34th Searing, 123
The morning of the 34th dawned bright and beautiful and, without any explanation, lacking the mar of the Rift that had hovered over the center of the High City for a year. Reports had begun to come in starting in the late afternoon of the previous day, first from the Fort, and then from other outposts in the city. According to direct eye-witness accounts, the Mist Spawn had disintegrated near to the same time that the Rift had closed. Stefan knew that the closing of the Rift itself should not have caused the death of all the Spawn, but he also had no clue what on Ransera had closed the Rift.
With so little information all he could do was be grateful and take the positive events as good omens for the auspicious day. It would be a busy day for him and his family, and though the majority of what would take up that time would also be positive it would also be a lot.
Dienerin came up behind him where he stood facing his full-length mirror and held up a cravat and then a necktie. Stefan did not particularly care, Brenner had been the fashionable one, but he was making an effort today. It was going to be difficult not to think of his brother throughout the day and he had decided to just let the memories come so long as they didn't interfere with his duty. His manservant weighed in on the neck accessory decision, as did his wife in a quick glance up from her own toilette, and, as they agreed, he bowed to their greater wisdom.
As soon as he was fully attired he made his way, along with Delia and the Angevins to the same stage in the central square of the main Sky Island that he had made his mourning speech on soon after they'd first taken to the sky. It had been taken down, of course, but re-erected for this event. The atmosphere was different from what it had been on that day, but not wholly so. The Islands were festooned with ribbons and other decorations in colors that were somber but still celebratory. It was very Zaichaer and Stefan found he quite liked the effect, it felt like a little bit of home coming back.
Everyone on the Islands, it seemed, had turned out to hear what he had to say, additionally a good number of people they had rescued from the city and re-homed at either the Lodge (which was now being called the Lodge Village) or other safer towns far outside the worst of the danger. Commander Vonnegut, as well as several other high-ranking military persons from either the Riverland Forts or the factions of other generals had also chosen to attend. Acting General Reichart was also present, as well as several of his officers. Eitan had seen to it that a measure of the festive supplies in both food and drink had been sent on to be distributed to his men since he was, as of a few weeks ago, officially allied to the Islands.
With the adult members of his family standing, literally and figuratively, behind him, he stepped up to the podium. Speaking as clearly and calmly as he could into the device that would project his voice across the square he greeted the people and thanked them for their attendance, but more importantly for their unending hard work and dedication. He spoke of the losses they had all endured, assuring that what had been taken would never be forgotten, but then he moved on to hope, pointing out the many successes and victories the indomitable spirit of their nation and its people had brought about, that they all had brought about. Their sacrifices had paid for much, and their labors had borne fruits. The speech wasn't terribly long, but speaking for even fifteen minutes in a row felt like a lot, particularly when he believed what he was saying and felt the emotion of it no less than any other. In closing, he waved his arm to where the recently reclaimed flagship was just cresting out from behind one of the smaller Islands and said,
"This is a day to mourn what we have lost, but it is also a day to celebrate our victory in the face of what every other nation believed to be insurmountable odds. This day, the 34th, will be known this year, and every year after as our Searing Victory!"
As he spoke the last words a signal was given to the massive airship and it began firing off its battery of canons. Some were just for the sound of it, but some were loaded not with munition but with sprays of fireworks and other celebratory explosives that could easily be seen during the day. Flower petals and confetti showed down over the Islands as a cheer rose up from the crowd gathered as well as from the decks of the many ships hovering all around.
Over the next hour Stefan, Eitan, and the highest-ranking members of their military handed out official promotions, commissions and honors to the officers who had proven, and more than proven, themselves in the year since the disaster. Lieutenant Kämpfer was promoted to Army Captain Kämpfer, Stefan wanting to do him the honor himself even if Reichart was now their highest ranking Army officer. While Eitan promoted those he and his captains had chosen among the ZADC men, Stefan used his position to also claim one additional, specific officer to promote.
Even feeling the loss of the members of his family more keenly than he had since he'd found their remains he could honestly say he couldn't have been prouder pinning the new rank insignia onto the uniform of Lieutenant Reiner Dornkirk. In addition to the promotion, Reiner was also receiving from Stefan's hand the Zaichaer Mark of Bravery for his actions in rescuing the men of the Schiller. The Minister did not embrace his cousin there on the platform, but he did shake his hand, heartily clap him on the shoulder and tell him that he had proven proud the name of Dornkirk.
