“We’re going to be split up?” Artowen asked, unable to conceal the agitation in his voice.

  “We all have our own duties that must be completed, dear nephew. You should understand that,” Aunt Idwyn said in a reprimanding tone.

  That did not halt his temper, however. “We’ve only made it this far because we’ve been all together.”

  Silence in the dark room. A few torches made a failed attempt to illuminate the conference. Every member of the Band of the Promised One was present, as well as his Majesty Rowain and the Lord Captain.

  Royce put his hand on Artowen’s shoulder. No one needed to say a word. He took a deep breath, then calmed himself.

  Finally, he asked, “The plan?”

  “You and Mav shall head to Bardoo. From there, you will visit the Territory and secure the alliance with them. While you are accomplishing this task, I will take Brymoor to Anheran. I believe meeting the Ruler Queen will do him good. As for the rest, they will reside here in Liofeld. Brodwyn is a political prisoner who will be quite safe here. While I care little for Royce and Emerii, they can respond as needed, being in the center of our base.”

  “I disagree with the plan, teacher,” Brodwyn said. All eyes shifted to her. “I will not remain here, trapped. If you can bring Brymoor along, I insist I come as well.”

  “I shan’t leave you in Anheran like I am with your brother. Besides, I will not be returning to Welkia. After a brief visit, I shall head to Oosaad, then Runovaria. It will be quite the journey.”

  “Perfect, I’ve always wanted to visit those Kingdoms,” Brodwyn huffed.

  “Please talk some sense into the Queen, Eira.”

  Eira sighed. “You should have foreseen this, Idwyn. I shall keep her safe, and we can travel along with you.”

  Aunt Idwyn narrowed her vision. “Are you sure you wish to be in the company of your brother?”

  Brodwyn visibly soured. “It is only for a short amount of time. Besides, it may be like the old days then.”

  “Aunt Idwyn, I believe you should let them go with you,” Artowen said. I must calm myself; I have just been reveling in being surrounded by my comrades. “You can see in their eyes that they have things they want to accomplish. Waiting here will not satisfy them, and traveling to the Territory with me would be too dangerous for Her Grace.”

  The Truthsayer smirked. “If you stop arguing, Artowen, then I shall allow it.”

  Brodwyn leapt in joy. Everyone shared a smile at that, except for Brymoor, who looked away.

  “Teacher, I have never doubted you,” The Lord Prince said. “But I do wonder what purpose my being in Anheran will serve. Would it not be better to accompany the Citizen and the Promised One?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Must I explain every move to each of you?” With a sigh, she continued, “You are trying to grow, in skill and as a person. There is no better place in our vicinity than Anheran. It will do you good to progress past what is holding you back.”

  “I assume you want me to guide Artowen, Lady Idwyn,” Mav said. “But I do not know the land of the Territory.”

  “You will meet with a small retinue in Bardoo that will accompany you. Besides, they will welcome you in any case. More than guiding, your carful and apprehensive nature will balance out my dear nephew’s trusting personality and naivety.”

  “I still think it would do for Royce and me to accompany them,” Emerii said, a demanding fire in her eyes.

  “It will do for you both to stay here,” The Lord Captain cut in. “I can tell you have grown in strength, Emerii, but we can train even more fiercely in preparation for the coming battle. As for any issues that arise, you two will be able to respond. Just think of it as protecting our base of operations.”

  “That is why we have you and His Majesty Rowain, though.”

  The Lord Captain chuckled, “We have our own duties.” He then eyed Royce. “I’m surprised my worthless son has not raised an objection.

  Artowen braced himself for an outburst or a fight to break out.

  Instead, Royce responded calmly, “If you wish a debrief from me personally, Father, we can have a discussion after this meeting. Otherwise, I believe we should focus on planning our next steps.”

  The Lord Captain snickered, but said nothing else.

  Clearing his throat, King Rowain addressed them, “Once spring ends and summer is welcomed, all the Dradris Kingdoms’ troops shall be housed outside of Liofeld’s walls. From there, we shall use Perowyn’s Crossing, which begins not far from here. Using that road, we shall launch our massive army into the heart of the Uxsons, ending this thousand-year struggle once and for all.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Aunt Idwyn nodded. “Our focus now is to make sure the alliance completes without any issues. While doing so, we shall strengthen our own minds and bodies. Harden your resolve, for this will not be an easy year to overcome. May we be successful, in this life or another.”

  It was an old saying, one of his aunt’s oddities. Some may not like it as it came from an old religion, but Aunt Idwyn was not one to care. Besides, Truthsayers were religious leaders. Her wealth of knowledge referenced every culture, and they would need that mind if they were to overcome the trials ahead of them.

  Some small details continued to be discussed, but the major issue at hand had been addressed. Every member of the band knew their immediate role that must be completed. Anything else was secondary. The night had already dragged, and on the morrow they would all set out to complete their objectives.

