The sun was barely up, and the palace was already moving again. No one had stopped working after the announcement, each person keen to show that they were contributing just as much as the warriors that were risking their lives.
Finally, the corridors were full of footsteps, lifted voices, and the steady, hopeful sounds of people who finally knew that things were going in the direction that they wanted.
Ann sat at her desk with a mug of tea that had gone cold two hours ago and Coral stood across from her, reading updates from a pile that never seemed to shrink. Eva had stationed herself at the table that had been set up with the communication equipment in the corner, her headset in place, and eyes fixed on the small screen that handled the constant stream of messages from the field.
Now that there was a stable base of operations in the field, Adam had been able to oversee the set up of various tents. Medical tents with supplies, a command tent and a communications base, as well as areas that allowed their warriors to sleep relatively undisturbed and unbothered by the weather.
"The convoys from the southern stores finally made it through the gates," Coral said. "Food, bandages, and blankets are being sorted now. The first delivery has already gone to the barracks."
"Good," Ann said. "Make sure the wounded and the medical teams are fed first. The rest can wait until everyone currently in key roles has had something."
"You should probably drink that tea before it grows legs and starts its own uprising, you know," Maeve said.
"I will," Ann murmured.
Eva didn't look up, but the little excited squeal caught Ann's attention.
"Message in from the frontlines! Lexi's army is holding position and those abominations have started falling back of their own accord, as well as their handlers. Greyson's vanguard has cleared another three sectors of the approach to the castle and Bella is still flying overhead. Lord Brarthroroz confirmed she is covering their advance immaculately, barely anything is getting through."
Ann nodded as a relieved smile settled on her face.
"Excellent, we should thank them for the speedy updates. At least now we're not sat waiting and wondering for hours at a time as we wait for the runners to complete their routes."
"I know, we should really look at investing in some more advanced communications for out in the field that doesn't require a base camp. I know it was done to minimise the chance of discovery, but still…we aren't living in the dark ages. I feel like the previous monarch really dropped the ball…" Eva suddenly clamped her mouth shut and lowered her eyes, "Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't think…"
"It's fine," Ann said softly, "You're completely right and I won't ever deny that. My father was lacking in a lot of things, and I hold both him and the nobles responsible for how run down things have gotten. But, we can fix it. As soon as this is over with, we can strengthen what we do have and make the necessary changes."
Eva smiled gratefully and cleared her throat.
"Alpha Felix and Lord Brarthroroz have rejoined the front lines. They're relieving the wounded and stabilizing defences as they dismantle what's left of the infrastructure that was left behind for the constructs and handlers. I think Lord Brarthroroz would like to analyze and investigate just how Ely has managed to keep everything together even with Eromaug dead…but we can schedule that discussion for a later date."
"And Aoife?" Ann asked.
"Still in the field," Eva said with a chuckle, "She's stubbornly refusing to be moved away from what she sees as her duty to the wounded, much to Alpha Felix's dismay, but he says that her magick is at least steady."
Ann kept her eyes on the casualty sheet in front of her. The numbers were high, but they were finally beginning to shrink.
"Make sure she has a good team with her. No one should be working alone out there, especially not Aoife. We failed her once, I won't have that happen again." Ann said softly, her heart twisting painfully at the thought of what she had been forced to endure before she disappeared, and the possibility of everything else that she had been through since.
"I'll add it to the message queue," Eva said.
Coral turned another page and rubbed her eyes.
"The refugee intake is steadier now, it seems to be finally relenting. The lower barracks are full, but the drill yard conversion is almost ready. I can open it by midafternoon if the kitchens are able to keep up."
"Do it anyway," Ann said with a sigh. "We need the space and in the worst case scenario, I'll ask Lord Brarthroroz if Steve can fast track supply deliveries with portals."
"You could use a nap," Maeve yawned, "Maybe even stare at nothing for more than a second just to give your brain a break. I'm sleepy just listening to it all. We have assistants for a reason."
"That's not happening," Ann said quietly, "I won't be an absent Queen. I am not my father. It's the least I can do to stay awake while our people are risking their lives and running themselves ragged."
Coral paused and threw a nervous glance towards Ann, taking a long sip of her drink before taking a deep breath and reading the next update.
"Two nobles have requested an audience. They claim they can speed up supplies through their private networks if you'll see them alone."
Ann sighed and tapped her fingers on the table, chewing her lip thoughtfully.
"They don't want to help though, they just want leverage so that they can hold it over me and demand that I allow some favour to them or something like that. They think I'm an idiot. Deny the requests."
"I already did," Coral said with a sly smile, "They didn't take it well."
"That's their problem," Ann snorted, "If they try to push back, remind them of my statement last night."
Brad, who had taken up his usual place by the door, said nothing but smirked slightly. He had enjoyed watching the nobles realise they were no longer in charge.
Eva finished another message and turned in her chair.
"Do we want to prepare a second bulletin for the city? Just to keep everyone updated. I think it would be better that they are kept updated regularly with official updates, that way, it removes any chance of discontent stirring with rumours and gossip."
"Yes, that s a great idea." Ann said. "Keep it simple and just reconfirm that the frontline is holding strong and we've established a solid foothold now. Confirm that operations are ongoing and all completed have been successful. We should probably let them know that the enemy is retreating of their own accord as well, and we're hot on their heels. Oh, also, add a line or two about the ongoing refugee intake so people know where to go if they're still struggling to find a place of safety."
"Short and to the point again?" Eva asked.
"Always," Ann said. "No titles, no flourishes, no fancy fuckery, just information."
Eva laughed at her smirk and turned back to her screen, beginning work on the statement that would be sent out.
All in all, things were going smoothly and Ann finally felt as though things were going to be ok.