Evelina sat at the southern edge of a large, round table, taking stock of the faces surrounding her. On her left, her aunt shifted nervously in her seat, and on her right, Isabeau waited, quietly calm. The eyes of sixteen Champions – exception of Sir Maxan, who was still in the infirmary – were affixed to the Queen's face, waiting expectantly to be informed of the reason they were there. Standing on the outskirts of the meeting were the members of Evelina's own Council, also shuffling with nervous energy. Beneath the table, Isabeau gave Evelina's fingers a brief squeeze, and then the Queen cleared her throat.
"My Lord Adimar," she began, catching his gaze across the table, "Perhaps you can enlighten us all as to where we currently stand."
He drew himself up, and when he spoke, his voice was grave. "It is as you feared, Your Majesty. We have slain the remaining grim-beasts in the hold, but it is too late. Scouts report a mass-gathering along the south-eastern quarter of the front lines, as well as pairs of grimhounds reconnoitring in the direction of the palace."
Evelina's lips thinned. "So, My Lords," she said to the room at large, "This is why I have called upon you. The grim-beasts have pinpointed the location of my capital, and amass to march upon it."
Beside her, Natalia hitched a breath, understanding at last the consequences of her naïve decision. Evelina reached for her hand, squeezing it in solidarity.
"We are at war, gentlemen," the Queen continued, "And the enemy is bringing the battle to our gates. I know that it is not your fight, but I beseech you, brave men of the Southern Realms, stand with the Dawn Kingdom in her hour of greatest need."
Across the table, Lucian's eyes flickered to Isabeau, and she gave the barest nod.
"Silver Peak will stand with you, Your Majesty," he said, rising, "My sword is yours to command."
He unsheathed one sabre and laid it upon the table to mark his oath. Beside him, Lord Redgar got to his feet with a grim expression and placed his own sword down.
"Marshside, too, will fight, Your Majesty."
One by one, each of the sixteen Champions scraped back their chairs and unsheathed their weapons, until Evelina was surrounded by a ring of blades. Last of all, Lord Geddrick of Ballencia rose and laid down two swords instead of one.
"Ballencia will stand with you, Your Majesty," he said, "And though my brother-in-arms, Sir Maxan, is not here to speak for himself, I know he, too, would fight. Perhaps he will recover in time."
Seventeen swords. They glinted in the candlelight, wicked and sharp, thirsting for the blood of her enemies. Would it be enough?
"The Dawn Kingdom thanks you, My Lords," Evelina said, rising too and meeting the eyes of each in turn. "This was not the trial that you were expecting, I am sure, but I will be forever in your debt, no matter the outcome. When peace falls across my lands once more, the Dawn Kingdom will repay your kindness. Upon my Oath."
With curt nods, the warriors retrieved their weapons and resumed their seats, watching expectantly as Evelina remained upright. She leaned forward, both palms flat upon the polished tabletop, and a rare fire flashed in her eyes.
"I am no military mastermind," she said, "Only a Queen. But perhaps, with the power of faith and solidarity on our side, we may emerge victorious. I proclaim you my war council, and I will draw upon your greater experience to help guide us through the dark. I will request whatever resources your homelands can spare, and for every last ounce of your personal energy. Together, we will rise – for if the Dawn Kingdom falls, so too will the Southern Realms. We are the gatekeepers, the guardians of all lands south of The Spine and we will. not. fail."
Fists thumped the table, armour ringing between shouts of agreement, and Evelina waited a beat to let the fervour calm before she continued.
"I must warn you," she said, "We are in a precarious position. Three years, we have been battling these hell beasts, and it has taken its toll." She straightened. "I need each of you to send messages home, ask for whatever help your Liege Lords can spare. Tell them of the truth and scale of the threat. Ask them to send men and weapons, food, and healing supplies. Anything they can bestow may be the difference between survival… and extinction."
Into the pause that followed, Isabeau said, "Silver Peak has already dispatched its army" – Evelina flashed her a small, grateful smile – "But they will take time to reach us. We have sent an emissary to the Firekin, also, requesting Mage Knights to come to our aid."
