Chapter XIX

  Sitting quietly in a small one-room apartment in the Citadel, Abigail Reiner gazed through the window and silently watched the city of Erika down below. From her vantage point, she could just barely see the Academy, the place she had once called home and that she had abandoned long ago. The storm from the previous night had been tamed down to a soft drizzle, but the clouds above were still a menacingly deep grey, leaving her expecting the rain to pick up again sometime in the next few hours. It was all so surreal to be back in this place again, but she did not feel the nostalgic glee or joy that one might have experienced to be back in their old home, rather she was filled with terror, anxiety, and anger.

  She was scared of what her future might hold, and whether or not she could continue protecting Scott and Eric from so far away.

  She was anxious at the thought of losing so much time with her son. Ijiria was slower than Omaruo, so even if she was only in Ijiria for a few months, that time would be doubled back in Omaruo. She didn’t want to miss her son’s big milestones, and she didn’t want him to be without his mother for any period of time.

  She was angry at the betrayal wrought upon her by Nigreos and Album. She understood that she hurt them by lying, but to then force her to return even knowing what it was that kept her in Omaruo was utterly unforgivable. No matter how much time passed, she would never forget what those two did to her. They were her biggest threats, and she had mentally prepared herself to face them at some point further down the line.

  She had been escorted to this room the previous night by Ilirianna, who told her to hang tight for the time being and wait for her to return. It wasn’t the dungeon, something she was grateful for, but even so, she was terribly antsy given the conditions the Citadel was under. However, despite her fears, she already knew that she would not be paying for her crimes. Ryokumo hadn’t elaborated since they were surrounded by people, but Abi now knew that the combustions of Markreas and Toranei were caused by him and Ilirianna. If her assumptions were correct, the King and Queen had been removed so that Ilirianna could take the throne, and if she was now the ruling Queen of Ijiria, Abi was confident she wouldn’t see so much as a day in the dungeon.

  Am I cruel for finding relief in that? Am I a bad person for not immediately condemning Ilirianna’s actions? I think most would say I am, but I must confess I’ve become a bit selfish. I would burn this world to the ground to keep Eric safe, and that’s what Liri did for me.

  Without the command of the ruling monarch, the Luz eraser could not legally use their powers. So long as Ilirianna Iiji was in charge, Scott and Eric were protected. King Markreas and Queen Toranei would have ordered them to be erased, so Abigail could not bring herself to mourn their deaths. Her family was safer with them gone.

  It was sometime in the morning, perhaps around breakfast, that the door was pulled open to admit Ilirianna herself, the Princess appearing utterly exhausted as she stepped inside, closed the door behind her, then fixed Abi with a blank look. Abigail gazed back at her, and for a few seconds, the two women didn’t say a word as they regarded each other.

  “Kumo said you probably figured it out,” Ilirianna uttered. “Do you hate me?”

  “Not even a little. You’ve put yourself in a lot of risk to help me, so I don’t think I can ever repay you for what you did last night.” She forced a smile, knowing it must have seemed weak despite her feelings being genuine. “So thank you, Liri.”

  Ilirianna let out the breath she was holding as she and Abi moved to the center of the room to embrace. “I wish I could accept your thanks, but it’s because of my actions that you were ever exposed to begin with—that this even became necessary. I shouldn’t have taken the risk with Grunly. I shouldn’t have—”

  “Hey, stop that,” Abi said sharply yet sweetly, cutting her friend off before she could spiral into her guilt. “Nobody made me agree to that plan. I thought it all through and decided that having Masters loyal to you would make me safer, so I took that risk knowing full well what might happen if things went wrong. It’s not your fault, nor is it Grunly’s. If anybody is to blame, it’s Nigreos and Album for turning on us.”

  Ilirianna’s head was resting against Abi’s shoulder, so she could feel her nod in agreement. “I’m sorry about them, too. Not that I necessarily expected them to act differently, but there was still a part of me that hoped they would understand your situation. Guess they were pettier than I ever realized. In the end, a Noctalus is a Noctalus.”

