“Master, you have visitors.”

  “Master, are you awake?” I cracked one eye open to find Allyson leaning over me, her face far too close for someone who hadn’t yet had coffee. Her gaze was unblinking, her voice as steady as ever.

  “Ah, master, you are awake.”

  “Something’s wrong, right?” I asked, my voice gravelly.

  “No, master. You have visitors.”

  That got me sitting up well, trying to. Marlena was draped across me like a living, breathing, gorgeous blanket. I shifted gently, careful not to wake her, and managed to slip free.

  “Who?” I asked, rubbing my face as if that might clear away the haze.

  “Mages Aria Devanthes, Lord Carthis Virelles, and Halden Sinthurk. Also, Prince Kaelen, his wife Elyra, Prince Darian, and Duke Alaric.”

  I paused mid-stretch. “…That’s not ‘some visitors,’ Allyson. That’s a diplomatic invasion.”

  “It is ten in the morning,” she said helpfully.

  “That’s early,” I muttered, sitting at the edge of the bed and scratching the back of my head. “Do you know why everyone’s here?”

  “Something about Halden Sinthurk wanting to speak with you.”

  I stirred everyone out of bed. “Everyone up, we’ve got guests at the front door.”

  “Tell them tomorrow,” Seraphina mumbled into her pillow.

  “It’s happening,” I said firmly, pulling on my boots. “Up. Now.”

  “Allyson,” I called, “small show of force in the main hall. Line up a couple of hundred combat golems.”

  The room snapped into motion. We dressed quickly in our usual gear, no finery, no reception gowns, just what we’d wear if things turned serious. As we walked into the main hall, the low, rhythmic thud of heavy footsteps echoed through the tower.

  By the time we reached the center of the open space, two immaculate ranks of combat golems flanked the central aisle, each standing at silent attention. Gleaming armor. Polished weapons. Mana cores glowing faintly like watchful eyes.

  They followed me with their heads as I walked between them, the weight of their mechanical presence filling the hall.

  “They do look good,” I said over my shoulder to Seraphina.

  She slipped her hand into mine as we neared the doors. “A little intimidating,” she murmured.

  “I think we should take some of our troops to Brakenreach when we go,” I said.

  “Why?”

  “Support. Just in case,” I replied. Then, to Allyson: “Open the door for our visitors.”

  The massive doors started to open, gears turning quietly, until the morning sun shone across the marble floor. I stood with Seraphina, Marlena, and Allira by my side, the two lines of golems forming a steady honor guard behind us, prepared to greet whoever had arrived unannounced.

  I could hear Misty’s calm voice ushering our visitors forward as the great doors locked into place with a heavy, final clunk.

  Prince Kaelen entered first, his wife Elyra’s hand resting lightly in the crook of his arm. Duke Alaric and Prince Darian followed close behind, their polished boots striking sharp against the marble.

  Behind them, the three mages followed with guarded expressions. Even before they reached the threshold, I saw Carthis Virelles’ eyes narrow slightly as he looked at the rows of combat golems. Aria Devanthes was less subtle, her gaze flicking from one armored construct to the next, assessing. Halden Sinthurk’s lips pressed into a thin line, and his stride was slower than the others, as if each step forward was a deliberate choice.

  I stepped forward, stopping just shy of the midpoint between the door and my wives. I gave a measured bow. “Good morning, Your Highness,” I said evenly, my voice carrying through the hall. “Welcome to the Engineer’s Tower.”

  Kaelen inclined his head politely. “Good morning, Earl Robertson. Forgive the improper visit, but there are matters of state we must address before you depart for Brakenreach.”

  The royals stepped aside, leaving the mages in the open space before me. The moment felt… deliberate. Halden took another step, cleared his throat, and bowed. His eyes were fixed on me, but I caught the flicker of a glance toward Marlena. “Earl Robertson… Countess Marlena… I deeply apologize for my actions.”

  I turned to Marlena, keeping my expression neutral. Her gaze met mine, calm and unreadable, and she gave a faint shrug.

  I faced Halden again. “Mage Sinthurk,” I said clearly, “we accept your apology. Let’s put it in the past as of this moment.”

  As he straightened, I noted the thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. His stance was tight, his breathing shallow, not the posture of someone merely embarrassed. The other two mages held the same subtle tension, their eyes a little too alert, their smiles a fraction too stiff.

