Climbed on the defensive wall of the Palace of Ice, Inlan Diar stretched her arms to the side and closed her eyes as though she was preparing to launch into the void. It was only an illusion, yet, because the queen was doing such things each time she was connecting her power to nature’s power, especially with the air around her. Those currents of air, which she was controlling along with the three big winds, and with the two small ones as Kirivas (the Icy Wind) and Teṉṟal (breeze). Nevertheless, even though the mortals and the other creatures of the earth were aware of the existence of the smaller winds, they didn’t know the name of all of them. They knew only how the touch of these winds was felt on their skin or if that wind was playful or grouchy, and this was due to how the wind was caressing their skin or entangling their fur.

Inlan Diar, however, knew well each wind she was controlling. Not only their names but also what they could do when they were playful or mad. Thus, according to their madness and caprices, she knew if she could count on them or not, which one she could keep at bay or allow to freely dance over the fields, bringing happiness and joy around. This way, knowing the features of each wind, they had been placed in a certain category in the Kingdom of Ice.

Thus, the first and the most known winds, and, at the same time, the most feared by people, animals, and nature, were the Miṉṉōttam or the Mountain Breeze. These were generally felt in the summer when the weather got warmer when it was necessary to melt the snow in certain mountain regions to help people and creatures see the beauty of life. That’s why those winds were also known as Uḷḷūr or the Local Winds.

In the second category was Foehṉṉ or the warm and dry mountain wind, which was also known for its amazing speed to blow the air around, cooling rapidly the air when it got to the top of the Mountain. Yet, this wind also had a negative feature, for when it was going down the mountain, because of the soil that lacked water and the speed, the wind was setting fire to the dry herbs. Or, during the winter, it was forming avalanches this way.

The third wind, which was also known as being „invisible,” was Nemirā. Yet, even though Nemirā was part of the category of the cold winds, she was considered as being kind, for, having a woman’s soul, as each woman, she was often taking compassion. Not only of nature, which Nemirā generally considered her children, but also of humans, even though she also couldn’t explain why she got to believe this.

Then there were the winds that were definitely considered small. Thus, when it was necessary, they were joining the big winds, according to their features. For example, Āstiriyā, or the Western Wind, was a warm wind, just as Foehṉṉ was. That’s why, during the summer, if these two winds were out of control and were joining their power, they were bringing drought to the fields. Something that was dangerous for creatures and herbs.

Īramāṉatu, however, Āstiriyā’s twin brother, was similar and at the same time opposite to him, even though physically they were alike. At the same time, they had one more common feature: the warm breeze that was often felt during the spring and summer. What was differentiating them was that if Āstiriyā was bringing drought around, Īramāṉatu was blessing the earth with good rain and fertility.

The next wind was Karayel or the Empty Bag as the locals named it. He was Kkāṟṟu’s elder son, whom he had when he was still very young with a sea breeze, whose name he had already forgotten. Thus, raised only by his father, Karayel was listening only to Kkāṟṟu’s command, even though they were living in different worlds if we can say so. Yet, they were so similar because of their character that was similar, something that made their breathing hot and dry, which was bringing drought around. Thus, if Karayel joined his power with Foehṉṉ or Āstiriyā, the earth was moaning for sure. More… if they were acting up together, something that happened extremely rarely because they couldn’t bear with each other.

Eventually, from the category of the winds controlled by Inlan Diar, which were also considered insignificant for an unknown reason, were Vigadalm, or the Wind of the Rain and Hail. Vōjōt or the wind that brought the snow, Kirivas's youngest son. Mēṟku or the Westerner. Kiḻakku or the Eastern Wind. Vatakku, or The Northern Wind, Kirivas elder son, which was making everything around shiver if it was blowing during the summer. The last but not the least one - Teṟku, or The Southern One, a wind extremely weird to be honest, and this happened because he was not listening to anyone’s command. That’s why he was considered mad and that not everything was working well in his numb nuts. Yet, even though this category of winds was something the humans and the creatures „preferred” to unwillingly ignore, they were in fact the winds that were actually controlling the Balance of Nature, having the power of the four corners of the earth - North, South, East, and West.

Nevertheless, even though each wind had its own features, something that made them different and unique at the same time, they also had a common feature: their ability to help their brothers. Thus, if someone tried to hurt one of the winds, all of them were joining their power, forgetting about rivalry, just to teach the bold one some manners. That’s why it was difficult for someone to escape alive if he was getting in bad with the winds. Yet, there were exceptions when the „enemy” was left alive and could run off the Mount of Fear, just to tell others that it’s not good to enrage those mad winds.