  Abi closed her eyes, picturing the faces of Nigreos and Album from back at the Academy, finding herself mourning those people and wishing they could have been the ones who found out the truth. The two she reunited with the previous night were different people entirely.

  “So what happened last night?” Abi inquired, her curiosity finally getting the better of her. “With Keskivaara, Markreas, and Toranei?”

  Ilirianna let out a tired sigh, her head lifting up so she could stare at Abi’s face when she answered. However, she first began to tell her all of what took place in the weeks since they last met in Omaruo. She described the trip to Ankalla and the subsequent final battle with the Kosah-Rei, describing how they successfully got the jump on them and managed to prevent them from pulling any tricks the way they did during the other encounters. She explained how Ryokumo and Album managed to kill Vesh, how Nakoma and Koroha defeated Barron, and how Quill was taken down by Rennigan. As far as Uma was concerned, the magicless man was sent into the erased realm at the battle’s end. Ilirianna, herself, had gone to speak with Tali, who made another attempt at coercing her into joining them by giving her a Teritus and providing her a chance to eliminate Markreas and Toranei. She pocketed the ring, refused, then was forced into combat with Leiolai, who bought Tali enough time to flee. The only other detail regarding the battle that was pertinent was the capture of Keskivaara by Markreas, who was startled by an foreign magic that the People’s Mind used against him.

  With her up to speed on Ankalla, Abi was then told about how Ilirianna kept hesitating to turn over the ring, so that when Nigreos and Album turned on them, she had a means of fighting back. Ryokumo was sent to free Keskivaara, hoping to use him as somebody to blame for the deaths of the monarchs while Ilirianna went to the throne room to confront Toranei. Markreas had luckily been cursed during his fight with Keskivaara, so there was nothing more they needed to do with him.

  “Most of it went exactly as planned,” Ilirianna murmured as they sat on Abi’s bed, the latter listening silent to the entire tale. “Even though I could feel part of me breaking, I was able to use the Teritus on my mother, so Toranei is now dead. From the sound of it, Keskivaara’s escape wasn’t quite as clean. He had the misfortune of running into Koroha and Alharo on his way out, but I guess he got away. Sartella was in the city, though who knows how, and she flew Keskivaara over the walls. There’s a search going on, but they’ve come up with nothing. It also seems that Alharo was killed in the struggle.”

  Abi grimaced as she pondered the implications of Leiolai somehow being in Erika. “Liri, if the changeling is in the city, what’re the odds that Firrik isn’t?”

  “Zero,” she grunted, suddenly reaching into the inner pocket of her overcoat to produce a folded piece of parchment. “A little birdie dropped this off on my windowsill an hour ago. It’s a request to meet with me this afternoon for a little chat. No doubt it’s Firrik.”

  “Are you going?”

  “I have to.” Ilirianna slowly shook her head, a disgusted look coming over her that seemed more directed at herself than at Tali.

  “Shall I go with you?” Abi suggested, to which Ilirianna replied,

  “No, I think taking you out of the Citadel right now would draw too much attention. Don’t worry, old friend, I’ll be alright.”

  “Okay, if you say so.”

  “Anyway, there was one unexpected hiccup,” the Princess grumbled, drawing the conversation back to the previous night. “Markreas isn’t dead.”

  Abi stiffened, her lips pursing to question that statement, but Ilirianna quickly continued to speak before Abi’s panic could settle in.

  “He is, however, in no state to rule. Because the Iijis are stupidly strong, he somehow managed to send the combustion out through his legs, preventing the magic from killing him. Grunly was there with him, so he was fast enough to keep Markreas alive, but that was all he could accomplish. The damage was still done, and it seems our King is on the cusp of being brain-dead. As you know well, the brain is often too complex for healers to fix, and he was without sufficient oxygen for too long. Right now, the Citadel healers are pretty certain he’ll never be the same again. He’s still the King in name, but in practice, I’m in charge.”

