Page 103 of My Tiny Giant
“For helping to liberate Ravie,” Governor Eehie loudly declared, even as not many beyond the wooden platform could hear him over the roaring excitement of the crowd. “Lieutenant Emma Nowak of Earth will receive Ravil citizenship. It’s an honor to welcome you as one of our own, Lieutenant.”
Tears of happiness prickled behind my eyelids. I released a long breath, only to draw another one in quickly, as the air suddenly felt short on oxygen.
I hadn’t had a chance to personally get to know this country and its inhabitants. I’d fought for it, risked my life for it, yet so much of it largely remained unknown. However, I was looking into the future with excitement and a strong desire to learn. It wouldn’t be easy—nothing ever was—but there was no fear or trepidation in my heart.
“Thank you,” I whispered, because no one would hear me over the noise even if I shouted the words. Pressing my hand to my chest, I bowed deeply because everyone could see this gesture of my gratitude to the Ravil people for giving me the chance.
“Welcome.” The Governor placed both hands on my shoulders and kissed my forehead.
“Welcome.” His wife repeated his gesture. “Um...” She lingered in front of me, seemingly struggling for words. “I am not sure if you would like to continue in your current occupation as a warrior... We have several organizations that would welcome you as a Ravil woman, which may not be to your interests...”
She trailed off, obviously confused about how to treat me or where to place me.
“Emma is an excellent seamstress,” Agan said, out of the blue.
I blinked at him, wondering why he’d bring that up.
“You are?” Madam Eehie’s eyes lit up with excitement. Relief clearly shone on her face. “We have so many great craftswomen in Ravie. I sew myself, and I’d love to see what techniques you could share with us.”
“Um, sure.” I smiled as she took my hand in both of hers, any trace of awkwardness between us quickly melting away.
“There is a big demand in Voran for clothes and other items made by Ravil women. Voranians largely depend on machines in their textile production. They appreciate our handmade products. I’d love to organize our craftswomen, give them support they need to establish a regular production and export of their product...”
Madam Eehie kept talking excitedly, her arm hooked in mine as we, along with our small group, stepped off the platform and headed toward the gardens of the City Hall.
Here, under the pergolas with grass-woven canopies, long tables had been arranged in rows. Huge amounts of food lay on trays and large round dishes.
“You can sit right here, next to me if you wish, Lieutenant Nowak,” Madam Eehie invited, gesturing at the long bench at one of the tables.
“Thank you,” I took my place next to her, with Agan sitting on my other side. “Please, call me Emma.”
“All right, I will.” She smiled, brushing aside a wavy lock of her shoulder-length mane. “I’m Inkra, then.”
“Lieutenant Drankai!” The sharp voice of General Hicrai startled me.
He approached our table in wide determined strides and hastily greeted the Governor and his spouse, completely ignoring me as usual.
Agan stood up, facing him.
“Glad to see you’re back in your best fighting form.” General Hicrai slapped him on his shoulder. “Maybe now you can control your woman better.” He finally acknowledged my presence by shooting me a reproachful look.
“I quit,” Agan said suddenly. “I quit the Army. This is my resignation.”
“What?” For a moment, the general looked as if he’d chocked on something sharp. “You can’t quit the Army!” he bellowed. “Leaving it is called desertion, punishable by law.”
“The mandatory service in Ravil army is twenty years. After that, one can quit any time.” Agan calmly folded his arms over his chest. “I completed the mandatory two decades of service two years ago. I quit.”
“You’ve been with the Army for only twelve years.” The general jammed his finger in Agan’s chest plate. “You have a long way to go before your mandatory term is up.”
Agan shook his head.
“As per the Equalization Act, years of activity in a civilian resistance organization are counted into the years of active army duty.”
“You’re not even thirty yet,” General Hicrai scoffed. “You can’t have the full twenty years either way. When did you start? When you were eight years old?”
“Six. And now I’m done.” Agan unfolded his arms, taking a step closer to the general. “And since you’re no longer my superior officer...”
He twisted his torso, bringing his fist back before landing a hefty blow on the general’s jaw.