General Antigones frowned as his wife scribbled furiously in a new notebook, copying or summarising something from a letter she was reading.

“You going to tell me what you’re writing about, Titania?” the orc asked, trying to lean over her desk. The last few times he’d been slapped away, but he was a big guy and she never hit him that hard.

“Fine, I’ve been compiling information about Frances Windwhistler and her companions in a dossier.”

“Oooh,” Antigones pursed his lips. “May I ask why? I understand they are dangerous but do they justify an actual dossier?”

Titania made a face. “Well… when I started I was just being petty and angry, but the more I looked into it, the more I think she should have had a dossier. Then again, maybe she does have one and father’s spies haven’t told me about it.”

“What did you find?”

“A lot. There’s the obvious. Frances Windwhistler adopted daughter of Edana the Firehand “Windwhistler,” Otheworlder, and Winter Tournament Semi-Finalist.” Titania flipped back a few pages and pointed at a line in her notebook. “Of course, Frances being an Otherworlder, the big mystery is why Edana Firehand adopted her.”

“Mm-hmm, I was wondering that myself. The Otherworlders are going home if they win the war, which they won’t,” said Antigones.

“They can stay, and I think that’s why Edana adopted Frances. For whatever reason, Frances wants to stay in Durannon. That’s important because we know most of the Otherworlders come from a far more technologically advanced world that should be very comfortable and that they have families.”

“And knowing Frances’s character, she wouldn’t have left because she was poor. No, people like that have principles. She left because she didn’t have family, or a home to return to. Interesting… though, I don’t see the military relevance yet.”

“Fair. I didn’t see it either until I came across this.” Titania showed a page of her notebook to Antigones. “James Seaskimmer’s son Jeffrey Seaskimmer was digging up on Frances for the Winter Tournament and I managed to get a copy of the report. It appears that when she arrived and became Edana’s student, Frances was put in an intensive physical and nutritional rehabilitation program. So I think she came from a poor family who couldn’t afford to feed her well. Also, it indicates that she’s not a particularly strong physical combatant and I can exploit that.”

Antigones picked up the notebook and narrowed his eyes as he read the notes. “Titania, I don’t think it’s simply that she came from a poor family.”

The princess frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Look, poverty does mean you eat badly, but if you are poor, it’s less “you starve” and more “you get the wrong food” or have a lack of variety in your food.”

“Huh, how do you know this?” Titania asked.

“My soldiers. I listen to them, and where they come from, what food they like, what they’re used to outside of the army.” The general flipped a page of the notebook, whispered something to himself. “Besides, she’s staying here in Durannon, right? She shouldn’t have a family that she wants to return to.”

Titania nodded slowly, studying her husband’s face as he stroked his beard, and read through her notes.

Quite suddenly, he blinked and shut the book, returning it to her hand, and sat down beside her.

“Dear?” she asked.

The orc steepled his fingers. “I have a theory, and you’re not going to like it.”

“Well is it better than the one I have? If so, just get on with it.” Titania crossed her arms, glaring at her stoic-faced husband.

“So, there’s the regimen prescribed for Frances. It looks like it was for someone recovering from severe malnutrition. Okay, that lines up with coming from a poor family, but then there’s the physical therapy. Why would you have to give physical therapy to a thirteen-year-old child? Especially since it’s not for any particular injury. All of the notes you collected suggest some kind of muscle damage, but it’s almost as if the regimen was designed to help her recuperate from regular beatings.”

Titania’s smile vanished. “Dear, you’re right, I don’t like this theory of yours.”

“That and there’s the note about nightmares that you wrote down. Frances is rumoured to get nightmares.” Antigones took a deep breath. “Titania, I’m pretty sure Frances was an abused child, just like you were.”

The trorc’s fingers curled into fists and she forced herself to exhale. “Well, guess I’ll have to use that then.”

Antigones crossed his arms. “Titania.”

“She’s our enemy, Antigones,” she hissed.

“Oh I know, but are you okay with using that against her?” Antigones asked.

Titania shook her head. “What choice do I have? We have to win this campaign or else father—”

“You know your father can’t hurt you any longer,” said Antigones.