  Abi let out a breath of relief, disappointed that Markreas may still be an obstacle of sorts, but happy to know that he wasn’t in a state of mind to prevent Ilirianna from pardoning her. With that settled, she turned her attention to a matter far more important.

  “And Grunly? How is he holding up?” Abi’s features tensed when Ilirianna didn’t speak, and she felt a pit forming in her stomach at the sight of tears forming in her friend’s eyes. “Liri? What happened to Grunly?”

  “He’s…not going to make it,” she uttered, choking up as she said so. “He expended too much of his mana saving Markreas, and at his age, the healers think it was too much strain on his body. They've given him barely a day…”

  Abi couldn’t believe what she was hearing, and before she could even think, she sputtered out, “No, that can’t be! Grunly…can’t die! And for Markreas of all people…”

  “Yeah, that’s where I keep getting hung up… He’s going to die for somebody better off dead.” Ilirianna laughed bitterly, her features twisting into a glare that was unlike anything Abi had ever seen on her. “It’s all a sick joke. I’m over it all, Abi. I’m so fucking tired of this Empire—of the situations I keep finding myself in. I know I’m dancing myself right into her palm, but maybe Tali Firrik had a damn point… Maybe it all just needs to burn…”

  Abigail felt a shiver go down her spine at the aura emanating off of Ilirianna. She didn’t sound like she was exaggerating, rather she seemed to truly think that violence was the only thing left to her. Abi hoped it was just borne out of a stressful and frustrating night, especially now that Ilirianna had taken the helm. If she was in charge of Ijiria, then for what reason was Tali necessary? Who would she have to fight?

  What am I saying? We saw firsthand with Lord Cartigan that these people won’t just change their ways. When Ilirianna starts putting out decrees they don’t agree with, they’ll fight back. Taking the throne and controlling Erika doesn't mean Stellareid, Hiriech, Harunhein, Krato, and Noctalus will obey. Noctalus, especially, won’t just bend the knee…

  “Then you’re saying…you’ll need somebody to unravel the Great Cities for you,” Abi whispered. “You’re going to use Firrik to force them to kneel?”

  “Who knows…?” Ilirianna’s eyes were distant for a second longer before she added, “Would you like to see Grunly? He’s been asking for you.”

  Even though she didn’t like the fact that they changed the subject so quickly, she couldn’t help perking up at that question. “C-can I? I mean, is that allowed?”

  “I decide what’s allowed, and you’ve been officially pardoned, Abigail Reiner.” Ilirianna placed a hand on her shoulder, her eyes firm as she made the fact that Abi was not a criminal clear. “You’re free to do as you please.”

  “Okay then… Yes, I’d love to see him.”

  Her old friend nodded, then slowly rose to her feet and beckoned for Abi to follow her. The pair made their way out into the dreary corridors, the overcast lighting shimmering through the windows and bathing the world in a dark grey. The firelamps weren't lit, so the natural lighting was all they were provided, and as they made their way to the lift, Abi was surprised to find that there wasn’t a soul in sight. They were pretty low in the tower, so she would have expected there to be more people around, but as if sensing her unspoken question, Ilirianna cleared up her curiosity.

  “The Queen is dead, and the King may as well be. As such, the Citadel has been closed down to anybody who doesn’t live here. The only people you’ll find today are the guards, some miscellaneous staff, the Council, the Masters, and us.”

  “I see…”

  From what Abi remembered, there were a number of healing quarters throughout the Citadel, but given that the person they were going to see was a Master of Ijiria, she knew they’d be riding the lift pretty high up. With a little more time to spare, Abi asked one last question that hadn't come up naturally before.

  “How’s Reigious? Is he feeling alright?”

