Henry entered the meeting room, yawning and half asleep. Kyburn was sitting at the table and he wondered how long his lord had been waiting there.

“Morning, sir.” Henry greeted him. “Did you sleep?”

“I did.” Kyburn said, yawning after Henry. “Not much though.”

“Now that we know that Erik told the truth, what is our next move?” Henry asked.

“Arrangements will be made to section off the population into groups and find places for them to stay until…” Kyburn trailed off. “We can’t flood the cities with thousands of people, otherwise we won’t be able to support that number of civilians, which is why we must proceed with care and calculation.”

“If-” Henry cut short as footsteps made him aware of someone approaching around the corner.

Xerath and Cara simultaneously came into view and entered the room where Kyburn smiled faintly. There was a change between them, Henry could see it, but couldn’t tell exactly what. Cara looked… happier. As did Xerath, his hair was combed and his face clean-shaven. Then Henry guessed and he almost blushed but forced himself to greet them properly.

“My, lord. My lady.” Henry nodded his head and slightly bowed in respect.

“Henry.” Xerath acknowledged. “Kyburn do you know the whereabouts of Erik?”

“Last I heard he was in his chamber. I sent word to him of this meeting. He should-” Kyburn stopped abruptly as his eyes flicked to behind Xerath.

Erik stood behind them smiling. “You two look auspicious.” he grinned stupidly at them.

“Stop.” Cara said forcefully.

“Alright. Alright. I was only jesting.” he put his hands up in defeat and passed them, sitting in one of the chairs near Henry.

“Erik. I owe you an apology.” the room grew silent as a mouse, the sudden seriousness stuffed the room. Xerath gazed at his brother-in-law in a new light. “You were right. I don’t know how you knew this would happen but… you were right.”

Even Erik was taken aback. “That’s… alright, brother. I wouldn’t have believed me either.”

“No. You were telling us the truth and we didn’t take you seriously. For that I am sorry.” Xerath cleared his throat, uncomfortable with admitting his mistake but not prideful enough to do so.

“Thank you.” Erik said. “I knew because I saw it. Felkuru showed me.”

“I too am sorry, brother.” Cara said. “How you knew of this attack is still…” she paused. “Questionable. But, we believe you now.”

“Believing a mad man?” Erik pursed his lips jokingly. “Times have changed.”

“What actions will we take against Tykin for this attack?” Kyburn asked.

“Nothing. Yet.” Xerath said. “We have the Vulkiraian population to deal with at the moment and then we will decide what to do.”

“Now.” Xerath led Cara to the table and they sat down side by side. “I’ve already made preparations to allow your people to have safe haven in Qutreth. You will have the entire city to yourself.”

Cara looked unphased by the information, whereas Erik’s eyes nearly popped out in shock, his jaw dropping wide. Kyburn slightly cringed but kept his demeanor in check. Henry didn’t fully understand the ramifications of giving an entire city to a foreign nation would bring but he too was surprised by the news.

“What of the people living there? Lord Kelmin?” Erik asked.

“Lord Kelmin will do what he is told.” Xerath responded quickly. “As for the citizens, they will be moved elsewhere. Either Yegon or Ipoth and perhaps Zulin will take extras.”

“Absolutely, sire.” Kyburn said instantly. “Zulin and I will support your decision.”

“What of Aslone?” Cara asked. “They could take some of the citizens from Qutreth.”

“No.” Xerath shook his head. “Aslone is a military stronghold. I will not bother them with civilians.”

“Lord Kelmin will be extremely displeased.” Erik squinted. “I do not wish to cause you even more trouble than I already am.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Most of it will be voluntary. Some will resist of course but we will not abandon an ally in need.” Xerath said. “It will be difficult for you, as Qutreth will not fully house everyone but you will have to make due.”

“That is more than I would have asked for.” Erik said, still shocked. “Thank you, Xerath. Truly. And you sister.”

“It was Xerath’s idea.” Cara chimed in. “I had suggested spreading your people out in a way that is the least threatening to our citizens.”

Erik’s face hardened as she emphasized the words, your and our. Cara said it in a way that gave no doubt to who her allegiance was bound to, the man she had her arm wrapped around. It was subtle, but the meaning was clear. Cara was Xerian now, not Vulkirian.

It had been that way for some time, but Henry could see Erik felt uneasy.

“Onto more important business. Henry is here to help us with our language barrier.” Xerath gestured to him. “He will be deciphering the codes in the ruins.”