While some of the general population stayed to watch the military ceremonies, particularly those with family or friends being honored, many of them wandered off to attend one of the memorial services being held or already beginning to gather at the various stations that would be providing food and drink to all throughout the day. Thanks to the efforts of both the Order, those Covens who had banded together with the Islands, and the trade connections that Stefan and his people had fostered, they had been able to provide many of the customary food that had been lacking since the disaster. There were carts frying sweet breads as well as sausages and other savories, there were piles of fruit and barrels of cold cider, while others held traditional Zaichaeri beers and ales. Great spits were set up to roast wild boar caught in the forests, women had been baking for days and no mouth would go hungry nor mug be left empty. There had been much deprivation and the celebration might seem extravagant but the people needed it. Everyone left alive in the country needed a respite from their labors and losses both, an outward expression of all they had accomplished.
Once the ceremony was completed Stefan, with Delia on his arm, moved among the newly promoted officers offering his congratulation and his thanks. Delia knew which ones had young families, and had been a wise voice in the choices of promotions for men who would need to income (once they were back in a position to need such). She kindly reminded those men that she would be expecting to see their children at the birthday party of the Dornkirk daughter that was to begin shortly in the garden of the Hall. Some of the men seemed embarrassed by the attention but all were quite pleased by the personal attention to detail Mrs. Dornkirk offered.
Soon enough it was indeed time to head back to the hall for the luncheon children's party and the two couples met back up to take a small airship over. Stefan made a mental note, one that he had made dozens, if not hundred of times before, to begin work on some sort of permanent transportation system between the Islands. The ships worked well enough but if the Islands were going to be a permanent feature of the city they needed to not rely on their being available airships just for people to get home or to work.
So much had been accomplished, but there was still so much to be done. Yet, today, for the first time, it felt like they were over the first hill. There would be others, endlessly, he knew, but the insurmountable mountain of struggle that had lain before them only one year ago was no longer something they were pushing to reach the summit of. Standing tall atop it they could look out and see a real future.
The morning of the 34th dawned bright and beautiful and, without any explanation, lacking the mar of the Rift that had hovered over the center of the High City for a year. Reports had begun to come in starting in the late afternoon of the previous day, first from the Fort, and then from other outposts in the city. According to direct eye-witness accounts, the Mist Spawn had disintegrated near to the same time that the Rift had closed. Stefan knew that the closing of the Rift itself should not have caused the death of all the Spawn, but he also had no clue what on Ransera had closed the Rift.
With so little information all he could do was be grateful and take the positive events as good omens for the auspicious day. It would be a busy day for him and his family, and though the majority of what would take up that time would also be positive it would also be a lot.
Dienerin came up behind him where he stood facing his full-length mirror and held up a cravat and then a necktie. Stefan did not particularly care, Brenner had been the fashionable one, but he was making an effort today. It was going to be difficult not to think of his brother throughout the day and he had decided to just let the memories come so long as they didn't interfere with his duty. His manservant weighed in on the neck accessory decision, as did his wife in a quick glance up from her own toilette, and, as they agreed, he bowed to their greater wisdom.
As soon as he was fully attired he made his way, along with Delia and the Angevins to the same stage in the central square of the main Sky Island that he had made his mourning speech on soon after they'd first taken to the sky. It had been taken down, of course, but re-erected for this event. The atmosphere was different from what it had been on that day, but not wholly so. The Islands were festooned with ribbons and other decorations in colors that were somber but still celebratory. It was very Zaichaer and Stefan found he quite liked the effect, it felt like a little bit of home coming back.
Everyone on the Islands, it seemed, had turned out to hear what he had to say, additionally a good number of people they had rescued from the city and re-homed at either the Lodge (which was now being called the Lodge Village) or other safer towns far outside the worst of the danger. Commander Vonnegut, as well as several other high-ranking military persons from either the Riverland Forts or the factions of other generals had also chosen to attend. Acting General Reichart was also present, as well as several of his officers. Eitan had seen to it that a measure of the festive supplies in both food and drink had been sent on to be distributed to his men since he was, as of a few weeks ago, officially allied to the Islands.
