ntry, pushing towards Marboll like the point of a dagger. Arrows had been pinned to the map, showing the direction the Carrow invasion

e being half destroyed by a Radiant, but that splinter force also threatened to cut across the route Princess

efire, diplomatic code for a Helberion surrender. Nilon had, of course, suggested that Leothan surrender there and then, but Leothan had said that they wanted to negotiate favourable terms for himself and his people. Nilon ha

ts job, took a heavy toll of the enemy, until the Radiants caused a small earthquake that detonated most of

amned balloons tear up any place we try to fortify with earthqua

g was one of them. When Leothan retired from his official duties for the day, be would have to go to the Ministerial Building across Liberty Avenue, where rooms had been assigned for him and the Royal Family. It was aggravating, but Leothan wasn't going to complain when so many people had died during the attack. Nine in the palace alone, eighty two people i

Lanier. "They were under equipped when they started, but if they keep this up th

botage any piece of kit they have

damned balloons in the sky cursing anyone who doesn't get away quickly enough," said

g a good source of phosphorus?

e minerals and we know how to extract it, but getting a supply chain established takes time. And, of course, any factory we build is likely to be targeted b

sand times as mu

ell." He strode over to the map on the far wall of the War Room, stabbed a finger at a spot in the east of the countr

need incendiary rounds to defend the place where we'll be making

arboll against eight Radiants," said Kinley, "and they

s movement of Radia

rom is Wilterland, and that's pretty barren country. There might be a forc

ell them to send a bird back the moment they see anythin

Are we agreed that the Radiants that attacked us were just regular Radiants? They weren't soldier Radiants or anything, I've got no id

ntinued to attack, knowing they were probably going to die as well. The one that survived didn't flee to save its own life. It left when it realised

said Amberley, nodding. "They don't have the

"We can study Radiant psychology

e same way we do, that their motives and world view are more or less the same as ours. I don't think we can assume that any more. Thei

ork on it. Not quite what they're used to, but maybe they'll relish the c

his war?" he asked. "With our better equipment we thought we were about eve

urselves," said Amberley. "Some of the men have been arming themselves with bows an

earthquake? The eight that attacked the city were all pretty low to the ground, but that may just have been so they co

ws? If they're not scared of death and are willing to commit themselves i

s well during the Brey War

ere only armed

to one. Infantry against a cavalry force three times the size is supposed

that the men are making themselves probably aren't the best quality. Is there any

opular sport, there are probably hun

protested Pavok. "And it takes time

g a barn door, and how different is a sporting b

e and penetrating power. Still, I suppose they might serve

se of self preservation that we do, but I bet that if we kill enough of them the rest'l

veryone was hoping that someone else would come up with some brilliant idea that would save them all, Leothan realised. Himself included. It was a depressing realisation, because it meant that they all believed that their eventual defeat was inevitable. They would do their best, of course. They would make plans and give orders, and

ck the traffic for him. Balhern had tried to persuade him to use a carriage whenever he made this short trip, but Leothan was determined to show the people of the city that he wasn't afraid of Radiants or Carrow assassins. By doing this I'm demonstrating my trust in them, he thought, and my confidence that

now aiming a pistol at him. There were guards in the crowd as well, of course, scanning the crowd for anyone moving suspiciously, and the men of his escort were doing the same, ready to throw him to the ground and cove

eturn. If they did, the guards surrounding him had several of their precious incendiary rounds, ready to turn the creatures into balls of red fire. Others had been given to the guards around the telegraph room, to protect their communications with the rest of the world, and more were even now being taken to Adams Valley by their fastest rider, to protect the scientists who would, the King hoped, soon crea

o make repairs. The first priority, though, had been to remove all external sign of the attack, for morale purposes and to give the impression of normality. Even so, though, there

bout their business, pausing only to bow as they scurried along the oak panelled corridors and in and out of committee rooms and private offices. He made for the stairs by the quickest route, n

that he was pulling out small threads of the expensive material. Princess Stephanie, meanwhile, sat in another chair on the other side of the room, looking at herself in a mirror and touching her newly formed lips with stubby, half formed fingers. She was barefoot, not yet being human enough for shoes to fit her, and the four original toes of each foot, still bearing long yel

had only been a few weeks since the nightmare of Princess Ardria's ordeal had come to an end. A few precious weeks of heartfelt relief, normality and happiness in which the friendship of the Gildon ambassador, the only person in the palace close enough to her in rank and social st

he stood uncertainly for a few moments before sitting. "I'm sorry I've been so long," he said, puttin

t would be like when I married you. The Kingd

to talk to any more. Fir

ry I might have my own circle of spies keeping me informed of all the palace intrigues, who's doing what to whom, who's plotting against us, but everyone here is so damned loyal!" The

r, how were you supposed to

with her. Alone w

to look after her. If Darniss does one thing

Nilon decided to take her hostage? I

d of the

dom! We're talking about our daughter!" She ran

dom! People tend to think that that just means dressing in ball gowns and going to state ceremonies, people bowing and waving, and in some countries

." Stephanie looked at her suspiciously, guessing she just wanted her out of the room for a while. For a moment it looked as thought she might protest, but then she looked at her father and nodded. She stood on her half tra

e strong in front of. If I'm feeling alone, you must feel a thousand times more alone! Take this opportunity to lay down the burden, just for a moment. When you're alone with me, you can

, he did need to stop being the King for a moment. Just for a moment. All of a sudden he was tired, more tired than he could ever remember being before, and he was scared. This is Kather

en to her! I should never have let her go! I thought the War Council would advise against it! I was so hoping they would! It would have given me an excuse to forbid her from going! When they agreed that it was a good idea..." The Que

fists, just hurt them in the simplest, most basic way possible! Punish them for being so willing to send my daughter

n took his hand and put it back where

first place. All that talk about duty, responsibility, about putting the Kin

ve been your daugh

permission! I'm the King! I can literally do anything! I can have anyone I want executed on a whim, In

why did

ling hand through his hair. "If there's any chance that she and Darniss really can convince Nilon t

ueen. "If Nilon does decide to take her hostage, there won'

scue later. That sort of thing just doesn't happen in real life. If Nilon betrays them, counting on Kelvon b

." Lacurnia shuddered and a tear ran down her cheek

asurably powerful. Nilon won't risk war with them. She'll be safe. And

s almost a wail of despair. "We

s in the palace where he can show her off to the noble families of Carrow. There'll be guards at every door, of course, but there'll also be servants to look after her. Servants loyal to Nilon, but servants nonetheless. They may even let her keep Teena!" Teena

ten to kill her unl

ething they can only do once. Once she's

If they do threa

now that. I'm the King, an

get her back no matter what, that he'd send the whole army on a rescue mission if that's what it took, but the rest of

he and Darniss will convince Nilon. Carrow and Helberion will join forces to fight the Radiants, a

g to convince m

magic spell that would make it come true, while the two of them held tightly to each oth