The palace was immense. Kael knew every corridor, every staircase, every stone. Yet as he walked through the galleries, he felt as if he were rediscovering a forgotten place. The tapestries, the displayed armor, the tall windows open to the starry sky. Everything seemed both familiar and foreign.
Kira walked on his left, silent. Drakk preceded them by a few paces, leading the way. Servants melted out of their path, heads bowed, glances furtive.
"Feels like a museum," said Kael.
"The palace has been preserved as it was," Drakk replied. "Most of the halls haven't been opened since your departure."
"You were afraid of what? Waking the ghosts?"
"Let's say no one wanted to touch what belonged to you."
"Result: everything smells of dust and polish."
Drakk didn't respond. Kira, however, almost smiled.
"You talk more than usual," he observed.
"It's my palace. I have the right to complain."
"You're not complaining. You're commenting."
"It's the same."
"No. Complaining is lamenting. Commenting is judging."
"Then I'm judging. It's dusty."
Kira shook his head, amused.
They arrived before a massive double door, carved with war scenes. Drakk pushed the panels open.
The Hall of Generals.
A long table of black stone occupied the center. Maps were unrolled, pieces placed, glass carafes filled with a dark liquid. The walls were covered with shelves and ancient weapons. A vast window let in the starlight.
Thorgar was already there.
He stood near the table, massive, square, his face carved by years. His armor was worn, but clean. He looked up at Kael's entrance.
"My king."
His voice was hoarse, as if it hadn't been used in a long time.
"Thorgar," Kael replied.
"You haven't changed."
"Neither have you. A bit greyer, maybe."
"The years weigh heavy. Even on demons."
"Sit."
Thorgar hesitated, then obeyed.
Kael seated himself at the head of the table. Drakk took the place to his right. Kira remained standing, leaning against a shelf.
"Where are the others?" Kael asked.
"Serya refused to leave her exile," said Drakk. "She won't come."
"She responded to the message?"
"Yes. She said: 'He knows where to find me.'"
Kael nodded.
"And Valdrek?"
"He screamed. He wept. Then he locked himself away. He's not fit to travel."
"Nyssa?"
"No word. The messengers didn't find her."
"She doesn't want to be found."
"Probably."
"So we are three."
"Four," Kira corrected.
Kael turned his head toward him.
"You're not a general."
"I'm not leaving."
"I didn't say you were leaving."
"Then I'm staying."
"Sit."
Kira hesitated a moment, then sat to Kael's left.
Thorgar looked at him with a glint of surprise.
"Little Kira sits at the generals' table."
"Little Kira traveled half the world for ten years," Kira retorted. "He earned the right to sit."
"He's changed," Thorgar observed.
"Yes," said Kael. "He's changed. So have I. So have you. Everyone has changed. Now let's talk about the kingdom."
Drakk unrolled a large map.
"The current borders are here. In red, the ceded territories. In black, contested zones."
Kael leaned forward. The map was precise, annotated, marked with dozens of symbols.
"The Vorlath took the Krell basin," he said.
"Yes. And they fortified it."
"Maëldor?"
"He controls the Ash Road, to the south. He has established outposts less than two days' march from our borders."
"And the Iron Marches?"
"Tarval trades with us. He sells weapons, armor, machines."
"At what price?"
"Raw ores. Hunting lands."
"He likes money."
"He likes stability. As long as we pay, he won't attack us."
"And the others?"
"Selyna tried to infiltrate our networks. She failed, but she wounded several agents."
"She wounded my people?"
"Yes. Two are dead."
Kael clenched his fists.
"I'll deal with her later."
"Osskar and Sylva haven't moved," Drakk continued. "They neither helped nor attacked."
"And the new ones? Lyssa, Xelphar, Morvan?"
"Lyssa proposed a non-aggression pact two years ago. I didn't respond."
"Why?"
"Because I didn't want to commit the kingdom without you."
"Good. Morvan?"
"Complete silence. He doesn't respond to messages."
"Xelphar?"
"He sent an emissary. A pale demon without a face. He said the King of Broken Mirrors would be delighted to meet the Demon King of the Neverdie Realm."
"He said 'delighted'?"
"Yes. I don't know if it was ironic."
"It probably was."
Kael leaned back in his seat.
"So, to summarize. We have a weakened kingdom, eroded borders, an ambitious neighbor, a manipulator, a mysterious new king, and two potential allies."
"More or less," said Drakk.
"And what do you want to do?" Thorgar asked.
"First, consolidate. Then, reclaim."
"Reclaim what?"
"Everything."
Thorgar straightened.
"The Krell basins?"
"Yes. And the ceded roads. And the lost outposts. And every stone of this kingdom."
"That means war."
"Perhaps."
"Are you ready?"
"Not yet. But soon."
Thorgar slowly nodded.
"I will follow you."
"I never doubted it."
"Neither will I," said Drakk.
Kael looked at Kira.
"And you?"
"You already know."
"Yes. But I like to hear it."
Kira smiled.
"I will follow you. To the end."
"Good."
Kael stood.
"Tomorrow, I want to inspect the garrisons. The day after, the borders. Then I'll go see Serya."
"To the marshes?" asked Drakk.
"Yes."
"She won't welcome you with open arms."
"I don't need open arms. I need her."
"She's unstable."
"She's powerful. And she waited for me."
Kael walked around the table.
"The palace needs air. Open the windows. Burn the dust. And tell the servants I don't bite."
"They're not afraid of you," said Thorgar.
"Then tell them to stop lowering their eyes."
"They're impressed."
"I did nothing to impress them."
"You returned. That's enough."
Kael stopped near the door.
"No. It's not enough. But it will be."
He walked out. Kira followed. Drakk and Thorgar remained seated, silent, the maps spread before them.
"He's changed," said Thorgar.
"Yes," said Drakk.
"For the better?"
"I don't know yet."
"Personally, I think he talks more."
"Much more."
"Maybe that's good."
"Maybe."
They remained silent for a moment, then Thorgar rose heavily.
"I'll prepare the garrisons."
"And I'll prepare the reports."
"Do you really think he'll take back everything we lost?"
"Yes."
"Do you really believe that?"
Drakk looked up.
"I believe he has no other choice."
Outside, the starry night shone above the palace.