With the adult members of his family standing, literally and figuratively, behind him, he stepped up to the podium. Speaking as clearly and calmly as he could into the device that would project his voice across the square he greeted the people and thanked them for their attendance, but more importantly for their unending hard work and dedication. He spoke of the losses they had all endured, assuring that what had been taken would never be forgotten, but then he moved on to hope, pointing out the many successes and victories the indomitable spirit of their nation and its people had brought about, that they all had brought about. Their sacrifices had paid for much, and their labors had borne fruits. The speech wasn't terribly long, but speaking for even fifteen minutes in a row felt like a lot, particularly when he believed what he was saying and felt the emotion of it no less than any other. In closing, he waved his arm to where the recently reclaimed flagship was just cresting out from behind one of the smaller Islands and said,
"This is a day to mourn what we have lost, but it is also a day to celebrate our victory in the face of what every other nation believed to be insurmountable odds. This day, the 34th, will be known this year, and every year after as our Searing Victory!"
As he spoke the last words a signal was given to the massive airship and it began firing off its battery of canons. Some were just for the sound of it, but some were loaded not with munition but with sprays of fireworks and other celebratory explosives that could easily be seen during the day. Flower petals and confetti showed down over the Islands as a cheer rose up from the crowd gathered as well as from the decks of the many ships hovering all around.
Over the next hour Stefan, Eitan, and the highest-ranking members of their military handed out official promotions, commissions and honors to the officers who had proven, and more than proven, themselves in the year since the disaster. Lieutenant Kämpfer was promoted to Army Captain Kämpfer, Stefan wanting to do him the honor himself even if Reichart was now their highest ranking Army officer. While Eitan promoted those he and his captains had chosen among the ZADC men, Stefan used his position to also claim one additional, specific officer to promote.
Even feeling the loss of the members of his family more keenly than he had since he'd found their remains he could honestly say he couldn't have been prouder pinning the new rank insignia onto the uniform of Lieutenant Reiner Dornkirk. In addition to the promotion, Reiner was also receiving from Stefan's hand the Zaichaer Mark of Bravery for his actions in rescuing the men of the Schiller. The Minister did not embrace his cousin there on the platform, but he did shake his hand, heartily clap him on the shoulder and tell him that he had proven proud the name of Dornkirk.
While some of the general population stayed to watch the military ceremonies, particularly those with family or friends being honored, many of them wandered off to attend one of the memorial services being held or already beginning to gather at the various stations that would be providing food and drink to all throughout the day. Thanks to the efforts of both the Order, those Covens who had banded together with the Islands, and the trade connections that Stefan and his people had fostered, they had been able to provide many of the customary food that had been lacking since the disaster. There were carts frying sweet breads as well as sausages and other savories, there were piles of fruit and barrels of cold cider, while others held traditional Zaichaeri beers and ales. Great spits were set up to roast wild boar caught in the forests, women had been baking for days and no mouth would go hungry nor mug be left empty. There had been much deprivation and the celebration might seem extravagant but the people needed it. Everyone left alive in the country needed a respite from their labors and losses both, an outward expression of all they had accomplished.
Once the ceremony was completed Stefan, with Delia on his arm, moved among the newly promoted officers offering his congratulation and his thanks. Delia knew which ones had young families, and had been a wise voice in the choices of promotions for men who would need to income (once they were back in a position to need such). She kindly reminded those men that she would be expecting to see their children at the birthday party of the Dornkirk daughter that was to begin shortly in the garden of the Hall. Some of the men seemed embarrassed by the attention but all were quite pleased by the personal attention to detail Mrs. Dornkirk offered.
Soon enough it was indeed time to head back to the hall for the luncheon children's party and the two couples met back up to take a small airship over. Stefan made a mental note, one that he had made dozens, if not hundred of times before, to begin work on some sort of permanent transportation system between the Islands. The ships worked well enough but if the Islands were going to be a permanent feature of the city they needed to not rely on their being available airships just for people to get home or to work.
So much had been accomplished, but there was still so much to be done. Yet, today, for the first time, it felt like they were over the first hill. There would be others, endlessly, he knew, but the insurmountable mountain of struggle that had lain before them only one year ago was no longer something they were pushing to reach the summit of. Standing tall atop it they could look out and see a real future.