  Ilirianna shrugged apathetically. “Physically, he’s fully recovered. Mentally, he’s in shock. Anna is, too. Nothing will ever be the same again, after all, and their parents are dead. A part of me wants to be there for them, but the other part finds that horrifically unfair. Why should I try and comfort them when I brought this upon them?” She sighed deeply. “That being said, he swore to me that he would defend you with his life. He feels indebted to you for saving him.”

  “That’s sweet of him, but even after all this time, I’m still a healer at heart,” Abi replied. “He shouldn’t feel indebted. It was my duty.”

  “Maybe under normal circumstances, but you were being dragged back here with the looming threat of your execution…yet even so, you saved the Prince.” Ilirianna turned and gazed at her meaningfully. “That’s going to hold some weight with him. You’ll have Reigious in your corner now, for whatever that winds up being worth. That’s just the kind of person he is.”

  Abi wasn’t sure what to make of that, but she supposed that no matter what, it could only benefit her to have the Prince feeling indebted to her, so she left the subject at that before falling silent once more. They reached their desired floor not long after, with Ilirianna retaking the lead as they headed through a few more corridors and came upon the healing quarters. As expected, the nature mages within were an exception to the rule keeping staff out of the Citadel, for when they entered the lobby, they were instantly greeted by one, who bowed deeply to Ilirianna. After requesting they see Grunly, the young woman took them further into the quarters, leading them through a hallway lined with private rooms before opening one of the doors and motioning for the two women to enter. This time, Ilirianna allowed Abi to go first, and as she stepped through the doorway, she felt her chest tighten at the sight before her.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  It was a small room, with a window on the far wall, two chairs on the left-hand side, and a singular bed on the right upon which lay Edwar Grunly. The old man was breathing weakly, his eyelids flickering as his head slowly tilted in their direction, as if hearing the noise and wondering who was there.

  “Any changes?” Ilirianna whispered to the healer behind Abi.

  “I’m sorry, My Princess. I’ll be shocked if he makes it through the night.”

  Feeling a pang of sadness at her words, Abigail walked towards the bed, trying to put on as cheerful of a demeanor as she could before slowly crouching down beside the Master and gently taking his hand in hers.

  “Hey, Grunly… It’s Abi… I’m here…”

  His hand tensed as he sucked in a breath. “Abi? It’s you…? I’m…so…sorry…”

  “Don’t apologize to me. I don’t blame you for anything, so just don’t worry about that.” She began to gently rub his hand, wanting him to feel comfort, rather than guilt, at her presence. “Just relax, and focus on recovering, okay?”

  “B-but… But your… You…”

  “I know, and I’ll figure it out,” she assured him, glancing over her shoulder as Ilirianna stepped inside and shut the door to give the three of them privacy. “I’ll get back to Eric somehow. I know I will… So I don’t want you feeling like you should be blamed for anything.”

  “But I… I failed you…” Tears were forming in his eyes, which had opened a little further and enabled him to properly see her. “You trusted…me…with such…an important secret…and I failed…”

  “No.” She shook her head firmly, speaking in a tone that left little room for argument. “Nigreos and Album failed me. You did your best, and that’s all that matters. They had every chance to leave me alone, and they chose to turn against me. You know what you did, Grunly? You supported me, told me you’d watch out for me, and you did everything you could to accomplish that. Hear me again. I don’t blame you even a little bit.”

  “Abi… Abi?”

  “Yes?”

  “What’s…going to happen…to you?” he breathed. “Are you…going to be…alright?”

  She smiled warmly, using her free hand to reach out and wipe the tears from Grunly’s face. “Liri’s officially pardoned me, so I’m not getting executed nor am I going to prison. What exactly I’ll do, I couldn’t tell you. But I’m not going to die.”

