(Sorry to anyone who saw the corrupted version of this chapter! My fault!)

Chapter 24 – Departures and Reunions

Soren gasped as he watched his father walk up the hill, dressed in a white robe with a large, serpent-like creature around his neck. One of his eyes was a milky white, and the other, pure black. "Dad?" he asked timidly.

Viren moved to stand in front of the troops, a staff of some kind in hand. "I have been granted a great gift," he called out to them. "The power we need to defeat Xadia and to save humanity is now ours! We must evolve. When we strike against the Dragon Queen, we will face elves and dragons, and they will rain fire upon us. But with this gift, I will inoculate you. And instead of destruction, that fire will be our nourishment!" He smirked menacingly and nodded to them. "Now, come forth."

No one in the crowd moved, sounds of distrust and fear among them.

The king frowned at the lack of willingness, but then smiled slightly. "Do not be afraid. You will understand when you see the first to change…my own beloved son, Soren." He turned to the guard behind him. "Step forward, my son. Let me help you." He held out his hand towards him.

Soren stared at him in disbelief, then shook his head. "No."

"What?"

"I said no! I don't want this. I don't want your magic." He stepped back once. "I've seen what your magic does, and I will not have it."

"You dare deny your father? Your king?"

"Yes!" he shouted, drawing his sword and throwing it at the king's feet. "I won't follow you anymore."

The soldiers mumbled at the exchange, amazed by the pair, but then Prince Kasef stepped forward, offering to take the Crown Guard's place. Viren nodded. "A brave and worthy soul. Come, show them all of your strength."

Soren glared at the prince, but then watched as his father used the golden, glowing staff to cast a spell on him, turning him into a monstrous creature with cracked skin like the surface of lava. Carefully, Soren backed away, realising this would change everything. He had to warn the others.

He turned and ran down the hill, hearing the spell behind him being cast over the whole army.

"Soren!"

He stopped and looked back to see his sister following him. "Claudia."

"What's going on?" she asked as she caught up and held his arms. "Where are you going?"

The guard shook his head, refusing to meet her eye. "I can't stay here anymore, Claudia. I can't…I can't let this happen."

"This?"

"This war. You know as well as I do that Callum wants to stop it."

"He's a dragon. He could wipe all of us out in seconds if he wanted to."

"But he doesn't want to! He wants peace! And we aren't giving him a chance!" he snapped at her. "You've seen what's going on. What Dad turned Kasef into...what Dad turned into."

Claudia looked away. "Soren, he's doing this…for us, for humanity."

"He's changing into something else. Something…I don't want to see. And so are you." He held her arm as it held onto his. "But…it's not too late. Come with me, Claudia. Leave this, leave him and help me."

"Where will you go?"

"You know where I'm going," he explained, brushing her hair back gently. "You can come too. Please?"

"No! Please, Soren, don't…don't do this to me," she sniffed, "Don't make me choose."

He thought for a moment, then smiled softly. "Okay." He walked past her. "Goodbye, Clauds," he whispered, then hurried to find his horse to ride deeper into Xadia, the same way his father was planning to go.

~#~

Having spent the afternoon exploring the palace and sharing their adventures, Ezran told them about what had happened in Katolis and Pyrrah about her issues convincing the western dragons. They all had a grand meal before each of the group were shown to a room where they could sleep and wait until morning.

Callum yawned as he left his room which, according to Ibis, had been his when he was younger. He walked out onto a balcony, looking out at the sunrise and feeling the warmth on his skin. He sighed to himself.

"Sleep well?"

He turned to see Rayla walking over to him, rolling her shoulders. "Not really," he confessed, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "I missed you."

She sighed as he leant back. "Callum, stop, you promised me."

"No one is around," he whispered, looking at her and holding her hand. "Why can't I share a moment with you?"

"Your Highness."

Turning away from her, Callum looked at the Skywing as he came from the other side of the hall. "It's Callum."

"Callum, I wanted to speak to you." The dragon nodded, still holding Rayla's hand as he turned, but Ibis held up a hand of his own. "Alone."

"Whatever you have to say, it can be said to Rayla too."

"Forgive me, but what I have to show you can only be seen by royal eyes."

"You're not a royal," Rayla reminded him, "How come you get to see…whatever this is?"

"Because I have been the protector of this place since the queen fell into her slumber. No one else bothered to take up the burden."

