The applause that erupted was deafening, but again I made the gesture to be silent and when I had it I said less heatedly than before, "You have given me your hearts, but I tell you that is not enough. I must have your trust also! Orders will be given that you will not understand and will certainly question, but yet I ask you to obey every one of them, as I believe that the route I believe we must take is the only one that can lead us to victory. Sacrifices will have to be made even as they already have been and more will be asked of you than ever should be and hopefully never will be again. I do not risk anyone of you needlessly and yet I have risked all of you and our entire people to attain total and complete victory over the enemy. What say you? Are you with me no matter the path taken?"
There was a ground swelling roar that culminated in one word being repeated over and over; 'Lata!' which simply put, means master or commander.
I saw Romnan make his way through the crowd flanked by generals Sanjo, Nadero, and Santaran. They stopped before me and the crowd of warriors grew silent.
Romnan spoke loudly in order to be heard by all, "We Valley Landers have always been a race of warriors! We have had many proud warriors to call our own over the course of our history. Such a warrior stands before you now in the form of Roric Ta'lont. Well is it said if one wants to know how the progress of a battle is fairing look around to see if a Ta'lont is still fighting, if so then there's reason to hope yet that the battle might be won."
There was a general chuckle throughout the crowd at that statement, which seemed only new to me as I had never heard it before now.
"You, the warriors of our people, are faced with making the greatest sacrifice that one can in this life and it is because of this that you speak for all of the Valley Lands. As you have accepted this man, who humbly comes before you as one of you and not one better than you, I ask that you will you not only appoint him as leader of our people in this present struggle, but also in the peace to follow!"
There was a deafening roar of approval and all I could do was stare in shock at Romnan. What was he doing? Why was he unseating the long held power of the council and transferring all the power to me? Again silence was called for and Romnan stepped forward toward me and answered my unspoken question.