Chapter 142:

Castle Etoile loomed before Anton. The Black Rider Fortress was utterly massive, a multi-layered stone castle standing proud in an otherwise expansive grasslands. However life extended well beyond its stone confines; a sprawling camp of many thousands surrounded the castle with a small layered wooden palisade wall for defence, hundreds of thin smoke trails rising high into the air.

“About time.” Duchess Belinda stuck her head through the portal in her carriage. “We couldn’t be another day late.”

Their numbers had continued to swell; simple farmers, huntsmen and guards joined their throng, alongside the Yellow Strikers Knights. While garish they held an unmistakable aura of strength and superiority that they, thankfully, didn’t force upon the common soldiers travelling with them. Doubly so after Duchess Belinda and Conrad stressed the magical strength that Anton possessed. Instead of becoming more friendly they kept to themselves, not the ideal outcome but it limited potential animosity to a bare minimum.

“A shame I didn’t get to meet the man.” Anton mused. “King Lambert. He sounds like he was a good King.”

“He was. A very good King. But ultimately, that didn’t save him.”

“Would he have helped us?”

“Absolutely.” Belinda chuckled. “He asked me, in private, if you could be trusted.”

“I’m sure you put in a good word for me.”

“…For all the good it did.” Belinda sighed, dramatically throwing her hand into the air. “But I’m sure Leo will be just as welcoming. Especially if Alfred’s had his ear for the past few days.”

“Riders approaching.” Cetina pointed forward.

A small group of twenty horses, lightly armoured, ran towards them. The camp immediately came to a higher alert; soldiers equipped their weapons and readied themselves for an attack. Anton saw some wearing exceedingly bright clothes. Just like the mages in the Basilisk swamp.

“Principle Mages?” Anton rubbed his chin. “Do you think any would be willing to move to Atros?”

Belinda laughed. “Absolutely not. I’m sure they’re complaining that there are commoners breathing the same air as them, let alone moving to some frontier backwater town. No offence, of course.”

“None taken. It’s what it really is.”

Conrad and several White Dog mercenaries rode alongside. “Light cavalry. No markings of a Knight Order.” Conrad smirked at the Knights travelling with them. “These guys love to show off their colours. Probably a local lord’s detachment. Seems like Leo’s done well in gaining their trust. That’s not easy for a Prince, especially one that’s going against the King, or Kings. Whatever.”

“Seems competent.”

“I’ve heard he’s a womanizer too.” Conrad laughed. “Better keep your woman there close.”

“If he tries anything I’ll put him in his place.” Anton glanced at Cetina. “I’m not going to give up my bodyguard to anyone.”

“I…Thanks.” Cetina suppressed a smile, shaking her head derisively.

“So stay close though.”

Cetina nodded. The cavalry approached, the men looked intimidating but were undeniably a little nervous. Not surprising considering there were several thousand people travelling with them.

“In the name of King Leo, identify yourselves.”

Belinda’s carriage door opened. “Duchess Belinda. Bringing reinforcements to King Leo for the march on the capital.”

The cavalry commander looked over the soldiers. When he saw the brightly coloured Knights his face relaxed.

“Please follow me. We have a section of the camp cordoned off for you. King Leo was adamant that you would arrive soon.”

“Lead on.” Belinda closed the door.

The cavalry led their convoy through the camp. Immediately Anton’s senses were assaulted by the smell of human waste. The flat ground didn’t have anywhere where such leavings could be safely removed and dealt with, nor a little river for some poor soul to suffer downstream. Lightly armoured soldiers stared as they passed, mostly concerned with the bright and gaudy Knights. Conrad scoffed at the attention lavished upon them.

Their section of the camp reserved for them was quite good, all things considered. The tents were large and well organised, secluded from the rest of the camp via a small wooden wall and room for their horses. Anton hopped off as a soldier took his horse to be moved to a stable. He took the packs containing the portal stones, the most important thing he had, and slung it over his side. Cetina offered to take his but declined.

“I’ll be fine.”

“I really should take it.” Cetina frowned lightly. “If you’re supposed to be a representative of Atros you probably shouldn’t be introduced to the potential King of the Qaiviel Kingdom looking like a vagabond.”