However, namely because of this ability to join their power when necessary, Inlan Diar was sure that she could count on the winds she was controlling. Thus, feeling that they were already on the brink of war, she blew the horn. Thus, she told everyone that it was time to come to the Palace and protect the Kingdom of Ice. At the same time, she also told them that she needed each of them to protect the freedom and the beauty of that mountain.

Suddenly, hearing a gong in the distance, Inlan Diar awoke from her daydream. Then, understanding why that gong was heard, more when she heard it six times in a row, the queen winced and, staring with terror toward that place, she murmured, „It can’t be! The war is here, knocking on our door. That big war in which humans and creatures alike will be involved. Ah, Great Chaos, I hoped so much not to hear this gong ever. Especially in the last six months. Yet, it seems that we won’t have peace before death.”

Then, turning her back to the field, seen far in the distance, like a continuation of her kingdom, Inlan Diar closed her eyes. After that, stretching her arms to the side, she allowed herself to fall off that wall. Yet, she touched the ground in the form of the deer, the same deer that had left footprints on the snow to be seen by Arvam next to Princess Curse’s balcony.

***

„In position! Everyone in position! Nobody moves until we find out what’s approaching us!” Eṉōl was shouting, seeing that the soldiers that were standing at the border of the kingdom, a few hundred actually, started to shudder because of the cold wind. They even covered their eyes with their arm, for a big storm was approaching that place, sweeping everything in its way: small stones, dust, sand, dried leaves and branches, and other small things, forgotten on the ground. Thus, being too focused to tell his people to stay calm, Eṉōl didn’t notice Zeal approaching them. Only when the young girl took the bow from his hand, did the commander wince.

That’s why he suddenly turned toward her, staring at Zeal, who took an arrow from the quiver of one of the soldiers, and then prepared for shooting. Yet, seeing Eṉōl staring at her and that he was confused, the girl told him, „Let them come, Eṉōl. We are here, waiting for them. Thus, if they thought that it was easy to cross this border, they were definitely wrong. These lands won't ever be for selling or ceding to others. That’s why, if they want to have it, they must pass us first.”

Hearing no answer from him, Zeal looked at the commander. Thus, she saw Eṉōl looking in the distance. She also saw, for the first time in her life, that the commander was afraid. Yet, she smiled when he told her, „Looks can be deceiving!”

„May I know what you mean?”

„At a lot of things at the same time. Especially that weird storm, which is approaching us. A storm that I dislike, to be honest.”

„Yet, why do I feel that what you have just said has also something to do with me?”

„Because you are right?” Replied the commander, winking. „Even so, you hear nothing else about this from my side.”

„Is it because you are afraid?”

„No. It’s because of the cobras. I don’t like them,” replied Eṉōl, smiling. After that, he pointed with his head toward the army of cobras that were behind Zeal. „Actually, why am I so surprised?! I’m standing next to one right now. Just… this one has two feet and doesn’t crawl. Something weird actually, for you always seemed kinder than your sisters, and you always tried to make them finish an argument when they had one. Now, however, I have the feeling that you are looking for a fight!”

„Well, let’s say it was only a mask I was wearing. You called me Cobra, right? Something that I agree with. That’s why I’ll tell you that: the cobras are kind if one is kind to them. Yet, if one steps on their tail…”

„They remain tailless,” Eṉōl teased her, something for which Zeal rewarded him with a grin. „Yet, it isn’t that easy for one to change the way he is. Moreover, it can’t be so sudden.”

„You are actually right, commander! I changed in time and not at once. After many years of „practice.”

„Of practice?” Eṉōl asked her, this time confused, for he had no idea what she was talking about. Yet, he knew about Zeal’s hatred, which she started to feel after her mother disappeared, but he wasn’t sure that it was what changed her. That’s why he became attentive when she said:

„I meant the practice of life, Eṉōl, for… even though the majority of those who know me think that I always sleep and that I’m aware of nothing, they are wrong. More than that, you know, sometimes even the trembling of the lotus flower’s leaves above the crystalline water can be a way to know what happens at the border of your country.”

„Really? I thought that the lotus leaves are comfortable for sleeping only,” Eṉōl made a joke.

