Chapter Twelve

  Andrea Pender wanted nothing more than to rub her temples. The tension behind her eyes had settled into a dull throb, and she could already picture the remedy: a hot bath, a glass of wine, and silence. Blissful, uninterrupted silence.

  The wooden chair beneath her creaked as she shifted her weight, its sturdy construction a testament to the growing craftsmanship within Avalon. Darren's Hall had been named for sacrifice and leadership, qualities Andrea now struggled to embody as she pored over reports scattered across the massive oak desk. Supply distributions, defense rotations, newcomer integrations, expansion proposals, all demanding her attention while the political crisis loomed ever larger.

  But that wasn't in the cards. The election in Avalon loomed on the horizon, and Andrea had weeks, if that, to prepare for the vote. Every decision, every step, felt like walking a tightrope, and the stakes were far too high to misstep. The responsibility weighed on her, a constant pressure that had become as familiar as her own heartbeat.

  "I don't know why you're so worried," Tina's voice cut through her thoughts. "You've got me on your side."

  Andrea glanced over at the teenager lounging in the corner, an oversized hoodie swallowing her frame. Tina didn't look like the leader of a budding society in a post-apocalypse world. She looked like she belonged on a couch, glued to a gaming console. With her ocean-on-night-sky hair and perpetually amused expression, Tina Florence presented a stark contrast to the gravity of their situation. Yet Andrea knew better than to underestimate her. Beneath that casual exterior lay a strategic mind and power that had earned her position as a Forerunner.

  Andrea sighed, finally giving in and rubbing her temples. The action did little to alleviate the pressure, but the familiarity of the gesture provided its own comfort.

  "You're still good with the plan?" she asked, her voice heavy. Each word carried the weight of sleepless nights and endless concerns.

  Tina waved a sleeve dismissively. "Of course. I'll pledge my support to you at today's rally. Don't worry so much, patronne."

  The French term of respect had become Tina's nickname for her, a subtle reminder of their alliance. Brittania's support of Avalon was crucial, both politically and practically. The resources and trade they provided had helped establish Avalon as more than just a settlement, it was becoming a true society.

  "Has Dannill reported in yet?" Andrea's question revealed her unease. Dannill was her most reliable scout, tasked with gathering intelligence on Cassius's movements and supporters.

  "No, but these things take time," Tina replied, her tone unbothered. She examined her nails casually, but Andrea knew her well enough to recognize the calculation behind the gesture. Tina was always thinking, always planning, several steps ahead of everyone else.

  Andrea pursed her lips, turning to the window. Beyond the glass, Avalon stretched out in all its sprawling glory, a sanctuary carved out of chaos. The Great Tree dominated the skyline, its branches reaching toward the perpetual twilight. Smaller structures dotted the landscape, homes and shops built with increasing skill as their inhabitants settled into their new lives. Her plan for the election hinged on the people, but therein lay the problem: people wanted to know their leader had their best interests at heart, and yet their interests were as varied as the stars.

  What had begun as a desperate band of survivors had evolved into a complex community with its own politics, economy, and social structure. The System accelerated this development, giving people powers and capabilities that amplified both their virtues and their flaws.

  Divisions were forming. Many resented that shopkeepers and workers seemed to live in luxury, reaping more than the average citizen. This discontent had given rise to two factions: those demanding equal provisions for everyone and those insisting that rewards should be earned through effort.

  Once, Andrea might have sided fully with the latter. The System itself operated on that principle. If you didn't work, you didn't grow. If you didn't take risks, you stagnated. Her career in human resources had taught her the value of incentives, of creating structures that rewarded achievement while providing basic security.

  But Avalon was different. People arrived with nothing, traumatized, battered, and desperate. They needed a safe place to start, a foundation from which to rebuild. That was why Avalon provided housing and basic provisions. If you wanted more, you worked for it. It was a balance of charity and meritocracy, and Andrea believed in that balance.

  Cassius, however, was twisting the narrative. The tall, smooth-talking man with chocolate eyes and an air of calculated charm had made it his mission to sow dissent. His System level wasn't particularly impressive, 68 to her 173, but his skills were focused on persuasion and crowd manipulation. Where Andrea saw complex problems requiring nuanced solutions, Cassius presented simple answers that appealed to base instincts.

