Elis collapsed onto his armchair like someone had used a gravity increasing technique on him, sprawling into it in a graceless heap. Not that I had any room to judge, since that was exactly what I’d done a minute earlier.

“What did I miss?” he asked, raising his head enough to actually look at us. He’d stopped by the Basement’s offices briefly while most of us had gone on ahead once we finally reached the army’s camp.

“Not much,” Tenira answered. “We just gave a brief recap of what happened.” She sat straight upright in her own seat, although the way her hair stuck to her forehead and the grime on her robes didn’t suit the picture of composure she was trying for, and I knew she was tired, too.

“You actually teleported?” Hashar asked, still staring at me. She’d barely even glanced at Elis. “Just like that? That’s … You don’t even cultivate spatial affinity qi!”

“I’m a spirits-damned high level genius. With extra special abilities.” I snuggled my head deeper against the comfortable headrest of the chair, staring at the ceiling. “Got to be useful for something.”

There was a quiet, unidentifiable sound. Then Ki spoke up. “It is quite impressive, Your Highness. Although, clearly, it was something of an ordeal.”

I just grunted, too exhausted to care much about keeping up appearances right now. That was why we weren’t meeting with the full war council, anyway.

She wasn’t wrong. I felt tired down to my bones, in a way I knew my shapeshifting wouldn’t fix, and simply drained. My headache seemed to have set up a proper siege camp around my temples, and I didn’t feel like I could do any major techniques. We’d had a hurried and harrowing journey back from where I’d teleported us, the grove where Vana had met us in the beginning. It hadn’t helped that we’d had no definite location for the army, or the way the High Temple had clearly mobilized their assets outside the city. Of course, it still wasn’t that long a trip in absolute terms, really, but as they’d pointed out, I had just freaking teleported half a dozen people for the first time with little preparation after we were already tired.

“Was it at least worth it?” General Poteri asked. “Obviously, you rescued Lord Arialko, and I’m glad to see that Lord Ceion accompanied you safely.” There was a pause, probably some gesturing I couldn’t see. “But did we come out ahead or did our position worsen?”

I raised my head, though I stayed silent for a moment. “I think it was worth it,” I finally replied. “I’m not entirely sure what the effects of our misadventure will be. But, if nothing else, we gained valuable information and saw the situation in the city firsthand. If it gets out that we were there, it’s only going to cost the Zarian more face. It might help to unify them, granted, but there were several points of increasing friction between them. I doubt the families will be happy at the way the High Temple handled themselves, for example.”

Ceion snorted. “They’re a bunch of arrogant bulls.”

“Which?” Yarani asked. “The families or the Temple?”

He smiled wryly. “Well, I suppose you could apply the description to both.”

Kajare looked a little skeptical, probably not because of Ceion’s comment, but what I’d said, though he didn’t speak up. I saw Yarani whisper something to Tenira, though I couldn’t hear it over the sounds of Lei and Elia starting to joke about the Zarian. Neither of them seemed very affected by everything that had happened, which was probably a good thing. I sighed softly, rolling my shoulders.

“Perhaps we should adjourn and give you a chance to rest,” Hashar suggested. “Now that we know what happened, we can start thinking about our next steps. But there’s no apparent urgency and we can take some time to consider instead of rushing to a decision. And now that you’ve returned, we can prepare to move the army, too.”

“You’re right,” Tenira said. She looked at me. “You should probably go sleep, Inaris.”

I frowned, feeling a bit reluctant. I didn’t really want to go dream right now. “I think I’ll cultivate,” I said.

The others nodded, and the meeting started to diperse. Aston stayed behind for a moment to talk with the generals about some military matter, while Lei, Elia, and Elis headed out together. I smiled at the rest, but left without pausing.

It wasn’t hard to find a good spot. The army’s camp was pretty spread out, though it still didn’t look large compared to the town anchoring it this time. I found an open courtyard beside the tent they’d apparently assigned to me. There was probably a reason we didn’t camp inside the town, but I didn’t feel like bothering to find an answer right now. The other sides of the courtyard consisted of the wall of what might be a storehouse, hastily built, tents that probably housed my companions, and a small throughway. I settled down onto the surprisingly lush grass and felt the light of the sun shining down on me. Starting to breathe regularly, I let my thoughts slow to a rest and began sinking my awareness into the qi.

