Ducking the blow of the Kelvanis soldier, Vendis heard the human woman grunt as her sword bit into the tree. Quickly sidestepping and straightening, the elven warrior struck without pause, driving her scimitar through a crease in her attacker’s armor before the woman could dislodge her sword. As the woman gasped and crumpled, leaving her sword stuck in the tree, Vendis quickly looked around, her lips pressing together tightly at the sight.

The Kelvanis force had rushed their ambush, and more soldiers were still emerging from the forest in small clusters, adding to the chaos around her. Her people were giving a good accounting of themselves, with only a handful of them having fallen, but the melee was brutal chaos.

A deafening crack split the forest air as one of Vendis’ magi unleashed a lightning bolt into a cluster of Kelvanis’ soldiers, sending most of the heavily armored humans to the ground smoking. In the brief lull the thunder caused, Vendis spotted Lieutenant Calvor. A trio of illusory copies of himself surrounded the younger man, but his leathers were scarred by a near miss as he slipped past the guard of an opponent confused by his copies, gutting the man mercilessly.

Vendis caught a glimpse of a man aiming a crossbow at her and began to dodge, only to see him fall as an arrow plunged into his throat. She nodded her thanks to Private Alaina and quickly made her way across the battlefield, pausing to give the occasional assistance to her subordinates. They were winning, but part of her was worried that they weren’t seeing the full enemy force.

“Calvor!” Vendis called out as she approached, kicking an enemy soldier hard and letting one of the lieutenant’s men finish him off.

“Captain, to what do I owe the pleasure?” the man asked, pausing to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and inadvertently leaving a thin trail of blood in its place. Calvor looked a bit tired, but not exhausted. That was good.

“We’ve got these bastards, but I don’t see their commander around. Hunt them down and deal with them,” Vendis ordered, her eyes hardening as she continued. “We can’t afford for them to get near our caravan.”

“Yes, sir!” Calvor saluted, understanding and resolve flickering across his face, and he gestured for the rest of his squad. “You heard the Captain! We’ve got an enemy command to kill.”

They let out a chorus of acknowledgements and the group rushed off, leaving Vendis to deal with the main force of attackers. Vendis flinched as an enemy mage launched a fireball at her soldiers, the flickering crimson orb blazing through the air toward her lines. An instant later, a net of blue light launched from the hands of one of her magi and enveloped the spell with a sizzle, extinguishing it before the flaming sphere could devastate her troops. Letting out a sigh of relief, Vendis smiled and began to lead her soldiers on the attack this time. Her oversized company wasn’t built for defense, it was built to hit the enemy hard and fast. So that was what she was going to do.

It took only about a quarter of an hour for her soldiers to shatter the morale of the Kelvanis army. The moment only came more swiftly when word came that Calvor had intercepted the enemy commanders well short of the caravan.

* * *

“Good job today, Calvor. You saved a lot of people,” Vendis told the Lieutenant later, a smile on her face as she nodded toward the main camp.

“It was the least I could do, Captain. They’ve suffered enough, it’s about time that someone gave them a chance to fight back,” he replied softly, following her gaze.

Vendis’ company was the vanguard of seven full companies that had been dispatched to guard a caravan of former slaves on their way to Beacon. At first Vendis had been skeptical of just how many soldiers had been gathered for the task, but that was before she’d learned the sheer number of former slaves in the caravan.

She’d never realized that nearly ten thousand inhabitants of Sifaren were living in fear of their slave brands being controlled. Only half that number were with them, but two out of three had been members of Kelvanis’ slave legions before being rescued. If they could manage to get through the lines later on, Vendis imagined that most of the remaining escaped slaves would come to Beacon as well, as it was one of the few places that offered the hope of true freedom.

Even so, the caravan wasn’t composed of solely former slaves. A handful of Sifaren’s nobles, largely children far down the line of inheritance, and several hundred common folk and merchants were with them as well. It was a huge caravan, and even the companies Vendis had been given had difficulty screening it as they crossed the border.

