Caelan worked through the night. Maps covered his study. Empty teacups marked the hours. Ink stained his fingers from writing message after message.
Liora sat across from him, managing three encrypted conversations at once.
"Duke Gravenor will respond first," she said, sealing another message with wax. "His estate is closest to the eastern borders. He remembers those demon campaigns."
"What about Stormholt?" Caelan asked, not looking up from his territorial assessments. "He was injured in the last push. Might be hesitant."
"Already sent. Mentioned the systematic fortification pattern." Liora's fingers moved across cipher keys. "If they're building permanent camps, every border duke will want them gone."
The study door opened. Yona entered carrying a thick leather folder.
"My lady," she said to Seraphina, who sat reviewing intelligence reports. "We need to discuss preparations. Multiple duke households arriving means we're about to become the busiest estate in three provinces."
Seraphina set down her papers. "How many people?"
"Three dukes confirmed for personal attendance, plus two contributing forces remotely." Yona opened her folder. "Duke Gravenor travels with thirty people minimum. Duke Dravenlock brings his own cooks. Duke Stormholt insists on his own security detail."
"Where do we put them all?" Seraphina rubbed her temples. "The estate is large, but not that large."
Yona had thought this through. "Dukes get guest quarters in the main house. Everyone else goes into expanded servant housing or temporary buildings. The armies establish tent camps on the southern fields."
Caelan looked up. "Security concerns?"
"Every extra body is a leak risk," Yona replied. "We split our staff from theirs and change service routes. No overlap. No gossip."
"What about the war planning?" Seraphina asked.
"Main dining hall converts to command center. Large enough for maps, secure enough that we can control access." Yona flipped through more papers. "Kitchen staff will need tripled food preparation. Wine cellars will be emptied within a week."
Liora looked up from her communications. "Speaking of security, we should discuss cover stories. Three different duke households means dozens of witnesses to every interaction between you two."
Seraphina and Caelan exchanged glances. They'd been focused on military logistics. The performance aspect needed attention.
"What's our relationship status in public?" Caelan asked.
"Forced cooperation through geographical necessity," Seraphina decided. "D'Lorien estate is the closest suitable staging ground to Celestine territories. You need my location, I need your military expertise. Neither of us is happy about it."
Liora's mouth twitched. "Professional antagonism. Smile with your teeth, not your eyes."
"Why would you need to practice being irritating around me?" she asked, her tone carrying genuine curiosity that made him smile despite everything.
"Natural talent," he replied, but his eyes lingered on her face with unmistakable warmth.
The moment lasted exactly three heartbeats before Seraphina forced her expression back to neutral. "We'll need to remember this feeling when we have an audience."
The first courier arrived before dawn. Duke Gravenor's personal messenger rode hard with an encrypted response. Liora broke the seal and scanned the contents.
"Full commitment," she reported. "Two hundred horses, machines to break walls, people who know how to build things. He's already moving and should arrive by evening."
"Fast response," Caelan noted. "What's his reasoning?"
Liora continued reading. "Organized demon expansion represents existential threat to all border territories. Personal debts from previous campaigns aside, this is survival necessity."
"Good man," Caelan said. "What about the others?"
More responses arrived throughout the morning. Duke Stormholt pledged three hundred foot soldiers plus people who could use magic in fights, despite his previous injuries. Duke Dravenlock offered to manage supplies and brought healers who knew how to treat demon wounds. Duke Emberlain, married with young children, committed two hundred archers from his territory but would coordinate remotely. Duke Veydark, recently married, offered to handle logistics through his wife's family connections, also from a distance.
"Excellent participation rate," Liora summarized. "These men trust your judgment."
"Good," Seraphina said simply. "We'll need that trust when the real work begins."
Caelan nodded approvingly. "Solid foundation for coalition building. Each duke brings different strengths."
"And different egos," Seraphina added pragmatically. "We'll need to manage those carefully."
By midday, the estate had transformed completely. Yona coordinated an army of servants and workers. Guest quarters received thorough cleaning. The main dining hall underwent conversion to command center.
