On the airship, Vaergraes takes a seat outside of the cell holding Djihnlierr. The latter took over as the Uhl’tall Archpriestess outside of the Fievegal once Vaergraes became a member of the rising power under Hekate and Daniel.

  “L-Lady Vaergraes… I… Um…” The younger Uhl’tall Archpriestess is a powerful mage, but she was massively humbled by being defeated.

  And, her conquering enemy was none other than a lesser dragon, or ‘Greater Wyvern’, since Ryuogriar is subtly shifting what it means to earn the title of ‘dragon’. Regardless, Magnir has far less mana than even a typical Uhl’tall child, let alone someone capable of being the Archpriestess and tapping into the mana of the world itself for spiritual guidance.

  “Djihnlierr. Sorry I haven’t been able to see you recently.”

  “I… heard about your sister, my Lady… I… If… I’m allowed to know, what is to become of Lady Thymeria?”

  “My sister died a long time ago,” replies the bitter Empress. “That woman walking around with her face is dead to me already, so I have no idea.”

  It’s clear to the younger woman that the subject is still extremely touchy to Vaergraes.

  Djihnlierr clears her throat, apologizing softly, “My apologies. That was insensitive of me.”

  “It’s alright. I apologize for giving you a harsh tone.” Vaergraes shifts in her seat, and she asks, “More importantly, who informed you that the Citadel was vulnerable?”

  Djihnlierr twitches. “That? I…”

  Vaergraes stands up, saying, “If your story about trying to rescue me was true, then you chose the wrong side. If you have loyalty to them…”

  “I don’t know who she was, but she opposed the Hegemony ostracizing you, and she presented a very compelling foresight. She said that the Citadel would lose its power, and that the Harbinger of Calamity would prevail over an ancient fiend in the forest.”

  Vaergraes listens to the story passively. It’s true that a Dawnsight would have been able to see the fate of the one the Fievegal calls Kernuules if they knew to look for it. Vaergraes, Senn, and Bellphine would likely have detected it if it were a worldly premonition, like Daniel’s god-killers being used to destroy the Devourer.

  “Who was she?”

  “Well… She was a young girl. She… wasn’t a race I know, but more like… A hybrid I guess. Somewhat like the Cambions. But, her traits were… more reptilian. Like the dragons.”

  “A dragon, then? Or a half-dragon?” asks Vaergraes.

  “No. She didn’t have the same… presence, if that makes sense. She seemed… artificial, somehow. Like the golems of the Citadel. But, not summoned by magic, per se.”

  “Why did you trust her?”

  “Because she had this!” pleads the younger Uhl’tall priestess. She takes a necklace off, presenting it to Vaergraes. The object on the end of the necklace is simple. It is a small, ritualistic trinket of Vaergraes’ family. It would have gone to Thymeria someday if she married, as it is not meant to be carried by an Archpriestess.

  “This… I did lose it not long ago. During the attack right before the Peace Conference. It’s special, but we had much more pressing issues at the time, and it was already missing when Daniel did what he had to do.”

  “I recognized it as soon as she brought it forth, and she claimed that without assistance, you would die. I… I’m sorry… I should have done more intelligence gathering. I was just… I wanted you back to lead the Uhl’tall and the Covenant again.”

  Vaergraes smiles.

  If only my own sister, if she even is my sister, could show such loyalty.

  Vaergraes can’t put Thymeria’s words out of her mind just yet. She claims she served the friars in order to protect Vaergraes, but the friars have perpetuated war. Even for as long as everyone has been stuck in the mire of conflict, Daniel’s completely outside perspective was what it too, to pull the curtain away. While he was only guessing at the time, he ended up being right, it seems, that there is a faction pulling the strings in order to control the fate of the world.

  “What else do you know about this woman?”

  “She was around Hekate’s age. Maybe a little older, but definitely no more than twenty or so. She carried herself with impatience and the haughtiness of youth. Not unlike Hekate.”

  Vaergraes scoffs. “Hekate can back up most of her words.”

  “This girl can, too,” replies Djihnlierr cautiously. “She had… something about her. Something… powerful. I didn’t recognize the feel of her mana, but she seemed trustworthy.”

  “Someone trying to use you as a pawn would,” retorts Vaergraes dryly.

