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Pacing back and forth like a caged animal somehow helped me think better. If I tried to stop and sit down, my thoughts would race without me, devolving into a general sense of terrified panic. “Vernie would do well in the role,” I concluded as I executed yet another sharp heel turn.

“Vernie as quartermaster?” Captain Corwin asked incredulously, looking up from his parchment—a comprehensive to-do list that seemed endless.

“She’s the one with the most experience, considering her role in logistics with the Angry Red Monkeys,” I pointed out. “And trust me, no one will steal anything under her watch.”

His lips twitched, but he settled on a single nod. “We’ll be sure to tell her water’s the priority. We’ll most likely be cut off from the river.”

“And food…” I mumbled absently. “The surrounding fields will probably be burned first… not that anyone’s going to want to go out to tend to them.” I yawned and stretched. “Can we move some workers into the sanctum to fortify the inner walls?”

“We’ll set up temporary housing,” Captain Corwin agreed. “It’s not going to be a secret by any means, but we’ll keep adding places to shelter additional people should the crystals…”

“Yes. Understood.”

“One last item before we head out. Would you be willing to sign off on a few promotions?” Corwin asked hopefully. “It would help me better coordinate operations.”

“I suppose I have the authority to do that, don’t I? Okay, who are we forcing into overtime?”

He pulled out a stack of requests and handed them to me for signature. While I didn’t recognize most of the names, one stood out. “Fianna as Lieutenant?”

Corwin cleared his throat. “If you order it, she can’t refuse this time…”

“This time?” I asked, giving him a sidelong glance.

“She didn’t believe she would be taken seriously in such a leadership position,” Corwin admitted. “But times are changing, and hybrids will soon be respected again.” The way he said it sounded as if he would ensure it himself.

“This is your way of warning me she’s not going to be too happy, right?” I pouted, genuinely lamenting the probable rift it would cause between us. “But better she be mad at me than you, I guess. However... Let’s not tell her until after we meet with her and Roderick, okay?”

Captain Corwin grinned. “Sometimes it’s best to avoid conflict directly.”

I signed the parchment with a large signature and sighed. “If only I could do it on a larger scale.”

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“I don’t think many will take you up on your offer,” Roderick advised bluntly, peering out the small window of his tent to exchange a glance with soon-to-be Lieutenant Fianna. He then closed the window flap and turned back to us. “At best, this looks like a hasty handout and, at worst, a trap. A sudden invitation into the city after a hybrid extremist murdered two councilmen? At least out here, we’re free.”

“Not a hybrid extremist, a hybrid hater,” I corrected, pulling out a wanted poster of Mother Liora. “We’re trying to spread the information as quickly as possible throughout the city, but you’re right, no matter how you look at it, it’s very suspect…”

“We could give them a bit of time to consider…” Aleph suggested. “Leave instructions at the front gate to let hybrids through.”

“If allowed, I would continue my daily visits as well,” Father Titus offered. “I would not neglect my duties.”

“Once the demons show, all bets are off, however,” Captain Corwin replied crisply. “I’ll be sealing the city. So, this is a limited-time offer.”

Tetora let out an anxious growl. “It’s still not going to be enough. No matter what you do, you’ll never have unanimous agreement.”

“I know,” I admitted. “The way I see it, though, I have three options. I could have Captain Corwin order them to disperse into the Periphery and arrest those who fail to comply, which is the nuclear option.”

Tetora’s ears flattened. “Nuclear?”

“Bad. Deadly, even,” I muttered in curt clarification. “I could not offer them anything, leaving them as sitting ducks. Or, I can offer them this choice. So, I’ll give them an impassioned heroic speech and hope for the best. I just have to make sure my sincerity comes through.”

Roderick scowled. “If you had brought your shield, it would make you more believable.”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Tetora glared at him. “It’s missing.”

“What? Who would dare take such a thing?!”

I stepped between them. “We don’t know, but I’ll let you know when we find it.”

“I fear the day wears on, Captain Lightbringer,” Captain Corwin noted. “I think we should execute the plan as it stands now.”

“You’re right. We have a lot more to do. Just let me run through my speech once more before we—” I stopped, watching the back tent flap ripple suspiciously.

“Chosen One?” Roderick questioned.

I held up my hand for silence, but by the time I peered out the tent flap, whatever had caused it was gone.

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“What’s going on over there?” I pointed. “It looks like everyone’s already gathered…”

Roderick slapped his forehead. “That little upstart! What is she up to this time?!”

There they were, hundreds of hybrids all grouped in the middle of a barren field, their attention trained on that mischievous monkey girl I ran into during my last visit.

“See! See! My dream came true!” Kiko cried, throwing her arms into the air as she jumped about enthusiastically. “The Chosen One has come for me!”

I… what?

The crowd murmured excitedly as their attention turned to us.

“That’s the one you were talking about?” Vernie whispered in surprise. “That one’s trouble with a capital T!”

