The King didn’t call a full Council in the middle of the night, but there would be one in the morning now. Rhey listened in silence. Xandrie frowned the whole time, and Claws, at her feet, seemed ready to pounce, feeling just how tense the situation was. Aleria, who’d been there to greet them as soon as they’d come back, had also joined them in the royal chamber beneath the castle - a large cave with mountains of gold.

Xandrie had decorated; now, the living area was warm and inviting, with plush furniture, books, and, of course, given her taste, a few different weapons lying around.

The second time Vincent heard his treasure repeat the words of the goddess who would doom them all was just as terrifying as the first.

Nimue had given him, given them an out. If they reached the breach she’d offered to make, they would live. But what of everyone else? The rest of the world they belonged to. Since the Rift, their kind, be they in Farden or Absolia, had taken a step back from man and elves, but they were still part of this world, were they not? Would they leave them to die?

Ultimately the decision rested on Rhey, who remained silent and thoughtful after Talia was done. Or so Vincent would have thought. But Xandrie’s hand went to his arm, and she whispered, “We need to help.”

Slowly, the King nodded, agreeing with his Queen.

“Before I ever left Malek, I met two people. I didn’t talk of it - in fact, I gave my word that I wouldn’t. But I’m not one to believe in coincidences. That I met them then, and am now the first to hear of such darkness…” she stopped digressing from the current subject, returning to her tale. “I saw the elf Princes of Aryn and Endar. Turin and Argon,” said she. “The Truth Seeker, and the Aether-born.”

Both of whom were rumored to be dead.

Everyone’s gaze focused on her now.

“They told me they were on a quest to stop the Shadows. I think,” she tried, “I think they might know of this, somehow. I believe they may be fighting against it. Perhaps looking for the second twin as we speak.”

“The one who, should she return first, would have us all killed.”

“We should find her and lock her in a cell forever,” Vincent grumbled, making Talia laugh.

“Yes, that’s going to work. Let’s lock up a goddess. Who would kill us all, if she gave up on us.” Talia said, “It’s not about attempting to stop the inevitable. One of these women is going to go home, and soon. I saw how tired and depressed Nimue is. She’s acting now, plotting and spreading horrors to force her sister to despair. Let’s show her she shouldn’t. Let’s spread as much goodness as we can. And if I ever come across that woman, well, I, for one, will love her, give her a damn hug and tell her she isn’t alone. That might be the only thing we can do at this point.”

Aleria was next to speak. “I agree. But while hoping for the best may help, I also recommend preparing for the worst. She said their shield is similar to the one at Norda, only stronger. We could attempt to replicate it - protect our cities, somehow. We’ll need help - scientists, alchemists, engineers. It means having to call to every Kingdom out there.”

It meant their world changing forever. Sharing their technology, mending fences with old enemies - perhaps even Absolia, which had, long ago, been known for its greed and corruption. The Kingdom of Fiery Shadows, it was called, because, instead of using their Aether, the good part of their souls, they’d all given into the Shadows. But surely, even they would agree that it was time for peace now, for the greater good?

Vincent pulled Talia close and held her in his arms. All that talk of darkness and upcoming doom was making one thing crystal clear: he needed her to become his in every way, and quite immediately.

“We’ll send messengers everywhere,” said the King.

“Dragons should roam the land in search of the elves, until we can assure them we intend to be of aid,” added the Queen, who was met with nods of ascent. Her word was also law.

Then, frowning, Vincent asked, “Where’s Demelza?”

The commotion in the castle should have awoken her and brought her here. Unless she’d taken to wandering again.

“Away,” replied Xandrie, frowning again. “She’s fine, but earlier, I felt…strange.” She was absentmindedly rubbing at the Aether mark on her hand. “Ignore me. She’s fine.”

She was hiding something. Rhey’s gaze made it clear that he was aware of it and intended to find out exactly what.

“Well,” Vincent said, feeling like their welcome had passed, and, besides, he very much wished to be alone with Talia now, “let us leave you to the rest of your night. There’s much to do tomorrow, and all that.”

“Vincent?” Rhey called. His brow was stern, but a small smile teased his lips. “We won’t expect either of you to surface till late on the morrow.”

Good.