Anton smiled. “But you won’t be able to use your sword properly if you have this over your back. I don’t even need to raise my hand.”

Cetina pouted. “It still looks bad.”

“Alright. Let’s just make sure it sits right on your back.”

The pack was fastened to Cetina’s back, very similar to a school backpack from Earth. Anton smiled but Cetina didn’t understand.

“I’ll tell you later. Now, where is Duchess Belinda?

“Here.”

Belinda raised her red dress as she stepped across the trodden grass. Though her dress wasn’t long enough to catch the dirt it was better to be safe.

“I actually prefer your city,” Belinda grunted at the ground. “At least there wasn’t horse poo everywhere.”

“It’s not all from horses,” Cetina said softly.

“Oh…” Belinda turned to Conrad and Hemiskr, waiting patiently behind. “Make sure everyone is fed and rested. Where…Where are the Yellow Strikers?”

“They dropped away when we were entering the camp.” Hemiskr began. “They drifted towards the Blue Firestorm and Grey Lightning camps.”

“Well….That’s incredibly disappointing.” Belinda shrugged. “The Knight Orders are just as arrogant as I thought. Well, not all of them are. I’d still like to have a bit more in the numbers but I’m sure that you will make up for it. Will you be bringing the other two? Verona and Kal?”

“I will. I just need somewhere safe and secure to do it.”

They passed through the rudimentary outer camp and into the fortress proper. Heavily armoured soldiers wearing jet black armour, Anton was sure one was a woman, attempted to bar their passage but upon seeing Duchess Belinda they allowed them passage. Someone tried to sneak past and was promptly stuck hard in the gut with the butt of a halberd before being thrown into a muddy pile, of something other than mud.

Cetina’s arm thumped hard against his chest as they stepped through. She nodded towards a large pile of bodies next to the gate. Dead men and women had been tossed together, everything had been scavenged from their body except for bloodstained white clothes. Beyond them lay a pile of cheap weapons and armour, rummaged through by men and women wearing brightly coloured clothes, cleaning and repairing them before stacking them on small carts.

“There’s no point in leaving good weapons go to waste,” Belinda said. “And it gives the Pages and Squires something to do.”

“Not exactly what comes up in my mind when I hear Pages and Squires but I’ll believe you.”

“They need to start somewhere.” Belinda shrugged. “And it keeps them busy. They’ll be kept busy no matter how long this war lasts.”

---[]---

With Verona and Kal by his side, Kal once again wearing the stuffy white and green mask, they began the ascent to the top of the central castle. Alfred, Belinda’s tireless butler, greeted and, before many words could be exchanged, directed them up the stairs to the highest point of the castle. Anton passed many maids and servants, not all wore the black clothes of the Black Riders, many had a blue and white garb, apparently a small selection of Pages and Squires from the Blue Firestorm Order. Belinda explained they were some of the few people trusted in the same buildings as the King, but even though they weren’t allowed nearby.

“How many people does a King need?” Verona asked, tapping her boots on the stone floor. “This all seems very familiar somehow.”

“It’s not just for the King.” Belinda took the stairs slower than anyone else. No one else wore a skirt. “This castle serves hundreds of people and horses. Do you expect this place to function on just a few soldiers? Who will run the kitchens?”

“Oh. How big are those?”

“Please don’t encourage her,” Anton said, Kal sighed and pushed Verona to keep her moving. “Make sure that no one removes your mask, Kal. It’ll only make this thing a lot more difficult.”

“I probably should just go back to The Shadow Isles.” Kal murmured, clearly she still wanted to be here with them.

“If you have to come here again it’s best they know who you are right now. They aren’t just going to let you wander around a camp with that mask. And if they find out…”

“I’ll remain vigilant.”

“So long as this whole thing doesn’t turn out like last time.” Anton mused.

“What happened last time?” Belinda asked.

“It didn’t go well.” Verona laughed. “Let’s just leave it at that.”

Belinda looked a little more apprehensive but her path had already been set.

Alfred brought them to a halt before a large wooden door, flanked by Black Rider Knights. Though Verona was joking her words rung true. Hopefully, things would be better this time, Leo sounded more reasonable than the Mist Walker Elders.

