At first light, a page arrived bearing a message for Geric with the royal seal. Geric eagerly snatched it and read.

Come to the small conference room adjoining my chambers at your earliest convenience. We will meet with Thiaddag and our military and political advisors alike to determine our course of action for war with Kildenree. - Sinath, Rex

Geric immediately rose, but court physicians prevented him from leaving, insistent on tending to his dagger wound. While one court physician had him drink more of the bitter drought, the others scrutinized his stitches and applied fresh bandages. Geric gritted his teeth, and, as soon as their ministrations were complete, he departed with as much haste as his wound allowed.

He found his father standing at the large window of the conference room, gazing out over Lake Meginhard. An early morning mist clung to the surface of the lake and its shore, the ripples of lapping waves barely visible beneath it.

"I was married here," the king said contemplatively as Geric joined him at the window. "It was a happy day. I had always associated this estate with that happiness." He smiled sadly. "I had hoped that would continue." A touch of anger entered his tone. "Now, I can only think of the treachery that came to light here."

Geric looked down at his feet.

The king sighed heavily. "Now we must deal with this war in light of what foul deeds we learned of yesterday."

"Are we still contemplating war?" Geric queried, alarmed.

"Of course we are, Geric," his father said with some annoyance.

At that moment, the prime minister entered the room, his face expectant.

"Ah, Thiaddag," said the king, turning away from Geric. "We have much to discuss."

"Indeed," answered the prime minister. "I trust that you, Prince Geric, are making a good recovery?" At Geric's nod, he continued. "Good, I am glad to hear it." The prime minister then looked at the king. "I have the documents you requested." He came to the table and untied his leather satchel. Removing the sheets of parchment, he spread them out upon the table.

The king turned back to Geric. "Despite the fact that she is a traitor and a fraud, that woman provided much evidence to support an upcoming attack from Kildenree."

"I know," Geric answered, peeved that his father was telling him about the Kildenree letters. Of course he knew about the letters. A trace of irritation entered his voice. "I only assumed that we would think this war would be another of her deadly lies."

"Never assume," the king answered sharply. Geric fumed, but he hid his anger behind an impassive face.

"Exactly," declared the prime minister, looking intently at one of the papers. "In fact, her treachery gives me cause to believe that the attack is indeed true."

"What!" exclaimed Geric.

"Her treachery was against Kildenree, not Bayern," the prime minister said, his eyes flinty. "It was against the royal family – the Crown Princess Anidori – and her country. There did not seem to be a plan to overthrow Bayern's government. In her criminal way, she seemed to be abandoning Kildenree and beginning anew here in Bayern."

"How can you say that?" Geric said, seething. He glared at the prime minister. "She would have married me! She impersonated my betrothed! How is that not treachery against myself and my family? Who knows what she might have done as a ruler of Bayern? Especially now that we are all aware of just how base and traitorous she is willing to sink."

"Her treachery against her lady is yet another reason why we should be wary of such an attack!" the prime minister argued back, riled. "Their dysfunctional loyalty is an indicator of a dangerous country. Such a country lashes out. Bayern is at risk."

"Bayern was at risk from a dangerous person yesterday! But we were thankfully saved from such danger by the true princess who insisted that the traitor invented the war!" Geric paused for breath. "The traitor has fooled us again and again. This war is false as well!"

Geric and Thiaddag glared angrily at each other.

"Enough, enough," the king intervened. "The other advisors are not yet here. Let us wait for them before we state our views."

Hours later, the military and political advisors present, no agreement had been reached. Geric found himself shouting frequently. The prime minister steadfastly believed and argued that Bayern should go to war – before Kildenree attacked. Geric could tell that the military advisors and political advisors were being swayed by the prime minister. As if that is any different than what they wanted to do anyways, Geric thought. Bayern has always been a war-loving nation, and they've been salivating for war for a generation now…

Only the king remained undecided. He was quiet, sitting at the head of the table, listening to the arguments.

Frustrated, Geric smacked his hands down onto the table and stood up. "There is not going to be any attack from Kildenree!"

There was a collective groan among the advisors, while some rolled their eyes. One muttered, "Not again." Thiaddag glowered.

Undeterred, Geric continued, "The true princess returned yesterday specifically to avoid war – to warn us that it was another lie from the traitorous imposter!"

