"It worked then?" Fenrin asked as he and Jayln followed the Third Apprentice into the war room.

"Yup, worked like a charm. Lyra is in Glixja. The Arch Mage even suspects with the method he used, she won't even know we've been watching."

"Glixja?" Jayln paused. "So she truly intends to launch her attack from Aryus."

Matius opened the door for his wife. "That's what we think, but I'll leave the details to the council."

The three walked into the room and took their seats. Mahaq was speaking to Yuan, the man from Literatis, off to the side and Fernilda was staring intently at the map, her eyes fixed on the Great Forest of Dyve. Shasta, the Duskar woman, looked up at the newly arrived members with impatience.

As the door closed, the Arch Mage cleared his throat, "We are short a representative. Where is Tia?"

All eyes turned to Fernilda who looked up from the map. "She will be along shortly. It is no small feat to fly across the Sky Sea in such little time."

"Very well, we will hear her report when she arrives. High Druid, perhaps you should begin." The Arch Mage sat down and Fernilda stood, leaning on her staff, her face laced with worry.

"We have learned two things in our observation of the Iron Queen. One is who the mage is that has managed to block even the Arch Mage's magic. The other is how Dyve fell so quickly. The answer is the same. Her mage is a changeling, a fae born in human form. His name is Hickory and he has chosen the queen of Valhym over my people."

Her voice shook and she leaned more heavily on her staff. "As many of you know, my people are sworn to protect the fae and the land they abide in. For time immemorial we have lived this pact, but we failed when Dyve was taken and the forest burned in the spread of the old Solis Empire. We thought we had been forgiven, but the fae are not of one mind and Hickory has deemed us unfit guardians and has turned to the High Queen instead."

There was murmuring and Shasta spoke, "You said the fae are not of one mind. Are there not others who would stand with us."

Fernilda shook her head. "It is not easy for a fae to walk the mortal plane. Hickory was born two decades ago. He was always a bit odd, but changelings usually are. We had no idea...no idea he was there as a judge. It is not something that has even happened before."

"He is mortal then," Shasta said, her intent clear and Fernilda gave a small pained nod.

"Yes. The body he inhabits can be killed along with the human soul inside it. Although it would not be easy, he is a true fae, not just fae-touched as I am."

"You said this contributed to Dyve's fall. What do you mean?" Fenrin asked, sensing there was more disappointing news.

Fernilda gestured to the forest on the map. "When the armies of Valhym attacked, they tore through our defenses much too easily. I was not present at the time, but I have slowly regained contact with some of my fellow members of the Druid's Council who managed to flee to The Desolates. Many of our people lost their magic during the attack, taken back by the fae who'd granted it. It was a frightening betrayal and without the druid's protection, the people feared for their lives and surrendered. Some of my brothers and sisters from the council stayed and I don't know their fates."

Matius placed a kind hand on Fernilda's shoulder and she glanced over to him gratefully. Shasta leaned over, her many braids capped with metal ornaments tinkled as they brushed the table.

"To return Dyve to stability, you are saying you must again make peace with your fae? I do not claim to understand what that means, but I must ask if such a thing is possible. It will not be enough to merely cut off the head of the new empire, we must assure En does not fall apart in the aftermath."

There were nods across the table and Fenrilda straightened, "We will do what we must. I intend to face Hickory and ask for his forgiveness. Powerful as he is, he has only walked our lands for a limited lifetime and I do not think he realizes with whom he has allied. If I can either atone in his eyes or make him see reason, Dyve can regain balance and peace."

Shasta nodded satisfied. "With my people already keen for liberation, that covers the west of En. Yuan, I believe you have news of import to this matter?"

The Literati nodded and stood. His long black head fell like ink over the beautifully painted sea silk robes he wore. "Yes, I have decided to trust this council with my nation’s secret. The Soli Emperess Illexia lives and is hidden in Literatis."