Rayla glared at him, getting the distinct feeling he didn't trust her. "Well…I guess…"

"Rayla, it's fine," he said, kissing the back of her hand. "I'll be back in a moment." The dragon turned to follow the other elf, heading back to the chamber where the queen was sleeping. They walked around to the back where there was a door. Ibis took a key from around his neck and unlocked it, stepping inside to reveal a smaller cavern.

Callum gasped as he stepped inside. "Wait…what?" he questioned, looking at the item that sat in the middle; a large, glowing, blue egg with iridescent flecks of color on it. "Wow..."

"Your majesty, may I present…your brother."

"My brother?" he asked, looking over the egg. "Rayla said…the queen had an egg but…how can he be my brother? My father is dead."

"Yes…because while this dragon is born of Queen Zubeia…the father is unknown."

"What?"

"The queen went out to fly and…several weeks later…she bore this."

"So no one knows who the father is?"

"No, that's why we haven't been able to hatch it," Ibis explained, looking at the egg. "If we knew what type of dragon was the sire…we could expose it to that primal source so he could hatch. The wrong source could kill him. But…only the queen knows, and she has fallen asleep, so now…we have to just wait."

"What does this mean to me?"

Ibis looked down at his feet. "Well…the truth is…I just wanted to get you alone."

"Alone?"

"Away from…the assassin."

"Rayla? She's no longer an assassin, she's my Dragon Guard."

"And I fear your choice of guard is…mistaken."

"Why?"

"You know her parents were Dragon Guards. Tiadrin and Lain? They…they abandoned their post. They are the reason you were taken."

Callum froze, glaring at the egg. "Ibis…did you not hear me before?"

"Your Highness?"

"Tiadrin and Lain saved my life." He lifted his eyes to the Skywing. "They protected me…they saved me. They are not traitors!"

"Your Highness… the previous Dragon Guards…"

"Some ran. Yes, I know that, but Rayla's parents did not!" he growled. "And if you think Rayla would ever abandon me, you have no idea what we've been through to get here." He stepped over to the elf, glaring at him. "Rayla is a Dragon Guard. She is my Dragon Guard, and if you dare say anything negative about her parents or her again, I will throw you off the tower!"

The mage paled, then bowed almost in half. "I'm sorry, your Highness. I…didn't mean to offend." He stood straight and looked at him. "But…I must say you and Rayla…you clearly…have feelings for her."

"She wishes to hide it but…yes," he chuckled lightly. "My feelings for Rayla are quite strong."

"But she is an elf, and you are a dragon."

"Your point is?"

"Callum…you are not just any dragon. You are the prince, and one day you will be king." He gestured to the egg. "Even if we were able to hatch this egg, it could never become king."

"So?"

"So, you have to think of the future of Xadia."

Callum frowned at the mage. "You are not saying what I think you're saying."

"Your Highness…."

"As thanks for looking after my mother, I'm going to pretend this conversation never happened. And for your own good, you will not bring it up again," he growled, then walked out of the room, stopping at the door to take the key from the lock and put it around his own neck.

~#~

While Callum was with Ibis, talking about whatever was for 'royal eyes only', Rayla decided that she'd do something she'd been putting off long enough.

Turning, she walked down the hall and stood in front of a certain door she knew of at the side of the palace, right next to the royal chambers. She opened it, and found another hallway with five doors, two on each side with one at the very end. Taking a deep breath, she walked down the hall, remembering the last time she was here. The door at the end would lead to a training room with an armoury and a dining area for the occupants, and each of the others was a bedroom designed for two people to share. She glanced at the doors as she passed them. Almost every door had two red marks painted over them in sharp strokes, but then, most had a blue line striking them out...except one door.

It still had the red marks, but no blue.

Standing outside it, the young elf swallowed, remembering when she'd been given a letter with the same marks on it, the marks of traitors.

Each bedroom in this hallway had been marked with 'traitor', and the blue on top showed the owner had since been caught and punished. But not this door. The owners of this room had never been caught.

Now, Rayla knew the truth. They had never been caught because that monster had done something to them.

Reaching out, she touched the names, barely visible under the paint. She had hated them for years, feeling the pain and shame of them not only abandoning their post, but also abandoning her. For ten years, she thought they had left her behind, too ashamed or scared to even contact her.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped inside. It was as if it were frozen in time, the room just as she remembered it from her childhood.