  “Again, I’m very sorry… I… If you see Sir Magnir,... No, never mind…”

  The elder Archpriestess smiles softly. She doesn’t hate Djihnlierr. In fact, in a past life, she was one of Vaergraes’s most aspiring apprentices. She has some understanding of her successor’s mentality when she attacked the Citadel.

  The question is, who was the girl that gave her the accurate premonition? Was she specifically looking for a time when the Fievegal would be vulnerable, or does she have a more powerful master?

  If it’s related to the curse-being shadowing Daniel, it’s possible the timing could align. The problem is, the ‘Lurker’ as Daniel calls it seems to operate through several layers of intermediaries, with many puppets at work at all times.

  “The berserker that attacked the wall. Do you know anything about that, Djihnlierr?”

  Djihnlierr thinks for a moment. “No, not specifically. I’m aware of the attack you speak of, and she mentioned she would send some sort of assistance once she knew how a certain spell was being cast, but I had no idea what it was. If I was the General, she was more of an ally tactician, but not one of mine.”

  “I see…” murmurs Vaergraes. It’s not much to go on, but at least they know to be on the lookout for especially-powerful young women.

  Yes, knowing Daniel, and even Hekate, if we’re not careful, she could infiltrate our ranks. Doephluev is one thing, but if someone with genuine malicious intent…

  The Archpriestess winces faintly. She, herself, brought in one such malicious enemy right under everyone’s noses. Were Daniel born and raised on Zenkon, virtually in any nation and from any race, he would have executed Vaergraes instantly, or sent her on a suicide mission against their enemies.

  Instead, he has spent some of what little time he has being kind to her. If anything, he’s trying to comfort her after being betrayed by her closest family.

  And, if anything, he hopes to somehow make Thymeria repent and earn a place once more. Though, that will have to be after the friars and their ilk have been rooted out, and likely, after their evil goddess is dealt with.

  “If… I may, Lady… No, your Grace, right? Um… What is the plan for me? They asked for my help with my magic, but no one was specific about my role.”

  “The mana fire that we’re fighting is unprecedented, so the fact that you’re a powerful mage alone will be useful for us to try a variety of spells to try to combat it.”

  “I… suppose I could try conjuring a rain storm. But, if that was the case, I assume I would still be in a cell in the Citadel.”

  “Yes. Water alone won’t work. It seems to be entirely mana-based. It spawned from an elemental compression spell that uses all of the fundamental elements.”

  “So… some kind of void spell?”

  Vaergraes nods with a soft smile. “Yes, though the behavior was extremely different from the intended spell, which has precedental use prior.”

  The younger Uhl’tall’s eyes search around, though she’s not looking at anything in front of her. She’s deep in thought, running through her own memories and experience.

  “Like some of the others, I had heard about Senn using the spell in question by herself, which can annihilate a large area. But, this version was a weapon. Or rather, two of them fired at the same…”

  “What!?” exclaims Djihnlierr, snapping her gaze up again. Vaergraes is startled by the passion and intensity.

  “I… Two… Two of the weapons were fired at the same time. According to those that were there, the shots…”

  “That’s it! You can’t use annihilation on void spells.”

  “That much… is kind of obvious now, no?”

  “Sorry, it is, but… Forgive me, your Grace. The reason I mention it is because my elder brother was part of an incident a long time ago where they killed some kind of creature that was using its own black flame spell, and they wanted to preserve the body for further study. When they tried to put it into a void bag…”

  Vaergraes’ eyes widen. “Y-... Your brother?”

  “Oh! He’s alright, my Lady. He had to retire, though. He lost his hearing because of it… B-but more importantly, the bag; he said it exploded violently, but it left behind some kind of portal. Nothing happened right away, but while it was being further studied, monsters started climbing out of it. They had no choice but to try to force it closed.”

  “Why have I not…? No, nevermind. I’ll worry about that later. How did they do so? Close it, I mean?” asks Vaergraes.

  “Um… My brother would know better, but… I think… they sealed it away. Something with a complex combination of spells and… burying the location with months worth of ground-sculpting magic… I think.”

  Vaergraes looks at her with horror. If true, and if the portal has sustained itself; there is a literal spatial hole to an unknown location that can spew out monsters if unsealed.

