The province of Ilahi lies at the easternmost point of the Emerald Kingdom, against the mountains to the east, keeping the Great Desert from spreading westwards. To the south, the province is bordered by the Ride Dorsals. It touches the province of Farborgn to the north and the Imperial Domain to the west. Its capital is Tyrlaon, the City of Temples, built by the ancient and only Dwarf allies of the Eldar Empire, as a gift after saving them from extinction, with Dwarven architecture from the Medivier era. It is the oldest city in the Emerald Kingdom, built 1754 years before the fall of the Empire.

It is built into the mountainside, using the stones of the mountain itself, even plunging into its heart. Tyrlaon is best known for these majestic Temple, where the entire Eldar Pantheon is represented, even those of the now extinct Gods. Hail to Haart.

It is the seat of the Major House of the Lightpath, many of whose members choose the path of the priesthood. They are the guardians of memory and tradition. Their role is to maintain the sanctity of the Temples of Tyrlaon.

Book, The Emerald Kingdom, Prerogative of the Houses.

The burial was simple, Jonah had dug the grave himself. Above a cliff, a little outside the city. With Aurora's help, he had woven the stone to cover his body and created a headstone with his name on it. The princely siblings had assured that they would send someone to build a small wall and maintain the grave. They would pay for it out of their own money. Jonah had told them that it was not necessary.

They had insisted, not only because they felt responsible, but also because if they left the grave alone there was a risk that it would be vandalised.

While he placed Lucas' body in his grave there were only the humans present, besides Zarune and Brenin, the rest of their troops were at the bottom of the cliff, giving them as much time as they wanted.

Jonah knew that his death impacted him more than the others, yet he held Aurora in his arms, letting her cry against his chest. He would not diminish the pain of others.

His eyes were dry, he had already accepted her impending death. His disappearance the day before they left was still a shock to Jonah. That he had died peacefully in the eternal sleep that had never left him did not diminish the difficulty of his loss.

He could feel Mustapha's hand on his shoulder, Leila resting against his shoulder, Marie and Mat giving him time to collect himself. Jonah was grateful. He had lost his two best friends, Ronan and now Lucas. But he'd made new ones.

He looked at Zarune and Brenin, also Eldar friends. The two princely siblings might be secretive, but Jonah did not doubt that they were good people. Only, their responsibilities were far greater than Jonah could ever have imagined. They had tens of millions of people to take care of.

Vuur was ecstatic, he could see her flying around them like a drunk. He didn't hold it against her, she was doing what her nature told her to do. And although it was not pleasant to see, she was not the source of his pain, just a fluttering fly to be ignored.

Finally, they rode back down to their military convoy, Jonah mounted his horse. If he had thought that riding a Teriathe had accustomed him to riding an animal, he was wrong. He wouldn't become a skilled rider any time soon, but he wouldn't fall off at the slightest shake of the animal.

Unlike their previous journey through the forest, from Irvanon to Tuanon, they had access to a paved road. The road had to be regularly maintained, changing its course due to the rapid changes in the primordial forest and its intense vigour. This part of the Kingdom had three advantages.

The heart of the forest was in Irvanon, it lived in this huge tree of which the imperial palace was a part, and the further away from this heart the less tall the trees of the kingdom were. Even if they were still hundreds of metres high, they were not as vigorous, their roots could be cut and it took several years for them to regain their rightful place, unlike the months to the east of the Kingdom. This also meant that there was less of a presence of dangerous and invasive forest creatures. Except for some parts closer to the mountains which remained wild, even if the ruling Houses of these territories were ordered to guard them, to avoid the loss of control that many monsters and creatures wanted to acquire for themselves.

The smaller strength of the forest has allowed the Eldar population to be larger in the west of the Kingdom, making it easier to build and maintain infrastructure. To accommodate the population and facilitate transportation, the Emerald Kingdom established a set of land routes between the main cities.

It was also because of the powerful Weaving Academies of Teclera, one of the strongest of which specialised in Earth Weaving. One of the most lucrative jobs for their students was the maintenance of the road system and the overall infrastructure along the western roads of the Kingdom.

All this meant for Jonah, his group and the military regiment that accompanied them that there was a direct route to their destination and buildings at regular intervals for them to set up camp. Every night they were allowed to sleep in a small stone fort, only the military had to set up camp outside. The Eldar army was well provided for, like the materials Jonah had used on his ride with the Teriathes they had silk tents in the colour of the forest. Servants had even brought a tent for their prince and princess, disobeying Brenin who wanted to sleep with his troops. The servants had had the last word, so if they ever found themselves in the forest away from the forts Brenin and Zarune would have a large tent, complete with furniture, rugs, tapestries and all the furnishings that would belong in a palace.

