Chapter Twenty-Six

  Andrea stood at the entrance of Darren's Hall, smoothing her tunic as she prepared to address the gathered crowd. The air was cool and heavy with anticipation, the murmur of voices carrying across the square. Lanterns hung from wooden posts, casting warm light across Avalon's cobblestone streets, a stark contrast to the tension that simmered beneath the surface.

  Tina Florence stood beside her, the hood of her oversized gray hoodie pulled low over her face. Her hazel eyes scanned the crowd with sharp attentiveness, her posture relaxed but deceptively ready. She wasn't from Avalon, her roots were in Britannia, a forested settlement far across the sea, but her presence here had weight. She was a visiting ally, not a native politician, yet somehow her confidence seemed to lend Andrea strength.

  "They're restless," Tina murmured, her French-accented voice barely audible over the murmuring crowd.

  "I know," Andrea replied, her tone clipped.

  This was it, the moment she would take a definitive stand. It had been Ambrose who appointed her as Avalon's steward after clearing the island of its curse and claiming it for his purposes. But the people weren't content with simply accepting his decision. With Cassius stirring dissent and demanding a vote, the lines had been drawn.

  "Remember, patronne," Tina said, using her favored term for Andrea. "You have to be firm. Pick a side, like I told you. Cassius will spin any hesitation into weakness."

  Andrea nodded, steeling herself. "I know. Thank you for being here."

  Tina grinned. "You'll owe me a drink after this."

  With a deep breath, Andrea stepped forward, ascending the wooden platform built in the square's center. The murmur of voices quieted as the crowd noticed her presence. Hundreds of Avalonians stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces illuminated by the lanterns' flickering glow. Among them were faces she recognized, survivors from the initial battles against Mordred's corruption, new settlers who had arrived seeking safety, craftspeople and farmers who had rebuilt this place from ruins into a thriving community.

  "People of Avalon," Andrea began, her voice steady, cutting through the quiet. "I know there are questions. Doubts. Concerns about the direction we're heading. Let me start by addressing the obvious, Ambrose appointed me to lead. He trusted me to guide Avalon when this island was little more than ruins and dangers. Together, we've rebuilt it into a safe haven. But now, we face a crossroads."

  She paused, scanning the crowd. Cassius stood near the back, leaning casually against a post. His chocolate-brown eyes gleamed in the firelight, his expression neutral but predatory, like a wolf waiting for the right moment to pounce. His perfectly styled dark hair and immaculate clothing stood in stark contrast to the practical, work-worn appearance of most Avalonians.

  "Avalon is not just a town," Andrea continued. "It's a symbol. A place where anyone can start anew, no matter their past, as long as they're willing to work for a better future. But make no mistake: the safety and prosperity we've built didn't come from handouts or blind luck. It came from effort, from risk, and from the sacrifices of those who believed in something greater than themselves."

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  A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged uncertain glances. The cool evening breeze carried whispers through the square, the rustle of movement as people shifted their weight from one foot to another.

  "Cassius," Andrea said, her voice firm, "would have you believe that Avalon's principles are unfair. That we should abandon the balance we've struck, of offering support to those who need it while expecting effort from those who can contribute. He would tell you that safety and prosperity are entitlements, not responsibilities."

  Cassius pushed off the post, his smooth baritone cutting through the night. "And why shouldn't they be, Andrea? Isn't it the role of a leader to ensure that all are cared for, not just those who fit her vision of worth?"

  The crowd shifted, turning their attention to him. Several people nodded in agreement, particularly those who had arrived more recently and hadn't experienced the early days of struggle and sacrifice.

  Andrea clenched her fists but kept her expression composed. "It is the role of a leader to create a foundation where everyone has the chance to rise. But it is not my role to hand out complacency disguised as charity. What you call my 'vision of worth' is nothing more than an expectation that we all contribute in some way to the community that protects us."

  "Ah," Cassius said, stepping closer, his voice a velvet challenge. "And what of those who have nothing to offer? Do we cast them out? Let them starve? Is that the 'balance' you speak of?"

  "No one is cast out," Andrea shot back. "Every newcomer to Avalon is given a place to stay and the basic provisions they need to survive. But from there, it's up to them. We've built this town together, and if we're to thrive, everyone must do their part."

  Cassius smiled, slow and calculating. "How noble. And yet, you stand here preaching effort and fairness while clinging to a position you didn't earn."

  A collective intake of breath rippled through the crowd. Some began to murmur in agreement with Cassius, others in defense of Andrea. The division that had been simmering for weeks was now openly visible.

  Andrea's jaw tightened, but before she could respond, Tina stepped forward, her hoodie casting her face into shadow.

  "Enough," Tina said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Cassius, you talk about fairness and leadership, but all I hear is someone trying to tear down what's been built. I don't know much about Avalon, but I know what it's like to lead. And from where I stand, Andrea's vision is the only one that ensures this place survives."

  The crowd murmured again, this time with more agreement. Tina's reputation as the leader of Britannia carried weight, even here. Her settlement had faced challenges similar to Avalon's and had not only survived but thrived under her guidance.

  Tina turned to Andrea, her hazel eyes glinting. "You have my support, patronne. And I think you'll find more than a few others willing to stand with you if you stop letting this snake twist your words."

  Andrea swallowed hard, then nodded. "Thank you, Tina."

  The crowd's energy shifted, some stepping forward in support of Andrea while others hesitated, glancing between her and Cassius. The lantern light flickered across their faces, highlighting the uncertainty and determination in equal measure.

  "Don't let her speak for you, Andrea," Cassius said, his voice smooth but tinged with irritation. "The people deserve a vote. Let them decide who they trust to lead."

  "They will vote," Andrea said firmly. "But I won't stand here and let you distort the truth. Avalon has survived because of hard work, unity, and a willingness to face challenges head-on. If you think your way will lead to anything but ruin, then by all means, let the people decide."

  The crowd erupted into cheers and shouts, some for Andrea, others for Cassius. The lines had been drawn, and the decision was now in the hands of Avalon's people. The noise echoed off the buildings surrounding the square, a testament to how deeply this issue had divided the community.

  Andrea stepped down from the platform, her heart pounding but her resolve firm. Tina fell into step beside her, a small, satisfied smile on her face.

  "You did good, patronne," Tina said. "Now let's hope the people see it that way."

  Andrea glanced back at the crowd, where Cassius still stood, his smile sharp and unyielding. "We'll see."

  As they walked away from the square, the cool night air carried the continuing debate behind them. Avalon's future hung in the balance, and despite her outward confidence, Andrea couldn't help but worry. Ambrose had entrusted her with this responsibility, and she was determined not to let him down. But Cassius was persuasive, and the allure of his promises might be too tempting for some to resist.

  Only time would tell which vision of Avalon would prevail.