„This is also true. Yet, when it’s only you and nature around you, you can find out really interesting stories. As… who is your friend and who is your enemy. More than that, even though it seems weird to you what I say now, nature tells truths about us: through the shivering of the leaves, through the murmur of the water, even in the frogs’song, for what seems a simple useless song, it’s something important because they know many things about humans, even if humans don’t understand this.”

„Interesting. Do the frogs know about humans’nature?”

Zeal looked askance at him. Yet, it wasn’t because she was upset or something. „Of course,” she suddenly said. „When a cobra charms a frog and makes her come to her, the frog always screams „croak-croak,” which means „Help me! Anybody! Help to stay alive! But…”

„…there’s nobody there because all humans ran. When others need them!”

„Exactly. The same happens to us, for even though Grandma has sent the message to our allies to join us in this fight, we are still alone in front of this havoc that is approaching us. Thus, we are the frog now, the one charmed by the cobra. Just… I intend today to show others that a frog isn’t easy to charm when she’s well-prepared for fighting.”

Eṉōl smiled again. „Now I understand why you have fought so much in the past six months: it was because you intended to show others that a frog can defeat a cobra.”

„Absolutely. More than that, trust me, Eṉōl, we will make it, for I have seen enough evil things defeated by a good heart.”

„Even so, there is something else interesting here.”

„What exactly?”

„That I feel hatred in your voice. Why? More than that, where did you learn to fight so well? As far as I remember, Titan Island and God Boor have never taught you this.”

„Now you are wrong, Eṉōl, for they taught us to fight just by being an example for us. At the same time, even though they didn’t grab our hand and dragged us to the training place, we still went there when we were only children. Alone. Thus, we got to know how to handle a sword, how to move while fighting, or how to defend ourselves.”

„Then, to practice what you learned, you slept well on a big lotus leaf that was floating on the river’s surface, right?” Eṉōl teased the girl.

„You are right again. Yet, even though you said what you said as a joke, you just mentioned the truth, for the coldness of the water hardened my soul, commander. Thus, when those like me, who have spent a lot of time on the water’s surface, feel that it’s burning next to them, they will definitely know what to do. Why? Because their soul and heart hardened. That’s why I won’t ever allow anybody to take what is mine. More to conquer Paṉi Makkaḷ, a place that is also mine, just like the field we see in front, scorched by the enemy. Because of this, I promised myself today that the one who scorched the soul of the Field Ātmā today would pay with blood, even though it would mean losing my soul on the same field I wanted to protect."

„Before losing your soul protecting your country, I think it’s better to think twice about this,” they heard Inlan Diar’s voice behind them. Looking over there, they saw the deer instead of the queen. Something that made Zeal wide-open her eyes, for she was seeing the deer for the first time in her life. Yet, she could understand who was really talking to her when the deer said again, „You look at me now as though you have never seen talking animals. Yet, I think that’s better to look in the distance than at me, preparing for what is coming.”

„Yet, Grandma, this is already…”

„Just an armor,” the queen said, smiling. Then, looking around and seeing that nobody laughed at her joke, but were staring at her as though they had seen a story character, Inlan Diar laughed with all her heart. „Should I understand that I’m a ghost right now? Don’t worry! Just precautions! Necessary ones actually!”

„Necessary? For who?” Zeal insisted on hearing an answer.

„For me, of course. Thus, I can camouflage and hear the frogs croaking,” she joked again, a hint that she heard what Zeal said before. „Yet, I must accept that my armor is uncomfortable these days. Tight actually, for my old body,” the queen comically said, undulating her body a little bit as though something was tickling her and also making Zeal and Eṉōl smile. „Nevertheless, it’s damn useful for spying. Nobody sees you doing this.”

„Allow me to think differently, my queen!” Replied Eṉōl, bowing a little his head. „Everybody knows that the war is coming, and the fact that you are coming from this kingdom will be suspicious.”

„Why so, Eṉōl? I will be just a poor deer descending the mountain. Nothing strange, nothing out of the ordinary. Just another beast of the woods passing by because this won’t be the first time a wild animal crosses our lands. Thus, nothing suspicious.”

„I agree with Eṉōl this time, Grandma!”

„Oh, and this miracle? That you agree with someone.”

„Let’s say I must do it now!”