Titania winced. “He can hurt you if he decides to do so.”

“You’ll hurt yourself if you exploit that weakness. Besides, you don’t know her triggers.”

“I don’t need to. I know exactly what to say.” Titania shut her eyes. “But you’re right, I don’t want to use them. I’ll just… keep this information in mind. Anyway, she has other vulnerabilities. As a song mage, she needs to sing. If I can cut her ability to sing off then that would weaken her badly. She does have magical armour that blocks or blunts most magical or physical attacks, but the tournament showed she can’t hold that up forever.”

“There’s also her spells. She chains her spells and casts quickly, but get in close and she should be vulnerable because she does take longer to cast spells,” said Antigones.

“Good idea. I’ll just have to get past her friends.” Titania flipped to another page in her book and turned it to show her husband. “Elizabeth, another Otheworlder, the protege of Igraine of Leipmont, the Green Bitch of the Forest. Thank Galena she didn’t pick up on her ranger abilities, but she is a formidable warrior and she—not Frances—is the chief commander of the Lightning Battalion.”

“So we have her to thank for those ambushes and… ingenious tactics,” said Antigones. “She is an aggressive commander, though, always wanting to gain the initiative and stack the odds in her favour. Not a bad thing, but she might over-extend. You can take advantage of that.”

“Good point. Then we have Ayax Windwhistler, your friend Allaniel’s daughter. Winter Tournament finalist, skilled in close-combat magic.” Titania gave her notebook to Antigones. “She speeds herself up and increases her striking power. She can throw some ranged spells but she relies on close-combat most of the time.”

Antigones nodded. “She’s almost like Allaniel then. Okay, when you’re fighting her, don’t try to keep at long range.”

“Wait, why not? She’s the weakest at long range,” Titania said.

“She’d just disengage or close the distance. That’s what Allaniel did to his opponents.” Antigones stroked his beard. “You want to beat her, right? Then keep at a moderate range, out of striking, but close enough to bombard her defences. You’d wear her down and be able to land a killing blow then.”

Titania took her book back and scribbled furiously into it. “Dear, I love you. Right, that leaves the last two of Frances’s companions, both humans, Ginger… no last name, and Martin of Conthwaite. Ginger is one of Erisdale’s convict soldiers. I picked up that she’s in a relationship with Martin, who is the Countess of Conthwaite’s son and a knight. Both are strongly competent military administrators, with Ginger leaning more to the field command and Martin towards the logistics side. They shouldn’t be too much trouble to deal with if it comes to it.”

“Dear, don’t underestimate humans.” Antigones crossed his arms. “What are their typical weapons?”

Titania pursed her lips. “I… don’t actually know Ginger’s, but Martin uses a sword. They say he’s a pretty good duellist. Okay, I’ll try not to get in a melee fight with him. I don’t think I need to worry about Ginger’s combat skills, though. Yes, she’s a former Erisdalian army captain, but she’s a commoner without magic.”

Antigones glanced at Titania’s notes. “True, but she has an impressively long list of campaigns under her belt. Look, she served the Temple campaign and survived most of those early skirmishes. Think about it Titania, at eighteen, she’s survived three years of constant fighting. She’s an old hand soldier and commander.”

The princess nodded slowly, smiling at her husband. “Think she probably has a few tricks up her sleeve?”

“Yes, and she probably has the mind to back them up. She might “run away” and try to strike you when you least expect her.” Antigones grimaced. “Hmm, no wonder the Lightning Battalion’s been such pain. Each individual in the group covers for each other’s weaknesses.”

“Yeah.” Titania glanced at the marked candle, which they were using to tell the time given how rainy it’d been. “By the way, I think it’s time we got to meet Helias for that strategy meeting.”

Antigones got up and walked to his chest. “Thanks for reminding me. We should dress warmly. My weather harpies say that a thunderstorm is coming tonight.”

Titania groaned and stowed her book away. “Well, at least that explains why the air’s been feeling so muggy. Ah well, toss me my fur coat please.”

The sky was dark and the rain blew across Frances’s vision. The westerly winds howling as they churned the sea and dark clouds above.

