Ode stared at the child in front of her. If the tale that she had just been told was reiterated by anyone other than Alliana herself, she would have been very, very skeptical. “I think you might have the worst self-preservation skills I’ve ever seen,” she said, somewhat in awe of just how stupid Alister could act at times… Not that she’d say that in front of his mother.

Jacob just shook his head. “I… have got to agree. You chased after an assassin by yourself? Followed them who knows where? And now you can’t even do magic?”

This last bit made Alister’s eye twitch in annoyance, and put down the book that he’d been reading in an effort to ignore the lecture that was sure to come when Ode heard about the recent events, “I CAN do magic…just… not much, and I’ve been told not to…”

It had been two weeks since the prior events, and Wisteria had taken great pleasure in using her magic as much as possible in front of him to tease him for his inability. It didn’t hurt that it seemed to be the only thing that actually got his head out of books on a variety of topics. When asked about why he was reading so much, he would dodge around the subject.

“Alright. That’s the last piece of luggage on the train, Aside from us that is,” Marabell told the group as she carried her personal luggage she’d keep with her in the room, as well as three sets of chains over her shoulder.

Alister dreaded asking but knew he had to anyway, “Aunt Marabell…. Why the chains?”

Marabell just smiled and looked to her family, “To keep them in their damn seats of course. I take one look away from Olana and she’ll vanish, Harriet hates staying still so she’ll try to run around, and Reese…. Well, let's just say he magically becomes an expert on whatever transportation he's riding in and constantly feels the need to check it to make sure it is not tampered with. So, chains!” Alister was only able to muster a weak smile in response to the insanity before him as he was ushered into the train.

Having dumped his belongings in his sleeper cabin, Alister took a seat in one of the common room cars just in time to be able to watch Marabell finish locking her husband into his chair. His cousins watched as if this was normal. “Dear I just wish to take a quick look at the engine, with the recent attack you never know if they may try to sabotage our methods of exit and supply transportation. I assure you it will only take a minute,” Reese tried to explain.

Marabell just shook her head before turning to her daughters. “Olana, hand over your lockpicks,” she told the young beastkin, who paused before taking out a leather toolkit and giving it to her, Marabell stared down Olana who slowly took out another leather pouch. “And the ones you put in Harriet’s stuff,” Marabell added, Olana pouting as she reached into a pocket in Harriet's clothes. She pulled out a small cloth bag and gave it to her mother before sitting down in the chair and being locked in.

Harriet was quickly locked up as well and with all three secured, Marabell calmly sat down and took out a flask. Alister turned to his mother who just smiled, “Don’t judge her too much dear, I considered doing the same to your father during the first few carriage rides we took together, you should have seen the first time he tried to pick me up for an outing, he showed up on a 12 foot tall bird.” She sighed, glancing at Blas. Blas however was deep in thought.

Ever since the attack Blas had been running around the capitol speaking with other military nobles, as well as with the king. Aside from the valley route up north by the capital, the Severin territory held the main border with Dusau. The majority of the approaching war would be taking place there and the surrounding waters. It was only a matter of time until the war arrived…

The moment of silence from Blas evaporated the light mood like mist before the sun. The adults in the room took no time at all to know what was on Blas’ mind. Though Blas himself was the most impacted by the upcoming conflict, they all would have a role to play. Alliana, in a rare act of public affection, put her hand on the crook of his arm.

“We’ll manage it like we always do,” Alliana offered telepathically, trying to leave the kids out of the tough topic of conversation.

Blas sighed, sitting beside his wife, black hair tousled from stress. Both he and his brother Reese looked exhausted from all the worrying and planning. “Thank you, love. I know we’ll figure it out. I’m just… tired of death.”

“Aren’t we all… I’m dreading how I’m supposed to send my girls to the royal academy in a few years,” Reese added, glancing at the others. He had started reading a book despite being comedically chained up.

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“We need to move back to Rythwith quickly. I need to do so much work… I need to talk with Felthinus about so many things. We need to secure the southern passage… the waterways… the information lines…,” Blas fretted, running fingers through his hair as he stared out the train window. The whistle blew once, short and sweet to let others know they’d be off soon.

