"Alright, everyone settle down," Olen said even though no one in the hall was making much noise in the first place.
Dozens of Rendaro filled the hall and they all looked at Olen, Tal and Anda with exhausted eyes.
Most of them were workers from the surface and others were from the second floor.
The Ia desperately needed a break.
"As you all know, we lost Elder Karish several days ago. The work he did to ensure our safety will not be forgotten. However, now is not the time to plan our feet into the ground as we mourn. No, many of you may have noticed this, but after the arrival of the dark vessel, Elder Karish was driven by a newfound desire. A desire to bring the Ia out of this… this death trap. As we speak, New Eimval, the city that he envisioned would house the Ia in the near future, is under construction. But the Ia cannot move forward efficiently without a leader. That is why elder Tal and I have decided to nominate Anda, captain of the scouts, for that position." Olen said as Anda stood behind him.
He tried his best to hide his nervousness and so he pulled on his index finger.
"Under his leadership, the Ia will march into the future and emerge stronger and better than ever before!" Olen said, but cheers could be heard.
Olen simply nodded before gesturing that Anda stand behind that pedestal where Katsíki once sat.
"Umm… I don't really have much to add. A lot is changing and will continue to do so until we properly establish ourselves on the surface. We will not be shackled by our past and once New Eimval is finished, we will continue improving the lives of every Ia!" Anda declared, his palms slick with sweat and his legs trembling.
Not a sound was made as everyone simply stared at him.
"I thought the dark vessel was ousted as a human spy in disguise."
Someone said.
Anda panicked and looked at Olen who simply shrugged.
Anda's eyes trembled as he returned his gaze to the crowd.
"That was just a misunderstanding," Anda said with a chuckle.
"What about Iana? Are we just going to build over it?"
Someone else asked.
"Pretty much. Yes. As much as we can fondly imagine the times when the Rendaro were united, that time is long gone. They made their choice when they first made that seal. So, while they live out the rest of their existence down there, we will dare to challenge the outside world."
"Won't that be dangerous?"
"Yeah. Ever since Karish sent you out to investigate that place up north, we've lost countless people."
"And what about those damned Foph?"
"The surface is beyond dangerous!"
Several people said and at this point, Anda was breathing heavily.
"Everyone stay calm." He said prompting everyone to stare at him again which didn't help.
"Firstly, nothing is without risk. If we had stayed here, our children and their children would have continued to die from our cursed marks. Finding K- lord Katsíki led to the cleansing of Eimval. Our water is clean and our doctors are looking for a way to rid us of our marks." Anda said. His voice echoed slightly and after hearing the echo, he remembered what his father said.
He then took a single deep breath before walking around the pedestal and sitting on the edge of the platform.
"Nothing come without a price. At least, if we continue down this dark, unknowable path, we will emerge from the stagnation that is quite literally killing us." Anda said with a frown and gnashed teeth.
No one spoke.
Instead, Anda gestured that everyone sit and they did.
He then leaned forward.
"And… forget not that we are in the good graces of the dark vessel and a golden knight. You should have seen it. What lord Katsíki did to the Foph's chieftain for her tribe's transgressions." Anda said with narrowed eyes.
Everyone seemingly lead closer to Anda, who although spoke as loudly and clearly as before, sounded more hushed.
"You cannot imagine the amount of torment and terror we all experienced at the foot of his sanctuary. Oh, I can still hear her screams. Screams that filled the air as flesh and bone mixed with sand in a nightmarish display." Anda said in the newfound silence of the hall.
"Lord Katsíki practically owns the Foph and if they dare disturb Eimval's development…" Anda leaned back and shoot his head.
"Our main focus should be on bettering the situation in both new and old Eimval. Cast your worries and fears aside for we're not building mindlessly. We can only hope to be prepared for most emergencies, but that's a discussion for another time." He said and everyone nodded.
"Good. Any other questions?"
"Err… what do you plan on doing if the Knight ever chooses to turn her blade on us? I mean, come on. Those… things are built for killing. How do we know for sure that the Dark Vessel has full control over her?"
Someone asked.
"Good question. Unfortunately, I don't have the answers right now, but worry not for Elders Olen and Tal have assured me that they are working on measures to ensure that if the worst comes to pass, we'll be prepared." Anda said and got several hums and nods this time.
"Good," Anda said as he stood up.
He then returned to Tal's side while Olen dismissed everyone.
"The fact that you answered most of their questions is more than good enough," Tal said as he gave Anda a pat on the shoulder.
Anda wasn't sure, but it looked like he was sorrowful.
He didn't say anything, but he kept note of it as Olen approached.
"Impressive speech. Part of me expected to give them a more… realistic speech, but the newborn fire in their hearts will surely serve us well in the short run." He said while leading Anda and Tal out of the hall.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you remember? Our cooperation with the vessel and knight will be short-lived. After we get Aunil, we'll be able to protect ourselves from the Foph and any knights who would dare threaten the Ia in the future."