"The kobold entourage never made it to Sunrise."

The words hung in the cold air, echoing slightly between the stone walls of the King's private study. The man who had spoken was middle aged and non-descript, with plain features and a simple dress-suit that served to blend in amongst all the nobles and public servants in the castle. He was the King's personal Farspeaker, with connections to numerous other Farspeakers stationed all over the world.

King Gildahart was an intelligent man and he was already extrapolating what the news could mean. Fern and two other Kobold Nation delegates has left New Albion over two weeks ago, planning to make a two-day journey to Sunrise before continuing deeper into kobold lands. New Albion had sent an escort of guards to accompany them.

If they never reached Sunrise, then… "Were they attacked?" he asked. "If so, why did it take so long for us to learn this?"

The Farspeaker, whose name was Kerrol, nodded. "Yes, the entourage was ambushed on this side of the continental divide, almost certainly by elves. It was discovered two days later but the Kobold Nation didn't dare send messengers through the area of the ambush. Alternate routes were impassable due to snowfall."

He went on to explain that word had eventually reached him by way of a network of human Farspeakers. First, kobold messengers tracked down a wilderness expedition that was passing through dragon-claimed territory far southwest of New Albion. The heavily-armed party included an adventurer named Luco, famous for being skilled in both augmentation and connection magic.

Luco farspoke to her backer, an investor and Farspeaker based in Okwata, who then rushed the information to Governor Barrus. He immediately summoned New Albion's Okwata-stationed Farspeaker to the Governor's mansion. Through him, Barrus finally conveyed the message to Kerrol.

Kerrol continued, "Specifics are scarce, but eight New Albion guards are confirmed dead. As for the kobolds, one was killed and two others are missing, presumed captured."

The King slumped on his throne and held his face in his hands. "Eight guards… That's everyone we sent." Then he looked back up at the Farspeaker. "Is the name of the fallen kobold known?"

The man shook his head. "No, that information wasn't relayed to me. Through the pronouns used, I gathered that the kobold who died was male, but details like that can sometimes drift when passing through this many lips."

"Thank Mana…" the King whispered to himself, relieved that Fern was likely still alive. She was of particular importance to the Kobold Nation, and to the residents of this very castle.

Then he stood from his chair and said, "Please convey everything you know to the Guard leadership, and then to my daughter and her assistant, Alexia Stewart. Do it directly, so there's no additional drift in the message."

The King knew that Alexia was no mere maid. He wasn't completely blind to her covert information gathering operation, but he'd never had a reason to prevent it. And now he needed it. Somewhere out there, in enemy hands, was a diplomat with inside information about both the Kobold Nation and New Albion. And worse, she had been in New Albion's care when she was taken. This was an international diplomatic incident, and the responsibility lay squarely on King Gildahart's shoulders.

He needed all the help he could get.

Alexia kept a straight face through the briefing but as soon as she and Evelyn were alone in the tower, her expression sank into hopelessness.

"I helped pick those guards," she started, her voice weak. "I sent them to their deaths…"

Evelyn grabbed her hand. "No, you can't blame yourself. The elves did this. And we can't dwell on it anyway. We need to focus on what to do next."

Alexia pulled her hand away. "I have no right to be involved anymore, after so many failures. I couldn't protect Riley during the stampede, or Tal during the investigation of the ritual site. And now this."

Evelyn was quiet for a moment, gathering her resolve and thinking of how to proceed. She'd seen Alexia in this state before—these days she seemed to alternate between righteous rage and bleak despair—but it was not unsalvageable.

Evelyn finally spoke, "My father specifically requested you on this. He understands that those things weren't your fault and that you are still a valuable contributor." The expression on Alexia's face said she still had doubts, so Evelyn continued, "This is war. Both sides are going to suffer losses, even outright defeat in battle. And in my opinion, a commander who knows what loss feels like will fight harder to win, to protect their people."

Alexia nodded. "I heard something similar from my instructor back in Guard training." She sighed and said, "Fine, I'll try to move forward. What do you think we should do first?"

It wasn't like Alexia to ask for guidance, so she must have been really out of sorts. Evelyn took a deep breath, then said. "We should tell Fern's friends in the castle what happened."

Alexia frowned, clearly doubtful. "I must disagree. It will only cause them stress. It's not as if they can help her. Except perhaps for Milo, he's very skilled. I want him on the recovery team."

"They deserve to know about their friend. And there's a chance they can help in some way, even if it's just moral support."

With another sigh, Alexia said, "If you insist. But they would have been happier not knowing."

Evelyn smiled a sad smile. "Ignorance may be bliss, but the truth shall make you free."

"Huh?" Alexia's brow furrowed at the odd phrasing. "Is that a quote from your world?"

Evelyn waved a hand dismissively. "Two quotes mashed together, actually. It's just something my adoptive dad used to say."

Evelyn delivered the news to only a few of Fern's closest associates. The other diplomats on staff took it hard, of course, but Fern's friends were absolutely devastated. Zach and Riley were together in Riley's bedroom when they were told, and Riley quickly broke into tears.

Zach tried to comfort her, but he wasn't handling it well himself. So these are this world's true colors? Peaceful diplomats are attacked in friendly territory, innocent people are murdered by some mysterious race of super-powerful wizards? And there's nothing we can do about it?

With his arm around Riley's shoulders, Zach asked Evelyn, "But she's alive, right?"

Evelyn nodded. "We believe so. And we're already planning how to get her back."

