On first glance, the Earth Continent wasn’t much different from the Sky Continent. I hadn’t expected it to be, of course. I’d traveled to enough different continents on Earth to realize that while landmasses tended to put limits on flora and fauna, cultures couldn’t be so easily defined and architecture often changed gradually. Even going from America to Europe might not seem like much unless you looked more closely, at the details.

On second glance, holy crap that’s a large mountain range. I could feel my eyes widen as I stared further into the distance. I could only just barely make it out from here, but it seemingly stretched from one end of the horizon to the other, with mountaintops rising as high as those in the Central Mountains. Just a lot more of them.

I blinked, then returned my attention to the landscape closer to us. With the right technique, I could see a lot. The coast was fairly even, with more sand beaches than rocky cliffs like the east of the Sky Continent. A lot of cities dotted the large gulf we had just come in over. There were two broad rivers leading further inland. Everything matched up with the maps I’d seen, even if I couldn’t see the borders that had been drawn on the maps in real life. Only one of them had what seemed from here like a fence following its course.

“They’re massing soldiers,” Tenira said, turning towards me and pointing out a few spots. From the faint glow, she was channeling light qi to her eyes as well. “There, we have more airships concentrated in one spot, and more activity at the outposts. Not just the Imperial provinces, either, I think the other countries we can see from here are doing the same.”

I nodded. While the Empire controlled most of this region, there were a few other countries touching on the gulf as well. Most of them were our vassals, though one to the north, stretching towards the Lotus Confederation’s territory, was committedly neutral. I wouldn’t blame them for being on the alert.

“I’ve set up a tentative schedule, but it’s going to change depending on what information we get on the ground,” Tenira continued. “We’ve set up a few meetings with communication talismans, since telegraphs weren’t an option.”

“Shame we haven’t finished building up the infrastructure,” I said. This airship and some planned convoys later on would deliver loads of radios, so the Imperial forces here would have at least that much. But easy, fast communication between this continent and the capital would have been nice. Of course, laying telegraph or telephone lines underwater is just a bit more difficult if the ocean is swimming with spirit beasts.

“Anything you need me to do? How can I help?” Kajare asked.

I didn’t know what to say, but Tenira filled the pause seamlessly. “Mostly, you just need to look pretty. Er, no offense.” She shook her head. “Considering your wedding is the pretext for the Dominion’s attack, it’s perhaps best not to draw too much attention to it, but showing that the Kingdom of Terbekteri is actively supporting us would be good. Be nice, be diplomatic, don’t get drawn into arguments. And don’t offer input on strategy, let alone orders, without clearing it with us first. That goes for all of our stay here.”

Kajare nodded and smiled, though I could tell the expression was a bit forced. “I can do that.”

I smiled. “Great. Then let’s get ready for disembarking. They might have arranged a big welcome.”

It didn’t take long for us to arrive at the largest of the cities bordering the ocean. From above, it looked like roughly two-thirds the size of the Imperial capital, with a lot of tall buildings and a few factories. There was a large central plaza with a sprawling complex I assumed was a palace or government center inside a garden, though we didn’t touch down there, but at the back of the complex where there were more visible defenses.

It looked like they hadn’t planned a big welcome, but many people wanted to offer it anyway. A large crowd had gathered, with some of them waving signs or flags. Cheering erupted as soon as the first of us, Tenira, stepped out of the airship onto the ground. I waved at them as I disembarked, checking out the crowd and our surroundings. The people tended to have slightly darker skin tones than on the Sky Continent, at least on average. Otherwise, they looked pretty much the same. The construction of the roads and houses also gave the impression of a typical Imperial city, though not an old one.

Then I turned my attention to the greeting party, who were already on their knees. They looked like a mixture of political functionaries and officers.

“Your Highness, my lords and ladies, welcome to Earthhaven City,” an older man said. “We have arranged accommodations and refreshments if you would like to relax after your journey.”

“Rise,” I replied. “Thank you for the welcome. There’s no need for that, we should get straight to business. I assume you have a briefing prepared?”

They rose, although the man looked a bit nervous. “Of course, Your Highness, although our top commanders are not in they city, but at the front.”

I nodded. We wouldn’t stay here long, anyway, but probably head deeper into the continent. The welcoming party wasted no more time on niceties, but started to lead us into the building. It had a lot of statues and too many bright colors for my taste, but at least the conference room we finally arrived in wasn’t too ostentatious. A few more people waited for us inside, and they’d already spread maps and documents out over the table.

