"On this glorious day," announced the speaker, "the first equinox of year 2100 V.F., the countries Gwent and Dernexes hereby declare cessation of all warring activities and accept this peace treaty. May the Graces and peace be with the two countries forevermore."

The ten advisors of Gwent stood up from their seats and bowed respectfully, in the Dernexan way; similarly, the eleven advisors of Dernexes stood and bowed. As they straightened up, they moved forward and clasped their counterparts' outstretched hands in turn with warm handshakes, in the Gwentian way.

Among the advisors representing Dernexes was Enlil. His scar was in broad sight, almost purple and shining on his wrist, and he was dressed in a beige-coloured tunic, like the other advisors. His pale eyes met Tia's, from across the room, and she was glad to see satisfaction on his face. Behind him, the Dernexan flag hung from the ceiling. The emblem gleamed in the sunlight pouring in from the sky windows. She knew, without looking, above her head on the wall would be the Gwentian flag, with its bright, clashing colours.

Tia nudged her companion as the latter finished finalising details with Nabu, the old king's trusted confidante. The middle-aged man's pale green eyes smiled at Tia, and he broke off to converse with one of the Dernexan representatives.

"I suppose that means we are all comrades of war, should that time comes. Is that not right, my queen?" Tia murmured.

Her companion jumped and glared at her.

"Don't call me Queen, Tiamat!" Sarpanit snapped, with indignation. Tia giggled, linking arms with her. Sarpanit's coronation had been a modest occasion. As first-in-line to the throne, she was crowned Queen shortly after Lahar's funeral; both ceremonies were attended by Gwentians and a few Dernexans, who had been won over by the fair, hard-working king. Subsequently, Sarpanit took her place among the advisors, filling the space her late father had vacated.

Nothing had changed though; she was still the hot-tempered, no-nonsense girl with a flair for medicine Tia had always known. She looked most uncomfortable out of her healer's apron, picking and tugging at her long-sleeved, slim-cut tunic. Her red-brown hair that had always been tied back tightly for practicality was cut shorter and fell in layers around her face. Her full lips were pursed in a disgruntled expression.

"May I have a word with you, Sarpanit?" one of the other advisors said. Sarpanit raised a subtle eyebrow at Tia, who pulled a face at her, and excused herself. The next group of advisors consisted of three Dernexans and two Gwentians; Sarpanit joined their deep conversation, their voices mixing with the low mumble in the background.

Tia made her way across the room, seeing Mommu and Enlil talking to another Gwentian advocate. They excused themselves as they spotted her meandering between the talking adults, her light blue Windcaster's cloak billowing behind her and her hide boots tapping lightly on the smooth stone floor. Her green eyes gleamed as they met her friends' and a bubble of delight made her grin.

"I see Gwent is doing well," Enlil said in a low voice, clapping Tia's shoulder in a most Gwent-like fashion. Tia chuckled.

"These people are hardy, Enlil." She gave the advisors a fond look. "They had lost so many men, and yet they persevered. My Hearing had helped, but even if I were not there, they would have been fine, I think. What is the situation with Mawlin?"

"Well, after we released the men trapped in Ptarmigan Valley, we kept an eye for any retaliation or suspicious signs. All the advisors – Gwentian and Dernexan – have been keeping vigilant eyes out, all around. Advisor Nabu said there will be plans to organise a peace treaty offering for Mawlin too, but only once we have both recovered. We have men stationed at Westersands in the west at the moment, with Advisor Gerard there."

Enlil pointed at one of the men talking to Nabu at that moment. He was tall, with olive-coloured skin and jet black hair that stuck up in spikes. He talked with gestures, large hands moving rapidly in front of him, and his face had a serious expression. He wore the same beige uniform as Enlil.

"Westersands is the most vulnerable out of all the bordering cities. Advisor Gerard is a very helpful man of military background. His expertise was most enlightening."

"He is the nominated advisor for Westersands?"

"Yes. It seemed that he had done much good for the people, even during King Ea's time. Several times his ingenious ideas had saved many a family from work-related injuries or fatalities, and from starvation. He is a most valuable asset."

"I am glad to hear," Tia said with relief. It was of great comfort to know her beloved country was back on her feet and on the rise again, ran by reliable, honest people who had every intention of contributing for their keep. She glanced over her shoulder; it seemed that the serious event of the day was over. "Shall we go for a walk?"

