The advent of technology has given ways to explain magic, and has given ways to question it even more. Possibly one of the largest advances is the analysis of chemical structure and what happens to the internal properties of a material, or in magical terms a base, as we apply our art to it. Whereas I am not one to bemoan the Pantheon needlessly, unlike my colleagues, this is one field in which the Pantheon has failed. Magical advancement has always been undertaken with risk, it is much like a dangerous sport. A man may not truly be sure of whether a cliff is climbable until he scales it. Likewise, a magician may never truly be sure of whether something is possible until he casts it. Yet this is one relatively harmless field where magic could in fact be studied.

  Whereas to analyse, to even detect, chemical composition is relatively high technology, it is the foundation of magic. There is no mage on this world in this incapable for it, for if they weren’t they would not be magicians. To change ice into water or to go a step further and force water out of thin air can be tracked with chemistry. Whereas the process is highly anti-scientific, as energy is imbued from seemingly nowhere, the tools of the mundane do in fact serve a use.

  Traditional transmutatory alchemical is a learned science. Even today, scientific tools can only barely replicate the most basic trick: lead-to-gold. Mages do not make great scientists either, my people have little practice in questioning when their entire power relies on surety.

  Thus, I finally come to my request. I do not wish to call for more Imperial scientists to be stationed within Arcadia. What has been provided is enough. More will be merely redundant. I request for a public effort to find materials into which the ash can be transmuted into. I have learned of atomic theory now, the explanations can be complicated, they simply needed to be feasible.

  All of Ashen Skies can be brought down, and it was would wreak havoc upon the entire planet. I question the possibility of whether the atmosphere will be able to withstand such a shift. Of course, it may be done, although you have told me to avoid a scenario which could lead to the fallout of another Continent Cracking.

  I have come across another solution to our problem. All that is needed is a material which can be created entirely of the ash, and not disturb the air to a large extent. More details are attached on the sheet stapled to this letter.

  - Letter from Goddess Elassa, of Magic, Headmistress of the Imperial War College of Arcadia, to God Arascus, of Pride.

  Fortia watched Fer sniff the air as they waited outside the door of a huge bunker. The other two Divines had been kicked off the train at the nearest stop and then it had started going in the other direction back down Doschia, through its mountains, and then to Northern Rilia into a town hall where the Central Strategic Council of the Empire was meeting. The town of Irma was small, although it was central and from the number of professional black cars or outright military transports on the streets, it had been taken over by the Imperial Military.

  On the walls of the corridor they waited in, paintings of Rilia, of their architecture, paintings of artists painting more paintings, and paintings of Agrita decorated every section of the wall. This town hall was obviously not a military location, it was a location that had been chosen to host a meeting. Fortia imagined it was most likely because the Empire was not ready to reveal their actual locations to her. So now she waited. That was expected. She did not even care as Fer stood, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and her eyes closed. That was expected, of course that Fortia and Maisara would get someone assigned to serve as reconnaissance. Nor even that Alice had been told to sit in a separate room where a maid had been provided to entertain the girl. Of course they wouldn’t let a random girl into a strategic meeting.

  One thing did sting though. One thing where Fortia had to give honest credit where honest credit was due. The food Fer had brought them had been surprisingly good. Even Alice ate a sizably healthy portion of a meal that was meant for Divine. Maisara and Fortia split the rest between themselves.

  It was terribly annoying that the food was good.

  And the fact that it was Fer and Fer alone who had been assigned to stand over them. Olephia or maybe Anassa, definitely Irinika, would have been enough by themselves. Fer matched Fortia and Fer matched Maisara but Fer was outmatched when she had to face them together. The amount of trust that they weren’t just going to execute one of Arascus’ daughters was surreal. That wouldn’t fly in the White Pantheon. Fer sniffed the air again, her ears bouncing as she did so. “He’s not here.”

  “Who?” Maisara asked.

  “Arascus?” Fortia came in.

  “Mmh.” Fer said. “I don’t smell him.” She sighed and looked at the two Goddesses. “That means I have to stay with you.” She slouched, her arms dropped and she sighed heavily. Fortia and Maisara both just shared a wary look as Fer moaned into the open air. Surely they weren’t such bad company? “Apologies girls.” She said it in such a jovial tone that it obviously was not a real apology. “You’re stuck with me for a while longer.”

  “Don’t act like we torture you.” Maisara said dryly. “We just keep to ourselves and don’t get in the way.”