"We have been over this again and again and again," said the prime minister, also rising and facing Geric. "There is not enough evidence or argument to indicate that there is not going to be an attack. You, as the future king, should be more wary. But you are also young. Rely on us, our expertise and experience."

Geric bristled. "Age or experience means nothing in regards to a grievous error. I know that there is going to be no attack. Avoid unnecessary death and destruction! We should not go to war!"

"Do not be ridiculous," hissed Thiaddag. He turned to the king. "Sire, we can dally no longer. I know how you have avoided war throughout your reign, but we cannot sit idly while an attack brews in the north. Bayern is in danger. Your son, although he means well, does not fully understand this danger. We must act."

Geric pursed his lips. Isi should be here, he thought. Despite insisting upon her joining the conference several times, the other advisors, and even the king, had not allowed it. It doesn't matter. I'm going to ask again. The advisors need to hear her. Maybe that would change their minds.

Also turning to the king, Geric said, "Father, going to war would be a terrible mistake. We have been discussing all this for hours, but shouldn't we be communicating with the princess? She would provide more information, and, perhaps, help us make the right decision. We should request her presence here."

There were more groans from the advisors. Thiaddag, scowling, said, "The prince no longer knows how to support his argument, if he needs the help of the princess. We do not have women in the conference room. It is not their place, regardless of their connections. And of all the women to choose! The prince is asking for a Kildenrean woman. How can we possibly involve her in our military plans?"

Furious, Geric shouted, "But you would listen to a traitorous Kildenrean woman? You are still supporting the argument of a proven murderous, traitorous woman from Kildenree!"

"How dare you!" the prime minister shouted back.

"Enough!" the king interjected. "Thiaddag, you are too severe. You must know that many a queen has been in the conference room… But it has been so long since there has been a Bayern queen." He sighed. "I think Geric might be right. The princess may reveal more information that will help us. I do not see the princess as a threat, although I am not yet certain about her country. Regardless, she has significantly helped us already. I value her opinion."

Geric sighed with relief and sat down. Isi will certainly help. Thank the gods. His wound throbbed painfully, but he ignored it.

A messenger was dispatched to summon Isi. The other advisors did not appear pleased by this turn of events, the prime minister least of all.

"She will not help in the slightest," the prime minister insisted. "We are only putting Bayern more at risk by involving her. Sire, please reconsider."

"No, Thiaddag," answered the king.

"We all know how the princess has helped us in exposing a fraud, but there is no indication that the war is also false! As much as I am grateful to the princess for revealing the truth, she is only casting doubt on the war! Holding us back until Kildenree's armies will come and attack us!"

Geric leapt to his feet.

"Geric," the king said in warning.

"No, Father," Geric said loudly and stubbornly. "I can't just sit here and listen to such slander. The princess has done nothing but help us – and at great risk to herself!"

The king sighed heavily. "Let us at least behave more calmly. Sit down. There will soon be a lady present."

Thiaddag glared at Geric. Geric sat down and drew his chair forward; Thiaddag lowered himself into his chair. The conference room was tense.

Barely a moment later, the doors were opened, and Isi entered. Everyone in the room rose at her arrival. She looked about the room, her eyes resting briefly on Geric. Geric's heart beat faster. The king motioned for Isi to take a seat. Seating herself between two advisors, she glanced at the king. The men sat down again.

"Good morning, my dear," the king began. "We're sorry to have neglected you so long and to greet you now with the grim details of a war meeting in place of a banquet and procession. All in its course." He cleared his throat, then said firmly, "We beg you to give us reason to believe there's no war preparing in Kildenree."

Surprise was evident on Isi's face. She sat back and said, "I don't understand, sire. You're still contemplating war?"

Unfortunately, thought Geric.

"Unless you can give us evidence," said the king.

"Evidence? Of what? Of peace? Teach me how to give evidence of peace and I will," Isi said sharply. She paused. The advisors stared at her, clearly taken aback by her resolve. "You must know that Kildenree will not attack Bayern."

Thiaddag got to his feet, gesturing to the letters upon the table. "This, my dear, is evidence," he said. 'My dear?' If only it was sincere, thought Geric. The prime minister picked up a few of the papers, saying, "Letters given to us by the Princess Anidori-Kiladra, or this Selia, if you will. They're written and signed by the queen of Kildenree and detail inimical intentions, with dates, numbers, places, all stamped with the royal insignia."