„Wherever! Anyway, I still think there is kindness on this earth. Thus, no matter which camp you belong to, if you think logically…”

„Here is the problem, my queen, that evil doesn’t think logically. Never actually. It can’t think otherwise because of the boiling lava that’s always flooding the soul's paths. Thus, evil will always suspiciously look at everything that happens on this mountain. Even in the most hidden and obscure places. That’s why evil will find it weird that a „poor deer” is just passing by. It will be suspicious to him and it will consider the „poor deer” an enemy. Thus, none of us knows how it will end eventually. That’s why, my lady, don’t take the risk! Not until planning this well!”

„Even so, I feel that you consider me already old if you are questioning my decisions.” Yet, her words weren’t spoken to scold them or because she was upset. A kind of innocent joke only.

Yet, Zeal hastened to say, „It’s not this, Grandma! It’s because we love you so much and we don’t want you to be hurt by evil. We don’t trust him. That’s why we ask you to trust us. Then, if we escape this, I promise I’ll come with you to see what’s going on on this mountain.”

When Zeal finished talking, Eṉōl said, „Princess Zeal is right, My Queen. Eventually, we don’t know what happens now on this mountain when we are all on the brink of war and…”

They winced eventually when Strebasus, one of Eṉōl’s men and who the commander had sent to check the surroundings, approached them in a hurry. He even shouted, „Commander! Strange sounds are heard from the depths of the Grotto Kaṟkaḷ Pēy. My people even say that’s something heard from the depths of the ground as though a big army is surfacing!”

„A sound? What kind of sound, Strebasus?” Zeal asked.

„I don’t know, my princess: something similar to when armors are hitting each other? Or maybe when hundreds of feet, wearing metal boots, are marching on a brick road? I can’t tell you exactly.”

„It already goes without saying,” said Eṉōl in a half voice. „Eventually, none of us knows what is hiding in the depths of those cursed places. Yet, Strebasus, did your men tell you when they started to hear those sounds?”

Strebasus took a few moments before answering. Yet, he did this not because he needed to think about the answer, but because it seemed strange to him to see that deer there. Until he heard Inlan Diar’s voice coming from inside the deer, which made him bow and say, „Forgive my boldness, my queen! I just…”

„No need to apologize, Strebasus. Just speak freely. Eventually, we know each other.”

„Even so, my lady, the fact that I didn’t recognize you…”

„…means that I wear a damn good mask if my own people can’t recognize me,” said the queen, smiling.

„You are right, My Queen. Thus, you make sure that your allies won’t betray you and…”

„It’s not that, Strebasus. I trust my people. Yet, you are also right in saying that it's necessary to be cautious. Eventually, we are at war.”

„I agree with you, Queen Inlan Diar,” Eṉōl said. „Yet, let’s now turn back to those sounds, Strebasus. How often are they heard?”

„All the time, my commander,” replied Strebasus, preoccupied. „I even have the feeling that something damn dangerous is approaching us.”

Zeal looked askance at him, „Even more dangerous than that one that’s approaching us?” Then she pointed with her head toward the field. Looking over there, Strebasus also saw that big red cloud of dust that was about 5 km from them, but which was so fast approaching the border.

That’s why Strebasus stuttered eventually, „To be damned if I know!”

„Then it’s a sure thing: we have dangers everywhere. Even so, I suggest first meeting this one who is approaching now. Later, we will take care of the guests Tetapas seems to have sent already here from the depths of the ground, for not for nothing he has appeared in my dream.” Saying this, Zeal retook the shooting position, staring toward that cloud that was approaching them and from where yelps of chased animals and cries were heard. Nevertheless, this didn’t impress Zeal, who shouted in the end, „Just stay where you are, mummy, or I swear I send this arrow right between your eyes!”

The red tornado, as though it had ears to hear what Zeal said, stopped. Even so, the laments from inside were still heard, something that was really strange. That’s why the deer took a few steps in front, for that yelp seemed familiar to her. She even crossed the border, not paying attention to Eṉōl, who tried to stop her.

Thus, when the deer was already on the other side of the border, Kkāṟṟu showed his face, dispersing that red air from around him. A face that scared the deer when she saw him, for he was hurt and scratched. That’s why the queen murmured, preoccupied, „Kkāṟṟu, you are here?”

„Yes, queen Inlan Diar,” murmured Kkāṟṟu, gnashing his teeth because of pain. „We are sorry for being that bold and coming here without asking permission, but any other chance to stay alive we don’t have now when Tikil attacked our lands too. Thus, not even in my world I can find peace, just as it happens in this world or on the Field of Illāmal which…”

„The Field of Illāmal? What happened there?” Inlan Diar asked, more preoccupied than before, retaking her usual form.

