We entered in silence, the council hall. The faint murmur of scouts stationed at the doorway alone conveyed the urgency that had just settled upon us. Seated at the end of the hall was the messenger-the figure cloaked and hooded, garbed in muted greens and grays of Arkenvale, their face barely visible in flickering torchlight. They stood as we drew near, pulling their hood back to show a bright-eyed young woman with sharp, intelligent eyes that shone like steel in the dim light.
She bent her head slightly. "Commander Chris, Lady Chloe. My name is Eira, emissary of Arkenvale. My lord, Lord Alder, has sent me to convey a message."
Chris nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Arkenvale is beyond our borders considerably. What brings Lord Alder to travel southward in such. .disturbed times?"
Her eyes flashed back and forth between us, not blinking once. "Our lands have been sealed off from the wars that ravage kingdoms such as yours. But Galarcia's ambition grows unchecked." She spoke like one who has seen empires fall. "Lord Alder has seen the smoke of your wars, the way they sweep across lands with ruthless efficiency. We can not ignore the threat they pose, not only to your kingdom but to any who dare to stand free from their influence."
I felt a thrill of hope, tempered with caution. "And what does Lord Alder propose?" she asked.
Eira's expression hardened. "An alliance. He wants to send Arkenvale's forces to aid Celavia. He wants to bind his forces with ours: mutually protect each other."
Chris's eyes were piercing as he listened, calculating. "An alliance would mean sharing resources and perhaps our secrets. Lord Alder must understand that Celavia cannot afford divided loyalty in such times as these."
She nodded. "Lord Alder has no desire to rule beyond his own borders. Arkenvale prizes its independence above all else, as you do. We look not to conquer but to stand by a kingdom that also esteems freedom. The enemy of my enemy, as they say."
They just hung in the air and for a moment, I felt maybe the silent hope rise among us. Chris looked at me and knew that we were both thinking exactly the same thing: If Arkenvale would stand with us then Galarcia's forces will face a much harder resistance than what they had thought of.
I walked over to Eira, my voice steady. "Tell Lord Alder that we accept his invitation to meet and discuss the alliance in full detail. We have to learn from each other's strengths as well as learn our limitations if we are going to succeed."
Eira bowed her head. "I will take word to him straight away. He will be honored by your willingness to meet."
And just as she walked away, another question started niggling the back of my head. "Eira, one more thing. How far north does Galarcia's reach go? Have they ever approached Arkenvale in the past?"
Her face darkened with something. "They've tried. We keep our borders closed to them, just as we do with anyone who threatens our independence. But Galarcia's persistent. Even now, spies slide under our borders, watching, waiting. It's only a matter of time before they turn their attention on us full-time.".
And so the danger seemed so much greater, the magnitude of Galarcia's power so much worse than I could have ever imagined. Chris set his jaw, and a grim determination creased his eyes. "Then we can't wait any longer."
And once she left, that stillness between us was charged with a new weight. It was there in the glance Chris flashed me, too-for I had seen it before now-how that very same battle-craziness flared deep in his eyes.
"We march onward, Chloe. Risking to place trust in another kingdom, but we can't afford to turn our backs on any ally if we're to beat back Galarcia's next move."
I nodded. "We're prepared for whatever. Together."
And so we'd leave the council hall, its weighty uncertainty settling upon us, as if the same resolve seemed to return, stronger even than before. Galarcia's arm might stretch far, but it would not stretch forever. And for the first time, we had something beyond just the two of us to fall back on. Arkenvale was a beacon—a flicker of hope in a world otherwise darkened by war and betrayal.
And walking through the streets with Chris, there was definitely a shot of energy. Whatever would befall us ahead, we were going to face it together, ready and prepared to protect our home from all that came our way.