3 Cylus 722
If they felt he had a place among them to speak from, he would figure something out.
Elisabeth had said that their effort starting the settlement had helped her when she came into control of Haven, but Balthazar didn't know that he believed it. She'd have done as well as him if she'd been the founder. She might even have started them off in a better place than he did. He had so many goals in those trials. Goals that were achievable if not simple. Goals that stretched the bounds of alchemy and magic. Goals he could not follow through with as soon as his magic had been sealed away from him. Goals that did not matter now that they were being replaced by new ones.
Elisabeth began with the first address, calling the attention of the many settlers gathered around them. She used flowery words that one might find in a poem or a long rehearsed speech yet they were just the words that seemed to come to Elisabeth. She had that way of speaking and he did not. Elisabeth painted Darius and Balthazar in a light that Balthazar felt only the bearded blonde was worthy of. After all, if he hadn't been leading the people poorly then it was purely the Albarech's choice to remove him. They couldn't make such public statements or implications if they wanted to foster peace for the divide that Balthazar had created.
When Elisabeth was done, Darius spoke and he gave a similarly well-defined speech. Another monument to try and follow with whatever words Balthazar could think to muster. He still didn't know what to say or how he should say it. His history with speeches lead to him being removed from leadership. How was he to speak now without doing the same thing he'd done before? He would not go back on what he felt was true to the people who knew his heart. The longer he waited and listened to the other two, the less he wanted to make a speech. Another speech would do little good for them... but maybe a promise was better? When Darius was done it felt as if all the lingering eyes fell onto Balthazar. They were waiting for him to say something or cement himself as the shadow on the wall and the watcher in the wings. He might have enjoyed being the shadow and the watcher... but it was not right to leave them wondering. He stepped forward as Darius stepped back.
"I am not one for speeches and there is little left for me to say that these two have not. While I do not walk hand and hand with you anymore, I, and the two up here with me, will always be there for any of you. I am not of Scalvoris but I am not of any other land either. I lived my life equal parts in Yaralon and across Idalos exploring. I am and will always be an outlander, but I make this promise to you all now- if you ever need my help, I will answer the call. I will answer and help to the best of my ability as would your leaders." Balthazar made a small gesture back towards Darius and Elisabeth, "You are a strong people. You have brought life where it was never meant to flourish and every trial you help that life thrive. Look to your left, look to your right. Those are the heroes who have saved Faldrass from becoming a ruin. Not one of us here now could have done it without the rest. Enjoy the celebration, it is for you more than for us. It is you who have made this whole journey succeed."
