"We also have a request from the builders." Coral added, "They want approval to use the old archive for a permanent, upgraded communication hub. We're already running cables through the hallways but they want to make it permanent and I think it's a good idea. The archive has the space for a much larger map table and more advanced relay equipment. You would have an up to date command room for any future conflicts then."
Ann rubbed her forehead, feeling the onset of a headache starting.
"I told you…take a nap.." Maeve pressed but Ann waved her away dismissively.
"Yes, that seems like a good idea. Make it happen. Turn it into a strategic communication room. Once the fighting ends, we can use it to coordinate traffic for the portal project. Keep it functional, there's no need to waste time on it being decorative."
"I'll send the order," Coral said, beaming happily.
Eva's headset crackled again and she pressed a hand against her ear and listened.
"Ok, thanks for the update." She said with a small nod before turning to Ann, "That was a report from Greyson. It's all calm at the front currently, no new assaults since dawn which is amazing. His men are providing cover and fortifying a new position closer to the castle, where Adam is currently busy setting up another forward command tent."
Ann let out a slow breath.
"Tell him good work and…tell him welcome back."
Eva nodded and turned back to relay the message.
"I hope you notice how quick everyone is to act when we stop asking them to ask for permission?" Maeve said slyly.
"They always could do things without asking, especially Coral and Eva." Ann replied, "Everyone else just needed to finally see that their own actions would make an impact as a whole. I tried to tell them…but I suppose that wasn't enough."
Coral looked up at her, her lips pursed in irritation and Ann had to suppress the chuckle that threatened to escape.
"These stupid nobles are still sending emails as if they are the only people in the world with issues. The issues they have.aren't even issues!" She exclaimed in disbelief, "Some of them are complaining about lost privileges, others want to volunteer their staff for administrative duties…why would we need more administrators when you made it clear that none of them were to be involved?!"
"Let them send their staff," Ann said carefully as an idea began to form, "But they don't get to take credit for it and while they are working here, they work under you. Directly."
Coral looked stunned for a second as her mouth hung open.
"Wha…directly under me? Like…I'll be in charge of other people?!" she practically squeaked.
"Shes still so cute!" Maeve gushed, "Let's give her a badge. You know, make it official."
"She's not a child Maeve, don't patronise her."
"I'm not patronising! I'm encouraging!"
"No, it's most definitely condescending. Besides, her position is already official because I already said it out loud with a witness…she doesn't need a badge."
"But she might really like it! Then everyone would.."
"Maeve..." Ann warned with a pointed scowl and Maeve snapped her jaw shut moodily.
"Pfff. You ruin all my amazing ideas."
Ann rolled her eyes internally as Maeve huffed heavily and plopped herself down in the corner, glowering at her with a sulky stare.
She refocused her attention on Coral and forced a smile.
"Yes, Coral. You're perfectly capable of handling a larger team than the few assistants that have been helping from the enclave for you. If you can draw up the contracts, make sure they are signed and sealed and binding that while they are working on sensitive administrative matters here, they are under the palace employment directly and will sever ties with their respective nobles for the duration. After their term is complete they may choose to return to their houses of origin or, after review and based on their performance, they may have the opportunity for a permanent position at the palace or within Veritas holdings."
Coral blinked at her in shock, as Eva sniggered knowingly.
"Excellent plan, my Queen. Offer them career advancement for their loyalty, effectively destroying the nobles' plans of sourcing inside information directly. Now they've offered it, they can't really take the offer back without exposing themselves."
"Exactly," Ann grinned.
"I'll handle it," Coral said excitedly..
The door opened briefly as a runner came in, panting.
"Aorry for the intrusion, your highness. I've got a message from the main gate. Civilians are waiting for direction on where to go. With the new orders, the commander wanted to know for certain where we should send them so that they aren't uprooted again after getting settled."
Ann gestured toward Coral.
"Take him to the drill yard when we're done here and have him help with intake. Tell the guards to keep the paths as clear as possible."
"I'll wait outside until you're ready, m'lady." The runner said before bowing and hurrying our the door.
