<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/50/15b3a41b63432bcd1c3755c910f8be5c.jpg)</div>Umari smiled as he led the procession back towards the feasting hall, turning to look over his shoulder as Xenovia spoke. When she finished he gave a simple nod. "In your place, I might well have acted similarly. Words mend much easier than deeds, and no lasting harm was done."<br/><br/>As they entered the feasting hall again, he caught sight of many eyes turning towards them, and raised his hands to draw the attention of the crowd. After a few moments, the conversation faded, leaving the room in relative silence. "My friends ... my people," he began, letting his gaze drift across the room. "Today is a momentous day for us." His lips curled in a soft smile as hushed conversation buzzed around the room, faces showing confusion, excitement and a host of other expressions. "For a thousand years we have waited, and held to our faith, waiting for the signs that our Lord has not abandoned us. Waiting for the signs that indicate we are to take our rightful place in the world once more. Your sacrifice, your faith, all that your ancestors have laboured for, today is the day that their work is to be rewarded."<br/><br/>He turned slightly, raising a hand to Ramalan and indicating that the captain should step up beside him. "Some of you may have met, or spoken with our new guests. Perhaps they have told you a little of what passes on the tides beyond our island in recent days and years." He paused, giving a smile of amusement. "It would seem however that they were keeping a few secrets from us, initially. These secrets have been revealed to some of your comrades and kinfolk already." He turned towards Ramalan and gestured towards the crowd. "I would ask that you share your secret with the rest of my people. Show them that centuries of toil and hardship, of struggle and sacrifice, have brought us to this moment of destiny, so that in years to come, they can say 'I was there'. I was there when the world turned and began again. I was there at the dawn of the new age."