Preparing for war...

The war council gathered around their map, Navigation points marked on the map. Crevan was helpful in this, as was the young Aen Elle. There was no Diridum in this world, but there were E.M.P generators, it had been one of the reasons they couldn't find him and Ciri in that far distant future.

"...Those should make the portals unstable..." The St. Neven's general said. "Hard to keep them open..."

"No machine that runs on electricity natural or generated is going to function in its radius, it will be fried so we need to be careful what we equip the troops with." Pen said. "I don't know what it will do to a spell wielder..."

"Make it damn hard to cast..." Said the Aen Elle. "One of the settlements had one, along with the same idea. One of our Aen Saveherne had a near heart attack trying to cast a shield."

"Basically they got their nervous system fried...?"

Crevan frowned, The Trial of the Grasses had damaged his, he could not fathom being in something like a lightning field and having the same happen.

"...More like disrupted." Jareth said. "It wreaks havoc, they were testing it when I arrived."

"We have a few humans sensitive to the fields too...they are underground for their safety."

Crevan pointed out the navigation points closest to the walls and fortified positions.

"How small are the generators?"

"Portable, but not backpack..." Pen said.

"We will put them at the most vulnerable points..." Nuada said. "...manned by humans, they have more resistance to the effects."

Pen agreed, "and non-computerized transports..."

All at the table nodded in agreement.

Ciri watched Pen come in, it had been a few days since she'd been there. The armor Pen was wearing, tight chain over hardened leather, said a lot about the changes of the last three days.

"...You are safe here," Pen said assured them. "We have emergency measures to keep you that way."

She set the tray down, Rolling her shoulders.

"This armor is not the most comfortable..."

Ciri watched her stretch, there was more armoring under the outer.

"...Magick only shields so much." Avallac'h said from by the hearth. "One sacrifices power for protection..."

"...As one who knows." Pen said. "I would wear less, but alas my husband will accept me wearing no fewer than two layers of armor." She smiled at Ciri's expression. "There are pieces that can be hidden...though I doubt what I wear would stand up to monsters...other than the two-legged kind."

A knock on the frame, Aethen stood there.

"Forgive me my lady, but there is news..."

"Speak..."

"There was a skirmish within four miles of our outermost Perminiter...looked Like raiders."

"Casualties?"

"Enough..." Aethen said. "His Majesty has requested you, the youngest and our guests to be evacuated to the Royal seat if the defenses are breached."

"He knows I won't run..."

"Yes My lady, but it was also the request of your husband..."

She rolled her eyes, Nuada knew if she would not aqueous as his subject, she would as his wife.

"Take the children there...if the defenses fall I and our guests will follow."

"Take Ciri as well..." Avallac'h said. "I will remain to aid with the defense of the Court..." Before she could protest he silenced her. "...I do not wish anything to happen to our child, the farther you are...I will follow, I promise Zireael..."

"...We have the escort ready," Aethen said. "His majesty knew you would order the children to the High Court...Lady Ciri, it will be alright...my lady has some interesting tricks up her sleeves..."

Ciri followed Aethen out, looking back at Pen and Avallac'h hoping she'd see them both again.

Crevan adjusted his clothing, much like his old but these were of the court of thorns. The black and red standing out. As long as he kept his hood up and did not speak Ciri would not recognize him. He remembered the fight that was to come, the smell of burnt black powder and the riders clad in the red ring mail of the Hunt. The screams of horse and the dying. It had taken years to drive those images from his mind enough not to have nightmares.

"Ready, Sage..." Aethen said, "We have everyone who wanted to evacuate..."

He took in a breath. "Yes, let us get them to safety..."

He pulled up his hood and fell into step with the others of the escort.