The cultivation went well. I found enough darkness affinity qi around to suit my needs, and the sun provided plenty of light as always. I didn’t try anything fancy, just cycled my qi in my usual pattern and drew in more to add to the qi swirling around my dantian. It felt like I was nearing another breakthrough, I realized after a wall. Another one, again.

Well, considering my speed the last few times, that shouldn’t be too surprising. I opened my eyes and stretched slightly, shaking my head. It was winter, and my twenty-first birthday would be soon. I’d kind of hoped I would be able to spend it with my family back in the Empire, but clearly, we weren’t going to be done with this war that soon. Still, I really needed to make sure I didn’t miss Xiaodan’s birthday, even if I didn’t have the time to go to see her. If the war wasn’t in such a hot phase right now, I’d definitely go to visit her soon, I hadn’t seen her in far too long.

What a great big sister I am. I sighed and stood up, stretching a little. I didn’t feel as sore as before, and the cultivation had helped me regain some of my energy.

I glanced around and blinked in surprise. The tents had already been taken down. In fact, the camp seemed to be in the process of packing up, and almost finished. There were a few soldiers standing in a group not too far from here, and a few other clusters, but I could sense that most of the army was further away. Frowning, I stepped away from the spot where I’d been cultivating and looked around for my guards.

“My lady.” Aston bowed after he stepped up beside me. “The army has been preparing to move out. Now that you are available, we can set off.”

“Aston.” I frowned. “Already? They don’t want to meet and make plans first?”

“It has been quite a few hours, Your Highness.” I glanced up at the night sky full of stars glittering above us, noting that it looked to be close to dawn, and silently conceded his point. Aston kept speaking. “The army’s leadership has deliberated and decided to continue the army’s advance. If you command it, I am sure they will put it on hold and defend their reasoning to you.”

“No, no need.” I shook my head, then started walking again, slowly. “It’s probably best if we don’t lose any time. I assume we have a wagon or something? I’d like to sit the journey out, so to speak.”

“The royal carriage is ahead, my lady,” Aston replied, pointing the way. “I’ll make sure it’s readied for your needs, and in case your consorts will accompany you.”

I nodded and flashed him a grateful smile. We kept walking to the carriage, which was a deceptively small affair drawn by a team of spirit beast horses, but the formation arrays inscribed in it made it larger on the inside.

I settled into the plush cushions with a sigh, then kicked off my shoes and draped my legs across the bench while I looked out the window. The army was setting off quickly. Already, the vanguard had moved out quite a distance, and there were a few spots on the horizon that I knew were scouts that I could barely make out. I leaned against the pillowy softness of the carriage, closing my eyes for a moment. My qi senses told me we started moving, though there was no sensation of it inside. Being Imperial royalty did have its perks.

The door opened silently, and one by one, my partners trickled in. I dimly sensed Lei and Elia in another carriage behind us. This time, we were traveling roughly in the middle of the army, in a protected spot. I knew I should feel anxious, considering how deeply we were penetrating into Zarian territory, but I just couldn’t muster the energy to fret about it. After the city, being in the middle of my army felt comfortably safe.

“No, don’t get up.” Tenira gently pushed my legs back onto the bench as I made to sit up. “We can sit on this side together, it’s big enough.”

“I think you earned some rest,” Yarani added. She smiled, a familiar twinkle in her eyes. “If you want me to give you a foot or back massage, just say the word. It might be a little awkward in here, but I’m sure we can manage.”

I grunted, then a smile forced its way onto my face. “Thank you. Maybe later. Are the three of you alright?”

“Of course,” Kajare said. “We’re all used to going into danger from time to time. I admit I didn’t enjoy it, but we’re all ready to keep fighting. Right, ladies?”

The other two nodded firmly.

We fell silent, watching as the army made its way through the Zarian heartlands. I enjoyed what I knew would probably be the quiet before the storm. Hopefully not literally.

