It had been an extremely tense meal. His friends let him mull over the coming confrontation, only giving a few suggestions when he asked. Even when Titus and his people joined them, they’d maintained an uneasy silence, letting him focus.

  Then, Mistress Harkness came out and sent his emotions toppling again. When he and Titus explained their pending confrontation with the committee, her eyes had narrowed in disbelief. After their promise to come the following night, she’d let out a soft scoff that made it very clear what she thought of them.

  Pax would much rather sit with his mother than face the entitled rebel committee, but knew this wouldn’t wait. He did his best to calm the knots twisting his insides. It was critical that they take a stand and insist on being treated as equals in the rebellion leadership.

  Yeah. Pax was pretty sure how that would go over. It was no wonder the food he choked down sat like a lump of rock in his stomach. He tugged on his Charisma and Meditation skills to center himself as Pax led his crew and their companions through the halls at a brisk walk that wasn’t too slow or too fast.

  He’d turned over a new leaf, taking a stand and insisting on better treatment. There was no going back now. Despite how uncomfortable it might feel, he knew this was a necessary part of his future. Pax shook his head and let out a rueful chuckle. He’d always imagined his route to power being one full of weapons and powerful magic, not a war of words.

  It was ironic that the street kid who’d started with barely a 3 of Charisma was about to face off against a committee full of warriors and mages many years his senior. Well, they needed his abilities and willing cooperation if they wanted any chance of winning the war. Now he just needed to make them see that.

  Their group received enough odd looks that made Pax sure that word had spread about them. He didn’t know exactly what people were saying, but they definitely noticed his crew as they moved through the base.

  “You’ve got this.” Rin gave him a shoulder bump which jarred him out of his worried thoughts.

  “And you’ve got all of us to make sure they listen,” Titus said from behind him. “Look at our group. We’re going to make them stop what they’re doing and pay attention.”

  Pax gave all the friends trooping through the halls with him a grateful look. His brother was right. It sent a flush of strength and support through him to know he wouldn’t be facing the leadership alone. He needed to get rid of his internal self-image of being a powerless first-year student. Instead, he was the only known light mage in the empire with extremely valuable magic who’d just claimed the powerful position of commander of the entire base.

  The positive change in his thoughts helped him summon a confident smile when he stepped up to the two warriors standing guard outside the committee chambers.

  “Hello. I’m Commander Vipersworn, and we’re here to see the committee.” He was proud of how even and confident his words came out.

  The warrior to the right of the door had wide eyes as she saw the crowd of people and companions behind Pax. Her eyes narrowed in confusion as she mouthed the word commander and shot a worried glance at her partner.

  He took a quick look at a clipboard sitting on a small stand next to him and stammered a response. “Um. Do you have an appointment? I don’t see any mention of a commander?”

  “Don’t worry.” Pax gave them a patient smile. “It’s a new position. The base altar just recognized me today as the only living light mage and appointed me to be commander of the base. I’m pretty sure the committee will want to discuss that right away, don’t you?”

  Pax kept a straight face with an expression of mild interest, despite a stifled snicker from one of his friends behind him. Talpa had moved up to lean against his leg and hip with support, his disconcerting tentacles out on full display. Whisk even took the initiative to bulge out into a shiny layer over the front and shoulders of his cuirass that Pax knew from experience was disconcerting to see.

  Pax could see exactly when the implications of his words about the base’s altar hit the first guard. She blanched with sudden realization, and her mouth opened and closed in astonishment. “Holy Vitur,” she whispered.

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  Her partner looked like he was still trying to figure out what the big deal was. She didn’t explain it, instead turning to the door. “Let me inform them you’re here, Mage Vipersworn.”

  Pax narrowed his eyes at her deliberate use of Mage instead of Commander. He knew it would be an uphill battle for the rebels to be comfortable addressing him that way, but he planned to present himself with that expectation right from the start. “Don’t bother. I’ve got it.”

  He stepped forward and waved his hand at the same time as he sent a quick request through his connection to the altar. To his delight, the doors in this section had powered connections that gave him complete control.