Seven thousand Erlenbergian soldiers, most veterans from the city’s siege, marched into battle order. They’d taken the first steps outside of the city in weeks. The Alavari reconnaissance companies in the city had been swiftly neutralized by a strike team that included Ophelia, Robert and Jeffrey. Eventually, the survivors would alert Helias’s army.

But not before they attacked.

The army hadn’t had to stay quiet, but they’d taken some precautions. As few torches were used as possible. Mages put up a curtain of fog, almost indistinguishable in the rain, but it had obscured the view of the camp’s sentries. Through the haze and the rain, was the camp. A palisade with several open gates. In front of the camp were Helias’s siege cannons.

The Lightning Battalion was at the centre of the line. They had three hundred and fifty-eight footsoldiers in a block, whilst their one hundred and four cavalrymen lined up beside them. Frances was with the cavalry along with Martin. Elizabeth, Ayax and Ginger were with the infantry.

From his spot on his horse, Martin waved to Ginger, who was unmistakable in her new armour. He’d had to argue with her to accept the new lobster-tailed pot helmet and cuirass that he’d procured for her. She waved back, grinning and blowing him a kiss, which he blew back.

“Did you have a good time last night?” Frances asked, smiling knowingly.

“Oh, it was excellent. Didn’t do anything for my nerves, though.” Martin exhaled and wiped some of the rain dripping down his helmet off his brow. “Maybe it’s because of how big this attack is going to be but I feel more nervous than usual.”

Frances giggled. “I know I am. I… I don’t actually know how many lightning strikes I can manage.”

“I think the Alavari are going to be more concerned that the weather is trying to fry them.” Martin patted his horse, cooing softly. “I heard about your ‘girl talk.’”

“I’m sorry we didn’t ask you. It just happened,” Frances stammered.

The knight laughed. “Frances, I know it did. I’m just saying it would be nice if we could all go do something after this.”

Frances sighed with relief. “Oh, yeah. Maybe we can go to the beach?”

“With the weather like this?” The pair chuckled. “I still can’t believe we’re doing this.”

“We are in a rather desperate position, Martin. I hope this changes that.” Frances looked up as she heard horns blasting. “That’s our cue.”

And just like that, the army moved at a brisk walk. Seven thousand against what could be fifteen thousand.

They knew they were going to be spotted as they moved closer. The mages couldn’t keep up the haze shielding the army after all, and the howling wind and thunder could only deafen the sound of thousands of hooves and feet hitting the ground.

Still, Frances could see the shock and horror of the Alavari sentries who were running or were frozen stiff. The gate in the palisade in front of her was slowly being pulled shut.

Raising Ivy’s Sting, Frances called out to the storm above her. Between a plea and a demand, her song rang out over the din of rain and marching feet.

The lightning answered. The sentries pushing the door were struck by a bolt that smashed from the sky, flinging them askew. Those that were unhurt ran, screams drowned out by the rolling thunder that followed.

Frances heard Elizabeth laugh and cry out, “Lightning Battalion, charge!” and suddenly, she was galloping as the Erlenbergians seized the gates of the camp and poured in. Other battalions with war mages blew holes in the palisade at different points, creating more breaches into the camp. They didn’t even need torches anymore. Numerous campfires set underneath awnings and the shape of tents soaked by rain were clear in front of them.

Alavari were scrambling out of the tent, grabbing what they could, but it was far, far too late. Some guards were assembling to meet the Erlenbergians, so Frances reached for the sky again and continued to sing.

Titania sat in Helias’s tent, nibbling at a pastry as her husband and the general discussed strategy. It wasn’t that she didn’t have anything to contribute, but she’d already told her husband all her ideas and she had no wish to talk to the tauroll more than she needed to.

Besides, she was thinking of her next mission into Erlenberg. They needed more information, especially since the city had been a hive of activity the last week. Ships had been pulled into port and defences shored up. Helias and Antigones had suspected that the Erlenbergians were planning to pull out in one large group. Her husband however had confided in her that he didn’t think that the Erlenbergians were of the mind to retreat, and so asked her to go back into the city, if only to get ears on what their enemy was planning.