  "How can newcomers compete with those who've already gotten so far ahead?" he had asked during a public debate, his voice carrying across the gathered crowd with practiced ease. The question had struck a chord with many, especially those who had arrived after the initial settlement was established.

  When Andrea pointed out the availability of jobs, training programs, and advancement opportunities, Cassius pounced.

  "Oh, so now you're saying these newcomers must give their lives or work hard labor just to be treated with dignity?"

  The muttering that followed still echoed in her mind. She had fumbled her response, unprepared for the blow. The frustration of that moment lingered, a reminder of her own limitations as a leader. She understood policy and management, but Cassius understood people's fears and desires in a way that felt almost predatory.

  "You're trying to make everyone happy," Tina said suddenly, breaking the silence. She had been watching Andrea with those keen eyes that missed nothing, reading her thoughts as easily as if they were printed on her forehead.

  Andrea looked up, fingers still massaging her temples. "Elaborate."

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Tina sighed, sitting up slightly. "It's obvious, isn't it? You're trying to find answers that'll please everyone. It makes you look fake, like you have an agenda. People can smell fake a mile away, and it pisses them off. If you keep this up, you're going to lose. Cassius beats you because he's chosen a side. He doesn't pretend to look out for everyone."

  The bluntness was typical of Tina. While others might soften their words out of respect for Andrea's position, Tina had never shown such restraint. In many ways, it was why Andrea valued her counsel. In a world of yes-men and sycophants, honesty was rare and precious.

  "But he's clearly out for himself!" Andrea protested. The evidence was there for anyone willing to see it, Cassius's supporters received better housing, more resources, favorable positions within the community structure. His promises of equality masked a system of favoritism that contradicted everything Avalon had been built upon.

  Tina laughed, the sound sharp and amused. "People don't care about that! They think the same thing about you. What they care about is whether you'll align with their views and push their agenda. Cassius's group? They want to sit on their asses and get handouts. That's lazy, but they don't care. He's their guy because he's telling them what they want to hear."

  The stark assessment hung in the air between them. Andrea knew Tina was right, but accepting it meant acknowledging a fundamental flaw in her approach to leadership. She had always believed that good policy would speak for itself, that people would recognize quality leadership through results rather than rhetoric. The reality was proving far more complicated.

  Andrea raised an eyebrow. "And what would you have me do?"

  "Pick a side," Tina said simply. "You're already on one. Cassius has made sure of that. Stop trying to play both fields."

  Her French accent became more pronounced when she was emphatic, giving her words a musical quality that belied their sharp edges. Tina had led Brittania through its own challenges, had faced opposition and emerged stronger. She understood the nature of leadership in ways Andrea was still learning.

  Andrea worked her jaw, chewing on the thought like a piece of gristle. Tina wasn't wrong. If she continued trying to appease everyone, she'd end up alienating them all. Politics wasn't about being right; it was about being convincing. Cassius understood this intrinsically, while Andrea had been fighting it every step of the way.

  "If I keep going as I am, I'll just make everyone upset with me," Andrea admitted. The realization was both obvious and profound. She had been approaching the election as an administrator rather than a leader, focusing on systems rather than people.

  "Got it in one, patronne," Tina said, forming finger guns and clicking her tongue. The gesture was pure Tina, irreverent, playful, yet somehow perfectly timed to lighten the mood.

  Andrea managed a faint smile. "How did you get so wise?"

  "It's not wisdom. It's common sense." Tina stretched, her arms extending far beyond the sleeves of her oversized hoodie. "When you grow up scraping by, you learn quick who's your friend and who's just talking. Cassius? He's just talking. But he's talking in a way people want to hear."

  Andrea chuckled. "Are you saying I lack common sense?"

  "I'm saying you're lucky to have me around." Tina's grin was infectious, her confidence unshakable despite her youth. She had fought to establish Brittania in a hostile environment, had earned her place through blood and determination. Her advice came from experience, not theory.

