And not walking away seemed to mean that I needed to raise an army against Clareath.
In the hallway beyond I put my hand to my head and moaned my despair. “I cannot lead an army, Aurien,” I told him on the verge of tears. “Even if anyone were foolish enough to follow me into war, I am not equipped for such things. I do not know the blade from the handle of a sword. And I do not want to be a queen.”
“Don’t be then,” he said simply. “You have done what you set out to do and sought the Fae Court’s help for the brethren of Uyan Taesil.”
“But help will not be forthcoming, and if I do nothing, Clareath will continue to hunt down, imprison, torture and kill all the brethren that do not flee.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “As we saw occur in Phimion’s time. So, take the sword Rivyn will forge for you, and lead your army to kill Clareath.” He was not bothered either way I went, I realised with despair. It mattered not to him if I chose to abandon my people or fight for them.