Jonah had to admit that he was beginning to get a taste of the luxury he was being showered with as a guest of the Emerald Kingdom's royalty. Yet that didn't stop him from accompanying his friend the Prince every evening to dine with the soldiers, under the disapproving gaze of the servants of Brenin. Sometimes the others accompanied them. Only Mat, taciturn as ever, stayed only.

There was one thing Jonah noticed about Mat if his behaviour was always the same, socially awkward, he had a consistency about him that he didn't have a few days ago. Like he was more whole. Jonah didn't know why he felt that way, but he was glad for his friend, unlike when he started he had confidence that let him accept to communicate with others. Jonah had had some interesting conversations with him about the power structure of the Emerald Kingdom and the workings of the Weave.

However, Jonah was not fooled, Mat had issues that would have required a therapist, and he might not have been with him in past, as he was now. However, he gave him a different perspective on his environment. He often had thoughts that went in different directions.

Mat often used hurtful words for others, for Jonah it was a way for him to reject any feelings of camaraderie before they arose, to keep others away from himself, fearing that if they got too close to him, they would hurt him. As a kind of preventive reflex, he hurt others before he was hurt.

For Jonah that was reason enough to try to keep the tenuous bond, he had with him, lest the man fall. What had happened in Tera was proof enough for Jonah that if Mat was left alone, he would bring trouble not only to himself but also to others. So, on this trip to Jengai's pass, he tried to get close to him.

As he parried his blow, Jonah took a step back before swinging his wooden Svärdstav. Mat ducked, diving forward with a sweep of his wooden sword. Again and again, they fought. Mat tried to pass his guard and Jonah prevented him from getting closer, to take advantage of the superior range of his weapon. Neither of them was using the weave. The point was to improve their combat reflexes. And too often the weave was used as a crutch to overcome the shortcomings of their technique.

Brenin spoke up, arms crossed.

- Not bad, think of lowering your right knee a little Mat. Jonah, you're leaning too far forward, only do it if you want to expose yourself, or if you're sure you're going to hit your target.

Every evening Jonah and Mat practised together for an hour without weaving, under Brenin's watchful eye.

It was the best way Jonah had found to socialise with Mat. Sometimes after their fight and with Brenin's help, they would have a meal together, or they could talk.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead Jonah said.

- I think we're getting better, shall we eat together tonight?

Mat looked with a frown at the group of three girls near them, Leila and Zarune, practising archery and Aurora cheering them on.

- Not tonight.

Jonah glanced over at Zarune, shortly before, she and Mat had had another altercation. Mat had wandered away from the group for part of the day, only to return when their group had set up camp. No one had seen him leave. When he returned, in a rage, the princess had argued with him. Now Jonah could see Imoran not far away keeping an eye on Mat.

Although this part of the forest was less wild, it wasn't safe either. The princess seemed to expect Mat to set off another disaster. She had decided to have him watched.

Jonah nodded, understanding. He glanced at Brenin, who also nodded. The three of them had decided to let Zarune take the role. Mat accepted things more easily when they came from the princess.

The rest of their journey was no different. It was about mid-day when they finally arrived at the fortress of Jengai Pass. It was built where the last tall trees of the forest ended, just below the canopy line. It was a marked boundary as if the tall trees had consciously chosen not to grow any further. The fortress was the boundary of the Emerald Kingdom, and further out were the Green-Lands, a biome much more in keeping with what Jonah knew.

The Jengai Pass where the fortress was located was a pass between two mountainsides as if an axe had carved out a mountainside, leaving an entrance through of the Ride Dorsal.

The fortress was huge, walls so absurdly large that they reached almost halfway up the giant trees, almost a hundred metres high. Glued to both sides of the mountain Jonah wondered how it was even possible to imagine that this fortress could be conquered. The pass between the two sides of the cliff was just over two hundred metres long and the fortress walls blocked any passage.

Jonah could hardly imagine how long it would take to build such a monstrosity, approaching Brenin with his horse, he said.

- How can you even be worried about an attack on the Emerald Kingdom? I cannot imagine any army conquering this fortress.

Brenin smiled at him, pleased at his friend's surprise.

- Yes, it is impregnable to any normal army. But there are powerful creatures in the world that could destroy this fortress. Even if they're not the ones we're worried about.

Jonah tried to imagine which powers would be able to achieve such a feat.

