“He’s late again,” Asah paced back and forth nervously next to the glyph carved in Danira’s city hall. She looked up at the sun, already high outside. “We’re gonna miss the meeting with the King.”

“Are you sure he knows which glyph we’re gonna use?” Rane asked.

“There’s only one glyph in Danira!” Asah huffed. “You think they’re that easy to make?”

Rane shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe he forgot?”

“I wish.” Blake rolled his eyes. “I for one am not looking forward to experiencing that again.”

“Come on honey,” Sasha said, touching his arm. “How bad can it be?”

“Oh, I think he’s coming!” Ryne stepped back from the glyph. Green sparks manifested and fizzled in the air, like fire crackling. Damien’s form swirled into view as if from a whirlpool of water amidst the air. A whirlpool that spat him out of its currents upside down.

“Crap!” Damien tried to turn himself upright as he fell, only to drop like a sack of potatoes. He inhaled sharply and grabbed his leg. “Damn it all! I told you we need carpets, people!”

“You injured?” Seoltrin leaned in a bit closer to inspect.

“No, I don’t think so,” Damien spoke through clenched teeth, grasping his knee. “Just in horrible, excruciating pain.”

“Good.” The old doctor took Smallie by the hand and promptly left. A man of few words, for sure, but Rane would have appreciated a farewell. In either case, with Seoltrin and Loric around, he could rest easy. Both for his sister and for the little ashfen.

“Come,” Asah helped him stand. “You’ve already wasted enough time!”

“Sheesh, lady. Take it easy.” Damien yanked his arm away. He turned to Rane and his eyes lit up a little. “Hey, Rane right?”

“Yeah.” Rane gave him a nod. “You do remember all your clients after all.”

“I beg you, Damien,” Asah whined. “Just get on the glyph. We have to go.”

“Fine.” Damien sighed and stepped in the centre of the design. He scanned them over again and his eyes settled on Sasha. “Newcomer. Does she know what’s coming?”

“Yes.” Sasha stepped onto one of the circles outlined on the ground. Everyone else followed after her, taking their place on each of the four circles.

“Good.” Damien spread out his hands and a thick, green mist began to drip from his body, filling the indentations in the stone. “And as always, try not to vomit please.”

The outer edges of Rane’s vision turned hazy once more as the city hall shifted around them. He fought back the uneasy feeling in his stomach and focused on what Damien had said. It was the world that moved, not him, and after the rapid journey ended, Rane found himself almost unaffected.

“What in damnation–” The same couldn’t be said about Sasha, already grasping her stomach on the ground.

“Told you it’s horrible,” Blake helped her up.

“Wow. Glad to know I’m appreciated,” Damien replied, his voice fading as his body wavered and vanished into green light.

Rane looked at the slew of books, parchments and notes scattered across the room. Blueprints of bizzare weapons hang on the walls, and metals of different kinds were locked behind glass cases.

“This is the king’s study,” Asah said as she opened the door to the palace. “Just happened to be the closest glyph to the conference hall. Now about you two,” she turned to Blake and Sasha. “Ellin heard about your sister, Blake. He said you can skip this one if you’re not feeling up to the task, provided you file a detailed report afterward.” Asah paused. “I think you should come. It’s a rare opportunity.”

“No, thank you,” Blake replied. “I’m in no mood to see Vince just yet.”

“As you wish,” Asah said. “Rane, you’re with me. Let’s not delay any longer.”

Ellin had asked for his presence in the conference as well? The King had seemed to value him quite highly when they first met, but this still came as a surprise. He hadn’t participated in the mission being discussed, but he wasn’t given much of a choice either. “Let’s go then,” Rane said, following Asah. “Take care, brother.”

“You too.”

The vast halls of the palace felt the same as the day he’d left. It had been little more than a month, yet he’d experienced so much. He’d found his family, learned of Caelus’ death and helped Loric regain some of his spirit. Things were going too well, and he wasn’t used to it. At times he wondered if it was all an illusion, some weird magic that influenced his mind. If it weren’t for the war looming over their heads, he’d be inclined to believe it.

