“The three dragons might not be enough to beat back the forces of Falos.”

The High Councilor's advisor, Liansu, looked at the three people in front of him with a grim expression; Ezeas felt compelled to comment on the obviousness of the statement, but suppressed the urge under his grandmother's intense gaze.

“Scouts report the falosi army is gearing up to march from the capital and their numbers are concerning, even without the possibility that they might gather support from their neighbors.”

The advisor let the silence stand.

“Why are you sharing this with us and not a war council?” Sylar asked.

The dragon-bonded Harion from the House of Phantoms looked bored and antsy; Ezeas had no trouble believing the rumors that his cousin's insouciance was driving the House leaders to madness. Sending him to Falos as a spy had been as much a last ditch effort to place him somewhere as a necessity for the war efforts. Even now, he had not bothered letting his glamour fade, so he appeared as an oddly out-of-place human in a secret meeting with nyxis.

“Because you're our best chance against their anti-magic tactics,” Niranne Sethaernan declared, bluntly.

“What do you have in mind?”

Larina Meron, dragon-bonded from the House of the Blade, was every bit the soldier expected from a family of successful assassins; she was touted as the pride of the guild and most likely successor to the current Head. She and Lyari had trained together in the past, but had drifted apart, as Lyari's emotional control became a bigger issue. Larina was known to be in perfect control, with deadly powers and even deadlier aim.

The advisor cleared his throat.

“Naturally, Harion will continue his work among the falosi forces, sending us whatever information he deems pertinent.”

Sylar's lazy nod did not fill anyone with confidence.

“Meron will be on the front lines. Your control and power will be vital in keeping the raids to a minimum.”

The warrior's acknowledgment was more formal.

Liansu looked at Ezeas.

“Squad leader Sethaernan, you're here to represent miss Saelina, since she's under your care and far from properly integrated into our culture and customs.”

Ezeas nodded, having figured as much. The man continued.

“How far along is your charge with her training?”

“Her power is progressing but slower than we expected. I'm unsure whether it's because she's human or due to the incident on the Windrider. Physically, she's far behind any of our own units but she's improving rapidly.”

“We'll send her to the Licka Compound after the Ivál Ball, then. The training she'll receive there should prove beneficial.”

Ezeas tensed, slightly.

“With respect and honor, sir, I'm not sure that would be a wise strategy. While Saelina isn't entirely helpless, she's at a tremendous disadvantage. Both Sylar and Larina have had years, decades, to learn to master their power. The human has barely been here a month.”

“We can't afford to coddle her, Ezeas,” Niranne admonished.

“It's your responsibility to ensure her success. If you're not confident in her abilities, you're not confident in your own.”

She locked her gaze on his.

“Do we have your cooperation?”

“Yes, High Councilor.”

It was an automatic response, programmed through years of following orders, but Ezeas knew there was no arguing his point. They would not remain patient for much longer with an army at their doorstep.

The advisor took over once again.

“We're being mindful of the limitations and strengths of each of the dragon-bonded, and each mission should be well within your abilities.

“However, I will remind you that time is of the essence, we won't be able to keep this stalemate, for long.”

There was a warning note in his tone, and none of the three dared argue against it.

“Harion and Meron, you're dismissed.”

The other two quickly left, while Ezeas remained. Niranne gave her advisor a look and he left the room, as well.

“I won't hold back,” she declared.

“I know that I placed the human under your tutelage and while I'm convinced of your commitment to your task, I hope I won't have to question your priorities, Ezeas?”

“I don't follow, High Councilor.”

She lifted her eyebrows, skeptically.

“Are you letting concern for this woman prevent you from taking the necessary risks for the safety of your people?”

Ezeas clenched his jaw, keeping his expression passive.

“I assure you, you needn't worry about that. Islasa will always come first.”

Niranne sighed.

“I know you care about your country, but we both know your judgment has been clouded in the past.”

He scoffed, angrily.

“I thought I had proven beyond measure that I am no longer the same love-struck fool of my youth.”

The white-haired woman drummed her fingers on the wood.

“Love rarely strikes once only. It's no secret that you've long been my favorite, but I cannot abide if you decide to repeat past mistakes.”

Ezeas shook his head in disappointment.

“My concern was for losing an essence we desperately need. If you truly wish to keep condemning me for my past, then you should not have offered me such an important task.”

“Perhaps it would be better to find another to train the human.”

“I'm not handing over my charge, and you need to stop trying to undermine my efforts,” he told her with a steel edge in his voice.

For a long moment, his grandmother said nothing while scrutinizing him. Then she broke eye contact.

“You're right, of course. It seems I've let the past dictate something unrelated; you've been nothing but loyal to your teias and by extension your country, for decades,” she admitted.

“The past tends to haunt when the silver sets in.”

She gestured to her pale hair.

“That is not a good reason to keep questioning me, Niranne.”

She gave a crooked nod.

“Perhaps it's beneath me. I will endeavor to trust your judgment. Just see that you don't make me regret it.”