  Djihnlierr knows how serious the issue is, and she deflates slightly under her elder’s intense scrutiny. “I… know my brother wouldn’t have kept it secret, but I don’t know why news never reached you, my Lady. Er, your Grace. My sincerest apologies.”

  Vaergraes sighs in disgust. “We’ll need to address it as soon as possible. But, the fire is the more pressing issue right now. So, will you help me?”

  Djihnlierr leaps to her feet, proudly puffing up her chest as she presses her fists together with the heels of her palms touching in front of her. “I will follow you to the ends of the world, my, no, your Grace! You are my inspiration and my guide! Please allow me to follow in your footsteps, if not stand beside you!”

  Vaergraes smiles and nods. In order to avoid advertising it as much, she is keeping her severed arm hidden under a half-cape that hangs down her left side from her shoulder. She stands up again, facing Djihnlierr proudly. “I will petition her Greatness for your release. Just know that, if you betray my trust, I will ensure to spend the rest of my life torturing you to the brink of death.”

  The younger Archpriestess bows her head. “Words alone are meaningless, but please put it out of your mind. I will accept a contract if it will earn your trust. Regardless, you have my faith, and I will aid you in both this battle against the fire, as well as tracking down the girl who fooled me into attacking your new home.”

  Vaergraes is still bitter and skeptical, but she will need Djihnlierr’s strength at some point. And, with her most trusted family member having broken her trust, she needs someone faithful and naive.

  She’s worried her own sense of judgement has obviously failed her all her life, but Djihnlierr does seem to be genuine.

  “Do not get your hopes up too high. If her Greatness gets even an inkling that you might become one of Daniel’s mistresses… Well… Let’s just say, you’ll wish for this cell again.”

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Djihnlierr swallows hard. “I-If it will put her Greatness’s mind at ease, if I must be a war-bride, I-I-I would gladly accept Sir Magnir!”

  Vaergraes can’t help but giggle. Her own romantic aspirations have been delayed by the chaos around and following the Peace Conference, which was supposed to stabilize things for a while.

  That said, like Hekate, she is keeping score. She’ll be careful not to be too pitiful or cruel, but she has every intention of making Daniel keep his word.

  I think we should spend a few years of relaxing and being spoiled after this… thinks the Uhl’tall Empress with a soft smile.

  ***

  Aramellianna, Hekate, and Sundenelle approach the cannon bay of the airship. It’s a mess with the various mana conductors, open or partially-dismantled crates, and the equipment that’s scattered around. Wenlianna’s voice calls out, “Be careful not to let the conductors cross each other between the gatherer and the crystal arrays. Also! Make sure the side bay gatherers and their conductors are clear of any obstructions! Once we commit, those will be our power source keeping the airship in the air.”

  “Yes, your Grace!” call out the Stalvaltan Guardsmen and airship laborers carrying out her plans. Much of the layout of Wenlianna’s hastily designed and assembled components, which are simple at face value, is straightforward enough that she just needs them positioned while she welds the conductors to the equipment itself.

  The room is crowded with machinery, since the anti-dragon elemental pulse cannon is still dominating the center of the room and the forward wall. Ironically, it provides a useful platform for Wenlianna to use as the ‘gatherer’.

  “Am… I a useless Empress?” asks Hekate, prompting the other two to look at her. Her ears are already folded down, and she has a disappointed expression.

  Daniel is the one to typically cheer her up, but it’s likely his reassurance wouldn’t be as useful in this situation.

  Aramellianna replies sincerely, “Not at all, your Greatness. You do lack experience, which I am more than happy to help compensate for. But, few Empires in the world have ever enjoyed a Sovereign that truly can wield power rivalling the divine.”

  “I agree with her Ladyship,” replies Sundnelle. “You have many years left to prove what kind of Empress you are exactly, but my own Imperial Father’s greatest regret was that he wasn’t strong enough to stand at the forefront and stop threats to the Empire before they ever came to be. It’s a pipe dream in reality, since an Emperor or Empress’s greatest duty is to be the one still standing so that they can give orders. We are symbols, not warriors.”

  The feldrok teen deflates a little more and looks to the side.

  “Combat prowess is not your only strength,” states Aramellianna, which startles the teen. She was likely thinking that very thing.