“Alright, if that’s all General, I do have one question to ask,” said Helias, straightening.

Antigones gestured with his hand but stayed silent. He’d been cool and professional with the tauroll, and yet, Titania knew her husband did not attempt to hide his disdainful glare.

“What do you think the Erlenbergians have been up to? There has been a lot of activity at their defences,” said Helias, in a tone that Titania realized was sincere. Usually, the general would sound snide.

Antigones grimaced. “I’m not sure myself. My experience tells me that they want to strengthen the city for their last stand.”

“But…” Helias pressed.

“My gut tells me they want to sally, but that doesn’t make sense. They’d be outnumbered and it’ll be a very risky—”

Antigones’s voice was deafened by a thundercrack that made Titania jump on the couch she lay on. The weather tonight was horrible, but that had been unerringly close.

Helias held a cool expression and yet his tail swished nervously. “That was very close. Damn this weather.”

“It’s absolutely horrible tonight,” agreed Antigones congenially.

Titania frowned, her ears picking up something. “Boys, quiet, do you hear that?”

Antigones and Helias looked confused. A second later, however, they both heard what Titania had picked up.

Helias grabbed his cloak. “Those are battle horns—” Another boom, this time the flash nearly blinded the trio. “What the hell that must have struck in the camp!”

Titania was already at the pavilion’s entrance and as she flung it open, she was met by a soaked guard.

“Report!” she snapped.

“We’re under attack! The entire Erlenberg garrison has sallied out!” gasped the guard.

Titania shoved the guard out of the way and used Second Chance to summon a ball of light.

Erlenbergian banners were storming through Helias’s camp, a wave of armoured troops and cavalry wrecking havoc through the palisaded enclosure. The enemy was cutting through tents, spearing or stabbing those struggling to get to their feet and tearing through unarmored, sleepy soldiers with horrifying ease. Bright bolts of light soared through the sky, smashing into supplies and larger tents the besieging army used for keeping its smithy, and mess hall out of the rain.

Helias’s soldiers were running out in whatever armour and arms they had. A few squads of them were assembling in front of her—

A bright flash in front of her forced the princess to raise her hand to her face. Immediately she had to bring both hands to her sensitive ears as thunder boomed again. Blinking, she stared at what once were several squads, which were not just limp, or twitching bodies in the rain.

“What the fuck is that?” Antigones growled. Behind him, Helias was staring at the chaos, his eyes wide.

“Frances fucking Windwhistler and her Named Wand that’s what.” Titania checked that her short sword was at her belt. She wasn’t in battle armour, but that would have to do. “Dear, you need to get back to our camp.”

“Got it. I’ll bring the cavalry back here. But what are you planning to do?” Antigones demanded.

“Buying you both some time. Helias—”

“I’ll organize a retreat.” The tauroll’s fists were clenched with fury, and his voice was cold. Yet to Titania’s relief, he was not panicking and losing his composure. Her husband had embraced her and captured her lips in a passionate kiss.

“Come back to us, please,” he whispered.

“I will,” she whispered, her heart melting even as it pounded with adrenaline. And too quickly, her husband was racing with his guards to the horses. Helias was running to whatever rallying point he was going to, and she was alone.

She blinked. There was a hard object in her left hand that hadn’t been there before her husband had embraced her. Titania raised her arm to get a better look at it and found herself grinning.

Titania hated wearing her princess’s crown, a heavy golden circlet with gold points topped with amethysts. It was a gaudy impractical thing that her husband insisted on carrying around as a just in case, and in this crisis, she’d never been so glad to have it.

She set the crown on her head and hefted her sword and Second Chance. She didn’t know it, but she was smirking wildly. Spying a group of fleeing soldiers, she arrested them with her imperious stare.

“What? Are you running, soldiers of Alavaria?”

“Your Highness?” one of them gasped.

“No matter, if you’re not brave enough, I don’t need you.” Titania marched past them, knowing they were already hers. As she stormed forward, more soldiers stopped in their tracks.