  Andrea shook her head, glancing back toward the window. The settlement continued its daily rhythm, oblivious to the political machinations that would shape its future. The people of Avalon deserved a leader who would protect what they had built, who understood the value of both security and opportunity.

  "Have you heard anything from the dwarves yet?" she asked, changing the subject slightly. The dwarven settlement in the mountains had become valuable allies, their craftsmanship and resources vital to Avalon's continued development.

  "Not yet," Tina replied. "But they'll come through. King Throrvin respects strength, and you've shown plenty of that. Besides, they hate Cassius. The way he fawns over them makes their beards curl."

  Andrea's lips pressed into a thin line. Her plan had relied on securing the support of Avalon's allies. If she could show that the dwarves, and others like them, backed her vision, it would sway the undecided voters. Cassius couldn't claim such alliances. His focus on isolationism and self-sufficiency alienated potential partners, a weakness Andrea had hoped to exploit.

  But Tina's words lingered in her mind. The strategy felt hollow now, too calculated. Appearing as though she supported everyone was backfiring, and whether or not it was fair didn't matter. What mattered was winning.

  Andrea had worked for everything she'd ever achieved. Pre-System, she had clawed her way up from nothing, building a career with no safety net. The System's principles reflected her own: effort yielded rewards, risk brought growth, and power enabled change.

  She wasn't about to let Cassius tear that down. Not when so many depended on her to maintain the delicate balance they had created.

  "Okay, enough about that for now," Andrea said, shaking herself from her thoughts. "What have you heard about this new faction?"

  "You mean New America?" Tina straightened slightly, her demeanor shifting from casual to attentive. This was the Tina few saw, the leader rather than the teenager.

  Andrea nodded. The reports had been fragmented, whispers carried by traders and travelers rather than official channels. New settlements were appearing across various realms as the System's integration continued, each with its own approach and agenda.

  "Not much. Started in the city the First Forerunner used to run. Word is it's led by some marine veteran, but that's all I know." Tina's expression suggested she found the concept amusing rather than concerning. "They're big on structure, discipline, all that military stuff. Kind of like if Thomas turned his carpentry crew into a militia and decided to start his own town."

  Andrea tapped her chin, her thoughts swirling. Dannill had brought her whispers of this faction some time ago, but she hadn't had the bandwidth to address it. The election demanded all her focus. Still, the rumors were growing, and while New America might not be a problem now, it could become one.

  New settlements meant new alliances or new rivals. In the rapidly evolving landscape of System-integrated realms, positioning mattered. Avalon needed to establish itself as a power worth respecting, a partner worth having.

  If they were friendly, fine. If not, well... Ambrose was Avalon's shield, its nuclear deterrent. She doubted New America had anyone capable of standing against him. The thought brought both comfort and unease. Relying on Ambrose's power was necessary but dangerous—he had his own agenda, his own priorities. His absence during this crucial time was both a relief and a concern.

  "Do they know about us?" Andrea asked.

  Tina shrugged. "Maybe. Travelers talk. But they're focused on their own growth right now, not looking outward. Typical American exceptionalism, if you ask me."

  The amusement in her tone suggested personal experience, perhaps from pre-System days. Tina rarely spoke of her past, but occasionally hints emerged through her commentary.

  "It's time to head down, patronne," Tina said, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at the ornate clock on the wall, another product of Avalon's growing craftsmanship. "Your adoring public awaits."

  Andrea nodded, closing her eyes for a moment and shoving the headache into a corner of her mind. She had faced far worse than a political rally. She had survived Eric's attack on Avalon, had helped rebuild from the devastation. She had negotiated with beings from other realms, had made decisions that shaped the lives of hundreds.

  She would not be intimidated by Cassius and his machinations. Not today. Not ever.

  "Let's get this over with." Standing, she straightened her jacket, a simple but well-made garment that reflected her practical approach to leadership. No elaborate displays of wealth or power, just competence and determination.

  As they left Darren's Hall, Andrea felt a new resolve building within her. Tina was right—it was time to pick a side. Her side. Avalon's side. The side of those who believed in building something that would last, something worth protecting.

  Let Cassius have his easy answers and empty promises. Andrea Pender had truth, allies, and a vision for the future. And she was ready to fight for it.