  “Oh what a lovely girl you are Maisara!” Fer exclaimed. “Downright sweet, thank you for not causing trouble when you’re a guest!” She wailed. Maisara had no response. She crossed her arms tighter and harrumphed to no one in particular. “I want to go for dinner!” Fer said. “I want food!” Maisara and Fortia looked at each other again, utterly silent. What were they even supposed to say with a comment like that?

  “No one is stopping you.” Maisara said.

  “Work is stopping me.” Fer moaned. “I’m a professional. Dad says I’m a professional. I can’t disappoint him.” Fortia took a deep breath and said nothing. Maisara fell silent to. Fer made wordless noises of discontent as she stood there. After fifteen minutes of the awkward standing about in the corridor, the door besides Fer finally opened. None of the three Goddesses reacted as men started filtering out the room. Fortia even recognised some of them from the news, the elven generals were there: Menith, Aryon & Beryon. Each of them. Several human commanders too, Fortia had seen them on TV. Trosk of Internal Affairs as well, he walked off and away already, only casting a sideways glance at Fortia. Iliyal had most likely already informed everyone he would have a meeting.

  Fer stared at the elves for a while, her smile growing. The commanders almost shrunk under her gaze. The shoulders of the humans lowered, their gazes averted. Two of the elves suddenly started inspecting the pattern in the tiled floor and how the light reflected off the shiny marble. Only Menith held his ground. “Is there a problem, Goddess?” He asked carefully.

  “Shouldn’t you salute when you see me?” Fer asked slowly.

  The elf straightened for a moment, and then immediately drew up a clean and professional salute. Fer just stared at the action for a moment and shook her head. “Alright alright, stand down. I was just goofing around.” That brought about the reaction she wanted. The elf stared up at her, his posture broke for a single instant. The others looked to Menith, then to Fer, then back at the ground. The chuckle from Fer finally subsumed. “What are you waiting here for?”

  “The Marshal requested us to wait until after he meets with Goddess Fortia and Maisara.” Menith replied dryly. His eyes passed over to Of Peace and Of Order. Imperial men through and through, the tiny inclination of his head was the least respect he could give without being outright disrespectful. Fortia didn’t return it. Maisara didn’t either. They weren’t her soldiers, nor her allies. Fer looked into the door and sighed.

  “Are we going to stay long, chop-chop lads!” She shouted. That got the rest of the ministers out. A few stood by the military commanders, most of them went off. Fortia just stared at the crew. Humans and elves and two dwarves. One was a mage, she just walked off, her eyes passing over Fortia and Maisara once. Fortia blinked. Was she actually just sniffed at? Surely… Not. “Arcadian thoroughbred.” Maisara replied as if the words were supposed to curse the woman’s entire lineage for ages to come. Fer leaned in again, then disappeared through the door. A moment later, her messy locks and ears and bright eyes reappeared.

  “Come along ladies.” Fortia wished that Fer wouldn’t speak to them like that in front of mortals. It was a thoroughly undignified method of communication. Shouldn’t she be setting an example? Fortia entered the room in a matter of seconds, Fer was already stood by Iliyal’s side. Her hair had settled down, her ears pointed forwards, her smile was gone, replaced by the sort of military authority that commanders carried.

  Fortia looked around the room, it was a plainly decorated office. Obviously not the real location of the CSC, one of the decorations on the wall was a calendar that still had meeting stamps stuck to it in Rilian. In the middle of the table was a map of Epa with lines all over it. Standard Imperial notation was being used, which meant that a man could stare at it for two hours before catching the faintest of a clue from the overload of information being portrayed. Next to it was a larger map of Khmet. It was incomprehensible, with lines in different colours drawn over as if someone had tried to fit five different battleplans on the same picture. Two chairs had already been prepared for Fortia and Maisara, both on either side of the table, twice the size of the chairs for the mortals. That certainly was one to seat them. Fer gave her rundown. “They are healthy. They are unhurt. They are fed. They are well-behaved. That’s my report.”

  Maisara couldn’t hold it. “Arascus isn’t here?” She asked as she took her seat.

  Fortia took a deep breath as she stared at Iliyal. The elf did not move a muscle as he stared at them, eyes barely peeking over the interlocked fingers. “Arascus is not here.” Iliyal said. “He is handling discontent in Esberia right now.” Fortia and Maisara shared another look. Fortia tried to silently tell Maisara to not press further just through her gaze.