I greeted everyone, but didn’t take much time for it. I was feeling a bit restless, conscious of the time we’d lost on the ocean passing by that swarm of spirit beasts.

“How is the situation?” I asked after settling down at the head of the table.

They exchanged looks. No one seemed happy, but at least no one looked really grim. A woman I recognized as this province’s administrator cleared her throat. “It’s largely under control, Your Highness. I can’t speak for the front, but things are quiet here. There’s been some unease, especially in the provinces closer to the Dominion, but no widespread problems. Several vassals have registered their displeasure, but the worst we’ve gotten are verbal complaints that may just be playing internal politics. We haven’t yet imposed any measures on the public, we wouldn’t want to presume with you coming.”

I managed not to pull a face and only nodded. It sounded like they just wanted to cover their own posterior, but I shouldn’t judge that too quickly. “Of course. Let’s look at the details.”

Over the next hour, I was inundated with reports. Some printed or handwritten in documents that I read during pauses in the conversation, others directly from people at the conference table. I passed the documents on to Tenira and Kajare and tried to piece everything together to get a good idea of the situation.

“Wait a moment,” I said as I got past the last page and yet another official’s report. “How many states has the Dominion attacked now?”

“Two countries and two Imperial provinces, Your Highness,” the administrator replied. “The latter in the last five hours. Those were only probing attacks, raids and the like, which didn’t go deeper into our territory. The Zarian have avoided contact but established footholds in three places. The most pressure by far is on the Velisha, with almost half of their total territory occupied by Zarian troops by now.”

I sighed and rubbed my temple. Only hours. We could have gotten here before these attacks if we hadn’t been delayed by the spirit beasts.

“We encountered a large flock of spirit beasts on the way here,” Tenira mentioned. “Flame variety. They are supposed to come from further inland, to the east, aren’t they? You haven’t mentioned fighting there.”

They exchanged looks again. One of the officers cleared his throat. “Indeed, my lady. These Flame-Tailed Birds come from a region between the Confederation, Dominion and Imperial territories, where there is nothing but two qi anomalies and a few small countries.” He pointed the area out on the map.

I leaned forward. “So, for the flock to be displaced like this outside of its usual migration, can we assume things are happening there?”

The officer nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. I would bet money that the Zarian are to blame, either directly or indirectly. They might have stirred up trouble and conflict in the area, but I would assume that the Dominion has moved troops there. They may be preparing an attack on one of the Lotus Confederations’ members, get a new foothold for the conflict with us, or perhaps even open a new front and attack us from another direction.”

“Or they could be hoping to take these troops through the Forest Haunt and launch a surprise attack on the Terbekteri provinces,” another officer put in.

I nodded. “Can we make sure of it one way or the other?”

The administrator pulled a face. “They’ll hide, and our better seers are all with the army …”

I sighed. “Alright. I’ll take care of it once we reach their headquarters. Or one of them.”

“You don’t want to stay here for a bit?” Lei asked.

“No point,” I said. “There’s nothing we can do here that we can’t do closer to the front, and I want to at least consult with our generals.”

“We should probably move into Velisha after that,” Kajare put in.

“Yes.” I frowned thoughtfully. “Perhaps we’ll take some troops. Let’s see.”

He smiled a little, and I couldn’t help but return the smile before I even realized I was doing it.

I still didn’t feel quite comfortable with his attitude towards the agreement with the Dominion and the view he’d expressed while we were watching the meeting. If I was honest with myself, some of that was because he had valid points but had crossed the line I would’ve set at some point. Still, the feeling of working towards a goal together was nice. And besides, he’s probably just sheltered, too caught up in how he’s been taught to think about these things. This might just give him a reality check.

“I hope you’re drafting plans for emergency measures and contingencies if you haven’t already,” I said to the gathered bureaucrats. “I’ll give some general guidance. We want the ability to control the economy and shift our output in favor of war-related production. That includes the possibility of setting goals and quotas for businesses to meet if necessary. Also, implement plans to store and secure food and other essentials and prepare to impose rationing if necessary. Assess what resources we may conscript if worst comes to worst, and especially take stock of cultivators in higher stages with valuable skills. Step up recruitment for the army, working together with the local guards.”

While I was talking, several people started looking more and more grim or even pale. Maybe the reality of the situation hadn’t hit them yet.

