Chapter 37

We spent the next day resting in bed until Selene nudged me and whispered that it was time to get up. Tarion had invited us to a briefing, and even though Karim had told me about it yesterday, I had lost track of it in the commotion. I sighed and turned on my back, staring up at the ceiling. It was a meeting to discuss the war and the preparations of it. I closed my eyes. They were doing it for me. I had started this, and the people would risk their lives because of it.

I heard Selene stir and get up, and I dragged myself out of bed. They believed in me, but I wasn’t who they thought I was. I couldn’t do what they wanted me to. Selene put a hand on my shoulder.

“It will be okay. You don’t need to do much.”

I shrugged it off, and she looked away. I sighed, wanting to reach out, but she had already turned away to get dressed. Why did I always have to mess things up?

The others waited for us at the gate. Tarion had decided to host the council in the tower at the centre of the fortress, and Karim and Selene chatted quietly as we made our way there. I had almost expected a large gathering waiting for us as we stepped outside, but the streets were empty, and we made our way there undisturbed.

If only I had understood what I said yes to when I made my promise to Altea. So far, it had been nothing more than hopeful glances and people cheering, but now… I would lead people into battle. I would put their lives at risk, pretending to be their Goddess. I sighed and followed the others as we arrived at the tower and began to climb the stairs.

We entered a large room with walls lined with tall windows, offering a view in all directions. The commanders glanced at me as we stepped inside, and I forced myself to look ahead and not turn down my gaze. Tarion gestured for us to sit at a table made from a single slab of stone, and we listened as he began to share the news.

The Imperium hadn’t invaded Akka after their provocation of openly siding with me, and skirmishes on the borders confirmed that they wanted to wait until the war to attack… At least the people were safe… But the rumours of my promise had spread far enough that they must know what we are planning…

I turned to the large windows. We were so high up that all I could see was the blue sky slowly turning orange as the dusk approached. Soon, we would leave for Doria. I only hoped that my presence would make a difference, and they would be willing to share what they knew with us. I knew we needed the information, but staying there for longer would also prolong the inevitable road to Tarnis that awaited us on our return. I hid a sigh and turned back to the table.

Tarion had sat down, and the commanders were talking about the preparations for the war. Yes, with Marburg on our side, Lumeria’s ships would keep supplying Zarion. The South was mustering its army…. 180 tons of grain… Fortifications around Nastra… The Imperium would take the fight on the open field rather than… Mercenaries from the islands… Tax revenue would cover…

I soon lost track and gazed at the setting sun until I heard a chair scrape, and I turned to see Karim stand up. I almost got up to leave, but he only spread another map on the table and began discussing it with Uruk. Tarion nodded quietly at their comments, and I heard Selene discussing numbers that seemed important with one of the commanders, but I didn’t understand what they were talking about.

I sighed. It would be a long night. I wished I could be like Aki and curl up on the chair and fall asleep, but of course, that was out of the question. At least they seemed to have forgotten about my presence, and no one had asked me about my opinion. I only hoped I wouldn't fall asleep sitting. That would be embarrassing and would probably mess up something, so despite being tired, I tried to stay awake.

“The sun will rise again!”, someone cried, waking me up from my daze.

“The sun will rise again”, the group responded.

I blinked. They were all standing around the table, and I flustered, repeating their words,

“The sun will rise again”

I stood up, and they turned to me.

“With your blessing”, Tarion said and bowed.

The others followed his lead, and I watched the whole room bowing to their Goddess. I knew I had to play my part, but knowing the hopes they put on me made me want to run and hide. One of the commanders glanced at me as he straightened, viewing me as if wanting to ask something. I stared at him for a moment, not knowing what I should do, until I remembered. I took a deep breath and began,

Soft like a feather,

hard like a steel…

They repeated after me, verse after verse, until the last one ended, and the room fell silent. The commander turned to whisper to his neighbour, and I drew a sigh of relief. I’d been lucky, and that simple trick saved me yet another time, but I didn’t know how long that would last. At last, the commanders bowed one last time and left, and I hoped it was over, but Tarion and the others sat down again.

The old man turned to us.

“When will you leave for Doria?”

I blinked, wondering how he knew, but then realised that he and Karim were close, so he must have told him about our plans.

“As soon as we can”, Selene said, leaning over the map.

“We could cross the river tomorrow night”, Uruk pointed out, looking at the route, and Karim continued,

“I wish we could stay longer, but…”

“I understand”

Tarion paused for a moment before continuing,

“I can send a ship under escort towards Eldoria. Many expect you’ll go there next.”

“Thank you, my friend”

“I wish I could do more.”, Tarion sighed.

“You’ve already done enough”, Selene assured him.

“Sending us to Doria under escort wouldn’t go unnoticed. The Imperium would be suspicious about our plans.”, Karim said.

“Don’t you think they know already?”, I asked.

“They may suspect we found something in Marbug, but they don’t know what and going to Doria would reveal that.”, Karim explained.

I nodded. It made sense, but it felt like chess, and I knew thinking about it would only give me a headache.

“We should rest. It will be a long day tomorrow”, Selene concluded.

“May Goddess bless your path”

Tarion got up, and Uruk picked up the sleeping Aki, and we left the tower.