  Maisara either didn’t catch it or ignored her. “That wasn’t on the news.” She said.

  Iliyal’s cold eyes made their way from Fortia to Maisara on the other side of the table. “It will be written about once the Emperor finishes his negotiations.” The tone said there was no more to ask. “So.” He took a deep sigh. “We meet again, in my land this time.”

  “We have no wish to harm you Iliyal.” Fortia said. “We have made no move to harm you, you have reconnaissance to prove it.” Fortia’s eyes went to Fer and the Goddess of Beasthood smiled widely.

  “They were extremely well behaved, I have to say.”

  “It was introductions.” Iliyal said. “I do not know whether Fer has or has not caught up you up, so I have planned to tell you everything.” Fortia and Maisara both kept silent about the fact Fer did tell them about the invasion of Khmet, likewise they didn’t say anything about checking the news that seemingly told of everything about the war. “Tartarus has decided to invade Khmet.” Iliyal dropped the words and waited to scan their reactions. “You seem to know that already.”

  “We do.” Maisara said. Fer blushed.

  Iliyal didn’t react. “We have confirmation Ashen Skies have started to move again. The attack through the mountains on Kirinyaa had stalled out. In the northern section, the ashfront has actually began to retreat.” The elf spoke calmly and dryly, as if needing to find ways to critique food. “This is most likely because General Zalewski has proven to be a spine they are struggling to swallow. They have started melting the mountain range.” Fortia and Maisara gave no reaction. The same had been done in the Great War when a fortress proved too difficult to assault. “It is going slowly though, the Central Mountains are vast and wide.”

  Maisara interrupted Iliyal. “Why are we talking with you and not Arascus.” Fer’s smile turned devilish, Fortia just sighed as Iliyal fixed his gaze upon the Goddess of Order. To think a mortal in a room with three Divines did not shrink away.

  “The four greatest living military strategists in the world are Goddess Kassandora, Arascus and the two of you.” He said dryly. “Who is number five?” Fortia had to smile at the sheer confidence of the elf. No one gave the answer, no one needed to reply. Everyone knew it was him. He let the silence hold for ten long seconds. “This is why you are talking to me and we do not insult you with the presence of Malam and Helenna, who are typically used for this situation.”

  “So what do you want?” Fortia asked before Maisara could interrupt again.

  Iliyal, as always, was direct and to the point. “Integration with the Empire.” Iliyal said flatly. “The offer stands, the faster you make a decision, the more Ardan lives will be saved.”

  Maisara took a deep breath. She turned to Fortia, Fortia turned to her friend. They stared at each other for a moment, Maisara’s silver eyes glittered with disappointment and defeat, with uncertainty and unwillingness and with the worst emotion of all: defeat. Fortia knew she had to keep the negotiations then. “And how will this look?” She asked the most question of all and Iliyal smiled. He actually leaned back in his seat before the Goddesses, as if this was just another Tuesday for him.

  “You will make a public declaration with Arascus, most likely Malam and Helenna will be there, maybe other Goddesses depending on who is available. Then, you will immediately be made into Imperial General-Divines, the same rank as Kavaa. Above you stand three people, one of them is me, the other is Goddess Kassandora and God Arascus, in that order of hierarchy. In terms of where you will be assigned, that is dependant on the war situation but you will effectively be handed command of an army and a region to protect, the local leadership will be there and informed of the fact that they have to help with the management until you grow comfortable with how things work.”

  “That’s a lot of faith.” Maisara spoke up.

  “Is it?” Iliyal asked.

  “Is it not?”

  Iliyal shrugged, actually shrugged, at her. And the worst part was that he didn’t make it seem like he was writing her off! Fortia was utterly stunned at how lightly he was taking it! “I had this conversation with Kavaa once.” Iliyal said. “When we were training the Epan Mascots into what they are now.”

  “I was there too.” Fer interjected.