“You’re about to meet the king’s advisors.” Asah widened her stride. “Even if you know some of them already, be courtial. As for your father… I know it is cruel to ask, but do not go overboard.”

“I understand.” Rane had already prepared himself for it. His heart thumped with a loud beat at the prospect, but he knew how to reign in his emotions. Chances were he wouldn’t even recognize the man.

“Good.” Asah stopped beside a door, taking a moment to compose herself and straighten her robe. “Let’s hope the situation is not as bad as the correspondence makes it seem,” she murmured before knocking.

“Enter.” Ellin’s voice came from inside.

Asah straightened her back and lifted her chin. “We apologise for the delay,” she said as she entered.

Rane followed inside right after her, eyes scanning the men and women sitting around the stone table. The walls on the far end of the conference room were glass, and the sun shone down onto the King’s back from behind, illuminating the golden crown that he wore. Veradin, Miria and even high judge Arelius graced Ellin’s side, but Rane found no one else he could remember. Not until a man stood.

There was a lull as Rane looked up at him. A distant memory surfaced uncontrollably and the heat of nora spread through his soul. He was only a child back then, small enough to sit on his father’s lap. The smell of wet soil brushed against his face and the taste of sweet fruit filled his mouth. Vince’s words echoed in his mind that same instant, words he couldn’t understand back then.

Fate is like a river, his father had said, flowing toward an unknown sea. You can only change your course as you drift downstream.

The Vince of the present simply stared at him, jaw trembling slightly. “Son?” He swallowed audibly. “Rane?”

“Yes,” Rane nodded with a smile. Vince had changed from the faint image in his memory. His eyes were a hazy blue and somehow lost that unique spark. Age had left little of the man’s muscular arms and broad shoulders. But it was him. There was no doubt about it. “It’s me, dad,” Rane said as he tried to hold back his tears.

Vince walked over and reached out to Rane with trembling hands, like he’d injure him from a mere touch. Whatever force held him back seemed to crumble moments later as he fell forward, wrapping Rane between his arms. “I didn’t believe it when I heard it!” he said. “By the Arbiter, you’re really back! I’m not losing my mind, am I?”

“You’re not,” Rane chuckled. “I’m really here.”

“But I failed you!” Vince weeped into his ears. “I wasn’t enough. I couldn’t shield you or your mother from the ashfen…” Vince squeezed him a fraction tighter, hand stroking his hair. “I swear I’ll never let you go again. Never.” His father’s words came out pained and broken, sobs choking them back.

Rane felt the man’s chin rest on top of his head. He could remember this too, how the stubble hurt his skin just a little bit. He spent a few moments relishing his father’s embrace. The word father had a weird ring to it. How long had it been since he last spoke it?

“Excuse me!” An old man to Ellin’s right spoke up. “Can you not behave yourselves in the King’s presence?”

“Advisor!” Ellin raised his voice and the man shrank back. “This is the joyous occasion of a father and son reuniting after years apart. It is you who ought to show proper respect.”

“No, your majesty.” Vince lowered his head. “I apologise. We cannot let emotions run rampant during such a difficult time, even if they are joyous.” He patted Rane on the back with a loving smile. “We’ve saved a seat for you,” he said, motioning towards the table.

With a silent nod, Rane followed his father to his seat. Being in this room still felt weird, surrounded by archmages, generals and men of great standing, like he didn’t belong. Two of the seats between Veradin and Miria remained empty. The spots otherwise meant for Atinas and Caelus, probably.

“Let us continue then,” Ellin leaned forward, planting his elbows onto the stone table. “Most of you already know the dire circumstances that necessitated this gathering, but for the rest…” He motioned to Vince.

Vince stood, clearing his throat. “Two months ago, on the third cycle, I and a small team of my most trusted associates travelled to Andre to act as Silyra’s ambassadors. Our mission was to ensure the renewal of the decade long peace treaty.” Vince faltered for a moment. “We failed. Although welcoming and amiable at first, the emperor had no intentions of keeping the peace. Shortly after the celebration concluded, he declared that Silyra was to unconditionally surrender. As if that weren’t enough, the First Blade grievously injured one of our members in the process. Naturally, we refused.”