  The Grand Duchess Senior continues, “This here is exactly why I relaxed the pressure on Wenlianna to behave more like the aristocrats we are, and instead, I let her pursue her passion. Wenlianna is not an ideal Empress either. Not in the conventional sense. It’s simply easier to quantify her contributions, because something important is left behind. Wenlianna’s work here will secure a base of operations for us, but it will almost certainly be you that we’ll be relying on the most during this battle, your Greatness. I am confident the rest of us will be safe so long as we have you.”

  Hekate blushes and scratches her cheeks, suddenly bashful. “I… I’ll do my best. B-But if you think of anything useful for me to do, please let me know!”

  “Of course, your Greatness,” replies the brunette matron sincerely.

  Sundenelle smiles. Hekate was an orphan raised as a slave for her entire childhood, saved from that fate only by Daniel.

  The ravenette clears her throat and steps forward, leading the trio closer to the Magic Artisan-turned Empress as she continues working on the equipment.

  “W-Wenlianna?” asks Hekate.

  The brunette perks up, looking around briefly.

  “Behind you,” replies the fox-eared girl.

  Wenlianna whirls, saying, “Hekate! Sorry, I wasn’t sure I heard it at first. Oh! Mother, and your Majesty!” She clears her throat and removes her protective goggles over her glasses. She curtsies, though she wobbles when the airship shifts during its flight.

  “You outrank the two of us, your Grace,” replies Aramellianna with a hint of exasperation, but also amusement in her voice. “And, formalities are relaxed during the deployment.”

  “R-Right. Sorry. Habit. Wh-What can I do for you?”

  “I’m sorry to bother you,” replies Hekate. “But, I wanted to make sure you have everything you need. We’ll be at our operation zone in about an hour.”

  “Everything’s ready here. I’m just welding in the last few components and making sure the room is tidy. As long as we aren’t hit by any major impacts or shudders, I think the equipment should hold up.”

  “If we fall under attack, I think we’ll have bigger issues,” jokes Sundenelle. “More importantly, I might be able to rally more mages if we find a solid strategy.” She admires the device. “I understand stripping the mana to load crystals, but will that be enough? From what Daniel’s brief recon mission with Lady Senn indicated, the mana crystals will reach max capacity quite quickly, will they not?”

  “They will,” replies Wenlianna. “We have a two prong plan for that. Though, I think the level of danger the airship will be in may… um… make you regret knowing…”

  Sundenelle’s expression turns more grim. She says seriously, “I’m ready for it. Please inform me. Several of my allies and my mother will be involved…”

  Wenlianna nods sincerely. “Of course. My apologies, I meant no diminishment or disrespect. We’ll be using this…” Wenlianna works her way past them to show the back of the cannon, where a different device that is set up more like a triangle with circular plates at each corner is standing upright.

  Wenlianna replies uneasily, “This… will be a portal to the Citadel.”

  This surprises all but Hekate, who has used all three known methods of teleportation herself. Each has advantages and disadvantages, as well as mana cost. For a portal, it can be sustained as a doorway to the location on the other end.

  “A portal? L-Like the ones used for the Fiendbreakers?” asks the albino teen.

  Wenlianna nods. “Yes, yo-... Um, Sundenelle. Ahok is waiting in the Citadel for our word. We’re going to try to tap directly into the Citadel’s heart and send as much mana as we can take in directly to it. As far as I understand, the Citadel can handle it. Or at least, a lot more than any of our magic crystals can generate. Manufacturing is also standing by to burn off excess mana if need be.” The brunette then clears her throat. “The… danger comes in because we’ll have a portal open. I… don’t know what happens if the portal fails and closes while that much mana is transferring. We… We do know crystals will explode if over-charged. I’ve done what I can for basic safety measures, but we lacked the time…”

  “We will make do,” replies Aramellianna. “We must. The soldiers will be removing the magic crystals from these arrays, if I’m not mistaken?”

  “That’s correct,” replies Wenlianna. “There is a team that will be waiting to exchange our charged crystals for empty ones. It’ll be sloppy, but we will try to keep mana moving. There’s just… a lot that can go wrong. And, with magic…”

  “Once the portal is established, you’ll return to the Citadel and help out there,” states Hekate sternly.