  “You were.” Iliyal confirmed. “Kavaa said Arascus was a man with a shovel, that he dug a river and she merely got caught up in the flow and realised the waters weren’t so bad.” Iliyal shrugged again. “Everyone here knows that declaring with us makes you effective persona-non-grata in the UNN, in Guguo, in the Pantheon, it is less that we intend to keep you in our house but that the other houses will lock you out.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Maisara shook her head, she looked at Fortia. More defeat. Fortia could read the crease in the brow all too well, she knew she was feeling it too. The elf was making sense. Declaring for the Empire was more than just some endorsement, it signified they were there to the end of the game. “There is one thing.” Fortia began. She knew of Imperial Doctrine, everyone did. It had happened a thousand years ago, when Kassandora went around and systematically dismantled every Order that belonged to one of her sisters. Only Fer’s beastmen had been spared the worst of it, and Fer’s beastmen had been made into specialist auxiliaries. “The question of Orders.”

  “Indeed.” Iliyal said. “We have not dismantled your fortresses, some will be returned, the vast majority will not. Discussion can take place on which, if any, you favour, but know they will effectively become military locations more ceremonial than administrative.”

  “I didn’t mean that.” Fortia said. “I was talking about integration.”

  “You were there when the first Imperial Legions happened.” Maisara said. “It’s obvious that the template has not changed.”

  “The template has not changed.” Iliyal said. “Discussion is still taking place. Goddess Kassandora is underground, she and Arascus call the shots on this. I do not.”

  Fortia didn’t like it. “That was a smooth evasion Iliyal.” Fortia said. “But it is not an answer.”

  “That is because I am in no position to provide an answer.” Iliyal said. “The gap between me and the Goddess is much like the gap between my generals and me. Advice is heard but whether it is taken is for no one to determine. There are no hard feelings, it is simply a matter of policy.”

  “That’s not a good answer.” Maisara said. Iliyal turned to Fer. The Goddess of Beasthood shrugged.

  “What do you want us to say?” Fer asked. “That your Orders will be maintained as private armies? Obviously that will not happen. They will be split up and turned to follow military doctrine. Most likely we’ll see special exemptions made as happens with my warherds, but you’re going to be leading Imperial Legions, not Holy Orders.”

  “That is what I am questioning.” Fortia said. “Because what do you intend to with them?”

  Iliyal sighed. “I do not know what will happen.” He said. “And anything I say here is not doctrine, nor can it even be assumed that it will influence doctrine. There is only one person who rights that and.”

  “It’s Goddess Kassandora.” Maisara interrupted him. “We know, we’re asking because we want to know what we should expect.”

  “I cannot read minds, I do not know.”

  Fortia leaned on the table. She saw the trap the elf had laid for himself, and he was being too defensive. “Three of the five greatest living strategists sit in this room right now. I can give my analysis on your situation. I am asking for yours.”

  “I would ask for yours first then.” Iliyal said.

  “You have no shock troops to breach in melee, nor anyone to hold the line once trenches are reached.” Fortia said. “We have two Orders that have only recently adopted the rifle and still train with the blade. I do not think you’re looking for more hands to hold a rifle, especially when you have a full continent to drain manpower from.”

  Iliyal smiled at the analysis. “There is no need for me to speak then because you see it already then.” He said. “That is what I have already proposed to Arascus and the rest of the leadership. The general consensus agrees with the analysis. We need soldiers who match demons.”

  “Suicide troops then.” Maisara said. “To engage in melee.”

  Fer came in. “I’ve led suicide troops for a millennia under the red-black-white, they’re still alive.” Maisara rolled her eyes at the comment. Fer’s smile and devilish squint said she caught it, but she remained silent.

  “That is the short of it.” Iliyal said. “But yes, the Orders will maintain their names obviously, although they will no longer be independent. The Bureau of War has a Divine Orders department, they will work with them.”

  “That I do not like.” Maisara said. “Because it’s my Orders.” Iliyal just stared and took a deep breath.

  “It’s non-negotiable.” He said. “That’s the price.”

  “It’s too high a price.” Maisara said. “Do not frame this as salvation from annihilation, we can still pull out of Khmet to neutral territory.” Iliyal’s eyes sharpened at that.

  “Khmet’s fall would open the land border into the rest of the world. Tartarus would not even need the cover of Ashen Skies, they could simply spill over without any pushback.”

  “That is grand Iliyal.” Maisara said. “But for everything your news says, Tartarus is not at war with Arda, it is at war with the Empire.”

  “A war with the Empire is a war for Arda.” Iliyal said. “Because you two know most of all that your former allies are not free, they are not even cheap.”

  “Do not besmirch my name Iliyal. It was Allasaria’s idea.” Maisara snapped back.

  “That is true.” Fortia stepped in. She wasn’t going to take this humiliation either. “Tartarus was not my idea.”

