Kael woke late in the morning. The red southern light filtered through the wooden shutters, striping the room with dark lines. He lay still for a moment, eyes open, letting the fatigue slowly recede.
Kira was no longer there. In his place, a pitcher of water, bread, and a note on the table.
"I'm on the ramparts. Don't get up too fast. The soldiers need to see you rested."
Kael sat up, drank deeply, ate unhurriedly. His muscles were heavy, but magic had begun to circulate through him again during the night. He could feel his reserves replenishing, like an underground spring rising.
He dressed and went out.
The fort buzzed with activity. Soldiers repaired what remained, cleaned weapons, reinforced guard posts. The new walls gleamed in the sun. The catapults were ready.
Kael climbed to the ramparts. Kira stood there, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the plain.
"Sleep well?" he asked without turning.
"Yes."
"You look slightly less corpse-like."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Almost."
Kael leaned on the stone.
"News?"
"The scouts returned. The Vorlath haven't moved. They're reinforcing their palisades, but no offensive movement."
"They're waiting."
"Yes. They want to see if you'll strike."
"They'll see nothing. For now."
"You still want to retake the basins?"
"Yes. But not now."
"When?"
"When the kingdom is ready. When alliances are clear. When I know who is with me and who is against."
"And until then?"
"Until then, we prepare."
Kael walked along the ramparts, greeting soldiers, checking defenses. He stopped near a young demon who was sharpening a new blade.
"That's a good weapon," said Kael.
The soldier started.
"My king. Yes. It's light. Well-balanced."
"Do you know how to use it?"
"I'm training."
"Show me."
The soldier hesitated, then took a stance. Kael stepped back.
"Strike."
"You're sure?"
"Strike."
The soldier swung a slashing blow. Kael sidestepped, caught his wrist, disarmed the young demon with a sharp motion. The blade fell into the dust.
"You attack too openly. Your shoulders telegraph every move."
"Yes, my king."
"Pick it up. Try again."
The soldier obeyed. He attacked again, more cautiously. Kael dodged, blocked, corrected.
"Better. But your stance is too wide. Bring your feet closer."
They repeated the exercise several times. Other soldiers had gathered, forming a silent circle.
"You see?" Kael said to the group. "He's improving. You can all improve."
A few shy smiles.
"I want every soldier in this fort to train two hours a day. Not one. Two. With real weapons, not sticks."
"Yes, my king," said the commander.
"And I want deeper patrols. I don't want to wait until the Vorlath are at our gates to see them."
"It will be done."
Kael picked up the blade and handed it to the young soldier.
"Keep it. And never let it go."
"Thank you, my king."
Kael nodded and walked away.
"Are you going to do this in every fort?" asked Kira, catching up.
"No. Just here. The others have already received their orders."
"You want to lead by example."
"I want to show that the king fights alongside them."
"You're not fighting. You're training."
"It's the same."
"No. It's more useful."
They descended from the ramparts.
"We're going back to the palace," said Kael.
"Today?"
"Yes. Drakk likely needs me."
"And the border?"
"It will hold. It held ten years without me. It can hold a few more days."
"It held badly."
"It will hold better now."
They prepared the horses. Before leaving, Kael addressed the assembled soldiers.
"I'll return. And when I return, it won't be to inspect. It will be to reclaim."
A murmur of approval ran through the ranks.
Kael mounted.
"Let's go."
The convoy set out, leaving the fort under the red southern sky.
---
The return journey was calm. Kael rode at the head, silent. Kira kept pace beside him, eyes on the horizon.
"Do you think Selyna will try again?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Will you receive her?"
"If she comes herself."
"And if she sends another emissary?"
"I'll send them back."
"You want to force her to come in person."
"I want to see if she's serious."
"She's a queen. She doesn't travel without reason."
"Exactly. If she comes, she has a reason. And I'd like to know which."
Kira nodded.
"You distrust her."
"I distrust everyone."
"Even me?"
"No. Not you."
"Why?"
"Because you stayed."
"Is that reason enough?"
"It's the only one that matters."
They rode in silence until nightfall. The palace finally appeared, perched on its hill, bathed in starlight.
Kael dismounted in the courtyard.
Drakk awaited him.
"My king. You look well."
"You're improving at flattery."
"It's the truth."
"The affairs?"
"Stable. The kings' messages keep arriving. And a visitor is here."
"Who?"
"A man. He says he comes on behalf of Xelphar."
Kael froze.
"Xelphar?"
"Yes. The King of Broken Mirrors. He sent an emissary."
"Where is he?"
"In the waiting chamber. He arrived an hour ago. He hasn't spoken."
"No one speaks for Xelphar."
"That's what I thought."
Kael turned to Kira.
"Stay with me."
"Obviously."
They entered the palace.
Torches burned. Corridors were silent.
And somewhere in the shadows, a man waited.