  There was something else here. Something they weren’t saying.

  “Allyson,” I said without looking away from them, “Please have refreshments and snacks prepared in the residence.”

  “Yes, Master,” she replied instantly, turning to carry out the order.

  “Well,” I said, “may we invite all of you to our residence? It’s more comfortable than standing here.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  I stepped aside, letting my wives head toward the elevator at the far end of the main hall. The royals moved without hesitation; the three mages followed too, though with a slight stiffness in their steps, as if they’d prefer a clearer view of the exits.

  Allyson and I lingered behind, letting the others go ahead. “Allyson,” I murmured, “close the door, please.”

  The heavy thunk of the locking clamps echoed off the tall stone walls. The sound rolled through the hall like a low drumbeat. I noticed the way the mages at the back looked at each other, their shoulders tightening. It wasn’t fear yet, but they understood what it meant. Once the Tower sealed itself, nothing but tearing down its walls could open it again. I wonder if their magic would work here in the tower?

  I was the last to enter the house. The elevator wasn’t big enough for everyone at once, so we each took two quick trips. When I opened the inner door, the scene had already changed: my guests sat comfortably, the air warm with the smell of tea and fresh cake. House staff moved quietly and efficiently, placing porcelain cups before the royals and mages alike.

  I took a cup from one of the attendants, its steam curling lazily upward, and found my seat. I let the silence hang just long enough for it to be noticed before leaning back slightly and waiting for the first to speak.

  Princess Elyra was the first to break the silence. “Earl Robertson, I wanted to thank you for the lovely necklace you created.”

  “Thank you, Princess,” I replied with a small incline of my head. “I only shaped it from a drawing by the one who knows your heart best.”

  Before the silence could settle, Allira leaned across and ruffled my hair with a teasing smirk. “Princess, forgive him, our husband is both a poet and a blacksmith.”

  That drew a soft laugh from Elyra, her cheeks faintly flushing as she tightened her fingers around her husband’s hand. A small spark of warmth lit her eyes. Mission complete, I thought. Sometimes, the smallest crafts were not made of steel but of words.

  The moment of lightness passed when Duke Alaric shifted forward in his chair, his posture sharpening as he rested a hand on his knee. “David, there are matters we need to discuss. The first is that the envoy from Eldros is still in the capital, and they wish to meet you.”

  I nodded slowly. “I expected as much. And the second?”

  The Duke’s gaze swept briefly over the mages before settling back on me. “The alliance wishes to meet you.”

  “Alliance?” I repeated, my brow furrowing.

  “Yes,” the Duke continued. “An alliance of governing bodies, kingdoms, and city-states that signed a pact after the engineers left us. Its foundation is mutual support: when a great need arises, the others are bound to answer.”

  Prince Darian, silent until now, spoke with quiet intensity. His voice carried the steel of conviction, not ceremony. “It was the alliance that allowed us to hold back the rift incursion. Eldros in particular sent us supplies more than once. Without them, our lines would have broken.”

  I studied the young prince, noticing how different he was from his older brother. Where Kaelen carried poise and diplomacy, Darian burned with a soldier’s resolve.

  “Yes,” Prince Kaelen added, steady and measured. “And now they request that you visit them.”

  “Just visit?” I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.

  “Yes,” Prince Darian said firmly. “Just visit.”

  The Duke inclined his head. “Nothing more is required at this time.”

  “Alright then.” I leaned back a little, adopting a casual tone. “Go to Eldros with my family, see the sights. We can do that. If I may, where exactly is Eldros?”

  The room went still for a heartbeat. Kaelen’s brows drew together in puzzlement, Elyra blinked, and even the mages flicked glances at one another. I had to stop myself from swearing out loud.

  “I mean, I’ve never been there,” I added quickly, smoothing it over.

  That earned a few slow nods. Elyra’s confusion melted into a soft smile, her voice almost playful as she answered, “Ah. That makes sense. Eldros is east, across the riverlands and beyond the Black Coast. A fair journey, but not impossible.”

  I inclined my head, letting her save me from my own stumble. “Good to know.”

  I let my gaze move around the room, settling first on Halden, still pale and stiff, and then the Duke. “Now… everyone didn’t come all this way just to talk about Eldros, correct?”