"Kitchen staff is panicking about feeding this many people," Yona reported. "I've sent purchase orders to every supplier within two days' ride."
Seraphina watched through tall windows as workers marked positions for tent camps. "What about our regular operations?"
"Compartmentalized," Yona assured her. "Our people know to stay clear of guest areas. Intelligence materials are secured."
"And if someone gets curious?"
"Standard estate business. Charitable work, agricultural management." Yona's expression was confident. "Nothing that connects to network activities."
Duke Gravenor's advance scouts arrived first. Professional soldiers who established perimeter security and began site preparation. They worked with quiet efficiency.
"Impressive people," Caelan observed. "Gravenor trains his men well."
"Should we greet them formally?" Seraphina asked.
"Let them work first. Official greetings when Gravenor himself arrives." Caelan's tone shifted to something more distant. "We should practice the antagonistic dynamic before we have witnesses."
They spent an hour rehearsing professional disagreements, tactical disputes, and barely civil cooperation. The transition felt strange after weeks of growing intimacy, but both recognized the necessity.
As they broke apart, her hand brushed his wrist. A beat too long. Gone before anyone could name it.
Duke Gravenor arrived as the sun began setting. He rode at the head of his cavalry column with the confidence of someone who'd spent decades in military command. He was older than Caelan, scarred from multiple border campaigns.
"Duchess Vessant," he said as he dismounted in the main courtyard. "Thank you for opening your ancestral home to our operations."
"Duke Gravenor." Seraphina's greeting was cordial but reserved. "Geographical necessity makes cooperation essential. Demon expansion threatens all our territories."
Caelan appeared from the opposite entrance, his expression carefully neutral. "Duke Gravenor. Your cavalry made excellent time. The scouts established good positioning."
"Duke Vorenthal." The greeting carried respect but noticeable formality. "I received your strategic assessment. Concerning developments, especially the systematic fortification patterns."
"The intelligence is solid," Caelan replied. "Duchess Vessant's sources have provided detailed territorial analysis."
Gravenor glanced between them, clearly noting the professional distance. "I see you've managed coordination despite..." He paused diplomatically.
"Despite our different approaches to strategic planning," Seraphina finished smoothly. "Duke Vorenthal's military methods serve coalition objectives, regardless of personal preferences about his communication style."
Caelan's jaw tightened slightly. "The Duchess provides necessary logistical support, though her civilian perspective occasionally conflicts with military requirements."
"Civilian perspective," Seraphina repeated, her tone carrying just enough edge. "I suppose managing estate operations for fifteen years doesn't qualify as strategic experience."
"Field work bleeds different," Caelan said. "Maps don't scream when plans go wrong."
Duke Gravenor cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should focus on coalition planning."
Duke Stormholt arrived three hours later. His infantry established camps with practiced efficiency while he joined the strategic discussions in the converted command center.
"Impressive intelligence gathering," he observed, studying the detailed maps of Celestine demon positions. "Your sources have remarkable access to enemy fortification details."
"Local contacts," Seraphina replied without elaboration. "Celestine territories are ancestral D'Lorien lands. Some families still maintain old loyalties despite current political divisions."
"Convenient," Caelan noted, his tone carrying mild skepticism. "I always verify intelligence through multiple sources before committing forces."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you questioning the reliability of my family's historic connections?"
"I question everyone's sources. Standard military procedure."
"Then question efficiently so we can focus on eliminating these demon camps."
Duke Stormholt coughed diplomatically.
"Coalition needs one command," Gravenor said bluntly. "Too many voices will get men killed. Duke Vorenthal, you've fought demons before. Will you take field command?"
"If Duchess Vessant agrees to coordinate logistical support from the estate."
"Acceptable," Seraphina said crisply. "Your tactical competence serves our mutual objectives."
Duke Dravenlock arrived after full dark. He was younger than the other commanders, but his reputation for battlefield tactics had earned respect throughout the eastern provinces.
"Duchess, Duke Vorenthal," he greeted them both with professional courtesy. "I've reviewed the initial strategic assessments. These demon fortifications represent significant escalation in organization and long-term planning."
"Agreed," Caelan responded. "Standard raid tactics won't work against permanent camps with established defenses."
