Back in Eddeathra, Fallon was sitting at his kitchen table, teaching Amias how to do math. Amias easily grasped basic algebra but Fallon figured that he was ready for more challenging concepts. Amias initially resisted a little but eventually caved when Fallon told him when he told that he could impress Kalzin's daughter, Sasha if he was able to understand it at his young age.
Anna walked into the room and saw father and son hard at work.
"I don't get it," Amias exclaimed as he threw his pencil down in frustration.
"And that's okay," Fallon told him. "I never expected you to learn this in a day."
"But it's been a week!"
"It's an expression."
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Later that day, Fallon walked down to the village, eager to meet Kalzin's daughter, Sasha when he saw thousands of soldiers in black armor upon black horses in the center of the village. Amias turned to look at his father. "What are they doing?"
"I do not know," Fallon replied.
A huge crowd had gathered and Fallon took Amias's arm and they pushed to the front of it. "Look! Those are Nites!" Amias exclaimed as he pointed to one who appeared to be the general.
Fallon looked to where his son was pointing and gasped. "No, no it can't be!" Icas Thornton scanned the crowd and his eyes landed on his old friend. But his eyes were not that of the friendy, funny boy that Fallon once knew. This new Icas had cold eyes and a tense face. Fallon barely recognized him. "Icas! What are you doing?"
Icas's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of his old friend but he quickly turned his head away and addressed the massive crowd that had gathered. Citizens of Wakemark and Eddeathra. I bring news that Cardell has fallen! The King and Queen are dead! You are all that remains of Old Eddeathra. But now, you have been conquered as well. I am your king and you are now part of the great country of Nitra. Disobey me, and the consequences will be dire.
"No," a voice said. The crowd parted to reveal Maisha. She stepped forward towards Icas. The crowd moved to give Maisha space to confront Icas. "Eddeathra will not fall because of you." From behind her, the Knights of Evermore stepped out with Elina in the front.
"Do you really think that I can be beaten by a couple of puny knights and one deer who's overdue for a hunt?"
Kalzin stepped forward, hands raised. Icas thought he was surrendering, but glowing balls of fire formulated and flew towards Icas. Icas had just enough time to throw up a shield made of shadows that completely blocked the attack. The fire instantly dissipated upon contact. "Is that all you ha…" Icas stopped short as he glanced at his wife who was holding baby William in her arms. "Give him to me!" Icas shouted in a rage.
Elina timidly stepped backward and Maisha stepped forward. "You will not be taking that boy anywhere," she said. Icas raised his hands and sent a wave of shadows her way. Maisha blocked them with a crystal blue shield. The shadows formed little tendrils that were able to pierce through the shield, shattering it.
The wave of shadows completely consumed Maisha as the crowd watched in horror. Fallon pulled Amias closer to him. Icas released the shadows and Maisha fell to the ground. Fallon released his grip on Amias and stormed to confront his friend.