„The Vanamars, the Yātrīkars, and the Veḷḷams have attacked us. As a result of that battle you can see that even my army has suffered many losses.” Then, turning and looking back, he allowed the others to see his dogs Kaṇṇīr, who definitely looked bad and suffered more than Kkāṟṟu suffered, having deep wounds on their skin, something unseen before because all of them looked as though someone washed them with boiled water or scorched their skin with a lit torch. More than that, in places, their body seemed to have disappeared.

Seeing this, Inlan Diar shuddered. Then, terrified, she murmured, „Oh, Great Lord, what is this?”

„It seems to me the Mercy of the Monsters!” Zeal snarled, taking everybody by surprise. After that, she returned the bow to Eṉōl and approached her great-grandmother. „What interests me more is to know what she is doing here.” Only then, Inlan Diar and the others looked to the right of the wind and saw the red foxes, revealed by that red storm.

More than that, they saw that Inmar and her foxes suffered too after that fight. Actually, at that moment, Alena was hanging next to Inmar, with her arm around the neck of her commander to keep her balance and stay on her feet because she had deep wounds on her belly. Yet, even though Inmar was supporting her sister not falling to the ground or losing consciousness, she kept staring with hatred at Zeal, whom she answered, hissing the words through her teeth, „To be honest, I feel the same, Princess. Even so, I still think that we can help each other, forgetting about old rivalry or enmity.” Inmar said those words even though she hated the fact that they got eventually to the border of Paṉi Makkal. Yet, she was also aware that Ahi was right in saying that the red foxes weren’t that strong to face such enemies as the Veḷḷams were. „I’m also unhappy to be here. Trust me! Nevertheless, it’s necessary for us to be here if we want to survive in this war.”

„You could have asked for help elsewhere. To Maranam, for example,” Zeal kept saying. „Yet, you are here! Why?”

„Should I say this clearer than I did it before? Of course not: I have said this and I repeat this: - the red foxes are here not for pleasure, but because it’s necessary. More than that, do you think we love to be here, asking for help and mercy from our lifetime enemy? Definitely not, for our hatred…”

„…isn’t smaller than ours, Inmar. I can say that our hatred is even bigger than yours because…”

„That’s enough, Zeal!” Murmured Inlan Diar, thoughtful. Then, remembering Anaya’s words, she whispered them with fear, „An unwelcome guest that might be a trustful ally if necessary.”

Even though Inlan Diar thought that nobody heard her whispering those words, she still winced when Zeal asked her, „What do you mean, Grandma?”

Nevertheless, even though she was surprised that others heard her whisper too, she didn’t lose her head and said, „That I knew about this visit. Better to say someone told me that they would come. Even so, I told nobody about this because I thought that’s insane what they told me. Now, however, even though seeing the red foxes, Kkāṟṟu, and the Kaṇṇīrs here… I still can’t believe it. This is… no, it’s something difficult to believe, that we can fight together in this war. It’s impossible!” After that, she closed her eyes and, shaking her head, tried to clear her mind.

Then, she painfully sighed. That’s why she closed her eyes eventually and touched her chest with her right palm. Thus, having her eyes closed, she didn’t notice Accam Kuṉṟu’s image projected somewhere between her and those red monsters of the desert. After that, looking at the queen, Accam Kuṉṟu said, „It might be impossible, daughter of mine. Even so, we must do everything we can to win this war, together. That’s why I tell you to let them in and recover some strength.”

„This is insane,” shouted Zeal, furious. „If we let them in, they will scare our people and…”

„Not if they stay in the Northern Lands. There, where the other winds are already, waiting for your command, Inlan Diar. That’s why I think that it will be a good idea to start to plan how to better protect these lands as soon as they are recovered a little bit. You need them, just as they need you. Do you know why? Because together you can protect Paṉi Makkal, which cannot fall! Never!”

„Yet… Accam Kuṉṟu, let’s not forget that these monsters…,” insisted Zeal.

Accam Kuṉṟu stared at her, scolding her this way for her words. „Each of us is a monster. In his way. Let’s not forget that. That’s why I ask you now: didn’t you ever ruin anything in your life or take someone’s life even if it happened unwillingly? If you think so, you are wrong, for I’m sure that not only once did you kill the small creatures, crushing them with your soles for watching the sky and not seeing them.” Words that made Zeal swallow hard, aware that the panther was right. Even so, she felt that she was wronged and that her opinion wasn’t taken into consideration. That’s why she gnashed her teeth eventually.

