War Room — Two Weeks After the Contest
The atmosphere in the room was tense in a different way from previous meetings.
It wasn't the tension of impending battle or economic crisis.
It was the tension of an imminent departure.
Kaito stood before the large map of the Twelve Kingdoms, a route marked in red from Neudämmerung to Vestria—the neutral capital where the Council would be held.
Two weeks of travel. Three if the weather didn't cooperate.
Around the table: the four queens, Drake, Gorman, Aria, and the main captains.
Kaito pointed at the map.
"The entourage will be small. We can't appear threatening, but we can't appear weak either."
He touched points along the route.
"I'll lead, obviously. Naporia as the official Queen."
Naporia nodded from where she sat, still not completely comfortable with the title but accepting it.
"Drake comes as an advisor and representative of... well, of a former Avernor hero who chose our side."
Drake raised an eyebrow.