Alfred raised his hands. “There are a few things that I need to explain to you before we enter. And these cannot be repeated outside of this room.”

“And you’re telling us here?” Anton asked.

Alfred nodded, whispering to them the death of Prince Giles, and Harold and Valérie’s incestuous relationship. All were silent for a time. Not even Verona had something funny to say.

“So please do not mention any of that,” Alfred said. “And please let us introduce you first before you say anything. King Leo is still very new and he needs to know how to deal with unexpected events and those that do not adhere to our customs, like you…four are going to bring.”

Alfred frowned lightly. “How did you get to Bebbezzar?”

Anton waved him down. “Anything that might set Leo off?”

“Perhaps blaming him for what happened. Otherwise not really. He has already dealt with several mayors that have proven to be quite hostile to his new reign but won them over regardless. So he is flexible when dealing with people.”

“Hopefully we can be of better use this time.”

And we don’t have to depose a King. Would Belinda end up ruling? That might actually be good for us in the long run.

Verona and Cetina bumped his sides. Alfred nodded to the guards and opened the heavy doors. Verona groaned at the sight, it was exactly as they had described what happened on The Shadow Isles. The interior was nearly identical too. A large wooden table sat in front of a large open balcony, allowing a completely unimpeded view of the lands north of the castle. The table itself was littered with maps and papers with three men leaning over the largest and another two standing well behind. Anton recognised two. Marcus, commander of the Knightly Order, stood hunched over next to the table, speaking with a young man wearing simple yet expertly crafted metal armour and another gigantic Black Rider Knight. Behind them stood a young boy wearing a golden set of clothes and another Blue Firestorm Knight. Castor, Marcus’s second in command and a man that grievously insulted Verona and Kal. Hopefully, he had learned his lesson.

The Black Rider Knight rose up. “Alfred. I see that your lady has returned.”

His voice growled with every spoken letter.

“I see that your guidance has done little to mellow Bernard,” Belinda said.

“I have tried.” Marcus smiled at the unmoving and seemingly unfeeling Bernard. “I’d have greater success winning this war by myself.”

Castor’s body turned rigid upon recognising them. The young boy looked him up and down, confused as to his reaction. Castor scrunched his fist and forced himself to remain calm.

“Anton?” Marcus raised his finger as he approached. “That’s right. You’re wearing better armour than I last saw you with. Last time it was just some scrap that Belinda had given you, not this fancy gear.”

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“We’ve been having our own little adventure.” Anton shook his hand, firm but not crushingly tight. “Sounds like you have as well.”

Anton wasn’t sure if Marcus was about to give him a hug, the girls were ready to intervene in their own way.

“Yes. Though I would much prefer to be on the border watching the snow. So much better than this.”

Marcus pointed to the young boy. “This is Noah, a Page from the Golden Roar. We’ll explain later how and why he’s here, and this is King Leo of the Qaiviel Kingdom.”

While they had been speaking Leo remained silent, carefully listening to the words Bernard whispered into his ear and occasionally nodding. Everything that was occurring in this room was extremely informal. Anton hoped he wouldn’t take offence by their manner of speaking.

Let’s try and do this right.

“I am honoured to meet the King of Qaiviel.” Anton bowed his head, followed by the girls. “I merely wish that we met underneath better circumstances.”

Leo took another word from Bernard and nodded. “As do I, Anton. All things considered, I’d rather still be a Prince rather than a King. But fate has a way of making those decisions for us. Alfred and Belinda, especially Alfred, spoke much of your abilities. I hope that you will be of help during the coming days.”

Leo motioned them towards the far side of the table. Noah coughed lightly, producing a tray with four glasses of wine.

I have the poison immunity but it’s best to double check.

Anton cast the prayer on himself and on the girls before taking the drink. Kal politely refused, no one appeared to mind. The wine was exceedingly good and no sign of poison or any sort of corruption.

“Thank you.” Anton gently laid the glass cup back onto the silver tray. “Duchess Belinda has already informed me of most of what is happening. I…Do not believe that you need it reiterated. So, what is the plan and how can we help? Just bear in mind that there are only four of us.”