Inlan Diar, however, understanding that the girl felt upset, approached her and put her both palms on the girl’s shoulders. Then, when the girl finally looked into her eyes, the queen kindly told her, „I know that’s hard for us, Zeal, but we must accept that. I also disliked this strange alliance. Nevertheless, we don’t have any other choice, for you also saw that our common enemy is cruel. I’m sure that is also numerous. That’s why, Zeal, any help counts, no matter if it’s big or small, or from whose part we receive it. It’s worthy in such moments.”

„I know, Grandma! However, how to forget the past? How can we forget the pain we have felt once when these „allies” have taken someone dear from us?” Saying such words, Zeal looked again with hatred at Inmar. The fox instead proudly looked at the girl, for even though she knew that their enemies had also killed foxes she considered her friends and sisters once, she didn’t want to show hatred at that moment. It was what Anaya taught her.

„I must agree with you now, Zeal,” Inlan Diar told the girl kindly. Then, touching Zeal’s cheeks with both palms, the queen smiled, seeing the girl’s eyes filling with tears. Nevertheless, Zeal burst into tears because she understood that she acted childishly when her great-grandmother was also suffering at that moment. The same understood Inlan Diar, that Zeal suffered, a sufferance she actually knew well, for not only once she witnessed an event when Ahi or Inmar and her foxes tried to kill the girls to take their power. Even so, she had to swallow her pride, just to be sure that they will see the sun tomorrow too.

Eventually, understanding that there wasn’t the right moment for being selfish, Zeal stared at Inmar and let her know that she accepted that challenge, even though she didn’t believe in that alliance. Thus, catching the girl’s glance, Inmar left Alena in the care of Keṉṉal and approached Inlan Diar and Zeal. Then, right in front of them, looking straight into their eyes, she said, „I know we are to blame for many things. Just as I know that… this isn’t the right moment for paying for what we’ve done. The important thing now, just as Anaya told you when she came to see you, is to survive. Eventually, if we still live after this war, we’ll also pay for our sins.” After that, bowing her head and biting her lips a little bit, Inmar said, „As a reward for your acceptance, I can tell you this: Ahi is out of the game. For now or forever. We also don’t know this.”

„What do you mean?” Inlan Diar asked her, totally shocked. The same happened to the others, who heard that Mago Ahi, the most feared and powerful Mago of the area, was out of the game.

„A simple game my brother foolishly accepted when Pakai offered him a deal. Thus, following that jackal, God knows where, he didn’t turn back, even though he promised to be back by sunset. Yet, he didn’t show up and we couldn’t continue our way to Rophion Forest to join Dike’s army.”

„To join Master Dike’s army? You? This is already too much!” Said Zeal. „Do you really think that they will accept you?”

„We thought so because… we can save Mayar only this way.”

„Mayar? Why? What happened to that child?” The queen asked, staring into Inmar’s eyes, who was avoiding her glance.

„She has been controlled by Parca and Maranam. Thus, controlled by them, she can destroy many things if she wants this. That’s why we decided to join the Rophions, convinced that the other twin-shape can control Mayar and bring her back among us.”

Because of this, Inlan Diar trembled to her feet soon after that. Yet, she didn’t fall thanks to Eṉōl, who offered her his arm to support her body. Thus, seeing their queen so overwhelmed by that news, everybody understood that things were bad for the entire world.

Even Zeal looked worried, seeing her great-grandmother like that. Then, grabbing her by the arm with both hands, the girl told Inlan Diar, „What’s wrong with you, Grandma?”

Only then, Inlan Diar looked at her great-granddaughter with crying eyes, „The end, Zeal! This can be our end, for if it’s true what I’ve seen in the water of Caktiyiṉ Ātāram, if Mayar really joins the Army of Evil, the Balance Iṟappu will control the Balance Vāḻkkai. Then, everything will be lost in this world.”

„Or not, if we can impede that!” Said Kkāṟṟu. That’s why everybody looked at him, confused. „I mean now… let’s do everything we can to impede Tikil conquer this Kingdom. Thus, Maranam has no chance to control the Balance Iṟappu Vāḻkkai.”

„Yet… Kkāṟṟu, how can you be that sure about this?”

