Akaydon Meie Esist, known to the world as Kayd Meie, and to the man across from him as ‘Es’, sat in a quiet back room with his counterpart from Renand. Neither were visiting the neutral territory of Leviir in any official capacity; indeed, neither had officially left their own country at all.

Yet here they sat, very unofficially, to discuss the fate of the world.

“We’re not doing enough.” The Renandi man held his tea gripped in both hands, but had yet to drink a single drop.

“Your country has caused a very large disruption with its…” Akaydon’s vocabulary failed him and he waved his hands about helplessly. “Show of force, shall we say?”

“Necessary,” the Renandi retorted at once. “It is not directed against you.”

“Nonetheless, it’s… unprecedented.”

“As is the threat it is designed to counter.” The Renandi man remained tense and focused, staring at Akaydon with an intensity that left him momentarily speechless. “A threat which you must prepare for.”

Akaydon drew a slow sip of tea, holding the cup lightly to show how little the fate of the world worried him, how little the man was getting to him.

“You can’t pretend you aren’t worried.” The Renandi slammed the cup down on the table with enough force to rattle the other dishes. Akaydon found himself surprised that it hadn’t shattered. “ZeMaille cannot possibly be that ignorant.”

“Nersyd has given no indication of hostile intent,” Akaydon countered sharply. “You come here with your baseless accusations, flaunting your so-called army. What army? A few poorly trained children and their half-wild pets? And with this you presume to, what, put a stop to the presumed invasion of a foreign power that has never—“

“Nersyd began as a single small island-state. Once it had conquered its nearest neighbor, it took its armies to the north and conquered all three kingdoms on Risthein. Now it has turned its attention south, and ZeMaille would do well to join me in preparing.”

“As if Renand has anything to fear! Besides, that’s all ancient history. Nersyd’s expansion has been over for generations. No, your leaders are up to something else, and you’re only here to deflect attention away from your true intentions.”

“If I wished to deflect your focus with lies, there are any number of far more plausible stories I’d have put forward. You’d certainly be concerned if Rakri failed to hold the insertion point.”

“So you intend to visit the Fallenlands?”

“Stop deflecting from the real issue here. You say you worry about Renand’s attempt at a power play? Why not build up your own army to counter us? It makes perfect sense. And in the meantime, just keep an eye on your Nersyd border, in case my warning isn’t fallacious.”

Akaydon refused to be deflected. “You mentioned the insertion point. Why?”

“No real reason. Simply mentioning a plausible threat I could have used if I were making up stories.”

Something in his quick refutal rang hollow to Akaydon, and he narrowed his eyes at the Renandi. “I know you have already approached Lrend and Breih. I know you have told them different stories than what you tell me. I will not be deceived, Renandi! What is the truth?”

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“Renand is concerned about the potential threat from the Nersyd Empire’s historical expansion. We near an historic commemorative day, the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of their aquisition of Porrez.”

“What of it?”

“If you’ve studied Nersydan history or religion at all, you’d know what a significant number 250 is to them. It is a symbol of renewal and fire and power. Trust me. Even if they do not plan, as a country, to engage in conquest, the people will act. Perhaps stupidly, perhaps from some conspiracy, but on that anniversary there will be an uprising like never before. ZeMaille must be ready for it before the day comes, or you will fall before you have time to prepare.”

“A fine tale. But even if there is to be a handful of over-eager celebrants, you have failed to convince me of one very important question. Why does Renand care?”

“Is it so impossible to believe we have simply put together information you had no access to in order to warn everyone of an impending threat?”

“It is implausible to assume you would purchase every dragon egg on the continent without some very good reason. A group of drunken Nersydan patriots hyped up on tales of their glorious conquests generations long past? Insufficient. Your excuses will not gain you entrance.”

They continued to argue in this vein for several hours, but the Renandi refused to acknowledge any motive for his country’s actions beyond ‘concern’ and cited no threat but the nebulous possibility of Nersyd suddenly resuming its conquering ways.

Privately, Akaydon felt more concerned about Ans Ponrevia than the Nersyd Empire, for all that the former would need to conquer its way across the entire continent to reach ZeMaille, while Nersyd directly bordered ZeMaille to the west. The two countries had always gotten along well, and Akaydon saw no reason for that to stop now, whatever Renand thought it knew about anniversaries and religiously significant numbers.

Renand was trying to stir up trouble, spreading rumors and lies to foment unrest throughout the region.

But for the life of him, Akaydon couldn’t figure out why.

When the loud and increasingly short-tempered Renandi man finally left, Akaydon sat for a very long time staring into the distance, thinking over everything that had been said - and everything that hadn’t. He was so distracted by his thoughts that he very nearly overlooked the piece of paper that had fallen to the ground beside the Renandi’s chair.

Nearly.

The page was folded neatly, on heavy paper, the broken seal an unfamiliar crest. He unfolded the page gingerly, half expecting a trap spell. Instead, it bore only a few lines in a bold hand.

Nersyd will be forced to entirely evacuate Risthein by an unexpected breach in four years. ZeMaille is distracted by refugees and falls easily. Annasend can be convinced to help. Nersyd will be vulnerable. Northwest MUST be secured within two years of the breach if a new northern barrier is to be established.

The brief missive was signed with a circle crossed by three intersecting stylized eyes, an active spell circle that shimmered and danced in his vision, hard to focus on.

Akaydon fell back against the wall, his mouth suddenly going dry.

A verified prophecy.

Renand had gained access to a true Seer.

He refolded the page almost reverently, then stood unmoving as he tried to work up the courage to lay claim to the page. But loyalty quickly overrode superstition. This information was too valuable, too powerful, too dangerous. He had to get it to his leaders at once.

A breach! In only four years? No wonder Renand was rushing to build an army and forge alliances by whatever means necessary. A breach from the north would be far, far worse than an invasion by Nersyd.

It wasn't a threat to a country, it was a threat to survival on a global level. Last time a breach occurred, it had taken the greatest heroes of fifty realms to rend the known world in half and partition off the infested territory. Even now, maintaining the barrier preventing the incursion of anything from the Fallenlands was the highest priority of every country that still existed.

ZeMaille would have to join the alliance, pretend to swallow Renand's lies and lend their full strength.

Akaydon tucked the prophecy into his securest pocket, then began walking as quickly as dignity allowed to the stable. Before he was halfway, he abandoned dignity for haste.

By the time the Renandi spy realized what he’d lost, Akaydon would be long gone.

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