"Coordinated strikes, then," Dravenlock concluded. "Simultaneous attacks on multiple positions prevent mutual reinforcement."
"Timeline becomes critical," Seraphina added, pointing to marked locations on the territorial maps. "Intelligence suggests continued fortification improvement. Every day we delay strengthens their defensive capabilities."
"So we move fast," Duke Gravenor decided. "Full coalition force, coordinated assault, overwhelm them before they can adapt to our presence."
The evening's war council session established basic operational framework. Move out in two days, allowing time for final coordination and supply preparation. Three main targets attacked at the same time to prevent demons from warning each other. Clear all positions within a week to ten days maximum.
"Supply lines?" Duke Stormholt asked practical questions.
"From the estate," Seraphina said. "It's central. We can feed and arm columns in every direction without tripping over each other."
"How do we coordinate between forces?" Dravenlock asked, cutting through formalities.
Liora stepped forward. "Coded messages, regular check-ins, emergency signals if things go wrong. All managed through the estate."
"Medical support?" Duke Gravenor had seen enough campaigns to prioritize casualty planning.
"Healers with each group, serious injuries brought back to the estate," Duke Dravenlock answered. "My people know how to treat what demons do to you."
As the detailed planning continued, Yona managed the complex logistics of accommodating multiple duke households simultaneously. Evening meals required careful scheduling. Sleeping arrangements had been organized with diplomatic precision.
"Wine supplies holding up?" Seraphina asked during a brief coordination break.
"For now," Yona replied. "But we might need to purchase additional stocks before the campaign launches. These people appreciate good hospitality."
"Do it. Keep everyone comfortable and cooperative."
Late evening brought final confirmations and detailed tactical discussions. The command center filled with maps, troop movement charts, supply calculation sheets, and communication schedules. Three different military traditions found common ground through shared concern about organized demon expansion, though the tension between the hosts remained palpable.
"This entire operation carries significant risk," Caelan observed during final planning review. "Throwing multiple armies at demon camps without scouting first is barely controlled chaos."
"Unlike your alternative strategy of waiting until the demons establish permanent fortification?" Seraphina's tone dripped disdain. "Perhaps indecision passes for caution in military circles."
"Caution keeps soldiers breathing," Caelan shot back. "But I suppose noble pride matters more than body counts to some people."
"Body counts?" Her voice could freeze fire. "Every day we waste in planning sessions, demons dig deeper. But go ahead, lecture me about casualties while they build fortresses."
Duke Stormholt watched this exchange with calculating eyes, while Duke Gravenor shifted slightly in his chair.
"Bloodline restoration rituals," Duke Dravenlock mentioned as strategic discussions wound down. "Duchess, you mentioned ancestral protections for the cleared territories?"
"Standard territorial magic," Seraphina explained carefully. "Celestine lands have ancient protective wards that require D'Lorien family activation. Personal heritage serves strategic necessity by preventing demon return after military clearance."
"Understood. Family magical traditions often provide regional stability." Duke Dravenlock accepted this explanation without question. "Timing coordination between military operations and ritual requirements?"
"Rituals immediately after territorial clearance," Seraphina decided. "While security is maintained and before any withdrawal begins."
The other dukes nodded acceptance. Duke Gravenor, thinking of regional stability, was particularly supportive of magical protections that would prevent demon return. Duke Stormholt agreed that ancestral wards represented sound long-term strategy.
As midnight approached, Yona appeared with final coordination updates. "All households accommodated, communication systems tested, security protocols active throughout the estate. Everything is ready for campaign launch."
"Excellent management," Duke Gravenor complimented. "Your staff maintains impressive efficiency under complex circumstances."
"Years of practice," Seraphina replied. "Estate operations require constant coordination."
Liora entered with urgent expression, interrupting the final strategic discussions. "My lady, perimeter scouts report additional forces approaching from the southern road. Large column, moving fast."
"Which house?" Caelan asked, immediately alert to potential complications.
"Vessant banners," the scout reported breathlessly. "Full military formation, estimated two hundred riders minimum."
Alaric had come with an army.