A desk to one side, where her father would sit and write letters to her and reports for the court, a shelf full of books above it, including a copy of the code for the Dragonguard, something her mother was proud to have memorised from cover to cover and could recite at calling.

The beds had been pushed together to make one larger one for them to share, the sheets still tossed and messy. The occupants had left in a hurry a decade ago.

Next to the bed was a small table with a splodge of wax from a candle that had burnt itself out long ago, while next to it, was a small wooden frame with a drawing inside. The subject was a young elf with a big goofy grin that showed off a missing tooth, her eyes filled with happiness.

Rayla smiled as she picked up the image, remembering the day a travelling Tidebound had come to Silvergrove and offered to draw anyone in exchange for some food or lodgings. Runaan had traded a whole basket of moonberries so he would draw Rayla, and they had sent it off to her parents. She had no idea they'd framed it and kept it so close.

Putting the image down, she continued to look around, finding the tools they used to tend to their weapons with, and an old collection of sweets that had long since dried up.

She kneeled by the chest at the bottom of the bed, opening it up and finding their spare uniforms and some 'off duty' clothes for when they could leave the palace. Picking one up, the daughter held it close to her heart, fighting back tears as she remembered them. The smell on the shirt was faint, but it was just as she remembered; crisp, nightly breeze and shadow flora. It brought tears to her eyes and she hugged it tighter. "I'll get you back," she whispered, as if they were in her arms once more. "I will get you back."

After taking a moment to silently grieve, she folded the shirt back up and replaced it in the chest before noticing a small box at the bottom. Curious, she picked it up and looked it over.

It was a dark green box with the rune for 'love' in silver on the top. Opening it, she found a ring inside, a square gemstone set in a silver band, the stone shimmering between creamy whites, greens, and yellows. A moonstone ring. She smiled sadly, remembering it. It was her mother's, a ring her father had given her the day Rayla was born. She always kept it in the box while on duty, worried it would get lost or damaged while training or fighting. She'd always promised Rayla it would be hers one day.

Carefully taking it from its case, Rayla tried it on her finger and found it to be a perfect fit. Deciding it would be a good way to keep them close, she put the empty box back and stood up. A sad smile on her lips, she began to tidy the room, making the bed, removing the old melted candle, and replacing it, getting rid of the old sweets, and generally cleaning her parents' room up.

"Rayla?"

She turned at the call and saw Callum staring at the paint on the door. "Hey, you finished with Ibis?"

"He wanted to show me my half-brother," he explained, walking over to her while also looking around the room. "This…this is your parents' room."

"Yes."

"And…that mark on the door…"

"It says 'traitor'."

Callum growled loud enough that she heard it. "They are not."

"You and I know that now…but ten years ago, there was no way to know. The others ran…they thought they did too."

"I will have Ibis remove it at once," he told her, leaning over and kissing her brow. "And make sure everyone knows that you and your family are heroes to the crown."

Smiling, she snuggled into his shoulder. "Thanks Cal. I know it's silly but…that makes me feel better."

Sighing lightly, the prince leant back a little closer to her, rubbing his nose up and down her cheek. It was an odd gesture, but relaxing as Rayla leant towards him, turning her head so he was hovering over her lips.

"Ahem?"

They parted quickly with Rayla turning to hide a blush when she saw Ezran and Bait in the doorway. "Ez…is-is everything alright?"

"Yeah, but you're going to want to see who just arrived," he said with a small smirk.

~#~

The sun dragon huffed as she watched the guest sitting at the table with her. "Feeling better yet, stupid?"

The guest frowned at her as he drank from a cup in his hands. "Why did I help save you again?"

Pyrrah chuckled. "Suppose we can call it even now. You're feeling better then?"

"Yeah…much better." He nodded, then heard a door open, seeing the person he had come to speak with. "Scales!"

"Soren?!" Callum laughed, running over and hugging his friend. "What are you doing here?"

"He came to see you, stupid."

"Hey, that's your nickname!" The boys laughed before Callum looked him over. "Where's your sword?"

"Ah..." He looked down at the empty scabbard. "Yeah…about that."

"What happened?"

He tried to give a smile, but it ended up looking like a wince. "The thing is…we're all doomed."

"What?"

"It's my dad."