Leo slowly nodded before tapping the largest map strewn across the table. “In four days the bulk of our forces will have assembled at Castle Etoile. We can’t expect many more after that; just about everyone that’s willing to fight with us has already joined, those that haven’t chosen a side are trying lying low to avoid the bloodshed but that won’t save them. Not to mention Harold has the Royal Army at their beck and call and all of the garrisons dotted around the country-”

“We still have not detected any movement from those garrisons.” Marcus glanced at Alfred. “We don’t know if they’re planning something or they’re refusing his commands.”

“Are you worried about any attacks to your rear?” Anton asked.

“No,” Bernard said flatly.

Ever since entering the room, and especially upon nearing the table he had kept a very firm eye on Anton.

I was the person accused of heresy and kind of starting this whole mess, though indirectly. He obviously thinks I might be able to control minds…I sort of can I suppose.

“Every day we waste only gives them more time to gather their forces and strength.” Leo pointed a dagger at the capital. “We cannot win if we plan to drag this war out.” Leo tapped the table. “I might not be the smartest person but even I can understand that we are on the losing side. So we have no choice but to strike a decisive blow immediately.”

“If they have magical defences I might be in a bit of trouble.” Anton summoned a small fireball. Those new to Anton were surprised by the ease of his magical control. “Glyph and Principle Magic really isn’t that compatible.”

“Alfred has devised a plan to deal with the mages.” Leo received a nod. “They shouldn’t be much of a problem when we march on the capital.”

“Please don’t think of us as simple mercenaries when you are planning your battles,” Anton said. “We will fight for you, but we aren’t going to be ordered around like a common soldier or battle-mage. No suicidal mission so you don’t have to pay us.”

Leo chuckled, dismissing a looming Bernard. “Alfred said you lot were strange.”

His attention was drawn to the girls’ bodies for just a moment.

I’ve seen more than enough pretty maids in this castle. If you want one of them then go for it, but you aren’t laying a finger on any of them…Did I just agree to Verona’s little plan?

“But I agree. Perhaps it is best if you are granted some autonomy.” Leo smiled. “So long as you actually contribute.”

“We will.” Verona tapped the table. “Don’t worry about that.”

“And what can you offer, Clanswoman?”

Behind Leo, Castor visibly paled. He remembered all too well that Verona could easily kill everyone in this room without any effort, doubly so with her newfound knowledge and Effigy. Bernard picked up on Castor’s distress and relayed the message to Leo. Leo coughed and refocused himself.

“My apologies.” Leo tapped his chest with his mailed fist. “I am still new to Kingship. Turns out I can’t behave like when I was a Prince. That nearly cost me several thousand soldiers already.”

Marcus’s eyes turned vacant yet deeply annoyed. Probably a faux pa with a local lord. Caught trying to seduce his daughter or wife?

“Unfortunately we do not have control of the royal treasury.” Marcus began, the vacant look disappearing. “So we cannot pay you right now.”

“We have already agreed to a preliminary reward.” Belinda waved down their concerns. “A generous sum of gold and access to all of the Qaiviel libraries.”

“Those are acceptable rewards,” Anton said. “We will aid you in this war.”

Leo nodded. “Very well. So long as, as a mercenary, you do your part I’m sure that everything will go fine. But all of it will be for nought if I am not the only King of Qaiviel.” Leo gripped his hand tight, the metal mail grated underneath the strain. “I’ll see my brother hang for what they did to my father and my kingdom.”

Already calling yourself King? I suppose you’re better than sending massive human waves of civilians and creating those hideous Stitch Soldiers.

A loud knock came from the door. Everyone rested their hands on their weapons. Noah hesitantly approached the door and slowly pulled the creaking door open. A lightly armed Black Rider, a Squire, breathed heavily, a hand resting against the door.

“Speak,” Bernard ordered.

“Forgive me, my lord. My King. Our scouts have spotted a small force approaching from the north. About one hundred horses, fifty are Knights with bright red armour.”

“Red Salamanders?” Marcus frowned. “Why are they here? They’re on the other side of the kingdom.”

“I don’t know, my lord. What do we do?”

