The shaman woman, Alishara, stood opposite Hatan. She grabbed a magical orb off the table and placed it into her pocket. How she concealed it so discreetly was beyond him.
They’d just finished watching some kind of recording of Migo announcing his ascension to emperor and warning against potential invasion. He’d openly admitted to killing Emperor Malrabia.
“How do we know that wasn’t fabricated by yourself?” Falshon asked.
“You don’t,” Alishara said with a shrug. “If you knew how magic worked, you would understand that I cannot create illusion, but you will have to rely on your own senses. Either you trust the orb conveys reality, or you do not.” She pulled something else out. A small booklet. Kidem Rikaydian’s journal.
“Here’s something else,” Alishara said, placing the journal on the table. “I took this to prevent Migo from discovering his father’s notes about Emperor Ranaz. I return it in good favor, seeing as it is no longer relevant.”
Hatan shook his head. “It was Migo.” He had no doubt. The message was conveyed in the exact way that Migo would speak. Direct, to the point, and with full disclosure to the extent of the consequences.
“I feel the same assurance,” Emil confirmed.
“Then it sounds like you have some preparation to do,” Alishara said.
“Falshon,” Hatan said. “I need you to get a message to all the officers and noble houses. We’ll want citizens additionally informed that militia is to be on full alert. We’ll want a system of bells or horns setup for emergency alarm in case of an attack. Are you aware of the procedures from there?”
“Yes, sir.” Falshon saluted and dashed from the room.
“We’ll want to make full use of any silver weaponry we have, sir,” Rivar said. “Normal weapons had difficulty penetrating the hides of the waheshi. King Rikaydian’s poleaxe was invaluable in our battle with them.”
Hatan nodded. “We need to take inventory and look for a broad distribution. See if you can get full stock prepared. Get a messenger out to the eastern armory to inventory there as well.”
“Yes, sir,” Rivar departed as well.
“What else do you recommend,” Hatan asked Alishara. “The Bayvana Tribe was well equipped with those weapons—seculas, I believe. Would they be willing to assist in the defense of Jehubal?”
Alishara shook her head. “Their weapons will be of little use. The true value from the tribes will come from their shamans. They can help set some enchantments on the city walls. I will need to meet with them directly.”
“Emil, send messengers out immediately. See if we can catch those delegates from the tribes and call them back.”
“On it, sir.” Emil ran out after his brother.
“You’re sure the tribes will help in such a way?” Hatan asked.
Alishara shrugged. “There is no certainty, but I can be convincing. Unfortunately for you, there are only a few shamans among them, but they are skilled in enchantments. That has been their specialty for many years. And they may have potions that can help during battle, if they are willing to share them. They may ask for an exchange, like silver weapons.”
“Whatever it takes. Lives are worth more than silver.”
“Good. The next thing to consider is troop placement. You’ll want constant eyes on the Frozen Waste.”
“Why there?” Hatan shared a confused look with Penym.
“That’s where the greatest threat is, obviously. The visions are unclear, but since the death of Emperor Malrabia, I have received continual flashes of sinister forces moving among frosty clouds. The best assumption I can make is that there are potential threats coming from the Frozen Waste.”
“That seems rather obscure,” Penym said.
“It certainly would to those with no experience interpreting visions.” Alishara raised an eyebrow at Penym.
Hatan clenched his jaw and leaned toward Alishara. “How much time do we have?”
“Again, no certainty. Visions never really provide a timeline.”
Hatan shook his head. “Hopefully enough time for us to prepare.”
“Victory is unlikely anyway,” Alishara said. “Bleeder armies were unstoppable before. There was only one city that was able to repel them, and that was because they had an entire army outfitted with silver equipment.”
“Thank you for the inspiring words,” Hatan said. “But whatever I can do to try and increase our odds, I will do it.”
Alishara let out a weary sigh. “Noble. I almost want to apologize for my candidness, but when you’ve seen as many cities fall as I have, you begin to grow tired of hope.”
“But you’re still trying,” Penym said.
“There isn’t any other option,” Alishara said.
“Right, well, my last request then is that we get a message back to Migo,” Hatan said. “You mentioned that was possible.”
“It won’t hurt to try,” Alishara said, pulling the orb back out from her pocket. “Come, I will show you.”
Chapter twenty-seven
Marriage
Katsi stood in front of the mirrors in her bedroom as Adrina fussed about her hair a little more rigidly than usual. She wore a plain black dress with a velvet sash across one shoulder that went down the corresponding side. Adrina had also placed two small, golden clasps on top of either of Katsi’s ears.
“Are you upset, Adrina?” Katsi asked.
“I’m not your mother, Katsi,” Adrina said as she aggressively attempted to get a golden chain to weave through a braid of Katsi’s hair.