  “And you know, I’ve been giving that some thought,” Ilirianna suddenly chimed in, taking a few steps forward to stand beside where Abi crouched. “It’s not so simple to send her back to Omaruo after all that’s happened, so she’ll be stuck here for a while. She’ll need a job, something to do and to make money with, and seeing as she isn’t a criminal, there’s an option available to us.”

  As the Princess spoke, her implications clicked in Abi’s head, causing her to sit up straighter and gaze at Ilirianna like she’d lost her mind. “Liri, you’re joking.”

  “Not even a little,” she replied, to which Abi pressed,

  “But there’s no way anybody would accept that. The Council, the other Masters, they—”

  “The only people who get a say in a Master’s successor is the predecessor and, if that predecessor doesn't select somebody, the ruling monarch. It’s up to Grunly, and then it’s up to me, so with all due respect to the Council and the Masters…” She smirked darkly. “Who cares if they would accept it? Hell, I kinda hope they don’t, just to watch them squirm.”

  “Liri, I…”

  “I see…” Grunly whispered, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. “Yes, I understand. If I asked you…Abi…would you do it? Would you be…the Master of Nature?”

  She slowly turned back to gaze at Grunly, only for her chest to tighten even more when she saw the relieved and hopeful smile on his face. It was such an innocent expression that she couldn’t bring herself to refuse, but it seemed so utterly preposterous. How could she possibly become the Master of Nature after breaking the Oralian Isolation Act, and even worse, after deserting the war against the Kosah-Rei? She understood Ilirianna’s defiance, but she would never be accepted by the others. And what of the rest of the Empire? How would the populace react when Abigail Reiner returned from the dead to become a Master? It completely went against precedence, but at the same time, Ilirianna was correct. She had been pardoned, so if Grunly chose to nominate her, then nobody else could argue against it. They would have no choice but to accept her as Grunly’s replacement.

  “Grunly…” she began soothingly. “Why don’t we table this conversation? You’re going to recover, you hear me? You’re not going to die, so—”

  “You know…that’s not true…” He shook his head. “I can feel it… I overexerted myself…saving Markreas… I used too much mana…and at my age, I…won’t recover it. I’m not making it out of this one… And even if I did…I’ve retired… I need…a successor…and it should be you… It was always…supposed to be you… Please, Abi… Serve…or at least…until you find a way…back to Eric. I know…I'm In no position…to make requests of you…but allow me…one last moment…of selfishness… There is nobody…in all the realms…better suited to be…Master of Nature.”

  What should I do? If he’s going to die, then I want him to feel comforted… I can’t just turn down his final wish, but even back then, I didn’t feel worthy of being a Master of Ijiria. Now, after all that's happened, I’m even less so.

  “It’s not a bad spot to be in,” Ilirianna added. “The more control of the Masters we have, the easier it’ll be to get you back to Omaruo. Like he said, Ab’, it doesn't have to be forever. It can just be until we get you out of here. And trust me… I need somebody like you replacing him, too.”

  “I know I’m dancing myself right into her palm, but maybe Tali Firrik had a damn point… Maybe it all just needs to burn…”

  Ilirianna’s words from back in that bedroom came to her again, giving what she just said a deeper meaning than Grunly would know. From the helm of the Ijirian Empire, Ilirianna Iiji was going to rebel against the Great Cities. She intended to tear it all up from the roots, to build Ijiria anew as a fairer, better place to live. To do that, she needed more control of the Masters of Ijiria. Nigreos and Album would no longer be supporting her, and from what she had been told, Rennigan had disappeared from the city the previous day, preventing a takeover of the Master of Water. Ilirianna would take up the dream of the Kosah-Rei, and it seemed that she would be dabbling in their methods. The memories of Hiriech and Stellareid made that thought utterly sickening, for imagining Ilirianna committing such atrocities made her want to cry.