Murmurs met her words, surprised, and impressed, but she flashed her gaze around the table and added, "We are the Kingdom furthest away. If Silver Peak soldiers reach the Dawn Palace before any of yours do, rest assured that your Houses will feel the consequences."
"Strong words, My Lady," Lord Redgar growled, not altogether pleased with the threat. He fixed her with a dark expression for daring to speak out of turn.
Calmly, she corrected, "It's 'Your Highness', actually."
A gasp of disbelief echoed, and all eyes flickered to Lucian, who shrugged. "It is not I who has come to claim the Queen's hand, lads. I fight on behalf of my sister, the Heir Apparent of Silver Peak."
A stunned silence fell, and Evelina found herself frozen where she stood, her eyes fixed on Isabeau. Even though Isabeau had previously revealed her true status to her, she had still assumed it was Lucian who had accepted the chance of marriage. She'd make a fair match for a second-born Prince, after all.
"Is this… true?" she whispered. "You would claim my hand?"
"I told you," Isabeau replied, unperturbed, "I came to see if the woman matched the reputation. But at present, that is not important – what matters is the threat looming to the south-east." She cast her gaze around the table. "Or are you so easily distracted, My Lords?"
"Apologies, Your Highness," Redgar mumbled, his cheeks red beneath his orange beard, "I am but a lowly Lord – I did not realise. Of course, we will summon our Liege Lords' armies with all due haste."
"Good," Isabeau clipped. "Any more questions? No? Well, then, there is no time to waste."
She turned her gaze back to Evelina expectantly, and the movement subtly transferred the power in the room back to her. The shift was not lost on Evelina, and she was irked and impressed all at once.
"Very well," the Queen said with a tight sigh, "Now that THAT unexpected turn of events is out of the way… May I count on you, My Good Lords, to fulfil your Oaths to the best of your potential?"
"Aye, Your Majesty!" came the baritone chorus.
Chairs scraped back, armour clanged, and the sixteen Champions filed from the room. Before Lord Adimar could take his leave, too, Evelina pulled him aside.
"General, I want you to pull our soldiers back immediately, all of them. Bring them within the bounds of the Palace, have them evacuate all of my subjects along the way, and tell each man, woman, and child to bring with them whatever foodstuffs they can carry. This is where we will make our stand."
"Understood, Your Majesty." He gave a curt nod, spun on his heel, and hurried away.
As the room emptied, an explosive sigh escaped Evelina, and she reached up to tug her hands through her hair. At last, only she, Natalia, and the Lady Isabeau remained.
"Do you…" Natalia began, staring at Isabeau, "Are you…"
She trailed off, and Isabeau offered her a patient smile. "Every word is accurate, My Lady," she said gently. "I am the Heir Apparent of Silver Peak. Lucian fights for me."
"But… I don't understand… Lucian is the Crown Prince…"
"He never has been, actually."
Natalia composed herself at last. "I did not expect smoke and mirrors from one of the most prestigious Kingdoms in the Southern Realms. Your dishonesty surprises me."
Isabeau laughed lightly. "I have not been dishonest. It is hardly my fault that everyone assumes Lucian is the Heir, merely because he is pretty to look upon and flashy with a sword. I have never said I was not the Heir Apparent."
Natalia was not satisfied. "You could have corrected the assumption."
"Perhaps. But the whole folly rather amuses me. Are you so stricken over the truth, Lady Natalia? Your invitation, after all, was addressed to me." Isabeau raised her eyebrows and quoted, " 'Queen Evelina of the Dawn Kingdom invites the Heir Apparent of Silver Peak to consider a proposal of marriage, to be contested in a Tourney of Courage. We look forward to the response of your Kingdom's Champion'. My Champion did, indeed, respond, and here I am, considering things."
Evelina suddenly burst into laughter. "Oh, you are the most devious woman I have ever met!"
Isabeau smiled beneath a wink. "Darling, you have no idea."