She leaned forward, placing her hands on her desk.

“Then tell me, Ezeas, honestly: will the human betray Islasa, given the choice?”

It was Ezeas' turn to pause before answering.

“It's too early to tell. She seems to have no strong ties to Lissón, but the same could be said for Islasa. She has bonded with Laelith, but that's hardly enough to consider her 'settled'.”

The high councilor listened to his answer, then nodded.

“I would like you to become closer with her,” she told him.

He crossed his arms over his chest.

“You don't know what you're asking. Though she remains civil, there's no changing the fact that I am her kidnapper.”

“You know I wouldn't ask this of you, if it wasn't important. We can't risk her becoming a liability; personally, I could request her imprisonment to ensure she won't escape into enemy clutches, but with things the way they are, giving up the potential of her dragon's power could mean our defeat, in the end.”

His grandmother's argument was sound.

“You cannot force this. I will do my part to encourage her bonds with others, but trying to trick her into feeling loyalty could easily backfire.”

“I have an answer for that.”

The high councilor opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a small vial, placing it between them.

“What is that?” Ezeas asked.

“Old Magic. The kind our ancestors dealt in before they were banished. This particular concoction is brewed to alter the mind of whomever ingests it. It makes them susceptible to suggestions.”

He scrunched up his face in disgust and anger.

“You want me to brainwash her?”

“Nothing so drastic. You'll simply be encouraging certain feelings to develop toward you, or whomever else might be appropriate. Feelings which would make the very thought of betrayal seem unacceptable.”

“You're talking about tricking someone into falling in love, just so we can safely use her as a weapon. That's absurd!”

Niranne's expression remained calm as she listened to his outburst.

“I'm providing you with an option. If you can foster a genuine feeling of loyalty, so much the better, but I will not risk the future of our country on a possibility which is slim at best, according to your own estimates.”

She gestured to the ominous potion.

“Take it and keep it at hand, as a security measure. I trust that you'll make the right decision should the need ever arise.”

Ezeas hesitated, loath to be in possession of something so nefarious. Yet, knowing that any further argument would be fruitless, he grabbed the small container and pocketed it, before giving her a curt nod and leaving the office.

Making his way out of the Council Cathedral, he kept the high councilor's words in mind. On the drive home, he pulled out the vial, staring at the odd swirls within the clear liquid. He had heard rumors about its effects, how parents would poison unsuitable matches for their children, turning the suitor against their child. The after effects of such meddling were never referenced beyond an understanding that the scorned lover found more fitting prospects. In time, the potion had been outlawed.

Ezeas entered his home, eager to end the day. The house was small but more than adequate for a single inhabitant. The décor was discrete and simple. He loosened his jacket with deft movements.

“I take it the High Councilor had special orders for her favorite?”

He spun around to see Lyari emerge from the shadows, a disapproving expression on her face.

“The Mastre won't be pleased with your spying on her secret meetings,” Ezeas noted, giving her a stern look.

She shrugged, though her jaw was clenched, and her eyes met his with a glimmer of defiance. He knew her pride had taken a blow, and she was looking for a confrontation, but he was in no mood to humor her ill will.

“Do you have something to say, or can I just tell you to leave?” he asked her, keeping his voice even.

“Are you really taking the beggar to the compound?”

Her question seemed genuine, but he could detect the undercurrent of dismay.

“Those are my orders.”

She shook her head.

“She's dangerous, Ezeas. I really wish you could see that. What happened on the ship-”

“Saved our lives. She's shown no sign that she considers attacking us.”

“Did she show any intent to sink the other ship?”

The question made him pause, and she smirked, grimly.

“You know I wouldn't be stubborn about this if there wasn't any real danger.”

He sighed.

“My question is whether the danger you feel is towards my life or towards something you feel equally possessive over?”

She swallowed visibly and scoffed.

“I know my place. When you accepted being Niranne's heir, you made it impossible for my family to accept the match.”

“So, it's still about Miralise, then?”

She did not answer.

“Your obsession with what happened has gone too far, Lyari.”

“Ezeas, I don't wanna talk about that.”

“I don't care what you want,” he said, with some heat.

She stared at him with wide eyes.

“Lyari, you feel responsible? Very well, if you need to torture yourself with the past, then I can't stop you. But your good intentions are creating a rift between our friendship and my duty. Do not force me to choose. You know the outcome.”

For a moment, tension filled the silence between them, then her shoulders slumped.

“You're right. I don't want to see you forced into that kind of situation again.”

She came close and placed her hands on his hips, pressing her body up against his for a moment.

“Perhaps, I can make it up to you?”

He carefully removed her hands and stepped away, but she was not done.

“I understand that I might be overstepping, but please consider my warning about the human. Please?”

He remained silent for a moment, searching her face, trying to read her true motive, but she only stared back with earnest concern and he finally gave a nod of acknowledgment.

“Now, please leave. I am in no mood to humor you, tonight.”