“Call the majors, now.” Vhalla pulled herself into a seated position. “Get your father,” she added begrudgingly.
“What is it?” Aldrik stood from his place at the desk where he’d been working, sans any form of drink.
“Time is now precious.” She was tired from her Projection, but Vhalla had a growing fear that rest would be a rarer commodity in the coming days.What did this mean for the Empire’s plans?Vhalla stood. “I’ll explain to everyone at once; it’ll waste time and effort to pass along the information one at a time.”
“It’s that urgent?” His words were heavy.
Vhalla nodded gravely.
She waited at Aldrik’s right hand, standing at the center of the table as majors filled the room. Most wore confused looks but didn’t question the will of the prince and heeded his messengers. The Emperor entered shortly after, his usual sour look overtaking his face when he saw Vhalla at Aldrik’s side.
“Why did you call a meeting?” The Emperor turned to his son.
“Vhalla has something to report,” Aldrik replied.
“Which is?” The Emperor didn’t seem pleased with Aldrik’s reply.
“I have yet to be filled in on all the details myself,” Aldrik confessed.
The Emperor stared at him blankly, and Vhalla realized how far her liberties with Aldrik had been stretched. She had made the crown prince call a meeting entirely on her word. He had bent everyone to her will with his power.
“Miss Yarl—” the Emperor started, interrupted by the entrance of Baldair and his Golden Guard.
“What is the meaning of this urgent meeting?” Baldair asked as he reached the table, looking to his brother.
“Aldrik does not seem to know entirely himself,” the Emperor said coldly. “I do hope it is important, Yarl. We are all too busy to play your games.” His eyes swung back to her, and she felt his threat.
“I am not playing games,” she said firmly. Now was not the time to back down, doubt, or show weakness, she reminded herself. She had previously been bold before the Emperor, and she could do it again. “The Northerners are planning an attack.”
“What?” The word exploded across the table.
“That’s preposterous,” Major Schnurr scoffed.
“I heard it with my own ears. Seven more sun falls, said the Chieftain of Shaldan,” Vhalla reported.
“Leaders lie to their people all the time.” The Emperor waved a hand.
“Do they?” Vhalla didn’t miss the opportunity for the slight jab, and the Emperor started in angry shock. Before he could recover she continued, “The Chieftain wasn’t speaking to her people. She was speaking to the Westerner who has been working alongside her on behalf of the Knights of Jadar.”
Whispers and uncertain looks rippled across the table. The majors still hadn’t known. It seemed pointless to keep it a secret now. Furthermore, secrecy hadn’t exactly been doing them much good.
“Lies! Lies and slander are all that can be expected from theWindwalker.” Major Schnurr slammed his fist on the table.
“Major Schnurr,” Aldrik nearly purred, taking a half-step closer to Vhalla. His fingertips brushed against the small of her back. “I would beverycareful with your next words.”
“There was a Knight of Jadar working with them?” Erion frowned from across the table.
Vhalla nodded solemnly.
“I must send word home to my father,” Erion mumbled.
“Can I tell my uncle that we have the Le’Dans beside us against this menace?” Aldrik asked Erion.
“The Le’Dans are friends of the Windwalker.” Erion nodded at the prince and then at Vhalla.
Vhalla watched as Major Schnurr stilled at the far corner of the table.
“How are they coordinating such an attack?” Raylynn asked.