"Ma…" Callum started, then stopped, calming himself. "Viren? What about him?"

"He's here in Xadia. He's rallied the armies of four kingdoms, and it's not just that. We went to the sun elf place? And my dad stole some kind of power from them. He used it to transform his army...into something else."

"What do you mean?"

"They're stronger, angrier, big claws! He's made an army of darkness, and he's leading them here for you, Cal."

The group all looked panicked at his words. After a moment, the prince nodded. "How long do we have?"

"I rode for two whole days and nights without rest. He has an army. They will be slower, so…three, maybe four days."

"Wait, go back a little." The dragoness frowned. "Sun elf place?"

"It was a city in the middle of a plain. I wasn't allowed to go with him, but even from our camp, I could see this golden orb…almost like a second sun? But then it turned…black."

Pyrrah looked horrified as she turned to Callum. "That sounds like Lux Aurea. The Sun Nexus is there! My nexus!"

Callum nodded. "Go. Find out what has happened there."

She bowed her head, then hurried away.

"Ibis."

"Yes your majesty?" the Skywing replied from the corner where he had been keeping an eye on the new human.

Turning to address him, the prince nodded. "You told me once that you could fly. I want you to head towards Lux Aurea, see if you can spot this army. We need to know how many and how far away they are." His eyes softened a little. "Be careful. Do not underestimate the one leading them."

"Very well your majesty," he agreed, then bowed and left the room.

With a deep breath, Callum turned to Soren, Ezran, and Rayla. "So much for a peaceful solution."

"Let's be honest Cal, he was never going to just give up," Ezran sighed.

The dragon kept his eyes turned away, thinking, then looked at Soren who kept his gaze to the floor. "Soren." He stepped over and held the guard's shoulder. "Thank you for this. I know it couldn't have been easy."

"I'm doing the right thing," he said, then looked up at his friend. "For once."

Callum nodded. "Come on, I'll show you somewhere you can rest. You look exhausted."

Soren stood, stretching his back out. "Please. And…any chance of a meal?"

The prince chuckled at him. "Yeah, I'm sure we can get you some food…and a bath. You stink."

~#~

In the large chamber, Callum stood before his mother as she took slow breaths. He sighed softly as he watched her. "It's odd but…all this time, travelling across Xadia…I kept having this…idea. A dream I guess." He chuckled dryly. "I don't get many of those…dreams I mean…but I thought…I would get here and...you'd be waiting for me. I wanted…I wanted to see your eyes…I wanted to remember. I wanted to remember your eyes and…hold you and…remember. Please, I want to remember."

The dragoness exhaled, no sign of waking.

The prince moved towards her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for…for everything. I'm sorry for leaving you, and the pain you felt. I'm sorry that my father died…I'm sorry for every…trouble and heartache I caused you." He took a deep breath, pushing back the tears in his eyes. "I know it wasn't my fault, that I did nothing wrong but…I'm still the cause, and I'm sorry for that." He inhaled and exhaled deeply, then nodded. "And…I'm sorry for this too…" He held out his hand. "But I need you to wake up." He then placed his hand on her snout, bolts of lightning running from his hand and dancing over her body.

He'd expected to hurt her, but instead, the lightning began to take on a rainbow effect, the aura going over him as well as the dragoness, waves of light filling the whole room before fading into nothing.

Lowering his hand, the prince waited to see the result.

Nothing.

His mother continued to sleep soundly before him.

Breathing becoming sharp, the prince gasped, trying not to collapse as he leant against her. "NO! No, I was so sure it would work!" he screamed out as tears fell down his cheeks. "Please, Mother. Please wake up."

"Your Highness?"

The teen turned to see Ibis behind him. "Ibis," he gasped, quickly wiping his eyes and clearing his voice. "Y-you're back."

"Yes, I just returned. And I am sorry to return with the news that the army of darkness is about two days away from here."

"Two days? That isn't long to prepare. But it's better than nothing. How many?"

"Several thousand."

He swallowed hard at the number. "And what of Lux Aurea?"

The mage nodded. "The Sunfire Queen is dead, the city deserted…the Sun Nexus has been corrupted."

"That's not good."

"There is some good news, your Highness," Ibis said with a smile. "There is someone who wishes to meet you."

Wiping his face again, Callum cleared his voice, trying not to look like a mess. "Lead the way."