  “The purpose of a system is what it does.” Iliyal said. “You commanded the White Pantheon’s armies Fortia, you worked with Tartarus. I am sure the internal mediations were much like this one.” Fortia stared at Iliyal for a moment and said nothing. He was wrong. Back then, mediations descended into demands and shouting matches almost immediately.

  “How are Kavaa’s Clerics integrated?” Maisara asked.

  “They maintain Order structure but it is a different thing.” Iliyal said. “Kavaa treats her men much like Goddess Kassandora treats her soldiers for one. Strategy with them has not changed much, they serve their purpose as battlefield healers as they always have. A local commander or a general puts in a request for x amount of Clerics. War Bureau’s Divine department allocates troops, they get sent over.”

  “Is that efficient?” Fortia asked. She was more curious than anything, it was rare that someone got an internal examination of the Empire. For all their news, it was difficult to find actual documents. And, she wanted to see if any of Kassandora’s ideas could be stolen.

  “It is more efficient than having lines to Order Captains or Commanders who need to be bargained with.” Iliyal said. “Whether it is the best system out there, I do not know. It is what we use. The Divine department is not large, people get sent there as a punishment.”

  Maisara smirked at that. Fortia kept hers down. Hatred of bureaucrats was something that they would likely share common ground on with even Kassandora. Goddess Kassandora as this fanatical elf so loved to say. “What about in times of peace?” Maisara asked.

  “I assume local police forces will be strengthened with your troops on an as-needed basis.” Iliyal said and shook his head. “I do not know this one though, that is truly outside of my jurisdiction.”

  “Kavaa’s Clerics make up the majority of your doctors.” Maisara said.

  “Clerics heal diseases just as much as wounds.” Iliyal said. “Are we supposed to not use them?”

  “I’m just noting how she’s treated.” Maisara said and Iliyal sighed. Fer chuckled. The elf turned to her again. Fortia realised that was the signal when he wanted her to speak and say something. She had suspected this was an organised front.

  “Kavaa’s Clerics are unique.” Fer said. “That is the simple fact of the matter, you do not have Kavaa’s Clerics, you will not receive the accommodations she does.”

  Maisara’s stared looked as if it was to kill Fer on the spot. “And your beastmen?”

  “The question of beastmen is ultimately decided by the fact that they are either given their own lands or they are made extinct.” Fer said. “Assimilation is borderline impossible.” She crossed her arms and smiled. “And they are far too useful and loyal to be rewarded with extinction so no, my packs stay.”

  “But it’s possible for us?” Maisara asked.

  “Do your people get bloodlust?” Fer asked. That shut the line of conversation down. It was as simple as that. Bestial bloodlust turned them into monsters, even Allasaria had not bothered with the futile attempt to assimilate the animal-men.

  “Fortia?” Maisara asked.

  “How is recruitment handled?” Fortia asked. “Without fortresses and recruiting grounds, our numbers will dwindle.”

  “This has been discussed. Arascus is drafting up the formal contract right now which will be read out loud. It is expected that the Paladins and the Guardians will be given a formal allowance of a quarter million men, which will be fulfilled by our Bureaus.” Fortia and Maisara both shared a look. Defeat had been washed away by a torrent of surprise. Fortia had honestly prepared herself to need to argue for fifty thousand when the question was proposed. A quarter of a million each was more than they had combined now.

  “Each?” Fortia asked to make sure.

  “Each.” Iliyal replied. The silence that washed over them held them in a vice for a good half minute. It was good. It was more than good. It was the sort of good that Allasaria had argued against. It was even better than that meal Fer had given them on the train. Fortia didn’t even want to argue. That was the worst part of it. She couldn’t even argue. Here she had come expecting humiliation and she got…

  A quarter of a million men. That was as much as they had during the Great War and the Great War had forceful conscriptions. This would be with the full might the Imperial bureaucracy behind them. She blinked and realised what she was thinking about. No. It was still a no. And yet… Fer chuckled. “If it’s too much, we can discuss lowering it.”

  “Half a million.” Maisara said immediately and Fer laughed.

  Iliyal reset the conversation. “Autonomy in terms of internal matters is still yours to manage.” He began. “With training methods, it is a matter of not needing to fix what isn’t broken. None have an issue. Internal prestige is yours to manage as well, although formal ceremony managed by Internal Affairs will include you as well and you will be expected to attend.”

