Chapter 328 - A Proclamation of Peace (1/2)

*Eldovian Era 1715, 4th day of the 7th month*

It had been two weeks since the Blue Sands Tribe was formed with Rima Bluesand as it's Chieftain. There had surprisingly been few who questioned it despite Rima's fears. Rima wasn't stupid though. She knew that both the Elders, and Aegin's near constant presence had meant that anybody who wanted to speak out always thought better of it. She'd preferred that at first. It had made her feel more confident. But it soon became clear that Aegin's presence beside her was not that different to Yashi's beside Gryffyn's.

She'd sent Aegin away and kept Tigin by her side instead, his huge frame often intimidating enough in itself.

Sevis had returned back to Red-Eye as soon as he could. His father had been quite upset with both him and Tigin for leaving without making any proper preparations. But the war was over and peace had been settled, so the Chieftain couldn't really stay angry at his son for that long. Instead, he sent Sevis to organise a celebration to put an official end to the year long war.

Clearly, Sevis had some of the leadership qualities as well. The huge array of colourful tents in the dunes had no doubt taken days to construct, not to mention the amount of resources that would have had to be brought in. Aegin had done much of that though. He'd been training with new abilities, including storing things in shadows.

Sevis and Tigin found it fascinating if not cool that the Vampire could now form blades from his own blood. Rima, if she was being honest, found it a little creepy.

”Lighten up, oh fearless leader, you're ruining the mood,” Aegin stated as he appeared beside her holding a cup of wine out for her to drink.

Rima took it as she breathed out, ”I've never heard of so many Tribes gathering together. I guess the thought of such powerful and ancient people has made me nervous”.

Aegin smirked as he took a sip of Cora's spiced blood soup from his own cup, ”Has it occurred to you that you��re not a part of those powerful and ancient people”.

Rima rolled her eyes, ”I don't feel all that powerful, or ancient. I'm just…”

”Just you,” Aegin finished for her.

Rima nodded, ”Just me”.

”There's nothing wrong with that,” Aegin said, ”Despite what you may think, I've spent most of my life serving somebody else. Always a part of someone else's shadow. Being here…it's a relief to be just me. A relief to make decisions for myself”.

Rima looked at him for a long moment, ”Tigin said you were afraid though”.

Aegin raised an eyebrow.

Rima's eyes widened, ”I mean…sorry, that was rude of me to bring up”.

Aegin tilted his head, ”Just because I may seem more powerful, doesn't mean I don't feel fear. Everyone fears something…mine just happens to be fearing that I cannot protect what I cherish the most”.

Rima could see from his far-off expression that he wasn't just talking about those here on the Hava Rastellan.

”I suppose you've never really spoken about it, but I can tell you left someone behind before you came here,” said Rima, ”You fear for them, don't you?”

Aegin sighed, ”Of course I do…at first I feared I could not protect her from others. Then that I could not protect her from myself. Now…now I fear that she never wants to see me again after I left the way I did”.

Rima gave a small smile, ”Wow”.