“What about the nobility?” the province administrator asked.

“I trust you to tread lightly, but make sure the goals I outlined are still accomplished,” I said. “If anyone makes trouble, inform me. We can’t allow anyone to play games at a time like this.”

I noticed Tenira nod beside me as she was looking over a few of the reports. I was actually glad we were in the Earth Continent. The provinces here tended to be more directly controlled by the Imperial government, and noble clans or sects had less influence. The was none I couldn’t suppress if I had to.

“I expect you to get these plans to me quickly,” I concluded. “Questions?”

There were more questions than I had thought, and it was another half hour till we could finally leave the conference. By that point, I was seriously questioning how some of them had made it to their positions. Well, they’re scared, insecure. And they don’t know me. I guess it makes sense some of them want to double-check everything, and others are too caught up in their usual business.

It didn’t take long to get back onto the airship. As we rose into the sky, I noticed that two other airships had risen from what had to be the garrison and were moving to escort us. At least they were on the ball.

“So, the outpost we’re moving to isn’t directly at the front, but it should be where most of the senior commanders have gathered, and we’re still moving close to a warzone,” Tenira said as we left the city behind. “Hopefully, everyone will proceed with caution.”

We nodded. I glanced over the side of the airship at the continent spread out before us. Most of the fighting would take place on the eastern part, where the main contenders had their territories. We probably wouldn’t get close to the huge mountains looming to our northwest. It would take a bit to get closer to the real theater of war, or what it was right now. It was midday here. I took out my watch from my storage ring and glanced at the time.

“You have a meeting spot soon?” Tenira asked.

“Twelve hours,” I answered and put the watch away. “I could get in contact with someone now, since we worked out a sleeping schedule and everything, but I don’t think that’s necessary.”

She nodded in agreement, and I stifled a sigh. I wasn’t completely sure what I would tell Mother when we checked in. Well, by then I’ll hopefully have a better idea what’s up with the Dominion moving too far afield.

“Since we have some time, let’s check on that area, okay?”

I settled down on the deck of the airship, Tenira and Lei joining me while the others stepped back. I tried to ignore their curious gazes and focus on pulling on light qi. Carefully, I spun that into form for a technique, waiting while the other two added their own contributions. I had vague impressions of performing this kind of scrying in a group with others, and they clearly knew what they were doing. It wasn’t long until I saw the image of a foreign landscape appear.

We had a view from high up. I checked that against my mental map and started navigating, zooming in closer. Nothing jumped out at me, and this was a lot of ground to cover.

“This is going to take a while,” Tenira muttered.

I started moving our point of view over the area systematically. On a few occasions, our view was distorted and blurred out, probably by wards. Those were centered over cities or estates, and I simply passed them by. I kept our imagined camera high up, since there was no way we could cover everything in detail, and trying to find individual Dominion soldiers would be stupid.

“There,” Lei finally said. “On that forest to the west, in the foothills. Let’s go to that valley.”

I moved our scrying window, but didn’t find whatever got his attention. This area was pretty wild, with only a few scattered villages. They seemed to be doing fine. I was about to start moving in a grid pattern, farther away, when I noticed a hint of smoke rising from the forest. He must have seen something like that. Carefully, I zoomed in and navigated the window.

I had to hand it to the Dominion, they weren’t stupid. They didn’t set up wards against scrying, probably because that would draw too much attention. Instead, they hid their soldiers, presumably at least several groups of elites, in the dense forest and the crags of the mountains. I’d almost given up hope before I stumbled upon an outpost they’d built into the side of a mountain, covered by a rocky shelf. It was the same color and texture as the surrounding stone, clearly crafted from it, but adjusted by earth cultivators to offer more shelter and concealment. Perhaps a staging ground for an excursion, judging by the supplies covered by tarps they’d set up.

“Let’s not get too close,” Tenira warned.

I nodded and moved our technique back. “We have what we need, anyway.”

After a moment, we dissolved it and exchanged looks. I knew the others were thinking the same thing as I was. The Dominion was clearly there, planning something. This couldn’t be the only staging point it had set up. They may have quietly cleared the area, mostly unattended wilderness, to prepare for larger troop movements. Perhaps they’d already moved in and built up their presence there while keeping the local authorities quiet through bribery or subterfuge.

I still needed to get a better idea of what we had to work with and how our situation looked, but I’d keep that in mind. Perhaps we could use it. If nothing else, we had a new direction to guard against.