  It hurt, being separated. But Artowen would move forward. He could leave the details of the alliance to Rowain, Aunt Idwyn, and the Lord Captain. Any issues regarding Zernau and Lenda would fall to Royce and Emerii, who would undoubtedly not fail in their task. Brodwyn and Eira would set the minds of the other rulers at ease, ensuring no difficulties arose. Brymoor, while distant, may finally start to feel like one of them after he has completed his mysterious mission.

  Artowen could leave his back to them. With Mav at his side, he would do the unthinkable. The empire known as the Territories of Saint Eddgaar would assist in their war. He would make sure of it. The Uxsons wouldn’t know what was about to befall them. The Drajin would claim victory.

  A quiet house, in a sequestered part of Liofeld. No matter the chaos that enveloped the city, this nondescript building and the surrounding area were always silent. A few mice scurried as the floorboards creaked. The few maids who resided carried on their tasks diligently, but upon seeing Royce, made room and distanced themselves from his mother’s living quarters.

  Before entering, he could hear the footsteps of that man. As arrogant and harsh as his personality was. In the past, he might have hidden or run, but now was not the time for that.

  “Come to see your mother, boy?” The Lord Captain addressed him.

  “Yes, it has been some time. I thought I would regale her with stories of my adventures.” Royce then sighed.

  The man loomed over Royce. A physical display of superiority. Here, however, his father was unlikely to become too aggressive.

  “Have you finally resigned yourself? I would have thought you would fight tooth and nail to accompany your husband on his journey.”

  “I’ll do anything to make Arty’s dream come true. If it means holding back, then I will gladly do it. Besides, I trust Mav to help him while he’s away.”

  An arm to his throat, pushing him against the wall, lightly choking him. I forgot. No matter what logic I throw at this man, he is a brute. No matter what reaction I give, he will treat me the same. Still, I am not the same as I once was.

  “You will obey my orders, boy.”

  Through the physical silencing, Royce displayed a cruel grimace. Once the grip on his throat had loosened, he responded. “Of course, sir. But it would do well to listen to me as well.

  “What?” His father hissed in a hushed tone. Even now, the Lord Captain did not wish to disturb his wife. It was moments like this that created such a strange concoction of emotions within Royce.

  “It was we, the Band of the Promised One, who countered the schemes of Bardoo, Lenda, and Zernau. Not you, nor Welkia. Even now, they may rebel from this plan of action. I will heed your advice, as an equal. I will wear the crest of the Welkia Royal Guard proudly, but I am not your slave.” Royce growled.

  “You are begging for discipline later. Must I remind you of my firm parenting hand?”

  “Attempt such a thing, old man, and I will show you what I have learned. Combat is a thing I am accustomed to now.”

  ‘You think you can defeat me? Perhaps you’ve lost your mind.”

  “There’s no way I could beat you, Father. But take a piece of you? I am certain I could manage that.”

  The Lord Captain turned to leave. “Say hello to your mother, but keep it brief. She has been anxious lately, more unstable than usual. Perhaps she can feel the gathering storm, despite being separated from the world.”

  His grieves echoed throughout the house as he departed. Royce kept his eyes on the shadow of where he once was, taking far too long to break his sightline.

  Royce’s friends had left, too. Arty and Mav set off on a dangerous journey, alone. The woman he had fallen for, Brodwyn, had left with the other new members of their band. Brymoor and Eira were already irreplaceable in his mind. Their planner, Lady Idwyn, was already off making more changes to her machinations.

  At least he still had Emerii.

  Now, things had returned to how they once were. Royce would have to deal with his father and prepare by himself. Still, it was not exactly a return to the past. The Kingdoms would be far busier, and he would have to stay alert and study more. A plan for anything, tactics for any battlefield. If he could do that little for everyone, he would be satisfied.

  Standing outside his mother’s quarters, he finally pushed the creaking wooden door inwards. A finely kept room, exuding personality. Embroidery and feminine effects covered the room. Freshly picked flowers from the garden sat in a vase on the windowsill.

  His mother was awake, sitting up in her bed. Furs and blankets covered her legs. Her head was turned away from him, staring at the view of the joyous spring day.

  Royce took a seat on the wooden stool next to her bed. Gently, he placed his hand on hers. She continued to stare out the window. Now, he could see her face. The blank, empty expression.

  Every inhuman was different, but this was how his mother was. How she had been his entire life, at least as far as he could remember. Apparently, she had changed in his first few years of life. Whoever she had been, however she was before, the person in front of him was his mother. Sometimes she would make noise, but whether she understood what was being told to her was unclear. At times, she would sound in pain, and at other times, she would giggle like a child. But most of the time, she was silent and staring.

  The Lord Captain’s worries were not his own; they had come from the maids who oversaw her care. Royce’s father never visited her room directly.

  “Mother…” Royce began to tell of his adventures to the other Dradris Kingdoms.

  Still, she did not turn and acknowledge him. That was fine, he loved her all the same.

  Though his mouth was speaking of the months prior, with his friends’ absences hanging above, his mind wandered. Lost in the sea of time, cast away to the distant past where old memories lived.