We kept traveling in silence for a while, the army slowly winding its way up the outskirts of the Whitecap Mountains. We headed higher, avoiding most of the Zarian settlements at its feet. Squads of elites and supporting soldiers were moving in on some of the towns we’ve identified as being either of high strategic importance or barely defended, but for the most part, the army was heading for Saria. It was where the Zarian had assembled their defenses, where their center of government, or what remained of it, was, not to mention the High Temple. I had a feeling it was where the last decisive battle of this war would be fought.

I didn’t know if I was ready for it. But I was afraid we didn’t have any time to lose.

The uncertainty gnawed at me, increasing my tension as we move deeper into the Zarian lands, closer to their last bastion. I started taking deep breaths, forcing myself to relax and let the tension go. I could only do the best I could do. Besides, it wasn’t like we didn’t have a trick or two up our sleeves.

The sooner this war is over, the sooner the killing stops and the sooner we can go home, I told myself. Rijoko is just going to have to help me with it. I smiled wryly to myself and shook my head, looking out the window again. We had a nice view of the towering mountain peaks, though the army had spread out more to move up the mountains. I could sense Aston on top of another wagon, taking the opportunity to refill his qi reserves with cultivation. Ki and the other eighth-stagers moved around, ensuring we wouldn’t easily be caught off guard.

Then the army started to slow. I stood up, getting out of the wagon ahead of my partners. I glanced over the soldiers around us, quickly taking in how they started to set up, before I walked to the edge of a rocky ledge that gave us a good view of the land below the mountains. There Saria was, nestled at the foot of the peaks. I could make out the qi shield covering it even from here.

I hoped Vana and her people would make it out of the city in time, or succeed in whatever preparations they’d made to defend themselves. They hadn’t wanted to explain their contingency plans to us. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say they had clearly made contingency plans that they didn’t share with us, besides our shared planning. But things could happen in war. They’d made their own choices, though. I couldn’t help but be glad Elis was with us instead of a Basement cell right now, in any case.

I waited there until someone came to join me. To my mild surprise, it turned out to be Elis.

“How are you doing?” I asked him, turning away from the view.

“I’m alright.” He gave me a smile, though it seemed a little shakier than normal. “I never properly thanked you for what you did. Without you and the others, I would most likely never have gotten free. You didn’t have to come. I know what it must have cost to just rush off like that to Saria.”

“You would have done the same for me.” There was no doubt in my voice. I was simply stating a fact.

He regarded me for a moment. “Yes, I would,” he agreed.

We looked at each other, the second stretching out. He took a small step closer. Finally, we turned back to look at the heartland of the Dominion spread out before us, gazing at it companionably.

“I imagine you can see emotions pretty well,” I said.

Elis cocked his head slightly. “Not all that well. But yes, I’m generally good at it. What people feel has surprisingly much to do with what they’re like, who they are, most of the time.”

I nodded. That was interesting, although, for once, I wasn’t after a psychological discussion.

“After this is over …” Elis trailed off. When I glanced at him, he shook his head, but his eyes didn’t leave mine.

“You will keep traveling, I imagine,” I said contemplatively. “You’re not the kind of person to be tied down.”

Elis exhaled audibly. “Yes. I suppose you’re right.” He hesitated. “But I can step by the Imperial palace every so often.”

I smiled. “I would expect that. You’ll always have a place there.” My smile widened. “For however long you want it.”

Elis grinned with obvious joy, and maybe a little relief. “Thank you. I’ll visit whenever I can.”

We fell silent again, just standing together on the mountain ledge. Then he spoke up again. “And …”

“After this is done,” I said. “There’s no point talking about such things now.”

He nodded, then a wry smile found its way onto his face. “Well, I suppose that gives me time to think about how to talk to your husband.”

I grinned. “Oh, I think Kajare might surprise you.” I thought back to some times I’d seen Kajare, hints that had come up in conversation. Yeah, I didn’t think there would be a problem. Especially with what I’d picked up from Elis, too.

The other spirit-child blushed a little, maybe guessing in which direction my thoughts had gone. But he didn’t seem upset or concerned. In fact, there was a bit of mischief in his smile. “I’m looking forward to working out that little affair, then.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” I chuckled, then started walking back towards the others. After a moment, Elis followed behind me.

Somehow, I felt a lot less anxious about the coming fighting.