  But…the Empire as it is would never allow me to go home… I need it torn up from its roots… I need it to be a different place—a place that wouldn’t bat an eye when I go back to Omaruo and never look back. Nothing matters to me more than my son, and no matter what it takes, I will get back to him. If I’m forced to choose between Ijiria and Eric, well…

  As vile as I feel to say it, as much as it makes me sick, I’d let Ijiria burn any day.

  “Okay,” she finally said. “Alright, Grunly, I’ll do it. I’ll become the Master of Nature for you.”

  “You will? Oh, thank you, Abi… Thank you…”

  He wasn’t privy to the dark thoughts that were going through her head, so the beaming look of utter joy that came over Edwar Grunly made her feel even more nauseous. She wasn’t going to be the noble, loyal healer he always wanted her to be. Instead, the Master of Nature would be a traitor ready to unravel the world for her own benefit.

  “I love you, Grunly.”

  She was exactly what he didn’t want.

  “I love you, too, Abigail…”

  That guilt was something she would have to bear for the rest of her life.

  ***

  Tali Firrik was humming cheerfully to herself as she sat at the window of the private room within which she met Seiras the previous night, watching the bustling Market down below. The respite from the storm resulted in many of Erika’s inhabitants rushing out to do their shopping before the rain returned, and with so many people gathered in the same place, rumors were spreading like wildfire. The events that took place in the Citadel the previous night, as well as the battle in this very market, were being talked about by nearly everybody as the populace did their best to figure out just what actually happened. Many had seen the death of Alharo Bann with their own eyes, and apparently some Citadel staff members had witnessed Prince Reigious Iiji fly out of an upper level and come crashing into the garden. Then there was the sudden appearance of a dragon in the streets, a creature that most Ijirians would never see in their lifetimes.

  Then there’s the sudden order preventing Citadel staff from entering the tower for the foreseeable future. The Iijis are going to need to put out a statement soon, or else unrest is going to run rampant.

  Luckily, Tali’s little mole within the great white tower had already relayed to Leiolai the truth of what happened. Queen Toranei was killed by the Teritus. King Markreas was on the cusp of death. Keskivaara mysteriously escaped, only to come into conflict with Koroha and Alharo. And Abigail Reiner returned just in time to save poor little Reigious.

  What a night… The seer’s lips twisted into a euphoric smile, and unable to contain her glee, she found herself laughing at the turn of events that were sure to lead directly towards that promised vision she witnessed in the Aquesen ballroom years ago. This is it! Ilirianna used the Teritus on the King and Queen! She eliminated them, and with her ascending to the throne, I’m one step closer to curing Ijiria of this foul disease!

  A knocking at the door caused Tali to turn around, her smile still present, as she spared a brief look at Leiolai, who had been leaning against the wall just beside the door. After taking Keskivaara and Velanor as far from the city as she could, the changeling rushed back to Erika, flying over the walls in the form of a bird, then returned to Tali early that morning. It was comforting to know that her closest friend was still at her side, for even with her foresight, she would have been a bit nervous remaining in Erika by herself.

  “Come in!” Tali called just before the door was pushed open to admit a woman in a cloak, the cowl pulled low to conceal her easily-identifiable hair. “Good morning, Liri. How was your night?”

  Ilirianna clicked her tongue, raising her head so that her features were visible beneath the cowl. “How in the hell did the two of you get into Erika? Did Sartella change you both into birds?”

  “Maybe,” she answered with a shrug. “Or maybe not. I can’t reveal all my secrets, now can I? But let’s just say I have my ways.”

  It was obvious in the scowl that came over her that Ilirianna was far from satisfied with such a vague response, but having enough experience interacting with Tali, the Princess must have known she wouldn't get any information if the seer didn’t feel like answering.

  “Well, I know you wouldn’t call me here for nothing, so what did you want from me? I’m not returning the Teritus, if that’s what you’re after.”

  Tali waved her hand in reassurance. “Oh no, I don’t need that silly ol’ thing anymore. It’s gonna be far more effective in your hands. In fact, I’ve called you here just to confirm that it was effective.” Her smile turned sly then as she inquired, “You’re the one who took out Toranei and Markreas, weren’t you?”

