The fortress was silent death after the battle. The smoke left there clung to the air, along with memories of who fought and bled, of who would not awaken to see another sunrise. Our Veiled Isles allies moved quietly among our own, going about the task of tending the wounded, joining in our sorrow. It was a somber, shared victory.
Davian was taken back to his cell, but that man was far from the one who once jeered at us with that nasty, arrogant smirk. He had the look of a haunted man haunted by the echoes of his own betrayal. Chris and I decided the time had come to question him again, hoping that, against hope, he might reveal something more about Galarcia's inner works. Something in the air felt different as we walked towards his cell. I steeled myself for what awaited us.
"Chloe, Chris," he said to us as we entered. His face was sallow, dark circles lining his eyes. It was the face of a man who hadn't slept in days. "I know you still doubt me, and I don't blame you. But I swear, there is more to Galarcia's plans than even I realized. They are. twisted in their pursuit of power. They will not stop until they have ground every kingdom beneath their heel."
I regarded him warily. "Why should we believe you now?"
He lowered his eyes. "Because I have lost everything I have ever loved. I tried to survive by marrying them, but now I know that Galarcia will stop at nothing for anyone in their path. They are brutal, unforgiving… even I can't understand precisely how low they'll go.".
Chris watched him, arms crossed. "So what have they in store?"
Davian looked up, empty sockets. "This next assault won't be on the field. They plan to send spies and infiltrators in to break up your alliances. They'll seed discord between you and Arkenvale, whispering rumor to the people of the Veiled Isles. They'll make you question each other, then when you're at the weakest point, strike.".
I shuddered at his words. Galarcia's strategy was as much mental as it was military, tearing apart everything we'd fought to hold together. If this was the truth, then Davian spoke of, we were in for the battle far more insidious than we had just survived.
Chris's face set. "Then we'll need to outmaneuver them. If Galarcia wants to drive us apart, then we'll have to keep our allies closer than ever.".
Davian nodded. "But be careful. Not everyone can be trusted, and Galarcia knows how to exploit every weakness. I know it firsthand.".
There was a hint of regret in his voice, a flicker of the man he used to be. For a moment, I felt a pang of pity for him, though it was laced with caution. He had betrayed us once, but perhaps now he understood the true cost of loyalty.
As we walked out of his cell, Chris turned to me, his voice low. "Do you think he's truly changed?"
I hesitated, looking back at Davian through the narrow bars of the cell. "I don't know," he said finally. "But for now, we'll keep him close and watch every move he makes. We can't afford to trust blindly, not anymore.".
We returned to the council room, our minds burdened by the new threat from Galarcia. Our allies were still there: Lord Alder, Lady Maeve, and Tomas, all of whom waited for the next steps. We outlined to them the plan of Galarcia to infiltrate and divide us, and across the room a grim determination took over.
Well, if Galarcia wants to break our bonds, then we must bind them tighter. Let them try to plant seeds of distrust; we'll prove it to them that our unity is much stronger than their betrayal," said Lady Maeve in a firm voice.
"All agreed," nodded the Lord Alder. "We will strengthen our defenses, hold every secret closer to our chests, and send our scouts to Galarcia, just to keep vigil too. If they spy, then we spy back.".
There was a resolve that could never be broken in the room. We would not be just pawns to Galarcia's games. And every moment from then would only strengthen us, while fortified by the very threat that sought to tear us apart.