  “No,” Duke Alaric began, voice steady but grave. “The religious sect that attacked you came from Eldros. There’s a chance they may try again.”

  That made me sit up straighter. So that was the real reason.

  “Because of that,” the Duke continued, “Prince Darian and one of our Royal Mages will accompany you.”

  I almost choked on my tea. “So… I’m getting chaperones.”

  Darian didn’t flinch, but his jaw tightened. Across the table, Marlena bit her lip, while Seraphina let out the faintest amused snort. I reached over and clasped her hand anyway, grounding myself.

  “So that means,” I said slowly, “we’ll have to cancel our plans for Brakenreach.”

  “Yes,” Prince Kaelen interjected smoothly, “I would advise departing as soon as possible.”

  “The next airship departs in four days,” Mage Devanthes added, folding her hands in her lap. “The voyage itself will usually take ten days with several stops.”

  I was already trying to work through the delay in my head when Allyson’s voice cut in.

  “Master.”

  I turned in my chair. “Yes, Allyson?”

  “Why don’t you take your airship?” she asked.

  “Excuse me?” My voice cracked on the word.

  “Yes,” Allyson said again, calmly, as though discussing the weather. “Your airship.”

  For a long moment, silence ruled the room. Then Marlena’s incredulous voice broke it: “We… have an airship?”

  I rubbed my temple. “It seems so, Marlena. It’s a surprise to me as well.”

  Kaelen actually looked faintly amused for the first time since entering the tower, while Mage Devanthes leaned forward, eyes sharp with interest.

  “How soon can we leave then?” I asked Allyson carefully, trying not to sound as thrown as I felt.

  “We can depart as early as late morning tomorrow,” she replied smoothly. “The ship requires a cleaning to be ready for use. It hasn’t been flown in many years.”

  I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding, then gave her a nod. “Sounds good, Allyson. Let’s get it ready.”

  “You surprise me every time I talk to you, David,” Duke Alaric said, shaking his head with a faint smile.

  “Thank you,” I replied. “There are times I even surprise myself.”

  “So, how many are going?” I asked, glancing toward Prince Darian.

  “Let’s see…” the prince began, before pausing and turning toward the three mages.

  “Allyson, how many berths are on the airship?” I asked.

  “There is room for up to your party and another twenty passengers,” Allyson answered smoothly. “The owners’ quarters are intact, and there are ten double staterooms.”

  “So,” I said, turning back, “we can travel with twenty others.”

  Mage Devanthes exchanged a quick look with her peers before speaking up. “Since there’s space, I would like to go.”

  Mage Virelles gave a small, intrigued nod. “I admit, I’m curious as well. It’s been decades since anyone outside the mages has flown one.”

  I leaned forward, smiling faintly. “Then a stateroom each for the prince, Mage Devanthes, and Mage Virelles. They’re doubles, so if you have aides, they’ll fit as well.” I turned to Halden, who’d been quiet. “Mage Sinthurk, there’s room for you too, if you desire.”

  He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “I didn’t think… you’d want me along.”

  “Why?” I asked mildly. “The past is the past. This is a chance to see Eldros and, for once, without war or politics driving it. Bring someone and treat it as a holiday.”

  Allira’s hand slid into mine, her voice playful. “It does sound like fun.”

  I saw the hesitation war on Halden’s face, but slowly, he nodded. “If you’re sure… yes. I’ll join you.” He cast a glance toward the other two mages, and when they gave him subtle nods of assent, the tension in his shoulders eased.

  “So that settles it?” I asked, turning back to the duke.

  “Yes,” Duke Alaric said, though his tone grew more serious. “But be wary. Factions in Eldros are… uneasy. Not all will welcome you.”

  “That could be dangerous,” I admitted. Then I turned to Allyson. “How many combat units can we bring?”

  “The normal complement is a company. Twenty,” Allyson replied.

  “Twenty in addition to all of us?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  I gave a slow nod, then looked at the duke. “Duke Alaric, we’ll travel with a full company of combat golems. You’ve seen what five hundred with only three of us did to the demons.”

  That earned a bark of laughter from the duke, echoed by Prince Kaelen. “Yes,” Kaelen said, chuckling, “yes, I remember. Twenty will more than suffice.”

  “Good,” I said, leaning back in my chair with a small smile. “Now then, is everyone staying for lunch?”