V: The AwakeningWith Warrenfall left leaderless, Thedale in mourning, and people and Reoseans alike in distress, King Semias answered the call and took temporary measures of control. His council oversaw any and all matters while the news spread across the land and he abolished the tyrannic rule against the Reoseans. While doing so, he urged the nobles and council of Warrenfall herself to appoint a new leader, but they could never agree.
While King Semias abolished the decree, many soldiers were anguished by their actions and what had led to the abuse of the Reosean species. Some sought peace in Roenden or Thedale with their companions, distancing themselves as far as possible from King Aster’s remains. Others were not so fortunate. The people shunned the knights in Warrenfall after the truth was revealed, and only the returned spark of life in their Reoseans quelled those complaints and anger. The Reoseans that were taken captive had been released. Many of Warrenfall’s people opened their homes and care for them, but King Semias urged them to not push it upon them. The Reoseans should decide for themselves whether or not they would take up the offer- and he would not blame them if they did not. And while some did, the majority returned to the wilds- deep within Warrenfall’s forests and swamps- away from any sign of civilization. With the Reoseans freed, so was the magic. Slowly, but surely, over the years the magic returned to the air. Crops prospered once more, wildlife returned to a sizable population, and the world of Reos was better off for it. But it was not like it was before, and it would not be like that for decades to come. The Reoseans never returned. Not yet. The pain in their souls was too fresh, and when a new Queen was finally appointed- Queen Elshen, who made sure to solidify King Semias’ law, put in place protections for the other species. Reoseans as the people knew them were free to live among society as equals, to choose their bonded of their own free will, and to punish any criminal activity performed against them. Queen Elshen did her absolute best to restore balance, to fix the mistakes made by her predecessor, though left the history of the decree untouched. People would read, and learn, about the consequences of his actions. -- Summary of Chapter 5 in the History of Reos scholarly book, written by Vinicius Floren |
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