The mage smiled, then drew a rune in the air. "Renovare," he said softly.

A sparkling dust and cool air raced over to the prince, and he felt his cheeks pale and his eyes clear. "Wh-what was that?"

"Forgive me for not asking permission, but I thought you wouldn't want someone to see you…like that."

He smiled softly. "Thank you, I do appreciate it." Both of them walked out of the chamber and to the front of the palace where Rayla, Ezran, and Soren all gathered.

Still in her dragon form, Pyrrah stood beside two adult women, one a human, and the other a dark-skinned elf in golden armour.

The elf turned to him and her eyes widened. "It is true," she whispered, bowing forwards with her hands crossed before her. "Prince Cadonumis. I am Janai, Golden Knight of Lux Aurea."

"Janai, I'm glad to meet you. And I'm sorry to hear about the Sunfire Queen."

"Thank you for your condolences," the knight said calmly, "And I believe you already know my prisoner?"

The prince didn't miss the smirk the elf gave when introducing the other, but he nodded respectfully. "General Amaya, correct? Ezran's aunt."

The general frowned at him, then moved her hands. Ezran nodded as he moved forwards. "She says…I find it hard to believe you are the same boy I met at the Banther Lodge."

Callum smirked. "I'm not. And I'm sorry about what happened then. It was a…difficult situation."

The general smirked and nodded in understanding.

Janai nodded as well. "I am proud to fight and defend the royal family. I've brought my city's forces," she explained, looking behind her to the base of the tower. "What's left of them anyway, but they wait at the bottom of the Storm Spire, ready to fight the monster who destroyed our home."

"I'm glad to hear it," he sighed. "We were outnumbered…but now…" He shook his head slightly. "Let us go inside. We can discuss our situation there."

The group walked inside the palace and into a large room with several chairs surrounding a round, stone table. It was decorated with engravings, while in the middle, a map lay with several markers.

Once everyone had taken a seat at equal spaces, Callum nodded to the map. "Ibis, where did you spot the enemy?"

"Here, your Highness," he said, placing a black rock on the map. "At the rate they are travelling, they will be here in two days."

"So we have two days to prepare and defend."

The Skywing looked away. "There is…another option."

"Another?"

"This man…this monster, Viren…he is coming for you, Cadonumis, with an army that will outnumber us." He looked at the prince. "I hate to say this…but Xadia needs you alive. And this place…is a dead end with only one way out, flight. Something you do not have for long."

"What are you suggesting then Ibis?"

The mage lowered his head. "That you run."

Everyone looked shocked at the words, the prince moreso. "What?"

"Cadonumis, you have to live. You have to make it out of this! You are the hope for everything and everyone in Xadia!" He stared at the prince, speaking freely. "You are the future, and if you die here…"

"Then everything before will be for nothing!" he shouted, slamming his hands on the table to emphasize his point. "My ten years of suffering will be for nothing! My journey here will be for nothing! My father's death will be for nothing!"

Janai blinked at his change, then nodded herself. "I am with the prince. I saw this monster, what he can do. He will not stop."

"If I run, he will follow me," he snapped. "I will put anyone with me in harm's way. And what of my mother? If I run, what happens to her?"

"The Queen is sick, and I do not know when she'll wake up…if she ever will," Ibis explained.

Rayla shook her head. "We have to have faith that she will recover. We came all this way, we can't leave now."

Callum took a moment, then let out a deep breath. "We have a choice to make. We can try to take a stand here…outnumbered and trapped…but show that creature that we are not scared of him…or we can run and hope we find a way to beat him in the future." He sighed, then looked to a wall, his mind spinning before it finally settled. "I will not force any of you to fight or run. It is your choice, your decision…but I intend to fight."

The table was silent, contemplating the ideas, but then slowly, someone raised a hand. "Umm, hi," Soren spoke up, looking over the collection of people. "Look…I'm not really a part of…this, but can I say something?"

"You are as much a part of this as any of us, Soren," Callum said, taking a seat and waving for him to rise. "Your opinion has as much value as anyone else here. Please, speak."

Smiling, Soren nodded and rose to his feet. "I've known Viren longer than anyone here. I mean, because he's my dad...but it took me a long time to understand who my dad really is." The guard breathed, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. "And it was hard to see, because I really looked up to him. I didn't see a single fault in him. The way he talks…it makes you think he's doing the right thing."

