They went through three days straight of planning and discussion, endlessly going over and over every little detail until everyone was satisfied with the plan. All across the battlefront, other generals and local armies were doing the exact same thing for their specific sections, though many used the long range communication device to ask Faian or Ballast a question if they got stuck. From what Zalia picked up through the course of the discussions, there were three main encampments along the length of the border they held. Faian’s was the furthest north with another south and one more even further south of that. The camp that was farthest south was officially where Ballast and his soldiers were stationed but they had taken on the role of roaming reinforcements, travelling to wherever was needed. Only a token force was left in that southernmost camp, the majority of the war taking place more centrally towards where the capital of Endaria was.
At the end of the three days a plan was set. All of the rebellion's forces would make their way towards the capital, avoiding enemy soldiers where possible and fighting through where necessary. Certain sections would group up with others at set locations until they arrived as one singular large force. One of the main issues and the largest point of contention between the generals with this stage of the plan would be that they were leaving enemy soldiers behind that could harass or even form into a larger fighting unit to flank them. It was definitely a weak point in the plan but Faian thought the risk was necessary. They would then assault the capital and hopefully take it within short order. One of the reasons that the generals thought this would be possible was the most recent change within the kingdom's armies. When they got the Morning’s Shade involved to take care of the elemental issues, the majority of the soldiers who were kept behind within the kingdom’s borders to deal with that issue were moved outwards to the battlefront. This meant that there weren't nearly as many people defending the capital and an organised and efficient push through to reach it may yet succeed.
The reason that convinced the final held out general about the plan was the strange actions of the king. His most recent actions would lead to a definite loss in the war in the long term whilst giving him a strong front in the short term. While losing the war, the king could be slowly moving back forces in a defensive retreat to delay his loss as long as possible. Instead, attacks on the camps were more prolific than ever, the most recent a good example. This would naturally lead to a more defensive stance from the rebellion, allowing the king's armies to dash themselves against their well set defensive positions. The only reason that they could deduce that would cause that kind of behaviour is if he expected some reinforcements or method of winning the war shortly. The constant discovery of more ritual sites and the further agitation of elementals across the lands only added to the theory that something big was coming, soon. This meant that they would need to act unexpectedly and push straight to the capital and stop whatever it is the king planned. After they had captured the capital they would be able to use it's own defences to capture back the kingdom from a central point. So, they agreed it was the right plan and made ready to begin. Of course, it could all be a trap set by the king to get them to do exactly this but they didn't have much choice.
Zalia and her team had a slightly less explicitly dangerous task. They would go back to the Morning’s Shade and convince them that they believed it to be the rebels who were the cause of all the ritual sites. They would tell Hidey that they managed to deceive the rebels into thinking they would be on their side and learnt of their plans. They would have to convince Hidey that the rebels planned and were already moving all their forces far south to push through the weak defences there and strike out at a large town a week's distance from the capital. If they were correct about Hidey’s hidden controller being the king, he would learn of the plans through Hidey and react accordingly, sending his armies down to counter the attack. Hopefully that would give the rebellion a little bit of leeway and some extra time in their own actions. There were, of course, many more specifics to each and every part of the plan for the rebellion's side but Zalia and her team's goal was thankfully simple and specific. After they had accomplished their own part of the plan, they could either leave to wherever they wanted to go or stay to see if the plan worked.
If possible, they were also meant to convince some of the stronger members of the Morning’s Shade to head to the capital to confront the king. This was a very risky idea however and they were only to do it if they thought it absolutely would not get back to Hidey. After all, they weren’t high ranking members of the organisation and most would not trust their word over the word of Hidey himself.
It was the morning of the fourth day that Zalia and her team departed. They were given a small stone object that when cracked would send a signal to the rebellion that their part of the task was done. They now trekked through the forests as they made their way back towards Endelbyrn.
“I think this could work,” Ember was saying.
“I definitely feel a lot better for not being the only ones that know so much. Our part is so much simpler now it's quite freeing,” Zalia replied.
“Like the weight of the world has been lifted off our shoulders,” Zen added.
Indis was walking some ten metres in front of them, not taking part in the conversation. Zalia glanced towards the woman for the hundredth time since they had left the camp, her emotions surrounding Indis’ actions still a confused mess.
“What are you going to do once we are done with all this?” Zalia asked Ember.
None of them had specifically said it but they were each leaving the Morning’s Shade once this was all said and done. Either way, there would be no place for them there.
“Well, I think I'm going to try and help all the people who will be in need after the war, like you suggested,” Ember replied.
“I think I’m going to go south, see the desert lands and the people who live there. Maybe further north than we ever went as well. I also really want to see what is further east, where the Astar live. I know Indis said that they don't accept humans within their lands but I want to try anyway. You would always be welcome to join me if you wanted,” Zalia offered.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Ember promised.
Zalia knew Ember wouldn't come with her, the woman just wouldn't be able to leave behind people in need. She hadn’t really expected otherwise but thought it worth a try.
“I’m going to work the fields with my family, relax in the sun and live peacefully for the rest of my days,” Zen said dreamily.
Zalia did have to admit, it sounded pretty nice. She glanced once more at Indis walking ahead and decided to try and make a peace offering.
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“What about you Indis, what are you going to do once this is over?” Zalia called out.