  “What?” asks the surprised brunette. Likewise, Aramellianna and Sundenelle are a bit shocked as well. Given the doubts she was expressing mere moments ago, Hekate could have contended with Aramellianna in a battle of wills.

  The feldrok Empress says very seriously, “If it’s dangerous, you’re too weak to remain on the airship.”

  “H-Hekate, I…”

  “I’m not saying this as your friend, Wenlianna. I’m saying it as the Empress Regnant. I’m not very smart, and I’m not a very good Empress. Sundenelle and Aramellianna were talking about taxes and trade and merchants and land deeds the whole way here, and it was all gibberish to me. But, you’re probably the single most valuable person on this airship. If we fail, you can build another airship. If you die with us, the whole world dies.” She looks at Aramellianna and Sundenelle, “I won’t tell you two what to do, because you are both wiser than I am. You are free to stay or go. But, I won’t negotiate about Wenlie. There’s no reason for her to stay if there’s a chance the airship could spontaneously come down.”

  “If that’s the case, we probably should move the command center to the ground, then, and let the soldiers do their jobs on the airship,” replies Sundnelle. “We’ll have to keep moving, but you’re probably right.”

  “Wait… You can’t kick me off the mission!” exclaims Wenlianna. “I… What if something goes wrong? Or… What if… If the portal closes…”

  “If I need you for something, Wenlianna, I can teleport to you and bring you back. I can’t revive you if you die, and I can’t save you at all if the airship plummets into the fire. Sundenelle and Aramellianna explained it to me so a dummy like me can understand. I’m useless in a faraway castle. But, I’m useful where I can unleash the full strength of my magic. You’re useless at a battle, especially if we have to sacrifice time and energy protecting you. Not when I can retrieve you if we need you for something.”

  “I… Mother…” Wenlianna appeals to the only person in the world who seems to carry the gravity of a planet with how she commands respect in any room she’s in.”

  Aramellianna replies with virtually no hesitation. “You heard our Empress, your Grace.”

  “But, Mother! You know I need to watch over…”

  Aramellianna steps forward, and Hekate steps back. The Grand Duchess Senior cups her daughter’s cheek. “Her Greatness is absolutely right. And, selfishly, I was tearing myself up inside wishing I could make this very appeal to her. Even if I set aside my emotions, the pragmatic answer is still to keep you away from the fight. You may stay to ensure everything stabilizes, but once the soldiers have the process established, I expect you to retreat through the portal to the Citadel and continue to support the mission from there. We have the unique ability of her Greatness to retrieve you if the situation becomes so dire…”

  “Then I can just be evacuated if we fall in danger! I…”

  A crackling wave of what feels like chillingly cold air sweeps over the humans, and all three of them tremble and look at Hekate. Her entire presence has shifted, and she growls, “That was what I felt continuously while being exposed to the mana fire for only a moment. You trembled in fear instantly. You are the smartest person I know, Wenlie. But, you’re stupid if you think I’ll let my leading Magic Artisans remain on the battlefield when I don’t have to. Regardless, it’s not up for debate. It’s an order. If you disobey me, I will destroy this entire machine and the portal, and we’ll take our chances with everything else. Do not test me. I’m too stupid to realize how important this machine might be.”

  Hekate sounds deathly serious, and in spite of being the shortest person present, her mana alone makes all three of the humans feel like an absolute monster is sizing them up for a snack.

  “I… A-... Alright…” murmurs Wenlianna. “I just… want to make sure everything goes well…”

  “I have seen your handiwork,” remarks Sundenelle, trying to distract herself from how terrifying Hekate can be. “I do believe we will make it through just fine.”

  The younger brunette nods, and one of the soldiers approaches, saluting at the group. “Your Greatness, please pardon me. Your Grace, all pieces have been set, and all conductors have been double and triple checked. The equipment awaits your final inspection.”

  Wenlianna looks at him. She’s still upset that Hekate is ordering her to retreat to safety when everyone else will continue to be on the front lines. But, she knows, ultimately, that she doesn’t belong anywhere near danger. She has successfully distracted herself with work, but she has been nervous the whole time.

  The brunette finally nods, and Hekate asks, “Have the dangers been explained to you, Sir?”