“I’ve even heard some commoners talking about another hero event like half a century ago!” Reese huffed, garnering a glance from the kids, “I know Duke Xalo is still around from then, but we hardly need another of those apocalypses.”

Marabell let her flask drop loudly onto the table, “Alright if we’re gonna talk about all this we might as well talk so they can hear us too. This is the world they are inheriting, they deserve to understand what’s going on.”

The group paused like their hand was caught in the treat jar, but Alliana broke the tension with a small chuckle, “You’re right. Alister, Olana, Harriet, we were just talking about the situation with Dusau and the possibility of war.”

“And hero events…,” Reese grumbled, continuing without hesitation, used to his wife’s stubbornness, “Commoners have been wondering after the attack and the sight of Alister and of King Kendrick and all that… if another hero crisis will be on the horizon in the next ten years or so when this young generation reaches adulthood.”

“Hero event or crisis?” Alister hmm’d, glancing from his tome, “Never heard of it.”

“Every fifty to one-hundred years, there’s a catastrophe that threatens the world of Bellianis. Last time, around fifty years ago, it was centered in Mare. Before the catastrophe, there are always a handful of people with impressive skill sets that are called geniuses. Incredible mages, fearsome warriors, etc.,” Alliana explained for him, “But that’s not exactly the topic we were talking about, Reese. Don’t derail us, please.”

“Sorry…,” he muttered.

“Dusau was the main topic of concern. There’s a war on the horizon, so it’s going to be the topic of conversation for the foreseeable future,” she continued, “Dusau has a very good navy and strong mountain presence. But they’re burdened by monster attacks that have been stressing their people. Naval battles will likely be more prevalent than land battles, which is the purview of Felthinus, primarily.”

Blas nodded, and the train whistled again, longer, before lurching forward, “After we stop at Rythwith we need to head to Keene again quickly; load up what we need and move back to the duchy’s capital. Then we have a lot of work on our hands. I’m sorry your birthday celebration has been delayed, Alister.”

“Oh it’s fine,” he waved it off, “I’ve barely thought about it.”

“Ah no, no, your father is right,” Alliana said, sighing, “it’ll be late by nearly a month, but once we move everything to Rythwith, we’ll hold you a belated celebration. You’re nine now. Regardless of the drama and chaos that’s gone on, I’m not going to just ignore your birthday.” She looked to Wisteria, “You turned thirteen a few months ago, yes? You didn’t get a celebration either. We should see if your mother wants to do anything when we pick her up.”

Wisteria held up her hands, “Oh! No no, I don't need anything. This whole trip has been the best gift I could’ve asked for. Even the dangerous bits have been worth it in the end. And you all even got me my rifle!”

She smiled at the girl, “So mature for your age.”

Blas turned back to his brother, “I’ll need you and Alliana to work together on the information network.” Reese nodded and Blas continued, “I don’t think they’ll jump on this immediately. It’ll take months to set up the materials and manpower. But they’ve no doubt got a head start on us. And with the terrorism… well, I dread to think what they’ve done with the distraction. But we still have a bit of time before I think they’d actually attack.”

Alister set aside his book for a moment to listen, “Are you going to have to fight, father?”

He tensed, then nodded, “Yes… I have to protect my territory at the very least. Even if Felthinus is the one leading navally, I tend to lead on land thanks to my beasts. I hate war… I don’t want to have to do this again…” Blas gave a shuddered sigh, “If they attack at the pass in Meran territory I might not have to fight directly, since it’s the archduchy, but I’ll still be giving aid when needed.”

“How long do you think a war would last?”

“That’s a hard question,” Reese said, “and honestly there’s no perfect answer. There are too many factors. It will likely be a war of attrition, however… so… years. Less direct death more indirect hardship. Especially for commoners on both sides. My guess? At least five years if both sides try to avoid open conflict. Because then it’s about the politics, and political discussions are never fast on the best of days.”

“Five years of freedom from war only to go right back…,” Blas whispered, staring out the window at the steadily faster-moving scenery.