Refugees and bewildered citizens flocked to the war camp. Which was now a burgeoning city of tents and Fae building growth. Dignitaries from other countries came to swear fealty to the Hatyri. She appeared stoic as she stood and took their promises of troops and supplies. They gave an oath of their allegiance. She wondered what these oaths were truly worth. They sounded pretty but she didn't understand. Why would they pledge to her and not Jelen, who was a king?

She shared a tree-dwelling with Jelen and Ravenna. Next to hers was another tree dwelling for Xander, Kenna, and her father. They were at the very center of the camp. There was an empty tree dwelling between them. Elda had insisted on leaving one for Delphina and Saido. Call as she might they did not answer. She was sad but had so much to keep her mind busy.

The different species flocking to camp made her smile. They were all for her and they thought she would lead the battle. No one knew she was terrified and deferred to Jelen. She knew nothing of war but could feel her purpose and knew it would not fail when the need came. Her powers were all for this. She could feel the gods tremble. She could also feel them weaken. While Itzal was steady in his power. She thought it odd, but then he wasn't trying to hold onto a place in the Kalestral plane. He had been rogue, but now he was a leader and his strength was in the people who needed him. The ones who hid in the shadows. She could hardly believe she was descended from him. That a god's magic and blood flowed through her.

She walked through the camp to the edge. The shadows let her pass. She could command them when and if she wished it, they would serve her as they serve Itzal. She was a daughter of shadows. Everyone had a name for her. But she missed being called Elda. When her mother would sing to her she would put her name into the songs. And now she would never have that back. She looked back at the camp and knew everyone had a story like hers. It made her sad and angry. She searched with the bit of god spark she had and could barely feel Nidhuggr. He was weak, and she could feel him being weakened even more. No, the god would not be the challenge.

She looked out over the desert. The wind picking up sand and whirling it playfully. The green walkway they had come on. A sense of life in a barren land. She came to the edge and touched the path. A slight glow was sent in waves forever pulsing toward the huge overbearing mountain. The flowers trembled on the vines. She removed her boots and stockings teetering to keep her balance. She moved to put her bare feet on the path. As she touched it the slight glow crept up her body. Then engulfed her and then it moved through her then out her fingers as water, as life itself.

Water flowed into the waste and transformed it into an oasis. No one could tell where the original path had been. She now lost concentration. The crowd that had gathered made appreciative noise at her magic. She stopped and turned to see them in awe. She hated it. She knew she could never live up to their expectations. And they would give her everything, even their lives. She did not want them. It was such a mind-boggling responsibility. The weight choked her. She was done with tricks and new discoveries. She slipped her boots on and grabbed her stockings. She then ran back to her tree, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

Brecka was humming again. She could hear it as she entered the room. She sat and picked her up from the bed. Then she hugged Brecka to her and lay back. She felt the slight vibration of the sword and the life-force that dwelt within. She could feel them sometimes. All the Fae weapons spoke to her. Whispered and sang. The war song was hardy and courageous, except Brecka's. She sang of revenge, sweet, sharp and brutal. For a moment she hummed along but found Brecka too bitter to follow. The pain Brecka was in shoved needles into her skin. Painful sharp stabs coupled with regret. She put Brecka to one side of her on the bed.

If she opened herself up she could feel the land beyond dying. Animals fleeing and screaming. She could feel the refugees following her call to safety and resistance. Their hope reborn in a magic that had long been dwindling from the world. Made plentiful by her own rebirth of sorts. She gently touched her horns again, surprised still to feel them so sturdy and just -there. Where they were not before. Her eyes. Her father had hugged her to him and said she was a mirror of the heavens. For a moment all she could do was gulp at the air as tears once again formed and a sob threatened to escape her throat. Remembering how frail and broken his spirit was. Then her anger burned through her. Brecka responded to it and once again took up her song stronger than before. Elda panicked wiping away the bristle of time's bitterness. Smoothing her activated Kouri like hackles on a dog.

Jelen entered the room and it felt more like an invasion. So unlike the comfort and warmth, she drew from him before. She looked up at him then threw herself back onto the bed and huffed. Jelen's lips twitched with humor.

"The Council is ready to talk strategy for the attack tomorrow, you are summoned," Jelen sat on the bed next to her.

She groaned and thought about screaming. She didn't want to go, and she didn't think it fair. She didn't understand half of what they said. She was not their leader.

Jelen reached out and smoothed her hair and smiled, "I am sorry, but you are the idea and the inspiration. You are The Hatyri and you are expected."

Elda growled in resignation and peeled herself from the bed. Grabbing Brecka she stomped to the doorway and waited for a grinning Jelen to follow her. She could feel the crowd mistake her sullenness for determination. They wished for vengeance on their own behalf as they watched her walk to the council. It irked her and made her resentment more evident. It did not sway them. They were unwilling to see the child. She looked up and Jelen was standing at the door flap to a very large ornate tent. The Council. She drew in a sharp breath. Jelen became very serious and knelt to look her in the face and rested his hands on her shoulders.

"Go to Ravenna and mimic her. Let her show you how to hold yourself in front of these mortal envoys and generals," Elda nodded at him. Jelen continued, "This is the one place you can not show a weakness. Be above them, walk as though the Gods fear you."

Elda drew herself up and held Brecka to her side.

"One already does" she whispered under her breath as Jelen motioned her through the door.