Rane felt a cold shiver. The mission Blake mentioned, was this it? The glimpses he had seen from Liera, were they of the Andren palace? A silent anger surfaced inside him. They’d used his family for such a dangerous mission.

“Was an alternative given?” Arelius asked.

“War,” Vince replied. “In six months time.”

The conference room fell to silence. Vince sat back down, hand reaching under the table to hold Rane’s tightly. A fatherly grip of rough skin that he couldn’t remember.

“S-So what?” One of the men opposite to the king stammered. He seemed to be of high status, dressed in a long silk coat that buttoned to the neck. “We’ve persevered through war and Andren aggression many times. Reinforce Danira with equipment, mages and troops and we can weather an assault once more.”

“You are underestimating this war in both scale and intensity.” Asah spoke with intensity Rane had never heard from her before. “Previous Andren emperors stripped land from Silyra wantonly, but never threatened the capital itself. There is a simple reason for that.” Asah paused, quickly glancing at everyone gathered. “If what Silyra keeps imprisoned from the world is freed, no Silyran kings or Andren emperors will reign again. There will only be chaos.”

The man who had spoken before appeared flustered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ellin waved a hand and silenced him. “And why would the Emperor want that? Don’t tell me he believes himself able to control such force.”

“No…” Asah hesitated. “No, I don’t believe he does. But he is dying. His intent is not control, but conquest. In his own words, it would immortalise him. I think should it be freed, the emperor would welcome the event. Another scar left on history with his name on it.”

“What ruler thrusts his people into war for the sake of personal ambition?” Miria asked.

“He’s no ruler,” Ellin replied solemnly. “These are the actions of a madman we must suffer, close to an Oath’s end and with little to lose.”

“Perhaps,” Rane said meekly, “the Emperor’s age could be our saving grace.” A few people he hadn’t met before glared at him, but after Ellin’s previous reprimand none dared to stop him from speaking. “If we go by his word and the war starts in earnest in six months,” he continued, “won’t we only need to defend until he dies?”

“I thought the same.” Veradin nodded in agreement. “The new ruler of Andre, whoever that might be, will know better than to mess with forces beyond their control. After the Emperor’s death, I’d expect a swift ceasefire. The terms of it would be punishing, but it’d be a ceasefire nonetheless.”

“Lady Gith.” Ellin turned to one of the women wearing a long scholar’s robe. “Can you provide an estimation of Andre’s full force?”

“Yes! Yes, of course!” Gith pushed up her glasses and fumbled through the pages of her notebook. “Besides Silyra, the Lanar kingdom of Lyfjaterg was the last force openly opposing Andre’s rule. Ninety two years ago, after negotiations over blightsteel fell through, war broke out between the two powers.” Gith paused, biting her lip nervously.

“Continue,” Ellin prompted. “No topic is forbidden in this room.”

“Despite the harsh northern winter and the heroic Lanar defence, Myljaberg was occupied by Andren forces one year later. There are very few records of this war remaining, but from what we do know... The Lanar kingdom was two billion strong and heavily fortified. As for Andre’s forces, we don’t–”

“Your best guess,” Veradin said.

“Considering the population’s growth in the last century…” Gith scribbled away on the side of the paper before lifting her head. “At least three billion able bodied men and women.”

“By the Arbiter.” Vince muttered under his breath.

Rane squeezed his father’s hand a fraction tighter. Blue haze lingered about the room, fear given form. The number was hard to grasp. A sea of soldiers… Could Silyra withstand an army that numerous?

“That is not all,” Asah said. “While in the palace, we witnessed the new Andren technology.” She paused, thinking. “Or rather, it’d be more accurate to say we were shown some of it. Enchantments that make siege machines obsolete, armor that greatly enhances the wearer’s abilities and ships that defy gravity to travel long distances. Our technology is not geared towards war, and we have neither the time nor the resources it would require for us to stand on equal footing. Even if only a fraction of the Andren army can wield those tools…”

A strange silence descended upon the room. Rane could hear the low, continuous hiss of gathering dread and fear.

