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The Assembly tries to deploy the Tamboran Army, but it’s harder than they
thought. The Kutelins have infiltrated every facet of society on this side
of the island. Many of the people who attended the valley rally are in the
military. This could have created an internal conflict, but even those who
were never a part of it don’t want to fight their own compatriots. That was
not why they joined up, and Speaker Keller doesn’t push back too hard on
this. He doesn’t likely want a fight either. At the very least, it makes
them all look bad. Trust that the irony in what’s happening is not lost on
Resi. His predecessor—the original First Tongue of Aether—is said to have
built a military force centuries ago. Resi never wanted that. He never had
any intention of the situation escalating this hard and this fast. Was his
predecessor in the same boat? Was history repeating itself, not because
power corrupts, but because change always leads to violence, or the risk of
it. For now, not a drop of blood has been shed, but it’s not over.
After that first rally, news obviously spreads all over the island. The very
next day, they take over the Tadungeria. No more Kidjums will take place
until Kutelin approves, which may mean that it will never happen again.
During his first speech, Resi didn’t have all of the information. They
sprung all of this on him. Now he has had time to look at the facts. Now he
needs to address the people of this nation, and make some sweeping changes.
He has been invigorated by the recent developments. Again, he didn’t plan
any of this. He genuinely tried to exile himself to the border. But the
movement is bigger than him, and it needs a leader. He may not know much,
but 12-year-olds are not fit to perform the kind of hard labor that is
expected of people after choosing their permanent House. They’re also just
too young to be separated from their families. He hasn’t been able to see
Kala much since the exile, but as precocious as she is, she needs to be
raised by someone who has known her for her entire life; not strangers. It’s
too early, it’s just too early. She’s not the only one, and he’s not the
only who feels this way.
Resi stands on stage, and looks into the serious cameras that Arumay has set
up for him. He delivers another speech, armed with more of the truth. He
still isn’t going to tell anyone about the immortal liars, but he will
always have that in his back pocket. He has told a few other trusted people
in case something happens to him, though. He’s not an idiot. “In summary, I
address you so quickly after my last message because I now better understand
what is happening, and what is at stake. I’m sure you have all noticed how
great our army grows. This is due to an incredibly successful propaganda
campaign, leading some of our most vulnerable to taking up arms, where they
would not have before. The Assembly would have you believe that they are all
volunteers, but it is an insidious effort to bolster our strength, in
preparation for an actual war.
“I cannot give you specifics on their military strategies, but this is not
an in case of emergency kind of situation. The emergency is here, and
they are acting. To fill the void left behind by the former civilian
workers, the Assembly has decided to lower the Kidjum age. This is wrong,
and I won’t stand for it. I urge you, if your child is turning twelve
anytime soon, to keep them close. Teach them your values, as you have been
doing, and protect them from tyranny. I will be fighting for our children,
and for you. And remember, we are a peaceful peoples, so I don’t want to see
any act of violence, from any ideological group. I welcome the Assembly to
meet with me so that we can discuss options, as well as the truth. Speaker
Keller, you know where to find me.”