Indis looked back, seeming a little shocked that Zalia had asked her but quickly fell back to answer.
“I don't really know, I haven't thought much about it. This is kind of my whole life, my family, my friends. I don't know if I’ll even have any of those once this is over,” she replied.
There was a short awkward silence but Zen quickly broke it,
“You could help the rebellion with leading the country. There will be a lot of confusion once this is over, the people won’t know what to think or believe. Someone who was a close member to the royal family might be a hope to grasp on to for many,” he suggested.
“That’s… not so bad of an idea. Thank you Zen,” Indis replied.
More and more recently, Zen had seemed to have grown out of his fantastical thinking. He had definitely become more sobered and thoughtful in his actions and words as of late.
“Are we going to go straight to Endelbyrn or are there any stops we want to make along the way?” Ember asked.
Zalia thought it over for a moment,
“I might have an idea that can help and it shouldn’t be too far out of the way. Why don't we try to convince Glemp and their people to help us?” Zalia asked in turn.
“It’s a bit late to be making changes in the plan, besides, why would they?” Indis asked back.
Zalia thought it over. She did remember there had been conflict in past between Glemp’s people and the humans.
“You’re probably right, just a thought. We go straight to Endelbyrn then, unless you two have an idea,” Zalia said, looking to Indis and Zen.
Both shook their heads.
With the decision made, they continued onwards.
⪼ ⪢ ℋ 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℋ ⪡ ⪻
Almost two weeks later as they were travelling, Zen stopped at a fork of the road. They were nearing Endelbyrn and the closer they got the more stressed. The moment of truth would soon come, whether they would be able to pull off a successful lie and help bring the downfall of the king. It was a terrible situation for all of them for different reasons yet they still each dreaded it equally. A lot could go wrong based on what happened with them now, though their task was simple it might be able to sway the course of the war either direction. Initially they had revelled at the lessened burden by the rebellion taking on the role of those who would have to invade the capital and attack the king. Now though, the stress had returned.
“Are you alright Zen?” Zalia asked.
“If I go down this road instead, it will take me home,” Zen replied, looking off into the distance.
“I wouldn't stop you,” Zalia said, realising what he wanted to do.
Indis looked like she was about to protest but Ember gave her a glare.
“No, I said I would help you see this to it's end. We only have to do one last thing, I can survive until afterwards,” Zen said, turning away from that other road and firmly stepping in the direction of Endelbyrn once more.
They all followed after, Zalia reading through her latest messages from the past two weeks. They hadn’t been idle during that time, often hunting beasts they passed by and Zalia training particularly hard. She had almost six extra hours each day, after all.
Congratulations! Kill shot has reached Iron 8.
Congratulations! Hunter’s sight has reached Iron 10.
Congratulations! Survivalist and associated skills have reached Iron 13.
Congratulations! Hunter class has reached Iron 8.
Congratulations! Flora identification has reached Iron 8.
Congratulations! Stasis has reached Iron 8.
Congratulations! Herbalist class has reached Iron 8.
Congratulations! Nature’s wrath has reached Iron 6.
Congratulations! Druid class has reached Iron 6.
Congratulations! Low light vision has gained three levels reaching Tin 20.
Congratulations! Low light vision has reached Iron 1.
Low light vision - passive
Tin - You see better in low light areas.
Iron - Your vision is able to pierce magical darkness of the same rank or lower of this ability.
Congratulations! Aura observation has gained three levels reaching Tin 19.
Congratulations! Mobility has reached Iron 17.
Congratulations! Teaching has reached Iron 7.
Congratulations! Bow - Weapon proficiency has reached Iron 15.
Congratulations! Sword - Weapon proficiency has gained two levels reaching Iron 8.
Congratulations! Throwing knives - Weapon proficiency has gained six levels reaching Tin 17.
It was steady progress, the new ability from low light vision being the most interesting upgrade. She hadn’t encountered any magical darkness yet as far as she knew but thought it a handy skill all the same.
It was the evening of that day when they finally arrived back in Endelbyrn, looking in at the fortress-like city with the glittering reflective walls and dark, light absorbing spires in the centre forming the vision of a dark castle within a halo of light.
“I don't think I’ll ever get tired of that sight, even in these dark days,” Ember said.
Zalia grunted in agreement, the other two nodding. They all stood there, almost as if none of them wanted to move any further. When they stepped into those walls they would have to play a role, lie to those they worked with and for. Once they were in those walls, one slip up could spell disaster for a lot of people. They had discussed and discussed again what exactly their story would be, what they would tell Hidey, how they would answer certain questions. Now it was time to play the part. With a sigh, Zalia took the first step forwards, Boreal following,
“Might as well get it over with,” she muttered.
The others soon followed and they walked down the slight decline towards the city.
All seemed normal as they passed through the gates, showing the little badge designed after the very view they had just witnessed to the guards. They walked through the streets of the city proper, many people going about their days as normal, completely unaware that the kingdom may soon fall. Before long the inner wall of the Morning’s Shade’s spires appeared and there too they were granted entrance. They stepped into the main spire’s grand entrance and began making their way through the winding stairs and passages towards where they knew Hidey’s office was.
They arrived at his door, coming to a stop before it. Zalia knocked.
“Come in,” the muffled voice came from beyond.
Zalia gave her team one last glance before grabbing the handle and pushing it down, swinging the door open.