The next day, the palace buzzed with rumors. Servants spoke in hushed tones, soldiers exchanged heavy glances, emissaries drafted messages. Kael's aura had crossed the valley, the ramparts, the countryside. It had been felt far beyond the borders.
Kael knew it. He had wanted it.
He took his breakfast in the study, surrounded by maps and reports. Kira was there, standing near the window. Drakk entered shortly after, a scroll in hand.
"News?" asked Kael.
"Yes. Several."
"Begin."
"The southern outposts reported unusual agitation. Wild beasts fled. Birds abandoned the forests. And farmers speak of a cold wind that swept through their fields."
"That was my aura."
"Yes. It carried all the way to the Vorlath border."
Kael smiled.
"Good."
"The scouts report that the Vorlath have reinforced their positions. They've doubled the guards and lit signal fires."
"They're afraid."
"Yes."
"Even better."
Drakk set the scroll on the table.
"We also received a message from the Court of Ashes."
"Maëldor?"
"Not directly. His chancellor. He asks whether the Neverdie Realm has suffered an attack."
"He's testing."
"Probably."
"What did you reply?"
"Nothing. I awaited your orders."
Kael thought for a moment.
"Reply that the kingdom is well. That the Demon King is in good health. And that his patience is limited."
"That's a provocation."
"No. It's a warning."
Drakk noted it.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. An emissary from Queen Selyna arrived this morning. He requests an audience."
"Selyna? The manipulator?"
"Herself. Her emissary brings gifts and 'congratulations' on your return."
"Congratulations, or disguised threats?"
"Hard to say. You'll have to meet him."
"I'll see him. But not today."
"When?"
"Tomorrow. Let him wait. Let him feel he's in foreign territory."
"Very well."
Drakk turned to leave.
"Wait," said Kael.
"Yes?"
"The other kings. Osskar, Sylva, Varka, Tarval, Lyssa, Xelphar, Morvan, Brakka. No signals?"
"Osskar sent a silent raven. It landed on a tower, then left."
"He's observing."
"Sylva sent nothing. But our guards saw wolves at the northern edge."
"She's observing too."
"Varka sent a cask of blood wine."
"A warrior's gift."
"Tarval proposes a trade meeting."
"He wants to ensure I won't burn his forges."
"Lyssa sent a black flower. Without a message."
"A curiosity. She wants to see how I react."
"Xelphar sent nothing visible."
"He's waiting."
"Morvan and Brakka are silent."
"Normal. They don't meddle with the surface."
Kael stood.
"The world felt my presence. That's good. Now we need to manage the reactions."
"What do you want to prioritize?"
"Rebuild defenses. Restore alliances. And show that the Neverdie Realm is not prey."
"Where do we begin?"
"With the southern borders. That's where it will break."
"I can go."
"No. I'll go."
"You?"
"Yes. I want to see with my own eyes."
"It's risky."
"It's necessary."
Kael turned to Kira.
"You're coming?"
"Obviously."
"Then prepare the horses. We leave tomorrow."
Kira nodded.
Drakk hesitated.
"You don't want an escort?"
"Yes. A small one. Soldiers who know the terrain."
"I'll take care of it."
"Good."
Drakk left. Kira approached.
"You really want to go south?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because that's where I fell. And that's where I need to rise."
"Symbolic."
"Practical. The borders are weak. Maëldor pushes. The Vorlath stir. I can't sit in a palace."
"You're more active than before."
"Before, I had generals. Now, I have ruins to rebuild."
"You have Kira, Drakk, Thorgar."
"Yes. And I need more."
"Serya will return."
"She's not here yet."
"She'll come."
Kael walked to the window.
"You have faith."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because she looked at you the way one looks at a king. Not a memory."
Kael didn't answer. He gazed at the city, the roofs, the gardens. The kingdom was beautiful. But it was fragile.
"Tomorrow," he said, "we go south. And we'll see what the world has done to my borders."
"And if it's worse than expected?"
"Then we'll repair."
"And if it's war?"
"Then we'll fight."
Kira smiled.
"You've become yourself again."
"No. I've become something else."
"What?"
"A king who learned to wait. And to strike at the right moment."
The purple sun bathed the room. Kael stood straight, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
The reconquest had only just begun.