An orc gasped. “Your Highness that way—”

“Is danger and the only way to stop the lightning that rains down on us.” She flinched as another bolt slammed into a distant supply cache, smashing boxes and setting it alight. “You can run in shame, or you can follow your princess.”

The group of soldiers glanced at one another and raised the weapons they’d managed to grab before running out.

“We’re with you, Your Highness.”

Titania grinned. Most of these soldiers were going to die, but they were going to be doing a damn fine job of it.

Martin pressed his hands together and sent a quick prayer to Amura and Rathon. He normally wasn’t very religious. Lightning crashing down from the sky at the will of a petite girl who was one of your best friends however was rather disconcerting. He almost pitied the Alavari at the end of Frances’s spell.

He wasn’t the only one. Most of the Lightning Battalion had stormed ahead with the rest of the Erlenbergian soldiers to do as much havoc as they could to Helias’s camp. Frances however, needed to be protected, so he and Frances were flanked by an under-strength company of sixty-two convict soldiers. All were veterans, with most being of the initial band of convicts they started with, but even they were wincing or praying.

Frances was so deep in her spell that she didn’t notice. She’d only stopped singing to sip from her hip-flask twice. Martin had counted. She’d then fallen back into a trance, singing this disorganized and yet beautiful song that peaked every time a thunderbolt smashed through the sky into another tent in the distance.

He could not get tired of looking at the lightning, even if his ears were ringing because of it.

Lit by the flashes of lightning, spells from mages, and various torches and lanterns, the Erlenbergians were just hammering through the Alavari camp. They’d caught most of them asleep or out of their armour. The periodic lightning strikes were sending orcs, trolls, goblins and ogres fleeing, their was no stopping the tide of Erlenbergian troops wreaking their vengeance.

Martin grimaced and focused on scanning the area ahead of them. It was hard to tell friend from foe in the flashing swords and cacophony of lights. Trampled tents and Erlenbergian banners told him that the Erlenbergians were moving forward.

Except for one spot close to their position shrouded in darkness. The rain and sleet didn’t make it impossible to see what was going on. They could quite easily see the camp’s tents in the distance from their spot on the horses because of the lanterns Helias’s troops had set up. However, a little ways back from the front line of the Erlenbergian troops, in a place where the tents had already been trampled, there was a spot where the knight could see movement. It didn’t look friendly, however, as Martin couldn’t see any Erlenbergian banners.

“Frances, can you hit that spot, two hundred meters to your front-right?” Martin asked.

The sky boomed as another bolt of lightning smashed down into the camp and Frances paused, narrowing her eyes at the spot, he was pointing.

“It’s too close and too dark. I don’t know if I’ll hit our own troops.”

Martin nodded. “Starshell spell then?”

“Good idea.” Frances took a deep breath and refocused. A few notes later and a streak of glowing light streaked into the sky.

Erlenbergian soldiers weren’t what was revealed. Instead, in the sleet and hail were a close-packed column of Alavari soldiers, marching towards them.

Frances gasped, “What the—where did they come from?”

“Who knows. Ready up!” Martin shouted. “Frances, can you get them?” He glanced at his friend but she was already singing, summoning lightning.

That’s when Martin saw someone at the front of the Alavari raise their hand. The figure had a golden crown around their head, which was curious, but the knight was more alarmed at the stick she held in her hand.

“Frances! There’s a mage!”

Martin saw Frances’s eyes widened, but she didn’t stop singing. No, she couldn’t—the knight realized. The lightning spell that Frances was using was far more powerful than her usual one and couldn’t be interrupted. That’s why she’d needed the extra protection. She twisted, trying to turn her horse with her free arm, but while the animal moved it wasn’t fast enough.

Martin didn’t even think. He reached over and yanked Frances off her horse. A bolt of red cut over where Frances’s chest would have been before she slammed into the soggy ground. To his alarm, he saw that she’d fallen onto her left arm, which was twisted in an awful angle.

“Oh gods, Frances I’m—”

Frances, biting her lip, waved her right hand. “Martin, that’s the princess!”

