Isa rode home with her entourage. Iovoren was planning with Joshon the whole way, while Zathdis and Isa remained mostly silent. It took them roughly a day and a half at a good pace to get home. They stopped at the edge of the wilds, where the sentry called down from the trees, "ma sildeara syl or isenatha?*" Joshon answered proudly, "Ar sildearan ash emathe i eolasan amen vhenas." There was a slight flicker as they passed through the illusion barrier, which simply hid their city from outside eyes, making it look like a forest.
Isa rode through the city, smiling as her people welcomed her enthusiastically. She then remembered the letter the elven servant had given her, and sent the others on ahead, though Iovoren opted to stay with her. She asked around, finally finding the man she was looking for. He was happy to receive the letter, and happier to hear that his cousin was doing so well.
It was the little things that made her day.
Isa made her way to the temple, her heart swelling as she looked over how far her home had come. Where only crumbled ruins had been before, buildings and bridges stood once more. High up in the trees, wooden platforms provided more space and protection. They had become one with the wilds. Beasts roamed their home freely. Giants were careful not to step on children playing in the river. Horses and halla mingled together in the grassy clearings, and hart climbed high up on the rocky cliffs. Bronto wandered the outskirts of the city, usually keeping to themselves.
Isa entered the temple, taking a moment to herself to visit her dragons. Fioril had laid over twenty eggs, a small clutch for a dragon, but it was still a lot to Isa. They filled a mossy nest at the edge of their home. Fioril was curled around them, and looked up lazily, snorting in greeting when Isa entered. Alas'dana flew in from overhead, returning from stretching her wings. She nearly knocked over Isa, pushing her head into the elf's body. Isa grinned, "hey princess. Have a nice flight?" The dragon rumbled and rolled onto her back, wriggling in the grass.
After hanging out with them for a while, Isa joined her council, who were preparing for war. They had a while before the Empress could muster her forces, probably a week at least, but they still needed to be prepared. The dragons alone could likely finish most of them, and the giants and brontos could also be sent out, but Isa was unsure about showing all their cards. However, she didn't want to lose any unnecessary lives either.
She came up with a plan. They'd have to find the general leading the assault, because they could force him to sign a treaty recognizing Tuastlas as a sovereign nation. They could start with archers to wipe out a few ranks, then send in the brontos and giants. In that chaos, they send in warriors to split the general and his vanguard off from the rest of his troops, and mages could keep artillery under control. If the general refused to surrender, a dragon would be a good motivator, though Isa hoped it wouldn't come to that. If Fen'Harel found out she had control of a dragon, he might connect some dots she really needed him not to. She had hidden away the orb she had stolen, but she didn't know how far he would go to get it and she didn't want to find out. She could also have a mage on standby with her and use her own power, but that might be too intimidating, and provoke other nations into war as well. She just hoped it wouldn't come to that.
After a long war council, Isa decided to go for a walk. She went out into the wilds, into the forest they hadn't tamed yet. She breathed in the fresh air, listened to the water run, feeling the song of nature in the air. She smiled as she walked, having gone in her bare feet, she felt the cool earth of the trail beneath her feet. The gentle breeze kissed her skin, and purple hues of the evening sky cast a magical look over the forest.
She heard a crackle behind her. She turned around, seeing nothing but the trees. She frowned a bit, was someone following her? She was armed with a sword, but she wasn't in the mood to use it, so she hoped it was no one hostile. "Show yourself!" She ordered, feeling foolish when nothing happened. "Maybe I'm just hearing things." She shrugged and turned around, only to shriek in surprise as she bumped right into a familiar chest. She recognized that cocky grin in an instant. "Cyrel, damn it!" She huffed, shoving him. "What are you doing here?"
Cyrel laughed a bit, "ir abelas, Isa, I couldn't help it. You're so easy to sneak up on." Isa scowled, sticking her tongue out. She then crossed her arms. "Isn't it dangerous for you to be here? What if Fen'Harel finds out?" Cyrel rolled his eyes, putting his arm around her waist and lifting her chin with his other hand. "Relax, inanshain*, he sent me to the area, but won't ever know I was in the city. The only one who saw me was the sentinel and I had my hood up." Isa rolled her eyes, "it's still a risk, Cyrel." He pouted, "aren't you happy to see me?"
"I didn't say I wasn't."
"Then stop worrying." He gave her a brief kiss. She asked, "so why are you here? You said Fen'Harel sent you, so you didn't just pop in for a visit." Cyrel shook his head, "though I have been dying to see you, no. Fen'Harel heard about the little bout you've gotten into with Orlais. I'm an observer." Isa asked, "is it just you?" Cyrel shook his head, "Nethon and a few scouts. The scouts think I'm just doing a little recon right now. If I were you, I'd keep the dragons inside." Isa leaned on him a little. "They're a last resort, trust me. Celene's being blackmailed, but I doubt we'll find the source before she attacks, so we're going to force the general to recognize us as a sovereign nation. I don't want to wipe out her forces entirely."
Cyrel ran his fingers through her hair, which had been let down for the evening. It was relaxing. "I'm sure it'll be fine," he stated confidently. "Ward of the first attack, then find out what's got the stick up her ass, and it'll all be fine from there." Isa laughed a bit, "I sure hope so."
Cyrel lifted her face again. "You seem a little stressed, maybe I can help?" Isa rolled her eyes, struggling to keep the grin off her face. He laughed, "you're adorable, how does anyone resist your charm?" He kissed her, pulling her close to him. She closed her eyes and kissed him heatedly, tangling her hands in his hair. He made for a wonderful distraction from all her woes; it was a shame he wasn't around more often.
Isa squeaked and pushed him behind a tree when she heard footsteps on the trail behind them, and someone calling her name. She turned around, smoothing her hair just as General Joshon came around the corner. "Ah, there you are." He had his ever-present business look on his face. "I apologize for disturbing you, my Lady, but our scouts have reported sights of the Orlesian army about two days away. Apparently the Empress was preparing for war long before the peace talks. I figured I would tell you before I began preparations." Isa nodded, "thank you, General. Will we be ready in time?" He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Tel'eolasan,* I can only hope. Fortunately, the beasts do not take much preparation, since that is mostly on you and Nawyn. Hopefully the mages we have will be enough to suppress artillery. I would advise setting up for flanking maneuvers." Isa nodded, "go ahead. Thank you, General. We'd be lost without you." A slight smile crossed his face. "This, coming from you? I will begin preparations at once, my Lady." He bowed his head and turned around.
Isa let out a sigh of relief, turning back around. Cyrel poked his head out, snickering. "He's certainly very business-like." Isa smiled, "a damn good general, though. He certainly knows what he's doing." Cyrel held out his hand. "Walk with me?" Isa took it, "you're the one walking with me, this was my walk that you intruded upon." Sarcastically, he groveled, "oh forgive me, my lady, how dare a lowely being like me intrude upon your evening walk through the forest! I am not worthy to-" "oh shut up." Isa shoved him playfully. For a little bit at least, she could pretend the outside world didn't exist.
*Do you feel the breath of the dragon?
*I feel her embrace and know I am home
*cutie
*I don't know