“Captain?” a young private sitting nearby inquired, a blanket across her shoulders.

“Yes, private?” Vendis asked, raising an eyebrow at the young woman. She was too young to be in the army, Vendis realized with a pang of guilt. The need to build up the army against Kelvanis meant that they had to recruit soldiers well below the usual age of forty. While elves were about as mature as humans at any age below twenty-five, they normally gave their youth plenty of time to decide what they wanted to do with their lives before risking death in battle.

“I was wondering how many more days it’ll be before we reach the city, ma’am,” the young woman replied, looking up at Vendis nervously. “Will we face another fight like that again?”

“Ahh. We actually should reach Beacon the day after tomorrow, possibly one beyond that,” Vendis replied, nodding as she asked, “You see that faint crimson light, almost like a star on the horizon?”

“Yes?” the soldier replied peering toward the light. It was only a bit brighter than the stars, but Vendis nodded and smiled at her.

“That’s the beacon atop the palace,” she explained. “With the speed of the caravan we won’t make it tomorrow, but unless the weather is particularly foul, we should be there by the day after. I also don’t think we’re going to have another fight like that until we drive down toward Westgate, since I doubt Kelvanis would have their people lurking this close to Beacon. Besides, our scouts should have spotted signs of any others.”

“Oh, good!” the private exclaimed, then blushed and apologized. “S-sorry, ma’am.”

“Don’t be sorry. That was a nasty fight, and I’m glad they rushed the ambush. We could have lost a lot more people than we did,” Vendis told her, sadness welling up inside her as she thought about the casualties they’d taken. “We lost enough people as it is. Still, at least we’ve got a fighting chance.”

“Of course, ma’am.” The young woman nodded, turning back toward the fire.

“Do you think Yisara will join the war, Captain?” Calvor asked, looking thoughtfully to the south.

Sighing, Vendis shrugged helplessly. “That, I have no idea on. I’ve heard that the Queen is in negotiations with them, but who knows if something will come of it? All we can do is pray for good news. They did lose their old queen to Kelvanis, after all.”

“Well, here’s to hoping they do join us. Every bit of pressure on Kelvanis helps,” Calvor murmured, raising his flask of brandy and taking a solid gulp. Vendis smiled and shook her head. She wanted her head clear, but she certainly agreed with the sentiment.

* * *

Watching the massive number of elves approaching, Desa couldn’t help her surprise. Oh, they weren’t all elves. There were humans and a handful of half-elves as well, but she shook her head in disbelief, looking at Vendis as she spoke. “I know we had a message about the caravan beforehand, but seeing it is an entirely different thing. You realize that with everyone out there, we’re going to have something like twelve times the population we did when you and Reva left, right?”

“More, I’d think. Don’t you have those rebels as well?” Vendis asked, smiling at Desa impishly.

“Very true, but the situation with the rebels is weird. Who knows whether they’ll end up staying? Still, I think we’re going to have something like fifteen thousand people in the city. That’s an enormous population jump,” Desa replied, sighing as she rubbed her eyes. “Security is going to be a bitch, though.”

“It’s a hell of a difference than the first time we stopped to camp. Right over there, isn’t it?” Vendis agreed, then nodded in the direction of a copse of trees about a mile from the gates. “I remember it like yesterday, but it still feels surreal.”

“Heh. Yeah, that’s the place. Sistina walked right past the guards, completely ignoring them,” Desa chuckled, grinning at the taller soldier. “You were a bit angry with her, as I recall.”

“Of course I was! I was already almost jumping at shadows, then she appeared out of nowhere. How else was I supposed to react?” Vendis protested, glaring at Desa.

“I don’t blame you at all. It’s just amusing in hindsight,” Desa replied, leaning on the wall as the first of the former slaves started up the ramp. “I don’t think I can ever express how grateful I am that Lily decided to go out hunting that day.”