“You are not taking a crucial factor into account.” Veradin leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

Asah furrowed her brows. “Which is?”

“Me.” Veradin’s radiant eyes turned to the king. “As long as I live, the capital’s barrier will never fall.”

Ellin didn’t respond immediately. The weight of the words seemed to be sinking in. He turned away from Veradin and stroked his beard. “How many cities besides Silyra have farmlands that can sustain them within their barrier’s reach?”

“Six cities, my Lord,” replied a soft-spoken man opposite to Rane. He was the only person who seemed close to his age seated on this table. “Langale, Howe, Sanlow, Danira, Old Aramoor and Yarrin.”

“Station two more high ranking mages in each of those cities,” Ellin declared. “The rest of the populus will be evacuated to the capital. Both soldiers and citizens. I want them to have food and shelter upon arriving.”

“Your majesty!” This time it was Vince that raised his voice in protest. “This would effectively surrender those cities to the enemy. Then there will be no force to stop Andre’s army from encircling our remaining strongholds, or even the capital. If they launch coordinated strikes, Damien won’t be able to transfer mages there in time to reinforce the barriers.”

“I have been given information, and I have made my decision, Commander Vince,” Ellin said. “With flying devices like the ones Asah described, being surrounded is a certainty. We have very few means of taking them off the skies as it stands. The least we can do is get our people out before that happens. Will you trust my judgement?”

“I am still opposed to it,” Vince replied without hesitation. “But even if I don’t trust your decree, I respect it. I will do as my King commands, but I am obliged by duty to question every decision I consider wrong or dangerous.”

“And I thank you for it.” Ellin gave Vince a satisfied grin. “The cities will be evacuated. Make sure no valuables, livestock or food are left behind, then torch whatever remains to the ground. Begin preparations immediately.” Several of those seated around the table stood. There was some hesitation between them, Rane could sense it, but they hid it well. They bowed to Ellin and left the room. “The rest of you, is there something else that has to be brought to my attention?”

Silence, and a few shaking heads.

“Good,” Ellin said. “Everyone but Rane, Vince, Asah, Gith and Veradin, you are also dismissed. May the law guide you.”

Lady Gith and the rest of the advisors bowed and left as well, leaving the conference room feeling empty. Veradin spoke as soon as the door closed behind them. “You know simple mages cannot hold the barrier for long. Not against that force.”

“I am aware.” Ellin sighed. “But all archmages are to remain within the capital’s borders from now on. Not all of them can maintain a barrier indefinitely like you can, and Silyra cannot afford the loss of another.”

“So you’re gonna let the people of those cities die?” Rane had tried to hold back. “To preserve the archmages?”

“Thank you for speaking out,” Ellin said. “I know what kind of person you are, eager to fight injustice wherever you see it.” His voice turned harsh. “But do not think my decision is an easy one! Atinas showed you the aspect in that tower, did he not? Even if we manage to save every single person in this continent, none of it will matter if we do not have the force to defend that tower.”

Ellin did have a point. Sacrificing people, leaving them behind… It irked Rane, but he couldn’t disagree.

“I believe it is too soon to discuss this,” Asah interjected. “We have no way of knowing how the Emperor will approach this war effort. I wouldn’t put it beyond him to ignore those cities all together and head straight for the capital. As it stands, I believe the King’s choices to be the right ones, until we have more information at the very least.”

“If lives can be saved without endangering Silyra’s most powerful asset, that is the archmages, I will not hesitate to dispatch them. But until then, they remain in the capital. On that note, we need to locate your Master, don’t we?”

“His glyph is still aglow,” Rane replied. “I too hope we can find him soon… I’m starting to worry.”

“I wouldn’t,” Asah chuckled. “Atinas is not the strongest… but he’s damned hard to kill.”

“Let’s give him some incentive to hurry back then,” Ellin said, pushing his palms against his knees to stand. He arched his back with a low grunt. “Veradin, let’s do my speech.”