„Because… My Queen, it seems that you have forgotten where my kingdom is,” the wind told her in half a voice. Yet, he was confident in what he was saying. „A kingdom that allowed me to always watch the Gates of the Kingdom of Maranam. That’s why I know that world. The Underworld. One that’s not that different from ours if Maranam wants to control this world too. Nevertheless, what he doesn’t know is this world, these lands, or us. If he had known this, he would have never come here. Where even the air is his enemy. That’s why I say to use everything we can against him. Thus… we can win!”

„It makes sense what he says!” Murmured Zeal, cooking her nose. „Yet, how can we be sure that once you are on our lands you won’t attack us, helping that Maranam thus?” However, when Kkāṟṟu stretched his right hand toward her, with his palm facing the sky, and he waited, the girl winced. „What now?” She asked eventually.

„I don’t know if someone has ever told you, but… those who control the cobras can also read the mind of the winds. Something I allow you to do right now. Thus, you can find out if I have evil thoughts about you. Or if I hide something from you.”

Nevertheless, Zeal hesitated to do that. Only when she saw that Kkāṟṟu kept standing with his arm stretched toward her and watching her with no hatred in his eyes, the young girl looked at Inlan Diar, waiting for her support. Then, seeing that Inlan Diar nodded yes, Zeal approached Kkāṟṟu, convinced to check what was going on with that wind. Something damn curious actually.

Even so, she carefully approached him, for… she wasn’t that sure that he was saying the truth. Then, carefully looking into his eyes, she put her right palm over Kkāṟṟu’s right palm. Thus, the moment their palms touched each other, Kkāṟṟu closed his eyes. This way, Zeal could see what was actually in the wind’s mind. Nevertheless, seeing there something she never saw before, she frowned, for the Lands of Iṭaiyil, which were forming Kkāṟṟu’s mind too, weren’t something Zeal liked. That’s why she quickly withdrew her palm and turned to the real world. Then, cooking her nose, she told him, „Well, I expected to see something more spectacular there. Yet, it was dry everywhere. Something that made me feel bad. Even so, I think we can trust him.”

Kkāṟṟu smiled, hearing the girl talking like that. He actually smiled, understanding that she made that joke not because she wanted this, but just not to let him know that she didn’t understand what she saw there. Even so, he didn’t tell others about this. He only said, „Well, if you say so, it might be so, Princess Zeal.”

Not the same happened to Inlan Diar. She understood what Kkāṟṟu was doing to the girl: he was supporting her. Nevertheless, she told him in a severe tone, „Listen to me carefully, Kkāṟṟu, if we let you in on our lands, keep your monsters under control! If not, if one single soul that lives here, no matter if it’s animal, insect, or human, suffers because of you, I swear that I will turn you all into stone statues. You know that I don’t say that only for saying. I have this power on the Lands of Paṉi Makkal. The same goes for you and your foxes, Inmar!”

Kkāṟṟu, hearing the queen’s words, worshiped in front of her, letting her know that he understood the message. After that, he turned toward his monsters and told them, „Aṉaittum caṅkiliyil! Eṉ viruppamiṉṟi yārum nakara vēṇṭā! (Everybody tied! No one moves without my command!) Then, at each of his monsters'right rear legs, thick chains appeared, deeply biting from their wounded flesh, making them yelp. Yet, they all kept silent when their master scolded them with a glance.

Not the same happened to Inmar. She didn’t do anything to keep her foxes under control. She just kept quiet, staring in front of her. Because of this, Inlan Diar turned toward her, waiting for an answer. Nevertheless, seeing that Inmar kept silent, she told her in a severe tone, „I didn’t hear your answer, Inmar! If I don’t hear it, you know very well that…”

„Yes, I know!” Inmar replied, dryly, cooking her nose. „Your words are law on your land and those who accept them are tied with a blood link. And… yes, I accept your pact! You have my word.”

„As though your word is worth!” Mumbled Zeal. Yet, she kept silent, seeing that Eṉōl scolded her with a glance. „Yes, yes, I say no more words!” After that, she turned her back to them, intending to leave.

She stopped, however, seeing her cobras rushing toward there from the palace, the forest, and other places found on the lands of Paṉi Makkal. Not the same happened to Inmar and her foxes, they didn’t stay quiet because they were afraid of the cobras and tried to look for shelter. Yet, there wasn’t a place to hide. That’s why they just moved back a little bit. Inmar, however, stopped and stared at those green animals that were approaching them in a hurry because something was telling her that they weren’t approaching them to attack them.

