Page 102 of My Tiny Giant
Pressing his right hand to the left side of his chest, Agan bowed to the Governor and his wife then to the crowd. He then stepped aside, making me the center of attention.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Nowak from Earth.” The Governor dipped his head in a bow to me and placed an identical golden sash over my shoulder. His wife gave me a tight smile.
The wave of applause was slow to catch this time. It started tentatively from a few directions as I pressed my hand over my heart and bowed to the Governor, the way Agan had done.
“Thank you for bringing peace to our land.” The Governor clapped his hands, spurring the wave of cheers higher.
I turned to face the crowd, sweeping with my gaze the entire square and taking in as much of the adjacent streets as I could see.
Could this country be my home? Would these people ever accept me for what I was? Would I be able to remain true to myself here, without offending anyone by violating their cultural norms?
Agan stepped forward. “As a foreigner, Lieutenant Nowak is entitled to ask for a reward from the people of Ravie for the service she’s done for our country.” He turned to the Governor. “That is the law, is it not?”
The Governor frowned, more in confusion than anger or annoyance, I hoped.
“It’s an ancient tradition, not a law,” he said. “A warrior outside of the City of Ravie who fought and won on behalf of the city could ask for a reward from the Mayor.”
“Since Lieutenant Nowak is not only from outside of the city but also from outside of the country, her reward should come from you, right?” Agan asked, innocently.
Madam Eehie gasped softly. “She is a woman, not a warrior.”
“She is both,” Agan stated flatly.
The Governor moved his stare to me.
“Do you intend to demand a reward for your service, Lieutenant?”
I glanced at Agan, who gave me an encouraging smile. It was worth a try. I inhaled deeply before blurting out, “Yes.”
A rumble rippled through the crowd. People appeared to be intrigued, though many sounded disapproving. Blatantly demanding a reward for a good deed must be frowned upon. Well, I had little to lose.
“I would like to ask for something from you, Governor,” I said loud and clear, so that people back on the fringes of the square could hear me, too.
“I’m sure this could be discussed later,” Madam Eehie half-whispered into her husband’s ear.
“My request is very straightforward,” I added quickly, not giving him a chance to back away, now. “There is not much to discuss or negotiate.” I turned to the crowd again. Their approval meant so much more than that of the Governor or his wife. “People of Ravie, the only reward I’m asking for is your permission to call your country my home. I wish to stay and build my life here, on Tragul.”
A rumbling wave rolled through the crowd, and I desperately tried to gauge whether it was approval or displeasure. If the Ravils didn’t accept me, it mattered little what their Governor would say. I was ready to work hard to be fully included into their society. However, open hostility would make my life here so much more difficult.
“You want to stay in Ravie?” the governor stared at me. “As one of our citizens?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I drew some air into my lungs and faced the crowd again.
“I want to help you rebuild what I’ve helped you save—a peaceful life. I’d love to be a part of your prosperous future...I...”
I had plenty more grand words roaming in my head. All of them were true, but none felt impactful enough for this moment.
“I want to stay together with the man I love,” I said, baring my heart to them. “My home is where he is.”
Agan’s large hand closed over mine as he took his place at my side.
“There have been so many losses and separations during the war,” he addressed his people. “Let our story be one of union.”
And this time, the wave of cheering, clapping, and shouting was definitely that of support. It erupted into a tsunami of noise, rolling through the square and way beyond.