- Who then?

Brenin gestured to the high walls of the fortress.

- The fortress will do its work, it will protect the forest. But it is the lands beyond that need our protection. As you know, the Green-Lands are fertile. It is our most abundant agricultural land. But this was not always the case. For millennia our Weavers have been transforming these lands from infertile savannah to suitable for our crops.

Brenin gave Jonah a serious look.

- The houses lament the loss of income and resources we have committed. But the Kingdom knows that's not all it's about. As you know the Weaving must be done methodically and respectfully. If not, its excesses can be devastating to the environment

Jonah understood what Brenin meant.

- Do you mean that the Weavings put in these Green-Lands can unravel?

- Yes, they are maintained every year by our best Weavers, so that they can hold and grow life. If we let all the power we have put into these Lands be released on its own, who can say what the result will be?

Without giving him time to resume, he said.

- We can, and the outcome is not desirable. We must reclaim our lands to safeguard the web we have built. And if we are unable to do that we will have to send our weavers to unweave it themselves. This is our responsibility.

Looking again at the walls, Brenin concluded.

- And to be able to reclaim them we must stop the tide of Rhogar that continually pours across the three stone bridges that pass over the rifts.

Jonah turned to the prince.

- Where the Towers are.

- Yes, the Towers were built over the three stone bridges. The barriers that the Towers will create will prevent any passage.

- So we're going to have to pass through a multitude of Rhogars to get to these Towers? How is that even possible?

The Prince laughed in delight.

- Don't worry, I'm sure General Gaelic has a plan. He's an exceptional man.

Jonah looked at his friend sceptically.

- Remind me how many troops the Eldars are committing?

- Just over fifty thousand.

- And how many Rhogars?

- It's hard to say, but according to our estimates, there must be a little over two million fighting Rhogars who have already crossed the bridges. Five if we count those too young to be considered adults but still a threat.

Jonah closed his eyes, letting the wind wash away his dark thoughts.

- And you think we have a chance?

Brenin smiled at him.

- You underestimate the Eldars a lot. Besides, I remind you that the Rhogars are not united, they are small tribes spread all over the Green-Lands. Some of them have already moved east, along the fault line on our side, to lands we never colonized. They will be a problem in the future, but for the moment it suits us.

- And they're warring with each other for resources.

- Exactly, so you see the situation is not so hopeless. For the moment. We don't know much about the lands of the deep south, but we do know that those who have arrived are only a small part of their population. If we are to have any chance of recovering the Towers, we must do so now.

The Prince added thoughtfully.

- And that's without taking into account the reason why these different populations have migrated.

As they continued to discuss the situation, they finally approached the large gates of the fortress, which opened silently, despite the size of the steel doors. They were several dozen metres wide and high. Jonah could see that the thickness of the steel was several metres. That such a piece of iron could move without collapsing showed impressive engineering skill.

They were greeted by a military camp, where an army of busy soldiers swarmed. Large stone buildings, some as tall as the walls, were visible. Even with so many soldiers present, the fortress did not feel overcrowded. The logistics of keeping it all together and feeding so many soldiers must have been monstrous.

As they approached the soldiers recognised the prince and gave a military salute, before resuming their activity. The soldiers had too much to do to take more time than just salute.

- Well, everything is in motion, we shouldn't stay here too long. Gaelic must have been waiting for us.

- Shall we go to the command centre?

- Yes, I'll introduce you to the general, since you'll be carrying out the main mission, I think it's wise that you know the plan.

Jonah gave him an incisive look.

- Your father will accept our presence? Us humans?

Brenin looked grave, which seemed so strange on his usually cheerful face. He was the most expressive Eldar Jonah had ever met.

- We're not going to give him time to refuse. Besides, he may be the commander of the armies, but General Gaelic is still the supreme authority over the military, not even my father can go against him openly. And Gaelic has always had a fascination for humanity. It'll be fine.

Jonah frowned.

- How can a general have more authority over the one who commands all the armies?

Brenin gave him a small smile.

- My father is commander of all the armies by virtue of his title as Prince Consort. However, make no mistake about his influence over the military, he commands the most powerful unit in the kingdom. The Silver Spears are all Master Internal Weavers, all linked to a Teriathe. I wish you to see them fight one day. Only then will you understand what a terrible weapon the Weave can be.

He added with a hard look.

- With them and the External Weave Masters we could destroy this entire fortress in a matter of hours if it were held by average soldiers with no Weaving ability.

Jonah wondered how such people could have so much power and plunged into his thoughts.