“Yeah… So I’ve noticed…”

Kiko strutted up to me, her eyes blazing with smug self-satisfaction. “Euphridia herself has brought you to my doorstep, Chosen One.”

There were no doors, let alone doorsteps to speak of, but I nodded anyway. “So it seems, Kiko.”

She grinned, then glanced to my left. “I am ready to accept my Purpose, Father Titus.”

Oh! Was today her birthday?

He glanced anxiously between us. “Um, Chosen One…”

“Proceed,” I ordered loudly, figuring we were in too deep already. “Assign her Purpose as discussed.”

The kid was about to be displaced and thrust into battle. The least we could do was let her play Destined Ninja for a little while before things went south.

Father Titus had enough showmanship to light up his hands. “Euphridia calls you to your Purpose as Kiko the Ninja. Kiko, do you accept this Purpose and willingly enter the Eternal Covenant of Euphridia?”

“I do!” she exclaimed, placing her hands in his. “I accept her calling!”

Cheers and cries erupted from the group, and Kiko basked in the attention. She then made it a point to introduce herself to each one of us publicly. She respectfully saluted Aleph but tugged Tetora’s tail, shaking it as if it were a hand.

“Hey!” he cried and turned, only to give her an opening to dart up his side.

“Tigers are my favorite!” she declared, wrapping her arms around his neck and nuzzling his fur. “The fluffiest!”

“You…” he growled, but it was pretty lackluster.

He was defeated before he even had a chance.

She then looked at Vernie. “Feel no shame, Laverna the Thief, for sometimes we all must ask for help from our neighbor!”

Vernie blinked several times. “What are you talking about?”

“I know you need my help finding the Chosen One’s shield. The bad ones took it.”

Okay… now we’re getting in a little too deep!

“Little monkey…” Vernie warned, reaching an arm out as if to relieve Tetora of his cuddling parasite.

Kiko gave me a pitiful look, tilting her head into the cutest position possible.

Oh, okay, okay.

“Kiko speaks the truth,” I said, stopping Vernie’s hand with mine. “Without my shield, I may not continue on my journey to the Demon King.” I coughed, trying to turn the tide. “I am sure, however, that its light will soon shine as a beacon for us—”

“Help my people, and I will help you find it, Chosen One,” Kiko declared from her perch. “In my dream, Euphridia ordered me to help you! She also warned me that more bad ones are coming here, and she said you would shelter us from the storm.”

“Help us, Chosen One!” they cried. “Protect us from the demons!”

“You clever little monkey,” Vernie muttered in admiration. “Okay. I’ll bite.”

“Chosen One.” Vernie clasped my hand in faux desperation. “I… must confess! Despite my exhaustive efforts, I grieve, for I have been unable to find your holy relic. However, I believe Kiko has talents that even I do not possess. Please show compassion to those who have cared for our newest companion so she may not be distracted from her true Purpose!”

“Newest… companion?” No way in hell am I dragging an innocent child into battle—or this one, either! “Er… I mean… It is unfair to pay no heed to those who would suffer from the storm. But is shelter all that you need? Do you not require protection as well?”

Dame Fianna, who had yet to say a single word this entire time, flicked her ears back and forth. “Chosen One… would that you open the gates, I shall provide for their safe passage to their destination, wherever you see fit.”

I pretended to consider the request, wondering if they had concocted this whole thing together. “There are many here… but I believe there are a few options within the Periphery. I would also humbly request your continued service… Lieutenant Fianna.”

Though the crowd cheered again, Fianna instinctively glared at Corwin. He was smart enough to remain expressionless, and she gave up with a bow in my direction. “It shall be as you say, Chosen One.”

“And what say you, Roderick?” I asked. “Would you agree to such an accord on behalf of your people?”

He spluttered, having been previously stunned into silence.

“Befriend the Chosen One!” someone in the crowd ordered. “Euphridia compels you!”

Others expressed some worry, however, most likely those with a more logical mindset.

Winning hearts is one thing, but winning heads is important, too. I glanced meaningfully at Roderick, hoping he got the message that he should add some commonsense concessions.

“We agree to your terms, provided no one is forced to flee their home here,” he eventually announced. “You know we also lack resources… and while we’re willing to work for them, we must request them in advance. In exchange, we offer you the services of our… resident… ninja...” he choked.

Against my better judgment, I drew myself up, unleashing my aura as I reached out my hand to Kiko. “Let it be known that Kiko has been called to her Purpose, her path guided by the Goddess’s light. In return for her help in seeking out and reclaiming my shield, I promise to open the gates of Chairo to all hybrids well-intentioned, providing them sanctuary from the upcoming storm and offering the opportunity to work as equals in the service of Holy Euphridia.”

It was a loaded declaration, to be sure. And the devil's in the details… but I had people who could help me with that, right?

Kiko’s mischievous grin showed several sparkling teeth and two tiny fangs as she firmly shook my hand.

Kind of reminds me a bit of Nora…

Could I possibly keep the two of them from ever meeting?

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