Isi snatched one of the papers lying on the table in front of her and scanned it. "This isn't my mother's hand," she said. "Forgery. Selia's mother is the key-mistress of the palace, a woman with access. She might have found a way to steal my mother's crest ring to make the seals."

There. Information that helps us. We wouldn't have known that if she hadn't come, thought Geric. He caught sight of the king's thoughtful face. The prime minister was also looking at the king, but then he turned back to Isi, his expression intense.

"Evidence. Show evidence and we'll believe," Thiaddag said to Isi. He glanced at the king. "It's another ploy, Your Highness, to keep us unwitting and unprepared while our enemies move to crush us in our sleep."

Geric's temper flared. Before he could speak, Isi did.

"Oh, stop it," said Isi in frustration, covering her face with her hands. She dropped her hands and stood up, clearly angry. "This is ridiculous. You want evidence? History will show you that Kildenree hasn't warred with any of its neighbors in over three hundred years. Numbers will prove that Kildenree is far too small to attack a kingdom like Bayern. And the girl who gave you the only evidence you have to the contrary is a fraud, a deceiver, and a murderer. You should already know these facts."

Geric glanced around the room. The king was looking thoughtfully at his folded hands, the prime minister appeared unmoved, but many of the advisors were watching Isi, brows furrowed in thought.

Isi continued. "But in a country where you hang your dead up on walls and pride whether or not a man bears a javelin more than his character, how am I to persuade you out of a war?"

What? Isi has seen Bayern executions? Geric was startled. Javelins… don't mean more than character… do they? Unexpectedly troubled, Geric concentrated on listening.

"It would be suicide for Kildenree to war on Bayern and butchery for Bayern to attack Kildenree," Isi continued. If you don't believe me, then send me back. Or if you don't trust me to leave, I'll return to my little room on the west wall and tend your geese, and you can be sure that on my watch no thieves will touch my flock."

No one is sending you back to goose herding, Geric thought firmly. But as if she was already returning to her geese, Isi walked to the door. At the door, she stopped and turned around.

"Did you know that there're workers in your city who aren't allowed into shops and taverns because they're from the Forest and therefore don't hold a javelin?"

What? Geric thought, confused.

"And men who call themselves peace-keepers, obeying their own code of law and not the king's, sworn to keep the streets safe because the soldiers do not or will not?"

Disturbed by this revelation, Geric glanced at the king who was still gazing at his hands. The advisors were staring at Isi as if a rock had spoken. Only Thiaddag remained unfazed.

Isi continued, "And areas so crowded that children live on the refuse of others?"

Geric raised his eyebrows, dismayed.

Isi's eyes flashed with anger as she looked around the table, and she said, "I see from your faces that you don't think much about these things. Maybe I know more about your city than you do, and I certainly know more of Kildenree. Believe me, there is no war. If you want evidence, explain why a mother would send her first daughter into her enemy's camp. I'll be your evidence."

Isi abruptly turned, yanked the conference room doors open and left without a backward glance.

All in the conference room sat in shocked silence for a moment. Then Thiaddag rose.

"I am unconvinced," he said firmly. "The princess revealed no true evidence. We should still go to war."

Anger stirred in the pit of Geric's stomach. Will nothing stop this man? Geric thought.

An advisor spoke up. "I don't think that is fair, Thiaddag. She certainly told me information that I had not known about Kildenree. And embarrassing information I was unaware of in my own homeland."

"Yes," said another. Many nodded their heads. Geric looked about, relieved and grateful.

"I no longer think there will be an attack," rumbled one of the Bayern military advisors. "All she spoke of Kildenree's size and scale – and war history – is true. I had only thought that it may have changed… but no longer." He got heavily to his feet and looked down the table to the king. "Sire, I rescind my advice for war. Let us be at peace."

There was a chorus of affirming nods and ayes among the advisors. Geric grinned and thought, Yes!

Thiaddag scowled.

Everyone looked to the king for his response.

"Well," said the king, clearing his throat. "I continue to be impressed by this Kildenrean princess. There shall be no war."