“You truly mean to awaken them then?” Erik asked, still unsure. “How long has it been? A decade? And still no results. You put high hopes in the boy.”

“Yes. If we are to defeat the Vog, we will need their help.” Xerath stated. “As for Henry.” the king stared at him. “I trust he will do what is necessary. However long it takes.”

“Firstly, what makes you say they will help us? Secondly, the Vog are not our true enemies.” Erik said bluntly. “There is something of far greater threat to us out there than them.”

Xerath froze at Erik’s words. No one else seemed to notice but Henry did. It was an odd response and Henry locked it into his memory. “More secrets.” he thought.

“And what greater threat is there than the Vog?” Cara said. “Tykin of course, but they are weak compared to these beasts. The reports speak for themselves. We hold little chance against them on our own, we need the Ancients' help if we are to regain Vulkira.”

Erik paused, pondering something, unsure and uneasy. “I’ve seen… other things. Nothing clear, only… feelings. The Vog came from somewhere else, they aren’t from Isulia originally.”

“What does that mean?” Henry jumped into the conversation. “Are they from outer space?” his youthful excitement was overshadowed by the question.

Xerath, Cara, and Kyburn looked at Henry like he was a child. “What? I-” Henry started.

“Read it in a book.” all three finished for him.

“Actually, I believe he is right.” Erik defended him. “I saw a glimpse of their home, which was not in Isulia and it was bleak and dead. There were stars in the sky that I did not recognize.”

“Wonderful.” Kyburn said sarcastically. “Aliens have invaded Isulia.”

“I don’t think they had a choice.” Erik said. “Something destroyed their home so they came here. They probably had nowhere else to go and tried to find a home here.”

“That’s all well and good until they literally took your kingdom out from under you.” Cara pointed out.

“Yes. There’s that.” Erik admitted, biting his lip. “They killed no human. They let every last one of us leave peacefully. What enemy would do that?” he countered.

“I see your point.” Kyburn said. “But we have to take Vulkira back. Friend or foe, the Vog must leave.”

Erik stayed silent, keeping something to himself. “Allow me to go to Riqun with you then.” he calmly said.

“Why would I allow that? What of your people?” Xerath asked. “Who will lead them?”

“Jebbin will lead them in my absence.” Erik said quickly. “As for the reasoning, I believe I will be able to help.”

“Jebbin?” Cara asked, shifting in her seat. “Is he here?”

“Of course. He is camped near Nolvis as we speak.” Erik replied.

“How would you help?” Xerath asked. “You know nothing of the Ancient’s language.”

“Yes… but I have seen something no one else has.” Erik said. “I have a connection with someone who knows how to wake them up.”

“And who is that?” Henry asked, knowing the answer.

“Felkuru.” Erik replied slowly.

Again, the room fell silent. No one spoke for a long time.

“That.” Kyburn began. “Could cause more problems than solutions.”

“How so?” Cara asked.

“For starters.” Kyburn continued. “If what he’s told us is true, there is a Vog in his head that can watch our every move.”

“But how does Felkuru know what to do?” Henry blurted out. “You say you can feel things but how does that work?”

Erik paused, looking at him, and before he could answer, Henry continued with his questions.

“If the Vog left their world, how did they get here?” Henry raised an eyebrow, not in disbelief but where his questions brought him in his mind. “What destroyed their world? Why did they flee their own?”

For the first time, Henry began to fully believe king Erik. Everything he had said so far was linked somehow to a greater threat. Something other than the Vog was a danger to them and Erik wanted to find out what it was. So too, did Henry.

The rest of the room caught on. “That’s why you want to go?” Xerath asked. “Not to help Kyburn or Henry, but to find out why all of this is happening.”

Erik said nothing but nodded slowly.

“Can you tell us what you saw?” Cara frowned.

“I-” Erik started. “I can’t be for sure. I only saw a brief image of a massive invasion. As for everything else you asked.” he looked at Henry. “I simply don’t have those answers. I am just as in the dark as the rest of you. Which is why I wish to go with you to Riqun. I believe there will be answers there for me. For us. I can feel it.”

“Let me guess.” Xerath smiled wryly. “Felkuru is feeling it too.”

“Perhaps.” Erik bit his lip again. “But I need to go. I need answers. I need a solution for my people. Surely you can understand that, Xerath.”

The king of Xer looked at his brother-in-law for a long moment, unbending in his emotionless face, and finally responded.

“Very well.” Xerath sighed heavily. “You will go with Kyburn to Kligira.”