The white light snapped out. Galen staggered back, chest heaving, sweat beading his brow. Tobias couldn’t look away from the dead man at his feet. But none of the others could look at all.
“He fought to the last,” Galen said. “Even under calm.”
“When, Galen? When are they coming?” Merrick demanded.
“They’re already on the sea. Three weeks if the wind favours them. Four if not. A whole armada with the Dracanth powering them,” Galen told them.
“Did you learn anything else?” Tobias demanded.
Anything that proves my son’s innocence. Please.
“They’ve been preparing for months, gathering their forces long before the Shards were taken,” Galen said hoarsely. He looked up, facepale. “The Arcanth is of no consequence to them. They were always coming.” He closed his eyes, pained. “That was what the prophecy truly meant.”
Thank you, Galen. Thank you.
Evelyn’s face drained of colour. Simone sat rigid, her fingers clenched against the table.
Tobias let the silence hold, then said, “There is your proof. My son and Lady Hale did not call Draknor here. They are not the cause of this war. Karalynna Hale spoke the truth – my son did this to save Vallenna – and we were going to burn her for it.”
“I believe it is as Lady Hale said at her trial,” Galen agreed, his voice grim. “She told us the Arcanth called to Sebastian Thorne. We would not hear of it.”
“We dismissed it. The prophecy said they wouldn’t strike until the Arcanth was whole,” Evelyn said, voice brittle. “We thought that if we kept the Shards separated, they wouldn’t–”
“We were wrong,” Galen said. “They don’t care about ours. They have their own.”
Tobias looked around at the faces of the Council. They were a mix of horror, shame, anger. But Alaric... his was one of denial.
Alaric swallowed hard. “Your son, my daughter... they have killed our people. To take a Shard is treason. We were still right to condemn that.”
Tobias had spent days watching this man deny his daughter, the incredibly brave woman his son loved. Even now, with proof before him – Alaric could not admit he was wrong. He could not bear the shame of it. Couldn’t take any of the blame for himself. Accept that he hadn’t believed his own child, or spoken for her when her life was on trial.
Something in Tobias snapped. “Pathetic.” He surged towards Alaric, crimson flaring, and seized him by the front of his robes, hauling him half across the table. “You weak, cowardly man. Your daughter has more courage in her hand than you hold in your whole body. You are not fit to call her your blood.”
“Tobias!” Merrick barked, whilst Elias stepped forward, laying a steadying violet-tinged hand on Tobias’s arm.
“Enough. Rage will not save us. Unity will,” Elias said firmly.
Tobias felt a wave of calm course through him that was not his own.
Damn emotion magic.
But... Elias was right. This wasn’t the fight that mattered. Tobias released Alaric with a sharp shove and he slumped back into his chair, ashen-faced and shaking. There was no trace of shame on his features though. Just disgust for Tobias himself.
“We must send word to Fatàn,” Simone said briskly. “Tell them what we have learnt. Tell them of the scout ship.”
“Yes,” Galen said. “And we must move now. I saw that Draknor will strike at the western border – between Hale and Caldris. That’s where they’ll land.”
“How certain are you?” Merrick demanded. “Mind magic isn’t infallible. Especially under resistance.”
Galen actually puffed out his chest. “I am certain. That image was clear. I know those beaches. It’s my home.”
“It makes sense,” Tobias said, “it’s the shortest sail for them, they won’t have to be in Vallennan waters for as long. Less likely to run into trouble.” He looked between Alaric and Galen. “And, if any of their scout ships have landed undetected, they’ll have learnt that Hale and Caldris are easier targets.”
Galen looked uncomfortable, but the truth of the words was undeniable. Teachers and pacifists. Not soldiers.
“We must converge there,” Tobias said, his voice carrying. “All Houses. All banners. I will send Thorne’s army. Every sword. But we also need every bow and axe. Every Healer and strategist.”
“And those without weapons?” Evelyn asked, her hands trembling.