There was surprise on most of the council's faces with the exclusion of Shasta and Mahaq who had clearly been informed earlier.

"She is only a child isn't she?" Jayln spoke up and Mahaq gave her a dirty look. Some of the other members also looked at her curiously. It was obvious many of them wondered why Jayln was invited to the council.

Yuan tucked his arms in his voluminous sleeves. "She is young but she carries royal blood and is being prepared by our finest scholars to take the throne when the Iron Queen is defeated. She will bring stability to the north of En."

Jayln frowned but nodded. Fenrin scratched his neck. Literatis had been annexed by the empire many times and, pacifist nation that they were, he doubted they would give up a chance to mold the new empress themselves. Still, it was their nation and such a change might finally put an end to the lingering fear of the Solis Empire that haunted En.

The Arch Mage spoke, "That is good news indeed. Mahaq, you said you have—"

The door burst open and Tia strode in, her huge wings filling the doorway. She was exhausted but there was a look of triumph on her face. "Council, I bring word of the Armada and of Aryus."

Mahaq stood up and Tia shot him a satisfied smirk before stepping to the side to reveal another Aryi man. He and Mahaq stared at each other, the newcomer's eyes were hard and there was a thick white scar across his neck. Mahaq went pale, his normally shining skin growing dull and ashy.

"Hello Mahaq, surprised to see me?" the new Aryi said with a deep and almost rasping voice before turning to bow to the rest of the table. "My name is Altair and I am here to represent the people of Aryus."

At that, Mahaq shook. "You have no right! You are—"

"Just a fisherman? Beneath you? I think you made your opinion of me quite clear when you ordered my execution. What you think of me no longer matters, the people of Aryus have chosen me as their representative and there is no Emperor to deny them."

Altair took a few steps closer to Mahaq who stepped back. Altair glanced towards the Arch Mage who was turned towards the men, his milky eyes unseeing but waiting.

"I did not come here for vengeance but to ensure that Aryus is not restored to its unjust ways. My people will not have another Emperor," Altair said, his face firm.

Fernilda spoke up, "Then we welcome you, Altair."

Mahaq held his ground and Jayln stood up, offering Altair her chair which he took with a nod of gratitude. Jayln move dand stood between Fenrin and Matius. Any objections Mahaq may have had were killed by Tia's daring blue eyes.

"I flew over the Sky Sea and the Eastern Armada is assembled. The formation is odd and I believe they await reinforcements from the Western Navy."

Shasta tapped the table. "That means at least a week's warning before the attack, the trip around the South of En is not easy and will take time. The ships will have to be resupplied in Valhym."

"Snaerheim," Fenrin said, speaking for the first time. He pointed on the map. "Unless they plan on docking at the capital, it's the only place with enough resources and docking space. I don't like it though, this is all too obvious. Even with a massive army of ships and her new mage, this assault is too simple for Lyra."

"You think it's a feint? It would be quite an expensive one," Shasta remarked.

"That wouldn't stop her, although a full feint is probably not it." Fenrin rubbed his chin. "Aziron's biggest weakness is numbers. There are just too few people. Lyra has that advantage and I don't think she's going to give us much time to gather aid. This could be a real attack but there are too many ways it might happen."

Fenrin stood up and rounded the table, standing by Shasta who was sitting next to Aziron on the map. He gestured. "She could throw everything at the island, focus on crushing us and the Arch Mage. Or she could split the Armada and force us into two fronts, protecting both the tower and the capital—and that's just the naval forces."

Face grim, Fenrin gestured to the forests and mountains along the edge of Aziron. "We haven't had reliable reports from the northern border. There could be soldiers hiding in the forest. A three prong attack is not out of possibility. Three armies, two targets, and we are vastly outnumbered."

Shasta eyed the map, her mind calculating. She had the most military experience here besides Fenrin. "We could pull from the tower, bring everyone to Zi'gaza and focus on protecting the capital."

