Skadi spun an orb of pure ice on the arm of her throne. It was one of the easiest things she was able to make with her powers, but it was beautiful. She ignored the others gathered in her throne room; they would wait until she was ready.

Skadi saw Ishfur yawn beside her throne. He was a huge wolf, his fur pure white with lines of icy blue running through it. He had been very useful to Skadi on the battlefield, and she knew he yearned to fight again. Soon, my beauty, soon, Skadi thought, sending relaxing thoughts to the wolf. Yet another one of her abilities.

King Torbain, formerly of Vittor, cleared his throat loudly, drawing Skadi’s attention to him. Torbain had little respect for her, and he didn’t seem to understand how things worked. He will soon learn, Skadi thought.

Skadi picked up her orb of ice, examining it. “There are some who say that life is a circle,” Skadi said as she held up the orb, more talking to herself than anyone in particular. The others listened anyway. “That it repeats itself constantly. People come, people go, kingdoms rise and fall, and life goes on. It is like a wheel, going round and round, going along the same path. But eventually, something comes along and changes everything. Someone who is strong enough to knock the wheel of life onto a new course. A better course.”

Skadi closed her fist, and the orb of ice disappeared, like it never existed. She looked at Torbain. He flinched backwards. “I am that someone, Torbain. You should have realised that before now. Are your soldiers loyal to me?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“They will do what I order?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“What if you give a contradicting order? Will they obey yours, or mine?” Torbain just looked at her, not sure what to say. Skadi smiled. “You see, Torbain, we will soon be at war. I cannot have confusion in my army. There must be one leader, one clear voice, that all will listen to.”

“My lady?”

Skadi rose from her throne, holding out her hand. A thick icicle as long as an arm crystallised in her hand, harder to make than an orb but still easy. “I am that voice.”

Torbain's eyes widened, realising what was happening. “Please, my lady-”

Skadi flicked the icicle. Torbain skidded across the room, the icicle stuck straight through his chest. The eyes of the others in the throne room glanced at him before turning back to the throne. Skadi could sense the fear in some of them, and it brought a smile to her face. She waved a hand and the icicle disappeared, letting the corpse slump to the floor.

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Skadi took in her council, their eyes locked on her. The Five Princes, the common folk called them, and Skadi thought it was a fitting title. They had helped her win her throne. Without them, Skadi had no doubt she would not be here today, and she would need them if she wanted to continue her conquests. They had helped rally the people to her cause, and would be crucial in winning the war to come.

In the centre stood Daelsor, his long double-bladed sword strapped to his back. He was the most loyal of her followers, his commitment matched only by Ishfur. As an elven Blademaster, his skill with a sword was undeniable, as well as being a scholar of war. She had yet to see him face a foe he couldn’t beat.

Gorvan stood at his left. His face was scarred, half of it unrecognisable, his white hair pulled back to show it off in all its ugliness. His old masters had not been kind to him, and Gorvan seemed set on continuing on that method with his subordinates. Skadi did not like him much, but he had his uses.

The furthest left of the Princes was the only woman of the group. Tarryl stood tall and proud, a slender bow on her back. She was a fierce warrior, and her arrows never failed to hit their target. Skadi had seen her hit a fly from across a room with perfect precision.

On the right were the more peaceful of her Princes, though both competent warriors. Lafain and Saelon trusted in their words to solve many problems, and Skadi was glad to have them with her. They brought a certain level of integrity to her group, and were well loved by the people.

Skadi smiled at her Princes, letting them take her in. She knew she was beautiful. Her skin was a pale blue, like ice, her hair and dress a snowy white. A perfect crown of crystals rested upon her brow, crafted by herself. Her eyes were a deep blue, like those of an ice dragon. The throne room and the throne itself were as white as her dress, and even without windows it was flooded in light. No one but her council ever saw her, and she knew that only made her seem more powerful to the outside.

Skadi sat down again on her throne. She looked at Daelsor. “What have you done with the barbarian?” she asked.

“He has been killed, my lady,” Daelsor said. “As he deserved.”

“Indeed. Did he tell you anything first?”

“No, my lady. We think he is from the south, the Kroanians probably. If he had any associates, they have either gone into hiding or fled south again. Deisa is on high alert and prepared in the case of another attack.”

“Very well.”

Lafain stepped forwards. “My lady, what does this mean for your plans? I think you should reconsider. Word could already be on its way south, warning them of us. That could ruin everything.”

“Nothing has changed, Lafain. This will do nothing to stop us. They have their own problems down south to deal with, and by the time they realise what is coming it will already be too late. We will proceed as planned. With the soldiers of Vittor added to our own forces, we will be unstoppable. You already have your orders, all of you. Those of you leaving, remember; stir up as much trouble as possible. By the time I arrive with our main army, I want the land in chaos. Then, we will sweep across with little resistance.”

Skadi rose from her throne again, smiling. “Go forth, my Princes. Humans have ruled the worlds for too long. It is my time now. The era of elves has begun.”