The following days were devoted to preparations. Kael spent his mornings in the map room, his afternoons on the training grounds, his evenings reading reports. He slept little, ate quickly, spoke rarely.
The palace had awakened. Corridors echoed with footsteps, kitchens smoked, forges turned. Soldiers trained by the hundreds in the barracks. Scouts departed daily toward the borders.
Drakk coordinated. Thorgar trained. Kira oversaw the details no one else noticed. And Kael held it all together.
One evening, as night fell, Kael gathered his closest allies in the study.
Drakk, Thorgar, and Kira took their places around the table. Kael remained standing, hands resting on a large map of the Neverdie Realm.
"This is where we stand," he said. "The southern fortifications are repaired. The garrisons have resumed training. Reserves are replenishing."
"Slowly," Drakk noted.
"It's a start."
"Provisions will come from next season's harvests. If the northern lands produce enough."
"They will produce."
"You're sure?"
"I'll make sure of it."
Thorgar looked up.
"You want to use your magic on the fields?"
"Yes. I can enrich the soil. Accelerate growth. Protect the crops."
"That's exhausting."
"It's necessary."
"And the soldiers?" asked Drakk. "The new recruits are willing, but they lack experience."
"Thorgar is handling it."
"I do what I can," said Thorgar. "But I need veterans."
"We'll find some."
"Where?"
"In the villages. The elders. Those who fought before my fall."
"Many are dead or wounded."
"Those who remain can train the young."
"And if they refuse?"
"They won't refuse. Not if I ask."
Kira stepped forward.
"And the alliances? You've received offers."
"Yes. Selyna offers her help. Xelphar observes. Varka sends wine. Tarval wants trade. Lyssa, a flower. Osskar, a raven. Sylva, wolves."
"Will you respond?"
"Yes. To all."
"How?"
"First, with gifts. Then, with meetings. Finally, with choices."
Drakk crossed his arms.
"And Maëldor?"
"Maëldor waits. He won't move until he knows who stands beside me."
"And if he attacks first?"
"Then he'll find me in his path."
"Are you ready to fight him?"
"I'm ready to break him."
The tone was calm, but final. The other three exchanged glances.
"You've changed," said Thorgar.
"You've already told me that."
"No. This time it's different. You're calmer. More precise."
"I had ten years to think."
"About what?"
"About everything I would do when I returned."
Kael straightened.
"Tomorrow, I'll summon the village chiefs. I'll speak to them. I want them to know that the kingdom isn't just the palace. It's them."
"And if they doubt?" asked Kira.
"I'll convince them."
"With words?"
"With the truth."
"And if the truth isn't enough?"
"Then I'll show them something else."
"What?"
"That I'm ready to fight for them. Not just for the throne."
A silence followed. Then Drakk stood.
"I'll prepare the summons."
"I'll handle the training grounds," said Thorgar.
"I'll stay with you," said Kira.
Kael nodded.
"Then to work."
They filed out one by one, leaving Kael alone in the study.
He sat by the window. The starry sky shone above the Neverdie Realm. The stars seemed closer, like suspended embers.
He took the notebook, opened it at random.
A destruction spell. A servitude formula. A sketch of the unknown woman.
He turned the pages.
A poem.
He read it slowly, lips barely moving.
"Beneath the black moon, kings fall silent.
Thrones crumble, crowns grow heavy.
I walk alone in the garden of ashes,
And I remember what I once was—tender."
He closed the notebook.
"I was tender," he murmured.
The word sounded strange.
He looked at the night.
"Perhaps I still am."
The wind snapped a banner.
The king rose, set the notebook on the table, and walked out.
---
In the courtyard, Kira waited for him.
"You're not tired?"
"Yes."
"Then why aren't you sleeping?"
"Because I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"About tomorrow. The villages. What I'm going to say."
"You'll find the words."
"You think?"
"Yes. You always do."
"Not always."
"Almost always."
Kael smiled.
"You've become a flatterer."
"No. Honest."
"That's worse."
They walked side by side through the gardens. The night smelled of flowers and warm stone.
"Have you seen the stars?" asked Kael.
"Yes. They're beautiful."
"I missed them."
"You never told me that."
"I didn't know."
"And now?"
"Now I know."
They stopped near a fountain. The water gleamed under the moon.
"Kira."
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow, I want you by my side."
"I will be."
"Not behind. Beside."
"Why?"
"Because you're no longer my shadow. You're my brother in arms."
Kira was silent for a moment.
"I don't know what to say."
"Then say nothing."
"Alright."
They resumed their walk, leaving the fountain murmuring behind them.