The Arch Mage shook his head. "Too many of Aziron's ancient defenses are reliant on this island. We lose too many wards if we abandon it, not to mention if she took the tower, the results could be disastrous. Not every secret and weapon here can be packed up and moved."

Fenrin turned to Altair. "Can we expect a force from your people?"

Sadly, Altair shook his head. "My people are willing to fight but are trapped on Aryus. We are prepared to help with the aftermath, but I'm sorry to say they cannot get to Aziron under the queen's nose."

Nodding, Fenrin turned to look at each member of the table, calculating. "The Duskar forces are too far, the Dyve scattered. Fernilda and any of the people she gathered will have to focus on Hickory. That leaves the Azir, Avin, and Jayln's people."

Jayln took a deep breath. "My people are prepared to fight, but we won't stand a chance against a large army."

"They won't have to. We have one large advantage over Lyra and we need to use it carefully. Tia, how many of your people have you managed to gather in the valley?"

Tia gave Fenrin a wry grin, guessing his plan. "About fifty."

"Good." Fenrin felt every eye on him and spoke with confidence and authority. "Communication. Between the Avin and the mages we can coordinate much better than Lyra and her huge army. We cannot predict exactly what she'll do but we can be more flexible. Some of Tia's people will stay with Jayln's and help them coordinate interference attacks. That will slow down any potential ground forces. We'll also get plenty of warning if a land assault starts."

He turned his attention to the coast of Aziron. "If we dedicate a number of mages to a communication network between Zi'giza and the Arch Mage's island, we can coordinate our efforts on that front as well. I can't say for certain, but I suspect Lyra's target will be the city. She knows the Arch Mage won't risk large population loss and she could be planning to use the civilians are hostages."

The Arch Mage sucked in his breath but didn't deny Fenrin's words.

Fenrin stabbed the city of Zi'giza with his finger. "This the endgame, if she takes Zi'giza it's all over."

Shasta considered, "Perhaps we should thin her numbers now. It'd be dangerous, but if I can get word to my people, there may be some ships we can send west from Duskar. If they survive the serpent's waters we would flank the Armada."

Everyone's eyes turned to the edge of the map. Fenrin had never gone into the serpent's waters, it was practically a death sentence. The vast ocean connecting the edges of the map was largely ignored, the large sea serpents claimed the uncharted waters as their own.

Fernilda turned to Tia and they nodded with some sort of silent agreement. Fernilda pressed a pale finger on the second island north of Dyve. "If you want to cross the serpent's waters, you will need help. I will send a plea to Aquas, perhaps they will be willing to guide you through."

"Aquas?" Shasta frowned, "I wasn't aware the frozen isle was occupied."

Yuan spoke, "Oh, it is. The Aquans spend most of their time beneath the waves, but the settlements on the island are familiar to my people as well. It would be valuable to have their peculiarities assist us. I may not be well versed in military strategy, but I imagine most navy's don't expect attacks from beneath the waves."

Jayln blinked. "What do you mean, peculiarities?"

Tia cracked her neck. "Our neighbors take to the sea as my people do to the sky. They breathe the sea as well as the air. They may help us but they are a small people, suffering a similar problem as Aziron. Do not count on an army."

Fernilda nodded firmly. "Know that if they help, they are risking much and the Avins and I will not risk their people's extinction. They've survived for generations by staying out of the reach of war."

Fenrin's mind raced with new calculations. People who could breathe underwater. They would also be able to send messages as well as coordinate during the naval battle. It was as new to him as having a host of mages to account for so he took it in stride. "Very well, send your message, Shasta, and if the Aquans agree to help, we are that much closer to victory."

The two nodded and Fenrin felt a peculiar thrill. He didn't know these people very well, hell, he didn't even know some of them existed a year ago, but they were all standing together. He was beginning to understand what Jayln had meant, the world was wider and kinder than he had ever known. It was more than he could imagine and he was certain more than Lyra could possibly fathom. That mistake would be her undoing.