“Y-Your Majesty!” Lady Gith appeared flustered. “I didn’t– You– There was no time for me to write it!”

“Relax. The intent this time is not to please the masses, but to prepare them for what is to come. Today, I’ll speak for myself.” Ellin motioned to the balcony behind them.

Atop the whitestone terrace, Rane could see the whole of Silyra, from the aspect’s tower to the green farmlands around the inner walls. Ellin stood at the very edge, hands grasping the balustrade. His back heaved as he watched the gardens below. “Let’s do it,” he said.

Veradin looked up at the sky. “There are few clouds today…” He spread his arms open and a cool wind began to blow. White nora left Veradin’s body and vanished up into the sky. The clouds moved to the new wind like cotton, gathering into a single mass above the palace. Their white twisted and turned and was pulled together to assume the king’s own image and block out the sun.

“People of Silyra,” Ellin begun, and the monotone voice of thousands of constructs rang through the city, mimicking his words. “This morning, the Silyran ambassadors returned from Andre. It was my honest wish and hope that our peace treaty with the ashfen kingdom would be renewed for another decade. I regret to tell you now, that no such treaty was signed and no alternative was given.” Ellin paused, drawing a deep breath. “As such, our Kingdom is at war. It is by tragic happenstance that the Andren ruler has shown no respect for life, not even that of his own subjects, in the pursuit of this war and his personal ambition. His actions show that no amount of goodwill or diplomacy will be enough to sate him. The only way to deal with such a man is force! And that is what Silyra will respond with! So steel your hearts and ready your weapons, no matter what form those may take.”

Veradin huffed, pulling more clouds together to form the King’s arms, shoulders and hands. Rane listened on, enthralled not only by the magic, but by Ellin’s words. This was the true essence of a King, a power much more terrifying than nora or physical strength. The power to light a fire in the hearts of men.

“With great sorrow, I must also announce the passing of Caelus Nost, one of our beloved archmages. Even under the care of the palace’s best surgeons, he succumbed to the injuries he sustained during the collapse of the Lawforge. We honor him, and he shall forever be within our hearts. But just like he sacrificed himself to save those he cared for most, so shall I! It is my solemn vow to each and every one of you.”

“Saved who?” Rane whispered in his father’s ear. “What is going on?”

“What Silyra needs right now,” Vince replied without averting his gaze from above, “is a hero. Not a traitor.”

“And although the loss of an archmage is a great one, today we celebrate the ascension of a new one! It is through archmage Tal’Ren’s powers that I am talking to you right now. And it is through his and the other archmage’s powers that Silyra will stand in the face of adversity. We will rally together, and we will emerge victorious once more. No matter the enemy. No matter the cost!” Thunder rumbled deep within the clouds.

“Silyra will never fall!” Ellin bellowed and bolts of lightning shot skyward. The clouds slowly parted, and rays of sunlight shone through to the streets below. Ellin’s voice faded as he stepped away from the terrace. “May the law guide you…”

“That was excellent, your majesty.” Asah smiled. “Very inspiring.”

“Heh,” Ellin chuckled as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. “There was someone that I hoped to inspire most of all.” He turned to Rane with a smile. “Now you know what state the kingdom is in. So, about my proposal… Have you decided?”

Rane hesitated, then looked at his father. Who would become part of a country on the brink of war and ruin? He could take his family and try to weather the storm in the far north, where few ashfen or even aspects would ever reach, yet that didn’t seem an option. Maybe he could convince Blake, but from what his brother had told him, Vince and Liera would never budge. There were also Loric, Atinas, Mord… So many people he had formed bonds with. After becoming part of the world again, he couldn’t leave it all behind by choice. He’d regret it on every solitary day of his life. Still, that didn’t mean he would agree to lend Silyra his strength out of the kindness of his heart. “I have one condition,” he settled. “Agree to it, and I will fight for you.”

“Tell me,” Ellin replied. “As long as it is within my power, I will do anything.”

“I want you to help me capture him. To catch the man who took me from my family and who tore through my mind.” Rane looked deep into the king’s eyes. “I want Leylin to pay.”