Brad closed the door again with a wry smile before Coral, Eva and Ann broke out into giggles.
"I think that's the first time I've ever been called M'lady." Coral giggled, patting her flushed cheeks in embarrassment.
"It probably won't be the last," Brad commented with a gleam in his eye, causing her to blush further before he turned to Ann. "I'll give you one guess who's kicking up a stink in the reception hall."
"Probably the nobles, I'm assuming?" Ann sighed as she rubbed her temples, "Honestly, it would be easier to manage if it was just one of them but they're all as bad as each other."
"Any response to their demands of when they'll be seen?"
"When the work is done here," Ann said. "Not before."
"Understood." Brad grinned widely as if he was looking forward to causing them more grief.
Eva read out another message that had come through.
"Field medics confirm that the last wave of wounded have reached the inner courtyard. They're setting up secondary stations near the stables. Coral, you'll need to get more supplies there as they're starting to run a little thin."
"I'll move them now," Coral said as Eva handed over another printout.
"There's our full casualty summary. All deaths confirmed, wounded stabilised, and only a few missing but presumed alive in three units. All the rest are accounted for."
Ann skimmed the list. It was the first report in months that didn't add more names than it removed.
"Ok, send condolences to the families of the confirmed dead and make sure they know that their fallen will be honored at a memorial after this is over. And make sure the names go to the right households this time. No mistakes."
"I'll check them myself," Eva said.
The door opened again and Coral's assistant stepped in with a clipboard.
"Just a final note from the Enclave, your Majesty, there's nothing more after this for now. They're offering volunteers to help with record keeping for the refugees."
"Accept," Ann said instantly. "The more hands, the better. Make sure they're briefed on confidentiality before they start."
The assistant nodded and left.
For a moment the room went quiet except for the faint hum of the communication equipment.
Ann leaned back in her chair and exhaled heavily, closing her eyes briefly.
"Coral, when the new communication room is ready, I want you to run it. Keep a copy of every incoming and outgoing message. No deletions."
"Of course!Anything you want, I can do it!" Coral grinned enthusiastically..
Eva took off her headset and set it on the desk, stretching her arms above her head and straightening her back with a satisfied moan.
"Well, that's most of the morning work done. We'll get more updates in around an hour or so."
Ann nodded tiredly.
"Keep the line open then. I want immediate notice of any movement on the frontline..."
Brad shifted his stance, squinting at her carefully.
"Don't you think that you should take a small rest before the next meeting? You look exhausted…"
"No," Ann said. "Just have the kitchens bring food here when it's ready. I'll eat while we go through the next round."
"You always say that and then forget," Maeve said. "You'll faint one day, and then Adam will rage and it'll serve you right."
"Don't pretend that you don't love it when he's cross with me. You get some sort of sick pleasure from defying him as well." Ann almost smiled as Maeve grunted in annoyance, knowing that it was true..
"Right, I'll go check on the builders and take the overly polite runner down to where he needs to be...I should have a progress update by this evening."
"Perfect," Ann said with a grateful smile, "Brad, make sure she takes two guards with her, I don't want any of my team to walk alone right now."
"Got it." Brad said as he disappeared out of the door with Coral for a moment, and returned moments after...
Eva leaned back in her chair, rubbing her eyes.
"Do you ever think we'll get used to this pace? I kind of miss you swanning into the office in the morning and my panicked run to make your coffee so that you wouldn't think I was incompetent and replace me."
"You were never incompetent," Ann chuckled, "And no, I don't think we will. This pace is brutal to maintain for too long, and you know, it's fine if we struggle. If we ever feel comfortable during a war, then we're doing something wrong."
"You could still take a nap and have zero impact on the state of the war you know," Maeve pressed.
Ann ignored her and looked at the clock. That was yet another hour gone with another round of orders finished and still she felt as though nothing had been done. She picked up her pen with a sigh and signed the last order on her desk.
"I hope they're back soon," She murmured to Maeve, without even having to name the people in question.
"I know. I do too." Maeve answered softly, her face serious for once, "I'm sure both of us will sleep better when the family we chose for ourselves is back where they belong."