  “That means what exactly?” Fortia asked.

  “When we have a victory parade, you will be there.” Iliyal said. “Kavaa allows her men to receive military accolades, Anassa does not. The decision will be up to you. The model of Imperial Colleges of Magic is one thing to look at if you see how we manage abnormal humans.” Fortia sighed. She knew she was being oiled up, but she had not expected the massage to be so gentle.

  “And the Strategic Council?” Maisara asked.

  “What of it?” Iliyal asked.

  “How does that look like?”

  “We have one permanent member, Goddess Kassandora.” Iliyal said dryly. “It is less a council and more an autocracy. There are no votes or discussions but fools don’t make it to the top.”

  “How do you manage that?” Maisara asked.

  “I have explicit permission to host CSC meetings from God Arascus and Goddess Kassandora. I am the only mortal with that permission.” Iliyal said. “This is internal Imperial management though.”

  “And us?”

  “No.” Iliyal replied dryly. Well, there was little to argue with there. It hadn’t been like this in the Pantheon, but the Fortia had needed to build the Pantheon with Allasaria and Maisara from the ground up. They weren’t building anything here, they were simply the structure.

  “What of supplies?” Maisara asked. Fortia liked the dynamic, hopefully Maisara liked it too. She gave the less important questions, Fortia got time to think on the larger implications. “Metals and food.”

  “Imperial bureaucracy organises it.” Iliyal said. “But you have my assurance on this regard, your men will not starve. We do not tolerate it.”

  “And weapons?” Maisara asked.

  “Your smiths will be expected to deal with it but materials are will be reassigned to you.” Simple question, simple answer. “You know already we wish melee troops, but you will be given Imperial contacts to keep up with technology. Eventually, although it is not urgent, we expect a refinery dedicated to both of you. But that is the future, whether it will happen is unknown but I expect it will.”

  “What about Imperial tech?”

  “Imperial tech is Imperial tech.” Iliyal said. “Will you not be Imperial? Do Kavaa’s Clerics not have rifles?”

  “Then…” Fortia began carefully. “Would her Clerics be assigned to our squads? It is the melee after all.” She realised what she was doing and she didn’t even care. This was arguing about the signing bonus but if the Empire gave a signing bonus, then she would take it.

  The White Pantheon had a fucking entry price that had to be haggled down. “At first, it would be as things are. Clerics would be assigned for battles because we are lacking Clerics. Plans are being drafted for mass blessings by Kavaa, if possible, we wish to aim to a three to one, Guardian or Paladin ratio to Cleric when it comes to battles.” If the quarter million offer had been a starter, this was the main course. Ten to one was a brilliant ratio. Three to one would drop casualty rates to what? Their men would be practically invincible.

  “And how do I assurance of that?” Fortia asked. It was honestly too good to be true.

  Iliyal sighed and finally stood up. He walked around Fer to a cabinet in the back and started shuffling through papers. Eventually he found what he was looking for. He sat down and slid a piece of paper to Fortia. Maisara moved her head, a sign she wanted to read it after. Fortia only needed to scan the piece of paper, it wasn’t long: Contingency Expansion of Clerical Expansion, dependant upon agreement. That was the title.

  The Order of the Bronze Shield, and the Order of the Silver Sword, are to be created dependant upon whether Maisara, of Order, and/or Fortia, of Peace, join the Empire. Both Orders are to number eighty thousand men. Recruits are to be pulled from Epa and to serve as both support for the two beforementioned Divines and the Orders during times of war, and civilian healers for smaller rural communities during times of Peace.

  It was signed. It was signed! It was signed!!! By both Iliyal Tremali and Arascus already. “That’s a copy.” Iliyal said. “The proper one is Divine Affairs. Kavaa will not be happy.” Fortia re-read the piece of paper several times before handing it off.

  And here she had thought she would need to come in to bargain. What an idiot. Maisara’s silver eyes when she finally got the note. “That is real?” Fortia asked. “You won’t go back on it?”

  “It will be in the formal contract.” Iliyal said with a self-satisfied smile. Fortia didn’t even care, frankly, he could smile all he want if terms like this were being provided. How long had they spent on this even?

  Maisara dropped a question like no other. “Why are we so important?” Fortia blinked and realised she should have thought of it.