“On that, I totally agree,” Vendis chuckled, smiling. “Speaking of Lily, what’s she doing now?”

“Oh, she’s the Royal Gardener. She protested at the title, but when Phynis and Sistina put their foot down, she gave in,” Desa said. “She’s good at it, too. She just seems to think she’s not very important.”

“In that case, I suppose we should leave her alone. It’s rather endearing that she doesn’t want fame,” Vendis murmured, and smirked. “How do you think she’d react if I snuck up on her?”

Desa couldn’t suppress her own laughter at the thought of the shy woman’s reaction, and just shook her head. “Never mind that, let’s take you up to the palace. You said Alissa’s with you, right?”

“She is. She’s been accompanying some of the nobles,” Vendis explained, and grinned as she added, “I think she hasn’t been terribly pleased with that, but better her than me.”

* * *

“That is a lot of escaped slaves,” Oliver murmured, pausing on the street to watch the swarms of people entering the city. The east gate of Beacon was the one that was used the most, and the road from the gate led straight into what had been dubbed Dungeon Plaza. They were out gathering information, and had been looking forward to telling the others when the first handful of soldiers had entered the city, but now he was taken aback.

“You’ve got that right,” Edward agreed, his eyes narrowing. “In fact, that could complicate Xaris’ plans. I know he planned on mixing in with outsiders, but that many people could get in our way.”

“True enough. We’ll have to let him know and figure out what he wants to do.” Oliver sighed and shrugged helplessly. “Still, this might give us a chance to get the seerstone close to the dryad and figure out whether she’s our target or not.”

“That’s a thought! Let’s go back and ask him. There’s just enough humans among them that one of us wouldn’t be out of place.” Edward smiled at the thought.

Oliver nodded, then went ambling back toward the house, whistling brightly.

* * *

Phynis smiled and nodded at Vendis, her voice bright and friendly. “Vendis! It’s good to see you again. How are you? Don’t bow, I don’t need that from you.”

“I’d be better if Kelvanis up and surrendered, but that isn’t going to happen, Your Majesty,” the warrior replied with a grin, straightening from her respectful bow and looking curiously at the odd pair of humans in the room, Slaid and Umar. “That being the case, I’m doing as well as can be expected. May I ask who your companions are? I recognize Farren, Ruby, and Sistina, of course, but I don’t recognize your other guests.”

“Ah, yes. This is Slaid Darkeye and his second-in-command, Umar Sharptongue. They command Kelvanis’ Crown Loyalist faction in rebelling against the Archon and his subordinates,” Phynis explained, her smile broadening as she continued. “They’ve allied with us to take down the current regime and agreed to return our people and lands to us if we succeed. This is Captain Vendis Cascade, gentlemen. She commanded the scout force who rescued me from Kelvanis after I was captured last year. She’s skilled and I trust her implicitly.”

“A pleasure to meet both of you.” Vendis’ eyes brightened. “I must say that if nothing else, the Archon has a talent for uniting enemies against him. I look forward to working with you.”

“And I with you, Captain. I was informed that your company intends to take the fight to Kelvanis?” Slaid asked, giving a respectful nod.

“Yes, that’s the plan, at least for the moment. I’m currently in of the vanguard, while Major Chandler is in charge of the overall force.” Vendis’ voice grew somewhat warier at his question, curious where it was leading. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m mostly asking because we’ve been working on scouting for weak points in the region for years, but haven’t been willing to draw the attention that hitting more than a few of them would cause,” Slaid explained. Glancing at Umar, he asked. “Umar? You think sharing is a good idea in this case?”

“If it’ll hurt Kelvanis, I don’t see why not,” Umar replied, looking at Vendis appreciatively, his voice nonetheless serious. “I don’t know that all of it would be accurate at this point, but we have locations for dozens of supply depots and forts, and they’ve drawn from most of their garrisons for the war against Sifaren, too.”