She linked arms with her dear friends as they walked the length of the newly-built brick building, and out into the spring sunshine. A cheerful sun shone as they trudged up the small hill not far away. A cool breeze blew around them, singing peaceful songs. The newly sprouted grass rustled and leaves swayed in the wind. Tia took a deep breath; the air was wholesome and sweet.

Extensive collaboration between Gwent and Dernexes had cleaned up the wreck that was Elder Down, the City of Ashes, and they renamed it the City of Mediation, for it was the middleground for the two countries. The advisors of Dernexes had accepted Gwent's history and released the southern half of the city to her. Most of the charred remains of the burned down city were removed and new buildings were being erected; plants and other wildlife had begun to flourish.

"Will you come back to Dernexes with us, Tia?" Mommu asked. He was also wearing the Windcaster's cloak: pale blue with black at the rims. It rippled with the wind.

Tia contemplated, gazing far into the distance with her green eyes. Fluffy white clouds drifted lazily across the gorgeous blue sky. It was a beautiful day.

"I will, but not right now," she said at length. "I need to help Gwent restore function, and that will take several months. I will definitely return, if only for a while. Dernexes needs Windcasters also and you cannot shoulder the burdens of an entire country, Mommu."

"Very well." Mommu grinned and took a bow. "I hereby accept your proposal, Tiamat, Windcaster of Gwent."

Tia giggled. She tapped her chest, feeling the comforting weight of the leather-bound tome against the front of her ribs. "We need to work our way through this book in the future and teach trainees. We need to carve a future for Casters."

"Dernexes also needs time to recover." Enlil, on her right, nodded in agreement. "With the integration of slaves into the community and restoring the roles of those who had deceased, it may also take several months before the country is able to run smoothly by itself. That, and the advisors need to adjust to their new roles; it is strange for many to not have a single power to answer to, after all."

"I am so glad they adapted to the new system quickly, though."

"Well, with the royal family removed, there is no back-up. Without a chance like this, we would never have revamped the old system. Now, it is great. With one advisor representing each of the eleven cities of Dernexes, we have the true voice of the people. Dernexans as well as freed slaves can be heard. We have reduced so much suffering and corruption."

"And how is Mooncliffe, Enlil? Our beloved hometown?"

"Doing well, Tiamat. The weather has been most welcoming and the harvest has been abundant, even at this time of the year. Mommu's Hearing has been so accurate."

"Oh, I have Heard. That is fantastic, Mommu," she said warmly. Mommu, on her left, flushed with pleasure.

They enjoyed a comfortable silence for a few moments, listening to the chirping of birds and the rustle of the grass.

"In the long term, Tia," Mommu said, looking sideways at her with his warm grey eyes, "are you planning to stay in Gwent on a permanent basis?"

"They need me, Mommu," she said. "Wind magic should not have been the property of Dernexes in the first place. The nature is for us all. It has been used and abused for so many years; it is time that it is used fairly, without discrimination. I can be of help, for them."

"I think that is a fair decision."

"You do?" she said with hope. Mommu bumped heads with her, unlooped his arm, and then clasped her hands. Enlil folded his hands into theirs also.

"You have made your decision, Tia as have we. We will always support your choices. I think Master Anu would have been so, so proud of how far we have come."

"And I, too, am proud of what we have achieved," Enlil said quietly. "I cannot thank the Graces enough for having met you two, and for the greatness we have accomplished. It has been such a journey."

Tia smiled, her heart bursting with love for her companions, and squeezed their hands.

Can you see this, Master Anu? Can you hear what we are thinking? Are you proud?

The Wind Sang to her, its beautiful melody caressing her soul and warming her heart. 

A/N: This marks the end of "The Windcaster". I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. It has been a fantastic journey. I have learned a lot from friends, readers, and from myself. Please do remember to vote if you enjoyed the chapters and I appreciate all and every comment you leave.

If you have any questions regarding the story of "The Windcaster" or about my writing journey for this piece, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment below, or in the next "Questions, Facts, and Thank Yous" chapter.

Until then, thank you for reading my first completed novel as an adult, thank you for the support. If you want more fantasy to read, check out my other stories.