  A part of her expected Ilirianna to deny it like she tried to do when confronted about Cartigan, but to Tali’s surprise, the Princess was blunt. “You’re damn right I did. I’m not sure what you know at this point, but the circumstances changed, and thus, I was left with no choice.”

  “Right. You did it to save Abi, didn’t you?”

  Ilirianna’s eyes went wide for but a split second before she rolled them with exasperation. “Exactly. It was them or her—an easy choice to make. And now, I’ve got the throne. It’s mine, Firrik.”

  Tali and Leiolai exchanged silent glances, both of them noticing the stark shift in Ilirianna from when they last spoke at Ankalla. What she did the previous night had broken something in her, and now there was an anger bubbling deep inside. She was mad that she was ever forced into the decision she made—fuming that the actions of Markreas and Toranei left her without a way to save Abi that didn’t shove her down the path of murder. If she didn’t learn her lesson in Stellareid, then she certainly had now:

  There was no reasoning with the rulers of Ijiria.

  They did as they pleased, without a care in the world for the wants of others. Who gave a damn whether Abi deserved execution or not? In Markreas’s eyes, she deserted in the midst of his war with the Kosah-Rei, and that was unforgivable for a man like him. He wouldn’t have wanted to hear anybody out, or to consider Abi’s reasoning, rather he just did what he wanted to do, and that was to punish her. Ilirianna knew that, so she did the only thing she could.

  But she hates it. For so many years, she insisted that she would rise to the throne the way it was intended, but now, no matter what she does, she’ll never be able to change the fact that she took power by stepping over the corpses of her predecessors. I actually feel bad for her, but I agree with her choice.

  “Perhaps this won’t mean anything coming from me,” Tali said after a moment. “But I think you did the right thing.”

  Ilirianna smiled bitterly. “I know you do, and that only makes it worse.”

  Ha! Touche, Liri.

  “But with that said,” the Princess went on. “I acknowledge that this isn’t the end. I know that my becoming Queen isn’t going to magically make the Great Cities obey me. Even here in Erika, if the Council of Elders and the Masters of Ijiria push back on me, I’ll be crippled from accomplishing what I seek to accomplish. And I know they’ll push back. That’s just who they are.”

  Thrilled by where she believed this conversation to be going, Tali tilted her head expectantly. “And? Is there something I can do to help with that? Hmm?”

  “Keep doing what you’re doing,” Ilirianna answered. “I concede to your visions. Time and time again, you continue to be correct. You knew the truth of my heritage, you knew the flaws in my methods, so at this point, I acknowledge that I would be a fool to keep refusing your help.” Holding her hand out for Tali grasp, Ilirianna added, “Let’s change the world, Tali Firrik.”

  Stepping forward, Tali gripped Ilirianna’s hand, mildly disappointed that she wasn’t granted another vision. “Well, while freeing Keskivaara will expedite things, I’m unfortunately short-staffed after your little operation at Ankalla. As such, I won’t be able to meddle again for some time. Luckily, Keskivaara’s movement in Stellareid was not unique. There are others like him throughout the whole country, just waiting for a unifier. Not to mention, Sarillia Martov and King Amund really want Harunhein.”

  “I’m aware of that,” Ilirianna said. “I’ll need to settle myself in, as well, so I don’t expect we’ll do anything drastic for a while. I’ll consider a deal with Trovia, and in the meantime, gather your forces. When you’re ready, I have a target.”

  “You do?” Tali furrowed her brow. “What do you—?”

  “Noctalus.” Spitting that name like a curse on her tongue, Ilirianna’s features twisted into a deep rage. “I already know the Great City of Noctalus will be the biggest pain in my ass, so when they inevitably decide to defy me…”

  “I’m going to just remind them how they became a part of Ijiria in the first place.”