“That would be an immense help!” Vendis blinked in surprise, but her smile grew warmer as she added, “While we have some information, I suspect that yours might be more detailed.”

“Since you seem to have come to something of an accord, why don’t we discuss the details over dinner?” Phynis suggested, looking between each of them speculatively.

“That sounds like an excellent idea,” Slaid agreed.

* * *

“Rise, Alissa. I’m a bit surprised to see you back so soon, I thought you’d be accompanying Helia and Sir Reva for some time yet,” Phynis told the guard, smiling at her.

“As did I, Your Majesty, but Queen Calath asked me to assist in escorting some of the immigrants and answering their questions, and also to deliver a letter,” Alissa replied, rising and smiling in return. “It was… interesting. Lisa Vanath in particular was curious about you.”

Phynis didn’t mind anything until the last sentence, when she blushed, remembering the black-haired young woman, asking hesitantly, “Lisa Vanath? She came along with you?”

“Yes. She’s a rather… aggressive young woman,” the guard replied, tilting her head curiously. “Do you know her, Your Majesty?”

“I met her shortly before the exceedingly unpleasant encounter where General Fairbrook tried to rape me,” Phynis replied, shivering. “She was at the ball, and while she wasn’t exactly unpleasant, she’s an ambitious young lady. I’m suddenly terrified that if I let her meet me, she’s going to try for seduction.”

“If it helps at all, I did tell her that you were in a rather… exclusive polyamorous relationship, and she seemed disappointed,” Alissa offered hopefully.

“Oh, good!” Phynis let out a breath of relief, sitting back in her throne, then chuckling. “I really shouldn’t be so nervous about her, but I can’t help it. Lisa was… interesting. Now, then, you brought me a letter from my mother?”

“Yes, of course.” Alissa removed a sealed letter from her messenger bag and stepped forward, offering it to Phynis.

Taking the letter, the Queen examined it for a moment, making certain it was her mother’s seal first, the wax a dull red against the paper. The seal looked right, so she nodded and looked at Sistina, asking, “Sistina? A knife, please?”

Sistina nodded, pulling out one of her silver-hued wooden daggers, which Phynis took carefully. She’d seen them cut through venison effortlessly, so she always treated the dryad’s knives with respect. Sliding the blade under the seal, Phynis cut it away from the fine paper, smiling as she offered the knife back. Sistina looked on curiously. Taking a deep breath, Phynis opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Phynis,

It’s been nearly a year since Captain Vendis rescued you from Kelvanis. I’ve had a lot of time to consider what has happened and the decisions I’ve made. Even before the winter I deeply regretted what I’d done, but there was part of me that still was worried and terrified of what might happen if you stayed with Sistina. I’d been reading all of the treatises that I could find on dungeons, and they were terrifying. You being at the mercy of one scared me beyond words.

Now I realize just how wrong I truly was. I wanted to make amends, yes, but there was still part of me that didn’t trust Sistina. Then she built a fortress in the space of a night, and gave you a small army of golems that can face foes which my army cannot. It has proven to me that I wasn’t just somewhat wrong in my decisions, but in every one of substance regarding Sistina’s intentions.

I can do little but express my regret for what I’ve done, Phynis. I’m sorry for everything I did that hurt you. I apologize for what Sistina has experienced, and at the first opportunity I will come apologize in person. I love you dearly, and hope that you have a long, happy reign.

Love,

Calath Constella

Phynis stared at the letter for a long moment, feeling tears well up in her eyes, and rapidly blinked to force them back. She’d been horrified by everything that had happened so far, and that her mother had forgiven her, and even understood? That was a relief she hadn’t realized she’d needed.

“Is something the matter, Your Majesty?” Farris asked, taking a step closer.

“No, Farris.” Phynis reached up to brush her eyes and smiled. “Nothing’s wrong at all. This made everything so much better.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Alissa murmured, smiling in relief.