Marcus looked at Leo. Leo held his chin, his eyes in deep thought.

“Let’s see…Far too few to attack us successfully. Clearly a messenger.” Leo nodded. “Bring them into the castle, but make sure they surrender their weapons. And make sure they aren’t Principle Mages in disguise.”

“They won’t get far with us here.” Anton smiled. “So who’s in command of the Red Salamanders?”

---[]---

Anton felt extremely out of place. The tension in the room was so thick it could be cleaved with an axe. No one said a word, only the light clinking of Noah’s tray broke the oppressive silence. An elderly man sat stood across from King Leo. To Anton, who stood well behind the King, he looked completely unremarkable; simple but professionally made clothes and well-groomed hair. A small necklace caught his attention, the symbol of The Church of The Holy Father dangled around his neck but something was off. Compared to everything else it was remarkably dirty; this man wore the symbol of his faith but refused to maintain it. Very strange.

“Are they going to kill him?” Verona asked softly.

“To say they look angry is an understatement,” Kal added.

Anton couldn’t agree more.

“I should kill you for what you’ve done to the Kingdom,” Leo grumbled, his arms folded to control his trembling hands. “To my father. And everyone else your ilk has killed.”

“I probably should be killed,” Terill spoke very softly and calmly, completely unconcerned he could be cut down at a moment’s notice.

“Who is he?” Verona asked.

Belinda and Alfred stood to their side, why they all hadn’t been ejected from the room for this meeting was only down to Alfred’s influence over King Leo. Alfred explained Terrill’s position; an inquisitor of The Church of The Holy Father, part of the force trying to increase the Church’s influence over the Kingdom and present during the coup. And a man that despised heretical Glyph magic and held incredible disdain for Beast-kin.

“You should have stayed in the capital,” Bernard growled. “Why are you even here?”

Terill slowly nodded. “I agree. As of now, my life is at the mercy of Queen Lila.”

“Lila?” Leo stepped back, slightly stunned. He blinked at the table then to the ground. “She’s alive? How did they not find her? She’s just one girl?”

Anton reached around Verona and Cetina, tapping Alfred’s arm. “Who’s that?”

“The first princess of the Qaiviel Kingdom,” Alfred whispered back. Belinda stood beside him and leant around his elderly butler. “She went missing after the initial coup and no one heard anything about her. We presumed that she was dead like King Lambert.”

“Doesn’t seem too happy about that.”

Alfred nodded. “Indeed.”

Leo tapped the table. “How? How did she survive the Stitch Soldiers in the throne room? I only survived because I was dragged out of there.”

“Lila slipped away during the initial fight through a secret panel. I decided to leave when Cardinal Abeau hinted that I would be killed, since I didn’t have anything to do with the coup and the death of your father-”

“Liar!” Leo slammed the table. He pointed an accusatory finger at Terill, who didn’t flinch or respond other than looking at his finger. “You’re a part of The Church and part of what happened.”

Terill sighed lightly. “I cannot prove that I was not. Regardless, I must ask you to forgive me for the part that I played. My lack of oversight allowed this to happen.”

Terill bowed deeply. Leo remained angry abated slightly.

“But I have a message from Queen Lila for you.”

“Queen? Lila?” Leo scoffed. “That completely uninteresting girl thinks she is a Queen?”

“She is far stronger and smarter than you think. Five Knight Orders and thousands of soldiers follow her commands with nothing more than the strength of her words and conviction. She only had me at the beginning, she didn’t have loyal retainers or two entire Knight Orders at her disposal.”

Leo wanted to say something but Bernard held his shoulder. The stoic man shook his head and Leo relaxed.

“Perhaps. But as King Lambert’s first son I am the rightful King. Not her. She will never be Queen.”

Terill flinched and looked incredibly awkward. A strange reaction to the possibility of a woman taking the throne.

“I suppose that really depends on who gets the throne first.” Terill produced two slim pieces of paper from his shirt. “Queen Lila plans to retake the Kingdom, on her own if necessary, but we should work together.”

“What is this?” Leo asked.

