War.
While it hadn't been openly declared, it was evident on the faces of the Awakened as they marched out of the front gates of Ravenheart.
It had been a week since Noble's meeting with Rain in the palace of the Weeping Goddess. Whatever the fallout had been from Noble admitting she knew about Sunny had been, it hadn't been enough for the shadowy Saint to reach out.
And now he and Rain would be joined in their "military excursions" by the best and brightest Awakened that the Song Domain had to offer. The ice bridge had emptied earlier that morning as people gathered their final provisions, and now only unaligned noncombatants remained in the icy space between the mundane city and the Jade Palace.
The palace was also left with only a small staff of retainers to maintain it. The power of Ravenheart was being systematically emptied into the wilderness outside its walls, and Noble and Fort were among the many observers there to watch the exodus.
Fort watched with a pensive expression. A familiar Memory was tucked behind his ear. 'I hate this.'
'Me too.' Noble narrowed her gaze at the passing army.
'Without this, emissaries wouldn't have been outside Ravenheart for Rain to find…'
Noble nodded subtly. There would have been no reason for emissaries from the House of Night to come if not for the war. There would have been no need for an alliance. Then the three Awakened would have never run into the Skinwalker. Which meant…
'Without this, Rain would be home right now…' Fort's anguish hit Noble and mingled with her own.
The conversation when Noble had returned had been strangely brief. Fort had seen Noble without Rain and knew that instantly his daughter wasn't coming home.
Noble explained her interactions with both Sunny and Rain, and Fort listened with minimal comment.
Even when talking with Blaze and Brock about what had transpired, he had been mostly quiet. He seemed, in a word, resigned.
And that was harder than if he had been angry.
This was the first mention of Rain that he had initiated since Noble's return from the Weeping Goddess. He looked out at all the beautiful, valiant Awakened, and he couldn't help but think that his baby girl would be among them soon.
'I hate this,' he repeated.
'I know. Me too...' Noble reached out and took his hand.
He squeezed it lightly, the emotion flowing freely between them.
'Without all this nonsense, Rain could be telling the world she awakened naturally, not having to hide among their forces. She could be teaching others about the process instead of having to keep it to herself.' Fort's shoulders tensed.
'She likely would not have awakened yet at all.' Noble shook her head.
'That's a fair point,' the ambassador conceded. 'Why is it that Rain thrives in impossible situations?'
'Better than the alternative, I suppose.' Noble stole a glance at her husband.
'Very true. And she has put herself in the most impossible situation yet.' The ambassador nodded slowly.
Noble nudged him gently.
'Who knows? Maybe she will come out of this a Saint?'
'If we are dreaming big, she might as well become a Sovereign and put all of this ridiculousness to an end. Though if someone is going to rule, I would rather it be you than her.' Fort nodded firmly.
'Ha, you are dreaming! I am not going into a Nightmare any time soon.' Noble laughed dryly through the shared Memory.
'Never say never, but fair enough. Natural awakening was only rediscovered a few days ago. I doubt natural Supremacy will be on the horizon any time soon. Though…Supreme Queen Bee does have a nice ring to it.' Fort allowed a small smile.
His wife raised an eyebrow at him. 'That's the happiest I've seen you in days, so I won't even argue. I can already see the bobble heads now…'
'I'll hoard them all, you watch me.' The man's shoulders relaxed. 'But will you at least wait until Rain gets home before you try that? I would prefer only one crisis at a time.'
'I NEVER said I was going to…' Noble felt the amusement from her husband and cut short her objection. 'Ha, very funny.'
Fort took a deep breath.
'I'm…trying. I know deep down that Rain will be fine, but that doesn't make it any easier, you know?'
'I know.' Noble smiled at him.
Somehow the cloud hanging over her husband had finally lifted. It was strange that it should happen at a moment like this, when the human world was literally marching into battle against itself, but they would need every bit of strength to pull through.
Noble was not about to take any bit of happiness for granted.
Turning, they continued to watch the parade pass. All around them, people had stopped to view the spectacle as well. And they had plenty to say.
"This will be what it takes for Clan Valor to back down. How could they accuse our glorious Queen of trying to harm Lady Changing Star?!"
"Mighty warriors of Song, we are with you!"
"How many do you think will come back when this is over?"
"How can you ask such a thing? They will come back without a scratch!"
Many in the crowd called encouragement to the soldiers, but the same number watched in solemn silence.
Their friends and neighbors were leaving for a death zone. Despite the frenzied optimism of the well-wishers, many of the faces that passed would never be seen in Ravenheart—or anywhere else—ever again.
The small smile on Fort's face faded.
'Poor fools. Do they really believe things will end so cleanly?'
