Teo acquiesces with a nod.
Ner’Feon begins to speak, and I’m struck with how good it feels to be back here. The weight of the child in my arms is almost welcome.
“We have nearly finished evacuating the ninth battalion from the ocean,” Ner’Feon starts.
“Excellent,” I say just as the baby burps onto my arm. Mrath curls her lips, but Fira grins.
“We have discovered… another group underwater,” Ner’Feon continues.
Teo freezes. “Another? How? Did you not see them during the five decades you spent underwater?”
Ner’Feon tenses. “Apologies, My King. They were in a different section of the ocean. One of them was injured, and he brought us back to meet with the other soldiers.”
“How many?” I ask.
Ner’Feon takes a deep breath. “Five hundred.”
I blink, but Mrath smiles. “If there are five hundred of them, surely there could be other battalions.”
Ner’Feon nods. “It is… possible.”
Mrath looks gleeful, and Teo’s attention turns to her. “You look awfully pleased, ally.”
She grins. “I very much am. The more of you, the better our plans for my brother’s city, Shvathemar.”
I take a deep breath, frowning. The war continues.
I’m not ready for that again, but… that was the price for our relationship.
Teo nods. “Is that what you hoped to speak about today?”
“You might call me presumptuous, but I think it’s in our best interests to act sooner rather than later,” Mrath insists.
“Mrath,” he starts.
Her smile fades and cocks her head to the side. “What is that tone you’re using?”
“We have every intention of helping you with Arion, but surely you must know that we need at least a few months to recover,” he says.
Mrath’s lips curl downward. “Do you think word will notspread of the help I gave you? All it takes is one survivor, and he will hunt me to the ends of the earth.”
Teo takes a deep breath. “You are right, but still we need time. You have the artifact now. Won’t that help you keep him off your borders for a short period? Besides, we have begun to speak with the swamp ogres. Do you not want time to try and enlist their help?”
Her face flushes with annoyance. “No more than three months.”
“That isn’t enough time. Do you wish to end this war? Or merely thwart your brother’s advances,” Teo asks.
She takes a deep breath. “We must be prepared?—”
“And we will be. We have done much to help you, and I have given you my word that we will assist you in what is to come. Ogres and all. But please… my wife is with child.”
Mrath sneers, pointing at me. “That is a damned giant.”
Something primal rears up inside of me.
“He is mine to care for,” I spit at her and press my hand to my stomach. “But Teo doesn’t lie. There is another babe.”
The Enduares in the room go silent, and then, one by one, begin to bow.