Marcus took the paper and read the contents. A smirk crept up his face before passing them to Leo. Leo’s eyes scanned only the top of the first page before tossing it aside. Noah picked up the paper, genuine sadness on his face before he placed it on the table before Leo. Leo brushed it aside again and placed the second paper on the table, placing small weights on the edges.

“Lila has more balls than Harold.” Leo snickered. “If I’d known she could be this brave and daring I would have paid her more attention.”

Anton leant forward; the first page was a letter, quite a detailed letter of a sister trying to implore her brother to work with her. The second was a simple map of the Qaiviel Kingdom divided into two colours. The Qaiviel Kingdom carved into two.

“Queen Lila will take the western half of the Qaiviel Kingdom and you will keep the eastern half, including the capital and surrounding territories.”

“Are you serious?” Leo tossed the map into the air, Noah caught the page delicately. “She’s planning to take half of my Kingdom away from me.”

Terill continued to look blankly at Leo.

Leo took a deep breath. “Marcus, Bernard, Alfred, you are my advisors. What should I do?”

“I think you should take the offer,” Marcus said. “Though, perhaps inappropriate to bring up, you don’t actually have a Kingdom. If you were to fight your sister Harold would only become stronger. And if you were to fight after deposing your brother it would only destroy the Kingdom further.”

“I believe you should as well.” Alfred continued. “The Qaiviel Kingdom cannot afford a single civil war, let alone two. Lila has amassed considerable forces herself, though smaller than yours, and clearly has some skilled commanders with her, thanks to the Knight Orders. Since the split contains most of the major ports and the cities to the south, so it’s not poor in the slightest.”

Bernard grumbled. “My duty is to the King. And that is you, Leo. I will follow your wishes but…Perhaps we should. The immediate land around the capital is very rich and prosperous. Though if Lila attempts to try and take any more than this I will not hesitate to cut her down and anyone else that stands with her.”

“Very well.” Leo nodded. “Tell Lila that we will work together. But I am moving on the capital immediately. If she doesn’t contribute to the assault and removal of my brother and mother I won’t recognise this. There’s no way a Queen will ever sit on the throne of Qaiviel by sitting on her fat arse while I do all the work.”

There’s no love lost between you two, well, at least for your sister. This will all probably end quite badly, maybe even another war.

Leo face slowly fell, memories of happier times threatened to overwhelm him. He slammed a fist into his leg and closed his eyes.

“Tell me something, Terill. You were there after the coup, at least for a little while. Tell me.” Leo’s voice almost began to quiver. “Tell me why Harold, Giles and Valérie killed my father. And why my mother killed my brother.”

Terill shifted in his seat. “Valérie had a vision, during a visit to a cathedral to the west. She saw an angel, I don’t know if she actually did or she’s just insane-”

“You’re talking about my mother.”

“Your mother killed her husband, her son and is in a physical relationship with your brother. What else would you call it?”

Leo said nothing.

Terill sighed lightly and continued. “Queen Valérie said the angel told her to seize control of the Qaiviel Kingdom, to place Harold on the throne and destroy a growing heretical force to the east.” Terill looked at Anton. “And I presume that’s you four. You don’t dress like anyone from Qaiviel I know, perhaps one from Bebbezzar.”

“It appears what Abeau said was correct.” Marcus smiled. “Sort of.”

“And to destroy them by any means necessary.” Terill shrugging sadly. “That’s why she plotted to put Harold on the throne. Madness I say.”

“My mother seemed so normal most of the time.” Leo sighed. “She had her quirks but who doesn’t?”

“That’s what the angel said to do. And Valérie followed her words to the letter.”

Something nagged at the back of Anton’s head. A crusade, tens or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Qaiviel could easily wipe Atros off the map without any effort. And there was someone that could be described as angelic that wanted to destroy Atros. She had already tried once before.

“Do you know what this angel looked like?” Anton asked.

“Valérie did describe her.” Terill coughed. “A young woman with flowing blonde hair, tall and quite voluptuous, even more so than Valérie, nestled in a forest surrounded by deers.”

Anton’s blood turned cold then hot. “I see.”

“Do you know anything?” Belinda asked.

“Not really.” Anton leant against the wall, clasping his ring hand with his left. “I thought it might reveal something. See if this angel is just an excuse or something more.”