  There was a sudden clunk as the lock turned on its own, followed by the heavy door opening with a smooth, powered movement. The two guards stared in shock.

  “Like I said, it’s Commander Vipersworn,” Pax said as he walked past them.

  After a surprised beat, his friends and their companions hurried to follow him, smiles abounding. Pax was sure the two guards considered stopping them, but their show of force left them too outnumbered and outmatched to do anything.

  Pax worked to maintain his confident demeanor as he stepped into the large committee chamber. They’d taken over a large open area that looked like it might have originally been an atrium or meeting place for whoever lived or worked behind the many doors along the other three walls surrounding it.

  They’d set up a semicircle of tables and desks facing an array of mismatched chairs and stools where those wanting to speak with the committee could sit. Two women, one a warrior and another looking like a crafter, sat in the front row waiting their turn. They were quiet, but shifted with impatient movements, being ignored by the busy committee members seated in front of them. The officials worked at their desks, writing, handing off papers to assistants and overall giving the impression of being very busy.

  Pax immediately recognized Merchant Thaladir Nightblade, seated just to the right of the center. He was the officious man who’d tried to lord over them in their new Taming and crafting facilities until Whisk and the other companions had run him off. Pax barely kept his expression neutral as glee surged through him. He’d enjoy putting the man in his place for a second time.

  Around the large chamber, some of the surrounding doors opened and closed as workers came and went, carrying stacks of papers, equipment, or other office paraphernalia to and from the working committee members.

  And then someone finally noticed Pax and his large group entering the chamber. Whispers spread and fingers pointed. The carefully coordinated movement around the committee chamber ground to a halt as his group walked up to stand in front of the two supplicants waiting their turn.

  The gazes of the previously working committee members lifted to land on them, sending mostly frowns and glares their way at the interruption.

  Predictably, it was Nightblade who sputtered a response first, though he kept aiming wary glances to and from the various companions accompanying them. “Excuse me. This intrusion is unacceptable. Everyone needs an appointment to address the committee, and I’m quite sure you don’t have one. Please see the guards, and they’ll help you choose a time when we’re all here and have time for you.”

  Pax heard a low growl of irritation from Amil, who’d moved up to stand on his right. Rin was already on his left. Horrid and Eris contributed to his friends’ intimidating appearances. A soft buzzing let him know Titus was right behind him with Astra, ready to put the fear of Vitur into anyone, should it become necessary.

  Their group of multiple battle-hardened mages and warriors, along with their pets, had to be an intimidating sight. For a quick beat, Pax wished he’d brought Mage Eldan along, especially after her promise to use Whisper to scare the committee into submission.

  Bolstered by everyone’s support, Pax shrugged, wanting to glare at Nightblade like he was something nasty stuck to the bottom of his boot. Instead, he kept his distaste out of his expression, working to appear powerful and professional. “That’s fine. We were told the committee wanted to speak to us. But if not, we’d much rather get back to work, getting the rest of the base functional again. Also, please let us know when Lieutenant Garrick Lancaster is ready to offer his apology and you’ve made a new position on the committee for me. When you have both ready, we’ll be happy to get back to work unlocking mage elements and Taming beasts again. Have a good day.”

  As Pax turned on his heel to leave, he saw the two guards had hurried in after them, the woman already whispering in the warrior’s ear holding the middle spot at the central committee table.

  Pax let out an annoyed sigh. His worries from earlier had fled, replaced by a tiredness and disgust that he had to deal with the same idiocy he’d encountered back in Salman. Well, now that he had control of the altar, it wouldn’t be long before they discovered how much power he truly had.

  “Hold, Mage Vipersworn.”

  The voice wasn’t Nightblade’s. Instead of his irritating whine, it had the confidence and snap of someone used to giving orders and having them obeyed.

  Pax debated whether to respond. He could just keep walking and wait for the committee members to figure out how much power he held when he and his friends began changing the base. However, his Charisma along with his Strategist skills prompted him to turn around. They’d all be better off finding a compromise and working together.

  He turned and spoke slowly and clearly, meeting the hard gaze of the warrior who’d addressed him. “Actually, my new title is Commander Vipersworn.”

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