Then, feeling something strange in her chest, she formed her famous fireball in her left hand. Thus, she could see, reflected on that sphere, the army of Tikil, with him in front of the army, heading toward Inlan Diar’s kingdom. That’s why Inmar looked at the queen, who saw the same thing on that sphere, and told her, „It seems that Tikil, the Veḷḷams, and the rest of Maranam’s gang are coming here!”

„Then, let’s rush too!” Inlan Diar confidently told everybody. „You two, follow me!” She told Kkāṟṟu and Inmar. „As my father said, go North. There you will be protected by the other winds and you will be at the shelter at the same time. Meanwhile, we will try to see what we can do to protect this border while you recover some power. That’s why, Zeal, demand Argol to announce everyone, especially the beasts of the woods, to come to this kingdom and hide. I don’t want victims. Not among innocent souls, for… tomorrow the war starts. At least it seems so. A Big War on the Mountain of Fear, a Battle that will kill us all eventually.”

Yet, even though what the queen said sounded like words of encouragement, Kkāṟṟu sadly replied, „I hope it’ll be tomorrow and not today. I hope that they will give us at least one day to lick and heal our wounds, for… as we look right now, I don’t think we can defeat them.”

„As though asking the devil for mercy helps us in something!” Inmar said in mockery. Yet, seeing Kkāṟṟu furiously looking at her, she turned her back on him and approached Keṉṉal to help her to carry Alena, who was barely standing. After that, she and her foxes crossed first the border of Paṉi Makkaḷ.

Kkāṟṟu followed her shortly after that. Yet, before crossing the border, he stopped, seeing the army of green tails approaching the border from the forest found outside of Paṉi Makkaḷ borders. Then, when all those cobras already crossed that border, he also followed Inlan Diar and Zeal. Yet, he didn’t cross alone, but followed by that big cloud of red dust and sand, and everything he and his monsters gathered around them. It was their trick: to let nothing behind, not even a grain of sand if that one was willingly sticking to his red robe.

Inlan Diar, after crossing the border in front of Kkāṟṟu, stopped after a few dozen meters of walking. Then, she turned and looked again at the horizon. Nothing was seen there at that moment. That’s why she breathed a sigh of relief. After that, to deceive the enemies, she passed the hand in front of her eyes, something that formed a defending wall all over the border. Thus, activating that Barrier of Defense, she made sure that nobody would be able to take them by surprise because it was practically impossible to cross the border of Paṉi Makkaḷ when the Barrier was activated.

Then, to make sure that they would be safe, she looked at Eṉōl and told him, „Watch this border, commander! No one enters this kingdom, except for the beasts of the woods or the humans that will come to ask for our help.”

„Let’s not forget, My Queen, that evil can be disguised, trying to deceive us.”

„They won’t do that,” Zeal told him, confidently, for she also stopped not that far from her great-grandmother. „This will be because of that Wall of Protection, for Grandma’s Barrier feels the Magic from far away. That’s why those who will try to deceive it will be burnt. A favor we will be grateful for if they do that, for we’ll have fresh meat to feed the Kaṇṇīrs, who I’m more than sure that are starving now.” After that, she turned her back to them and headed toward the forest of Paṉi Makkaḷ.

Zeal didn’t head there intending to find a lake or brook next to which to sleep. She headed toward there when she saw Argol, flying above the trees. Then, when she arrived next to the first row of trees, she looked up and sent the eagle a thought, „Argol, you have my permission to fly above water, mountains, or forests, just to tell everybody to stay focused. At the same time, tell them that the army of evil is approaching these lands and that we can't protect them all. That’s why, those who feel that aren’t able to protect themselves, should come here, on the Lands of Paṉi Makkaḷ because we can protect them only if they are here.” Then, taking her mouth organ, formed from a green leaf, which she was guarding in her sleeve, Zeal started to blow it and a sweet melody resounded everywhere, the personation of Zeal’s feelings that was sat next to the trunk of a secular tree, at the edge of the woods, singing.

To her music and thought, Argol answered with a deafening shout heard from the heights. Then, floating on Teṉṟal’s wings, he allowed the magic of the air to keep him floating, enjoying every moment of freedom, for he also felt the danger approaching. Even so, Argol was aware that he couldn’t give up. If this had happened, life and magic would have disappeared from the Lands of Paṉi Makkaḷ, a Kingdom the eagle loved so much, a Kingdom he decided to protect with his own life if necessary.