“I’ve checked the scripture and there are no angels of The Holy Father that look anything like the one she described. I suspect that she’s been fooled by some demonic being into causing all this madness.”

“Not much we can do there.” Leo pushed the divided map towards Terill.

As Terill and Leo began speaking about the finer details of the division of the Qaiviel Kingdom, Anton bumped Verona and Kal.

"That damned bitch still wants to destroy us,” Anton spoke into the rings. The girls looked to him, Verona clasped her hand shut.

“Nithroel? I thought we were on good terms. At least we weren’t supposed to kill each other.”

“That agreement she made obviously means nothing. It’s like a little legal loophole; she’s not attacking us but she’s just encouraging someone to fight us in her stead.”

“Stupid fat bitch.”

“Sounds like we have no choice now,” Kal said quietly. “But if we return to The Shadow Isles it’ll be only you two. I still need to heal the wounded and crippled Dark Elves. And if they don’t want Verona to be here because of her powers…Will that be enough?”

“It’ll have to be. I’m not letting Nithroel destroy our home.”

“And you aren’t telling them this because?” Cetina asked.

“Right now it would only complicate things. We need to have a chat with our gods right away, see what they can do about this. There might be a way to stop a total war between the gods that’ll destroy this world.”

Anton prayed to Tethra to set up a meeting with their gods, including Jira. As before at the Kobolds camp, the mana vanished into the ether but he felt nothing in return. They would simply have to wait.

Leo slowly nodded as he took the map and passed it to Noah. Noah, trying his utmost, tried to present Leo with the letter. He grunted and waved it aside, leaving Noah somewhat despondent.

“I agree to this.” Leo turned to the larger map of Qaiviel near the table. “There is a large town to the west. We passed through it on the way to Castle Etoile. And they’ve refused to join me. Bernard, how many soldiers do you think they could muster?”

“Five thousand, easily.” Bernard folded his arms. “Good quality soldiers too. A couple hundred cavalry too. Maybe even a mage. It’s large enough to potentially have one, though I’m sure the mayor doesn’t have one.”

Leo nodded and turned back to Terill. “Tell Lila, I refuse to call her Queen, we will be attacking this city immediately. Before they can join Harold we’ll take it from them. Our new mercenaries will be put to good use.”

Anton gave a curt nod, all that Leo needed.

“My King.” Alfred bowed as he took a step forward. “I know several people from the town. The mayor is not well liked, and the people do not believe that Lambert would give the crown to Harold, or Giles, before you. However, he is well protected by well-paid mercenaries. If we remove him, in a show of force, I suspect nearly all of the town's forces can be convinced to join you.”

“I will return to Lila’s side and convey your message.” Terill slowly stood up. His eyes fell upon the letter but he kept his disappointment to a minimum. “Lila will have already marched on several targets by now and should be ten days away from the capital. I wish you the best of luck, King Leo.”

Terill bowed deeply, almost enough to hit the table. Leo returned a curt nod as Terill was escorted out of the room. He spared a glance for Anton, something told him he would be seeing more of this fallen Inquisitor before they were through with Qaiviel.

“Bernard, Marcus. Prepare our forces for an assault.” Leo turned to Anton. “I trust that you will be joining us.”

“We will do everything we can so the assault is a success,” Anton replied. “Any trouble spots will be reduced to rubble.”

“What about me?” Verona asked softly. Her body glowed as a blood shard formed over her hand. “Are you sure you want someone like me here? Since it’s so obvious that I use Glyph Magic?”

“Perhaps.” Marcus stroked his beard. “But I’m sure word of your…Abilities, will spread. You can do that easier than when I last saw you.”

Verona chuckled. “I think so too.” She looked to Anton. “Unless there’s a big battle Kal and I will be...Elsewhere. At least we won’t offend anyone with our presence.”

“We should be more than enough.” Anton created a fire and lightning bomb.

“Hopefully the mayor will see reason.” Marcus chuckled. “Or the people will get rid of him before we actually attack.”

“Either way.” Leo turned to the large map, putting a tiny red knobbed pin into the city. “Our first true siege of this civil war begins.”