  The Guardsman bows his head and replies confidently, “Yes, your Greatness. Our duty as soldiers is to stand between any danger and our sworn charge.”

  “And, will any of the soldiers object to me sending Wenlianna back to the Citadel once the equipment is up and running.”

  The older man smiles softly. His eyes briefly glance at all of the women present, and he says respectfully, “With all due respect, your Greatness. Were it up to me, all of you would be safely back home in the Citadel while we risk our lives to stop this fire.”

  “I understand what all of you are saying, but I hate the idea of being the only one…” complains Wenlianna. “I… I have too much to lose.”

  “You are too much to lose.” Hekate repeats the sentiment, because she does know what Sundenelle and Aramellianna meant when they consoled her. Everyone has a place, and Hekate is too restless to be an Empress. But, she can stand as the head of the Fievegal, at its very front, and protect it, because she’s strong enough to do so. Wenlianna can use that time to make new things to protect the Fievegal.

  Hekate adds as she puts her hand on Wenlianna’s forearm, “I will have my hands full keeping Daniel alive. Please don’t make me worry about you.”

  “That’s not fair…” murmurs Wenlianna. “I’ll be worried about all of you…”

  There’s a quiet moment between all of them, which is finally broken when Sundenelle speaks up. “Actually, as Aramellianna mentioned, I, too, was waiting for a chance to speak up. If the airship won’t be an option, I would like to give out my orders once the Imperial force has gathered, and then I’ll retreat to the Citadel with Wenlianna. If I won’t be too much of a burden, Hekate, I ask that you will help me do so.”

  Hekate nods. “Of course. Wenlianna is the only one non-negotiable. I mean no offense, of course.”

  “Certainly, none taken. I know you were simply respecting my position of command over the Empire, who will be relying on me to make an assessment and give out orders.”

  Wenlianna is quietly bitter for a moment, but Aramellianna adds, “I won’t be staying long either. And, I won’t be anywhere near this weapon bay. My primary goal is to see with my own eyes what the initial attack will be, and to inspire morale. Between myself and her Greatness, I imagine we’ll have enough morale to see the mission through. Spend some more time out of the lab, my dear, sweet child, and the soldiers will recognize you more easily as well.”

  Wenlianna nods, defeated by her mother’s and her friends’ arguments.

  “We’ll leave the rest to you for now, Wenlie,” states Hekate. “Thank you for your hard work.”

  The brunette nods, softly, though she doesn’t say anything. Aramellianna doesn’t scold her, of course. Not only does Wenlianna outrank her mother, but it’s an easily understandable reason that she refrains from answering audibly. And, Hekate is rather passive about etiquette, since she’s rather ignorant in her own right.

  More importantly, she waits until they’ve departed from the cannon bay to ask nervously, “Um… W-Was… Was I too mean to her?”

  “Pardon?” asks Sundenelle.

  “No, your Greatness,” replies Aramellianna sincerely. “I’m genuinely thankful. Wenlianna does not need to be here so desperately that she is vital to the mission. From the sounds of it, we’ll gain needed resources in usable magical energy, but it will do little to combat the fire.”

  The albino Empress clears her throat. “I agree. And, it can be dangerous if no one is willing to speak up simply because of the title we wear. That’s possibly the best thing you can do as Empress that you are already quite proficient at; people trust that they can speak to you candidly when needed.”

  Hekate nods. “It certainly beats,...” The feldrok teen clears her throat and deepens her voice as much as she can go, growling out her voice. “‘You disgusting, repulsive creature. If you had just died once and for all… Go clean the bugs out of the hatching hall. You might find something to eat there. Mu-ha-ha-hah!’”

  Aramellianna and Sundenelle both slow briefly, glancing awkwardly at each other. The ravenette delivered the lines with a modestly warm humor, but it sounds like something her former master would say.

  Noticing the awkward silence, Hekate says, “Hey! It’s alright now. Daniel killed Morty. I mean, if he was still alive, I’d be freaking out looking over my shoulder all the time.” The teen laughs, managing to relax after the stern tone she had to take with Wenlianna. “Fortunately, he’s a bucket of paste in some deep, dark void of nothingness now.”

  And thankfully, Hekate will be able to continue with that belief.

  At least for now…

  ***