Evening fell over the Sanctuary. A violet twilight stretched above the statues, bathing the black stones in a pale glow. The faceless servants of the place, dressed in grey, lit braziers in the great hall. A long table had been set. Steaming dishes, carafes of dark wine, baskets of unknown fruits.
The kings were invited to sit.
Kael arrived among the last, dressed in a dark tunic, the blade of broken glass at his belt. Kira walked behind him, his face closed. The great hall was already full. The kings took their places, their escorts remaining standing against the walls.
"It looks like a trap," Kira murmured.
"It is one. A polished trap."
"Do you want me to taste the dishes?"
"No. The Sanctuary forbids poison."
"You're sure?"
"The spell prevents any form of violence. Even that which hides in a cup."
Kira nodded, not entirely convinced.
Kael sat at the center of the table. Sylva dropped into the seat to his left, in a rustle of hides and bones. Selyna took the place to his right, elegant, a floating smile. The other kings settled around them.
"Well," said Varka, tearing a beast's thigh. "Since we're stuck, we might as well eat."
"And drink," added Selyna.
"And talk," said Osskar.
"About what?" asked Maëldor, his face dark.
"About what awaits us," replied the old king.
Silence fell. Gazes turned toward him.
"You have all felt it," Osskar continued. "Something approaches. Something without a name."
"It's not the first time a threat has lingered," said Varka.
"No. But this one is different."
"Why?"
"Because it comes from the dream."
Kael tensed.
"The dream?"
"Yes. Elara's spell was not a simple prison. It was a door. And for ten years, that door remained open."
"I was imprisoned. Not the door."
"Do you think? You dreamed, Kael. And dreams attract shadows."
"You speak like Lyssa."
"Lyssa and I are older than you. We know things others ignore."
"Then explain."
Osskar placed his gnarled hands on the table.
"The Sorcerer King created this Sanctuary to protect the kings. But he also created barriers between worlds. Some are crumbling."
"Because of my dream?"
"Because of your absence. And your return."
Selyna leaned forward.
"That's why the Council was convened. Not just for borders."
"Yes," said Osskar. "We must prepare."
"For what?" asked Varka.
"An invasion. Not armies. Not kings. Shadows born of dreams. Fragments of ancient spells. Remnants of broken magic."
"Do you have proof?" asked Kael.
"Signs. Creatures sighted at borders. Villages emptied. Mists that no longer dissipate."
"Serya saw an army of shadows."
"Serya is a seer. Her visions are reliable."
"So the dream is not over."
"It will never be. Not as long as its echoes run through the world."
Maëldor sneered.
"You speak like priests. Shadows, dreams, signs. It's wind."
"Wind can topple kingdoms," said Xelphar without turning his head.
"Be silent, glass man."
"I am not glass. I am silence."
Tension rose. Kael raised his hand.
"Enough. If a threat approaches, we'll deal with it. For now, we are here, together, and alive."
"A truce," said Selyna.
"Yes. A truce."
"And if the truce doesn't hold?" asked Varka.
"Then we'll fight. But not tonight."
The dinner resumed. The faceless servants filled the cups. Conversations grew lower, more intimate. Kael ate little. He observed.
"You're worried," said Sylva softly.
"Yes."
"You're thinking about the threat?"
"I'm thinking about everything."
"I only think about hunting."
"Then hunt."
"Not here. The Sanctuary doesn't like blood."
"Pity."
Sylva smiled.
"You have humor, after all."
"No. I have irony."
"It's the same."
"Almost."
She took a sip of wine.
"If the shadows come, I'll tear them apart."
"Why?"
"Because the forest must remain wild. And shadows aren't wild. They're empty."
"Then we'll be on the same side."
"Perhaps."
"Does that bother you?"
"No. It excites me."
Kael didn't respond.
The banquet lasted late into the night. The kings withdrew one by one, followed by their servants and shadows. Kael remained seated for a long moment, watching the embers die in the braziers.
"You should sleep," said Kira.
"I'm not tired."
"You never sleep."
"I sleep when the kingdom sleeps."
"The kingdom sleeps."
"Then perhaps I'll close my eyes."
"I'll keep watch."
"You always keep watch."
"It's my role."
Kael stood.
"No. It's more than that."
They left the hall.
Outside, the barrier still gleamed, thin and unyielding.
One more day.
And after that, the return.