'Some of them do. Part of me hopes they are right and this will be over quickly and bloodlessly.' Noble sighed.
'That would be nice…' This time it was Fort's turn to squeeze her hand in comfort.
"Bring back honor for Song!" Someone beside them yelled.
'Honor for Song and Glory for Valor… I am getting tired of those expressions already. They are being spouted all around the NQSC, you know.' Noble had not ventured out of the Academy walls much lately, but she had been exposed to the cries nonetheless.
'Everyone is being forced to pick a side. It would have been much nicer if Ki Song and Anvil just fought it out without all the prelude and pretense.' The ambassador dipped his head respectfully as a passing soldier met his eye.
'Do you think it will be possible to remain neutral in the end?' Noble's question was met with another gentle squeeze to her hand.
'Let's hope so. At the very least, we will do our best.' Fort's determination bolstered Noble's resolve. They were in this together.
And together they could do the impossible.
Minutes passed as the city continued to empty. The cheers became frenzied as more prominent Awakened became mixed in with the warriors.
Never had the power of Clan Song been so condensed. Noble doubted it would be for long. Once they left the city, they would likely have to spread out to divide and conquer... At least until a place for a final battle was decided.
'May they return home safe.' Noble felt her Kingdom Crafter Attribute stir, though how many people it connected to, she did not count.
She was more concerned with one person in particular heading their way.
This was who Fort had been waiting to see.
"Master Noble." Noble's attention was pulled from her goal to a very different source.
Before her stood a man with ashen hair and a stern expression. She had felt his presence, but did not think he would feel the need to speak with her after their interaction days before. It seemed she was wrong.
"Saint Sorrow. It is good to see you. You remember my husband, Ambassador Fort, from that day at the transportation office."
"As my wife said, it is good to see you." Fort dipped his head to the powerful Legacy.
"And you as well, though I believe it will be the last time for a long time." Sorrow's expression did not change, but his feelings became more somber.
How was that even possible?
Noble wasn't sure and knew better than to ask. She glanced behind the Saint and tilted her head. "I notice you don't have your canine companion."
Saint Sorrow nodded slowly. "He was dismissed. I have communicated with my wife and daughter. Things have been sorted."
The Saint had been deeply troubled the last time they had spoken. While he had been relieved that Tamar was well, he was concerned that his wife might have gotten the wrong idea about his silence. It seemed they had worked things out before they were no longer able to exchange messages via the waking world.
Saint Sorrow hesitated. "I thought you would want to know."
"I do." Noble smiled at the other Saint. "I am glad it all worked out..."
She paused as another entered their circle.
A woman with grey skin and crimson lips smiled a little too widely. "Thank you for waiting, Ambassador. I hope you have not been here too long."
"You are right on time, Lady Seishan." Fort greeted the Song Sister with due civility.
Noble and the Legacy of Clan Sorrow bowed to her. "Lady Seishan."
The princess acknowledged them. "I did not realize you knew the Ambassador, Saint Sorrow."
"We have only recently been introduced. It is Master Noble with whom I have been acquainted longer. She helped my Tamar while at the Academy." Saint Sorrow did not elaborate, nor did he need to.
In fact, Noble was glad he didn't. Seishan was smart, and if he mentioned Noble's trip to see "Rani", the princess was almost certain to connect the dots.
That would be less than ideal.
Instead, the grey-skinned woman smiled knowingly.
"Ah, I see. Master Noble is quite popular these days. She is very committed to her students. I suppose you were congratulating her on her promotion, then."
"Promotion?" Sorrow furrowed his brow.
"Did she not tell you? So modest." Seishan clicked her tongue. "If it were me, I would tell anyone and everyone. Provost is an auspicious position, after all. I hope all your students are benefiting from your leadership as young Tamar did."
"Thank you, my lady. Yes, everyone at the Academy is doing quite well and adjusting nicely." Noble didn't want to discuss the Song Sisters under her care directly unless Seishan asked.
Thankfully, that seemed to satisfy her.
Fort coughed lightly. "About our business, Lady Seishan, I don't want to keep you from your other tasks."
Sorrow took the cue.
"I will rejoin my clan. I have a few questions, Lady Seishan, when you have a moment. Until next time, Master Noble. Ambassador Fort."
"Give Tamar and her cohort our regards when you see them." Child of Promise watched as the solemn Saint nodded.
"I will." Saint Sorrow passed back into the crowd of Awakened, creating a bubble of space around him by the nature of his presence.
Noble felt a small connection to him. While he wouldn't go seeking out Tamar, it was likely they would cross paths. Noble hoped if Rain ever got her message that it would find her well.
'Please be safe!' Her attribute stirred within her before settling once more. Noble returned her attention to the topic at hand. The ambassador cleared his throat.
He had business to discuss.