Callum snorted under his breath.

The guard nodded to the side. "Yeah, I know now he wasn't…but that's only because I can look back and see the mistakes. I can see now, despite him saying that everything he does is to protect his family, his home, or all of humanity…it's really for himself. He makes you think that as long as you do what he says…you're doing the right thing. Even when he asks you to do something you know is bad...something evil."

He paused, judging the table. "So, the truth is, someone who wants to make others do horrible things, and convinces you that they're good, that's a villain." He looked up at the prince. "My dad is a villain, and he's only gonna get more powerful, and the more powerful he gets, the more people will listen to him, and believe him, and follow him. So, maybe we could run, and we'd be safe for a while, but Callum is right; he's not going to give up. And he will destroy anything and anyone that gets in his way."

Rayla nodded, standing as well. "I agree with the dumb lump. We should fight here. If we let Storm Spire fall, then he will have the power of two nexus…if we stop him now, we have a chance. And besides, my place is at your side Callum." She smiled slightly. "Where you go, so do I."

He nodded his thanks at her words, waiting for the next to speak.

Ezran stood up next. "My dad once said… it's only when you look fear in the eye, that you know where you stand. Well…" He stood from his chair. "I'm standing here. I'm scared…really scared…but I know this is right."

The next to move was Pyrrah. "The dragons of the west believe in purity and tradition. We have not changed our ways in thousands of years," she explained with a huff. "But we serve the crown. And if the crown is in danger, then I am willing to fight among those willing to do the same."

Callum smiled slightly before looking at Janai and Amaya, who sat next to each other. "Where do you stand? Fight or flight?"

The Sunfire elf nodded as she stood. "That creature destroyed my home, killed my sister, and many of my soldiers. I'm more than willing to fight to get my revenge. But…I do agree with the mage. Your life is the most important one around this table, your Highness. We thought you were dead…and Xadia shattered. The elves and dragons of each source…separated. With your return, there is a chance for unity against this evil. So I say you run. You run, you live, and you gather the others to fight beside you." She looked down. "My people will fight to give you time and protect your mother, but you must live."

"So you will fight, but expect me to run?"

"I would not think less of you if you did," the knight explained with a sigh. "But…I saw what he could do, the harm. I do not want that to fall upon the last heir to the throne."

Callum took a moment, but then nodded in understanding, looking to the last member at the table who hadn't yet claimed their stance. "General Amaya? What do you think about all this?"

Amaya glanced at him for a moment, then turned to Ezran, moving her hands. The young boy concentrated on her movements. "I have not known you long, but I'd like to think I am a good judge of character." She paused with a smirk. "If you wish to fight, I will fight with you."

Callum nodded, then looked over them all. "I am not alone in our intent to fight, but I understand your concerns over my safety. Viren will be coming for me, we know this. So, I will position myself on the Spire, safe enough to avoid danger, but close enough to help with the fight." He looked to Ibis beside him. "I refuse to leave my mother, and I refuse to simply flee. If you don't want me on the front lines, I understand. But then I demand that I assist in protecting the little family I have left."

The mage bowed his head slightly and nodded from his seat. "Very well your Highness. I will do all I can to protect you."

"Thank you. Now, we need a plan. We know the direction the army will be coming from, and we know we have two days to prepare. We don't know if he knows we're ready, so we need to prepare for anything. Pyrrah, what can you tell us about the enemy?"

"If I thought humans were animals before, these things are pure beasts," she reported, sighing as she leant back in her chair. "As I flew over, I saw infighting and disorder. It seems the only thing controlling them is Dark Magic."

"I concur. However, I did notice a lack of speed in their movements," Ibis added, "They were slow, cumbersome…as if they didn't know how to control their bodies. As if…in a daze."

"Believe me, Dark Magic will do that to you," the dragoness mumbled, rubbing her side where the healing wound still throbbed.

Looking at the map, Callum nodded. "Is there any way we can get reinforcements?"

"We could summon the dragons of the local area?" Ezran suggested.

"A good idea. Pyrrah, can I leave that to you?"

"I will handle it."

Soren stood. "Corvus and the others were going to Duren to try and get some help. With any luck, they will be on their way. Without spending four days going to Lux Aurea as we did, they should be close now. With some help, they might be able to make it before the battle."