Martin’s eyes shot back to Princess Titania, who was charging towards them with the rest of what seemed to be a company of soldiers. He wondered how in the world they’d slipped between the Erlenbergian frontline, only for him to realize immediately after that such a small unit was ideal for pushing through the dark, chaotic battlefield.

What’s more worrisome was Princess Titania, who’d fought Frances to a standstill, closing the distance to them with her group. Not many of the princess’s soldiers were armoured, but enough were and Frances was hurt.

“Lightning Battalion pikes up! Frances, get a shield up if you can!”

Sounding more like a shriek than a song, Frances nevertheless raised a shield in front of them, blocking the oncoming blasts of red magic hurled by the princess. Their soldiers pressed together, presenting pikes against their enemy.

“Frances, signal Liz and her group to let us know we’re in trouble. I’ll help you against Titania.”

It was a testament to how much pain Frances was in that she didn’t contradict him because she simply nodded. “Be careful, Martin, she’s a good fighter and mage.” Her left arm limp against her side, she raised Ivy’s Sting and shot a bright white light into the sky.

Immediately after that, the Alavari were on them, the Princess Titania at the head, snarling as she lunged towards Frances and Martin.

Elizabeth was shouting, trying to make herself heard amongst the din and the rain. Unfortunately, she’d run into the problem that her mentor Igraine had told her was the perennial issue of night battles.

It’s really hard to tell what was going on and get people to do what you wanted to do. She only knew that her battalion was following her because she was carrying their banner, and that the Erlenbergian army was moving forward. Ginger was somewhere in the rear making sure their group was sticking together and Ayax was close by, firing blasts of magic at fleeing Alavari.

There was no way to find Elowise who’d been leading the Erlenbergian army. There was no way to figure out where they were in relation to their allies. They only knew that the Alavari under Helias were fleeing thanks to the barrage of lightning strikes hitting their camp, and the onrushing charge of their army.

Something didn’t feel right, though.

Ayax frowned. “Liz, the lightning stopped.”

Elizabeth blinked and turned to the rear of their army and saw a white flare of light hanging in the sky. She immediately recognized the signal.

“Shit, something went wrong. We’re turning around—”

“Ma’am! That’s General Helias!” exclaimed one of their sergeants.

Elizabeth and Ayax turned around to see a banner of a four-fingered purple hand waving high surrounded by armoured Alavari. A number of the fleeing troops in their area were racing to the spot.

Standing by the flag, on a horse, was a tauroll in ornate armour. It was their primary objective, the general Helias, or at least it had to be. He was roaring orders to the soldiers around him who were assembling into formation. There weren’t many of them, barely two hundred, and most of them weren’t even armed.

Her hand tight around their banner and the reins to her horse, Elizabeth took a breath and made a snap decision.

“Ayax, cavalry company and companies one and two with me. Someone tell Ginger to fall back with the third company and help Frances and Martin!”

“I’m on it!” yelled a pair of soldiers.

Elizabeth turned to her girlfriend, who grimaced but nodded.

“He needs to pay. Besides, cuz and Martin can take care of themselves,” said Ayax.

“Yeah. Send up a flare for a priority target and let’s get that Clodthrog.” Ayax nodded and fired a red flare of magic into the night sky. With that, Elizabeth kicked her horse into a faster trot. “Lightning Battalion, let’s make Helias pay for murdering children! Charge!”

The Lightning Battalion’s riders bellowed and the infantry howled as they sprang forward. Tearing through the trampled-down tents in the way, and bulling past camp amenities, Elizabeth and Ayax led the charge.

Ginger kind of heard Elizabeth’s bellowed orders, but she appreciated her sending runners to let her know. It’s how she managed to hold Third Company, made up of a combination of convicts and Erlenbergian recruits, from charging after their counterparts.

“Alright! About face, we’re going to help Frances and Martin!” Ginger yelled.

The convict hoped she didn’t sound too shrill. She was worried and didn’t want to show it. From what she knew, Frances and Martin as a pair could handle almost anything. If it was bad enough that they needed help, then she had to get to them as fast as possible. All she could do was curse Helias’s bad timing. But he had to die or be captured if they had any chance of winning this campaign.

She just hoped Martin and Frances could hold on until her reinforcements got there.