"Milo's going, I assume?"

"Most likely," Evelyn answered. "Alexia wants him on board. He handled himself well during the other missions."

Riley smiled, wiping her eyes. "He'd go even if Alexia didn't want him."

"Huh?" Evelyn blinked. "Why do you say that?"

Zach answered, "You didn't know? He's in love with Fern. Head over heels."

"Oh! So that's why you and Beebee were asking if Fern liked anyone?"

He nodded. "Yep. I was trying to find out whether she liked him back, but I never did learn anything conclusive enough to tell Milo."

"Shit," Evelyn said, earning a shocked expression from Riley, who had never heard royalty swear in her entire life. "I'm not sure he should go after all. What if he does something reckless? Elves are ruthless; they'll seize any mistake we make."

Riley spoke, slowly at first, unsure of herself, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but a mission to get Fern back is going to be terribly dangerous. People will be risking their lives for someone not even from New Albion, not even human. You need people willing to make that gamble." She gave Zach's hand a squeeze. "You need people who truly care."

Evelyn was quiet for a long moment, then she said, "Alright. I'll make sure he's on the team." She stood and added, "I'll go tell him now."

"Good luck," Zach said, "and if he's an asshole to you, don't take it personally. I've spent enough time with the guy to know he's not great with people, or his own emotions."

The Princess gave a firm nod and strode from the room, her elegant lilac dress trailing. As the door closed, Riley let out a sob and said, "I hope Fern's alright. She doesn't deserve this. She just wanted to learn and help people."

Zach hugged her tight. "Me too, Ri, me too." In addition to that hope, a million thoughts were running through Zach's head. His training with Milo was obviously going to be put on hold, but he didn't fault Milo in the least. After all, the man had finally found someone he loved more than himself. In Milo's absence, Zach figured he could try to train with Riley or maybe another mage. He also wanted to help the rescue attempt, to give them every edge they could get… but he had no idea how. All he had was a little money and a handful of small-time connections.

What good was that compared to the power of the elves?

"What?" Milo growled at the door after someone knocked.

He lived in a small ground-floor apartment less than a block from the castle. It wasn't his; it was owned by the Guard and provided to him while he was working with the Princess's pet idiot. He was reclining in a wooden chair with his feet up on the table, reading a book on advanced mana manipulation. It was an advance copy, not yet released to the public or even the Mage's College, but he already knew most of what it covered because he had been on the original research team.

"I have an urgent message from the Princess," said a feminine voice, muffled slightly by the heavy oak door.

He sighed, dropped his feet and chair legs to the floor with a loud thud, and put the book face down to mark his place. "Coming."

He took his time approaching the door. It was his day off from castle business, after all. He opened the door and started, "Hurry up with whatever—"

He stopped, his voice caught in his throat. Where he had expected a messenger, the Princess herself stood on his doorstep. She wore a lilac dress that nearly reached the ground and her shimmering brown hair was elegantly braided around and through her tiara-like crown. Three guards stood behind her, keeping curious passersby from getting too close.

She smiled. "May I come in?"

"Uh, yes." Milo was caught off guard, but only because of her unannounced appearance. He'd encountered her around the castle dozens of times, and he didn't have any of the pathetic reverence for royalty that so many of the sycophants in the castle had. He stepped back and held the door while Princess Evelyn stepped inside. Her guards didn't move, so he closed the door behind her.

She went straight to the table and took a seat, then gestured at the other chair. "You should sit down for this."

"Sure." He sat across from her then ran a hand through his hair, which he noticed was in need of a wash. Too late to fix it now, he thought.

Princess Evelyn's expression was dour, but not angry. Her voice was level as she said, "I understand you are close to Fern, yes?"

"I guess you could say that, but it's not like we—"

Evelyn cut him off. "The specifics of your relationship don't matter. What matters is what happened."

"What happened…" His voice faltered as he started to put the pieces together. There weren't many things that would bring royalty to the home of a battle mage, and very few of them were good. The Princess's phrasing confirmed it. This was bad news, and it involved Fern. Milo braced himself for the worst.

She continued, "Fern never made it to kobold lands. Her entourage was attacked, and she was taken. The assailants were almost certainly elves, so she's likely being held captive as a source of information."

Milo jumped to his feet, his body acting before he'd even fully processed the meaning of her words. His thoughts caught up a moment later and he blurted, "We need to save her."

A hint of a smile crossed the Princess's face, then she said, "We plan to, and we want you on the rescue party."

"When do we leave?"

"Likely not for a week or more."

He glared down at her. "What?! Why?"

"We need time to prepare, to gather information, and most importantly, to find out where she's being held."

His chair screeched against the floor as he dropped into it, hard. "Right, of course. We'll need to be well informed and coordinated." He took a slow breath but his mind was moving a mile a minute. Then the questions started, "Who's leading the mission? How many guards? How many other mages?"

Evelyn shook her head. "I don't know that. Report to Alexia for now. She's got more information than I, and she knows who will be leading the mission training. We want everyone involved in top form and working as a cohesive team. You'll also be receiving defensive sword training, so you can at least parry incoming attacks."

He nodded. He had seen first hand how elves could move. Ranged attacks and distance were insufficient defense against that kind of speed.

Then the Princess frowned. "And I need to make sure you understand that this mission is dangerous. If you leave on this mission, you may not return."

Milo grinned, putting up as much bravado as he could muster. "I understand, your Highness. That's why I need to be on the team, so they have any meaningful chance of success."