"Ibis, I want you to try and find them, guide them this way."

"As you wish, sire."

"Janai, Amaya, the area around the spire is wide and open," he said, looking at the map closely. "But there is only one entry point. I want you to arrange a defensive perimeter around it."

Janai nodded, seeing his plan. "Hold the line."

"We hold them off as long as we can. Funnel them in, and take them out one at a time."

"Impressive plan."

Ez chuckled as he watched his aunt sign. "Umm, she says 'Are you sure you're not a general yourself?'"

He chuckled back. "No, I'm not. It's my ancestors and their memories that really deserve the credit." He scratched the back of his neck before sighing deeply. "Their target will be me. And as agreed, I will stay away from the front line…using myself as bait. But with the spire being so difficult to traverse, it will be our natural advantage. While they try to climb up, they'll be vulnerable, and I can use my magic to pick them off and stop them from advancing."

"Advancing?" Soren asked with a confused frown. "What do you mean? You said they'd be after you…why would they go…past you?"

Callum gulped, realising his mistake then, looked to the floor. "My mother. I don't know how to explain it, but I know Viren will not go for me straight away...He will go for my mother."

"We won't let him," Rayla snapped, "We won't let him get anywhere near her."

"I know you won't." He looked over at the Moonshadow. "Because you will be protecting her."

She blinked. "What?"

"Rayla, I want you to stand guard at my mother's chamber, protect her. You will be the last line of defence."

"Callum, no, I belong at your side."

"I want to know that my mother and half-brother are safe, and the safest place is with you protecting them. You are a Dragon Guard Rayla."

She looked downhearted at his words, but also knew what he was doing. He wanted to keep her safe as much as his mother. "Alright Callum. I will protect your mother."

"Thank you." He turned to the others as they sat around the table. "We have two days to prepare. So Pyrrah, I want you to go and find the dragons. Tell them they are being summoned to protect the crown. Ibis, find the army of Duren and bring them safely here. Bring as many elves as you can along the way. And the rest of us will prepare for the fight, defending the spire."

"As you wish, sire. However, there is only one small problem with your plan," Ibis said as he stood from his chair. "What you are planning to do is an act of war."

Rayla gestured to the map on the table. "Umm, yeah, obviously. That's kinda the point."

He looked down and shook his head. "Forgive me, I did not make myself clear. Only a crowned monarch of Xadia can declare war. The dragons and elves will not come unless it is declared by the monarch. It is what has kept the peace between humans and elves for so long. Some may act alone." He glanced at the former assassin, then back at the others. "But their actions can be excused as extremists or rebels. Unless given permission by the king or queen, then Xadia is at peace. And right now, we do not have a king, and the queen cannot give her seal to this."

"Well, I'm the prince of Xadia," Callum reminded him. "I can declare war."

"You are a prince, Callum, but you are not a crowned monarch."

His eyes narrowed on the mage. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means, if you plan to do this, if you want to declare war…you need to become the king."

The teen went stiff, his breathing seizing up. "King?"

"Yes."

"I-I'm not ready to become king."

Ezran frowned from his side of the table. "Can't he just be Prince Regent?" he offered.

"Prince …Regent?" Ibis repeated, slightly confused.

"It's a position held in human courts," the human general explained via her nephew as a translator. "It means that they take on the responsibility of king or queen while the real king or queen is unable to complete their duties."

"I will not take the crown from my mother while she sleeps," Callum said under his breath. "I will wait for her to wake, and then choose. But if we need a ruling monarch to protect the queen and everything within Xadia, to stop this monster before he can harm anyone else, then I say we do this. I will become Prince Regent. Then, I can declare war and summon the others to help us."

The Skywing elf thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I believe I read something similar to this Prince Regent. You can take the crown Cadonumis and still remain a prince." He smiled. "We can hold the ceremony tomorrow morning!"

"Uh, ceremony?"

SL: Oh dear, you're going to have to wait for the ceremony! And I will leave Ray to gush over the 'Soren/Pyrrah' moment.

RK: *crosses arms and pouts* Hey...I-I'm not that bad! Besides...the better Pyrren moment is in the next chapter.

SL: And don't forget to review! We love them and TBH, at this trying time (since Ray works for a pet store and I work for a supermarket) we need all the love we can get.

Stay strong and stay safe everyone!