“Alana, listen to me.”

Despite his questionable motives and allegiances, the morning after Khan’s sudden appearance, Alana orders the army to maintain camp. We are abiding by Khan’s warning. Not out of sentimentality or fear. After a terse conversation about our morality, Alana agreed to let Bell delve into Khan’s mind. She wasn’t happy about it, far from, but she’s less happy that he’s keeping secrets for their enemies.

Too bad my fears were right and there was no information to gleam from his mind. According to my imp, someone has had their fingers in there already. I thought Alana was pissed when he told us he was allies with the Lords of Winter. It couldn’t be compared to her anger once she found out he willingly let a mental caster stir his brain.

Or at least, he thinks he did so willingly. It’s difficult to be sure when mind magic is in play. Bell can’t be sure either. He’s had too much work done to pick out individual adjustments.

What she could confirm is none of his memories are false. That means, a spell or two might have helped his decision but, in the end, he made the decision. It’s not a position that was implanted in his mind. And, because there are no compulsions guiding his actions, he is continuously making the same choice every day.

Alana nearly killed him when Bell relayed that tidbit. She didn’t speak with him for the rest of the day and refused to let him eat Geneva’s food, angrily throwing loaves of bread at him at mealtimes. She wouldn’t even allow him a drink. If not for me, she would have made him eat snow rather than pour him a cup of water.

Underneath all that anger, I…think she’s hurt. Or maybe very, very disappointed. Alana has idolized her father and the James family for a long time. Khan’s actions must be an incredible betrayal. Saints, I don’t like her family and only have the faintest connection to them but I feel betrayed.

Khan has spent every waking moment trying to ease her anger. Whether it’s because he is terrified of his father or genuinely feels bad, he hasn’t shut up. Whenever Alana walks past, he calls out to her. If she happens to be in his vicinity for longer than a moment, he’ll talk aloud, forcing her to hear his arguments whether she wants to or not.

Not even being dragged through the snow by Kierra the second morning after his appearance hasn’t deterred him. We did abide by his warning to avoid the apparent approaching storm. Alana doesn’t trust a word out of his mouth now but it made sense. If he’s telling the truth, being caught in that storm leads to the end of the world. If he’s lying and stalling for time so that his new friends can ambush us, we’ll be ready for them. The army would also be well-rested, rather than exhausted.

We are on the march again but things are different. Rather than walking aimlessly into danger, we’re returning to the relative safety of Victory. Who knows how safe it truly is now that Khan has spilled all their secrets but it has to be better than this white wasteland.

The mood is high as everyone is eager to return. They haven’t faced many struggles, I’ve overheard a few of the more experienced hunters commenting that this is the easiest campaign they’ve ever marched on, but being surrounded by danger is stressful for anyone.

Khan may be the only one who’s in a bad mood, as his continued attempts at conversation are ignored. “I don’t think you are considering the ramifications of your actions,” he spouts, his voice remarkably calm for someone being treated worse than luggage. “You want to involve our father because you are concerned about the secrets of the estrazi but we won’t survive long enough to discover them. If Victory moves against them, they will destroy the fort.”

He speaks without concern, knowing we will take precautions against exposure. Rolly is stopping our words from traveling but if he tries to babble non-stop like yesterday, I’ll have to knock him out so she doesn’t empty her core.

“A war starts and ends in the mind,” Alana grumbles without looking at him.

“This is not a tactic.”

“Everything’s a tactic.”

“You sound just like Father.” He huffs. “You had the creature look into my mind. You know this is not posturing. They have numbers and strength. That doesn’t include the monsters of the north. They slaughter thousands of us while unorganized. It isn’t difficult to imagine the devastation they can unleash under competent leaders.”

“Not my decision to make.”

“Don’t try to avoid responsibility. It is your decision when you know the consequences of your actions. Right now, you have the ability to avoid a tragedy. Being a noble, being a James, means more than swinging a sword. It means you have to make hard decisions.”

“This bastard has the audacity to lecture me on being a James.”

“Breathe, sweetie,” I whisper, grabbing her hand. She bows her head and takes a deep breath. Seeing that she’s in control, I look over my shoulder at Khan, who is glaring at her back. “And you. The only thing you talking is going to accomplish is pissing us off and getting yourself hurt. We’ve already established you’re not that smart but I’m hoping you have enough sense to realize it’s better to shut up before we make you.”

“…is it your bannerwoman that’s giving you the confidence to ignite a war whose scoop you can’t possibly understand? They’re strong but they’re not strong enough. They can’t stop an army of titans.”

“You have no idea what I’m capable of,” I hiss.

“You’re misunderstanding, brother,” Alana growls. “I’m not handing you over to Father because I think we can win a war against your friends. I don’t think anything about this. I don’t know what to think. Every decision I could make has the potential to end in disaster. So, why force myself to make it? Our father is the duke. It is his duty to protect the north and Harvest from the threats of the north. The people of Victory trust him with that responsibility. If someone has to decide their future, they want it to be him. I respect their will. I respect our father, our family, and our role. Things you clearly don’t give a damn about anymore.”

The words are delivered in a flat tone. They aren’t meant to be an admonishment but Khan flinches multiple times. Bastard. If you know you’re wrong, why play these games?

“I respect our Father too, but I also know him. I know he can’t be reasoned with. I know our family and our people will throw themselves to their deaths rather than surrender, even if it’s the right thing to do. Is it so wrong to spare them that fate?”

“I don’t want or need to decide that. Now shut up before—"

[ENEMY ATTACK!]

Geneva’s warning slams into my mind along with all the information she has; dozens of minds that appear from seemingly nowhere, less than a league away, all broadcasting deadly intent. She doesn’t know what form the attack will take but if all the hostile minds are cooperating, it has to be large. And saints damn it all, her idiot brother really led us into a trap. I swear, I’m going to be the next to take a turn trying to beat the stupid out of him.

With no way to know the scope of the danger, I do the only thing I can. I take my sturdiest form, that of purple ooze, and grab Alana, throwing her to the ground and wrapping around her. In this form, my vision is omnidirectional, so I can see the way the rest of the army reacts.

Geneva must have warned everyone as there is no delay in their response. Except for Khan. He simply stares stupidly after Kierra drops him, uncomprehending. My elf dives beside me, using me as cover. The knights form up, ready for an attack while the hunters look around with glowing eyes, searching for targets. But there aren’t any enemies.

[It isn’t a charge. It has to be a ranged attack.]

Again, her words must be transmitted to the army as I see walls of ice and earth rising from the ground. Though not quickly enough. As the covers come up, dozens of dark shapes rain down from the gray sky. I spread myself a little further, making sure Kierra is shielded, as too many arrows to count rain down on us.