not voice his concern because he knows he does not have a solution. Valkries was already living in the Dream World they do not have access to this world therefore it was impossible to even visit the former Nightmare Lord.
He knew that she already asked several times to be let into the Dream World thru the humans but she was always met with the same answer. That she would have to wait because now there was no method for her to go into the Dream World. She took this bitterly and one time she was given a letter by Valkries herself telling her to not disturb the relocation of the race further and that she should focus on helping Skylord in managing and exploring the new lands.
Valkries reassured her that in the future they may meet again but seeing the relocation nearing its end she couldn't help but feel out of time.
Skylord couldn't help but look at resignation towards his last ally
*
At the inner castle district Tigu Pine stopped his truck near the back of the castle this is where they store their kills if Andrea had the biggest kill and vice versa if he had the upper hand.
Finally, Ashes could ask what was on her mind during the trip "What do you do with the rest of the beast?"
Andrea pouted in her direction "Such an uncultured lady you still are. we will use the meat to feed everyone in the castle of course just like Lightning and Maggie used to do it and the hide would be sold in town"
"What about the rest?" Ashes is still not satisfied with the answer
"Of course nothing should be wasted in a hunt. For a kill as large as this one " Andrea said while slapping the beast's behind " We would handle the head of the beast carefully and give it to a contact of ours in town where he would stuff it with cotton and preserve the hide in its pristine condition. It would then be nailed to a wooden panel and put up for display" Andrea finished with a self-pleased smile while admiring the beast
Ashes couldn't decide if she should ask further for the actual use of such a display.
Noticing her contemplating expression Tigu Pine continued for Andrea "It was once shared to us by His Majesty Roland. That hunters would take their most prized kill and preserve its state to show others. This way they would not think of the size of the beast as being an exaggeration of the hunter and would see for themselves how vicious the beast truly is"
"I say the idea is truly novel" Andrea added "I plan to buy a house for myself in the future and fill a room with some of the rarest beasts"
"Andrea has indeed made a great contribution to the war 5 years ago so you have a lot still saved up I'm sure" Molly said with an inquiring look towards Andrea
"Well.. actually I lost about an eighth of it betting on cards with Shavi" Andrea remembered with a sour expression "She's become really good at this new card game 'Old Maid' that I can't seem to beat her"
Tigu boarded the truck again after the Beast was loaded off the back "Well I should be going now or my daughters going to be mad at me again" Tigu sighed while waving goodbye to the Witches.
Andrea and the others were going towards the Castle entrance when they saw Wendy.
"Oh, hello everyone it's late what are you all doing here?" Wendy asked
"Just comparing Ashes current weight with this beast" Andrea said while clapping the beasts back.
Wendy looked towards Ashes in wonder "I see. I heard from Her Majesty that Ashes has returned. It is truly great to see you again"
"Glad to be back" Ashes returned her warm smile and turned her eyes to the two behind Wendy "So who are the new faces?"
"Oh" Wendy looked behind as if just now remembering what she was previously doing "We were just finished with the testing"
"They are the new Witches"