  “That is for Arascus to answer.” Iliyal said. “I can give you my offer but the terms are generous, some say too generous. Nevertheless, we do not vote on things like you did.” For a moment, she hated that God. She hated that he outdid her at every twist and turn. She hated that he knew her so well. Now that Iliyal had said it, all these offers had the stink over them. Truly a man too prideful to think people could rebel or backstab him. What a grand delusion.

  And yet it was a grand delusion, because who would rebel with terms like this? And for what? And when Arascus had eight Goddesses as his daughters? Would anything change if they had been offered a million men each? Would that stand against Olephia? Fortia leaned back into her chair and shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment. She was being treated like a grand Goddess alright, like a Goddess who did not need to ask but just received. Everything that a Goddess should get was being given.

  And it was given with the sole condition that she would never sit at the top of the hierarchy.

  “What of civilian life?” Fortia asked.

  “What do you mean?” Iliyal asked.

  “What happens to us if we win the war?” There was no pointing asking the other scenario. If they lost, then Allasaria would execute them. Allasaria would spare Kassandora before she spared Fortia. That was what the great alliance of the White Pantheon had bought them.

  “It’s not my department.” Iliyal said. “You may as well ask me what I will do when we win.”

  “What will you do then?”

  “I do not think on it.” Iliyal replied. “I imagine I will go mad and die when there is nothing left to fight. Or I will wake up, I will look at my hands, and I will see that I am still Iliyal Tremali and that I have to spend yet another day alive.” He shrugged. “It is what it is. There is little to do for soldiers when there is nothing to fight.” That was the worst answer possible because Fortia had nothing to disagree with.

  They would get along. She knew it already. They would fucking get along. “What about you?” Fortia asked, looking to Fer.

  “I will throw a party and I will get everyone drunk.” Fer said idly. “And there will be song and we will make merry.”

  “And after that?”

  “I will throw another party.” Fer said, smiling. “And then another, and I will eat good food and I will go to pretty beaches and I will take pictures of pretty animals and then upload online and people will thank me for it.” She sounded like she meant it. Terrible. “You?”

  “I will lie down and rot.” Fortia said and Fer smiled.

  “I’m sure we can fix that.” Terrible. Just terrible. Just the worst. Fer turned to Maisara. “You?”

  “I was Maisara yesterday, I am Maisara today, I will be Maisara tomorrow.” Maisara said. “What is there to say? I am sure there will be something to do.”

  “That’s the spirit.” Fer said and Fortia sighed again. She hated this. She hated Arascus. He was the worst. How could he be a better peacebringer than her? Maisara had said it before, in the past, the man had held up a mirror to her and the reflection was a version of herself so perfect and stunning she knew it was out of her reach. Fortia had seen it too. She had hated it so much that she had made a mistake a thousand years ago that cost her more than a millennium of suffering.

  “What about Alice?” Fortia asked. She had lost at this point. She knew she had lost. That mistake would not be made again.

  “What about her?” Of course Iliyal knew who she was.

  “I’m asking you.”

  “I do not understand the question.”

  “So nothing?” Fortia asked.

  “If you wish to find her a home then find her a home. What am I supposed to say? That I’ll find her a husband and a happy family? Do it yourself.” He shrugged. “Or get someone to do it then, I don’t know and I don’t care, I’m not negotiating anything with this Alice.” Maisara burst out in laughter, even Fortia smiled at the sheer deserved rudeness she had just been given. “Mai?” Fortia asked.

  “I’ll want some time to think on it.” Maisara said slowly.

  “Arascus will return by train in the night if Esberia goes well.” Iliyal said. “You may stay in the city or find yourself a place. If you’re not here when he is, we assume it’s a delay or you’re still negotiating between yourselves. If you miss him, we’re delaying again. We hope you decide before that.” Terrible. Just the worst. She would get everything in exchange for ambition. In exchange for nothing, frankly. The Empire would make her grander than she ever was and all it asked for was that she fall in line.

  “And, let us say, hypothetically, that we would agree.” Fortia chose her words carefully. “What would the first order be? And do not say you cannot answer, you lead this front Iliyal.”

  Iliyal smiled, his mouth became almost hawkish. “You would pull all your forces out of Khmet.” He extended an arm to the maps on the table. “Here, I can tell you of defence plans if you wish to see if it is up to your standards, of Peace and of Order.”

  This fucking elf was a fanatic! Even until the end, he refused that title for all but his sacred Kassandora.