Considerations for War

Four days passed from Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble's leading House Faline into rebellion and desertion. It was also four days since Sinaan's disappearance. Aalyn knew he was a competent assassin and scout. She had no fear whatsoever that he could track the army, especially an army this large, and catch up by now if he were still alive.

When last she saw him he was going on a mission to shadow Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble. Then, in the predawn hours of the next morning, Hayden had appeared with his private guard and assaulted her, Thurdain, and Illglan with the intention of killing them afterward. Gunngrul and Rweble were still missing. No doubt one or both were still leading the rebel Faline troops. Most devastating of all was that there was no sign of Sinaan. They must have discovered him and he was most certainly dead.

Aalyn wiped tears from her cheeks. It still felt weird to touch the eyepatch where her left eye used to be. Healing was powerful magic indeed. It could repair almost any injury, but it couldn't replace what was missing.

She fought hard to stave off the depression, guilt, and grief she was feeling. So much had been taken from her and her sisters as of late. She would make House Faline pay dearly for Sinaan's death and their injuries, and then she would submit herself to her mother's punishment. She had promised her life for Sinaan's if she didn't bring him home and, indeed, she would pay that debt.

She wiped her tears away and tried to focus on more important matters. There was one more day before they were out of the mountain pass. The fog was following them now like a great gray cloak covering the land in their wake. It matched her mood perfectly.

Once out of the mountains, her army would sweep over Valeheim and the Valelands like a dark cloud. She would kill all those that fought against her and take as slaves everyone and everything. There would be much glory and great booty to claim. So, she wondered, why wasn't she more excited about it?

"Really," She mumbled quietly to herself, "Of what gain is any of this to me?"

It didn't matter now. Thurdain and Illglan were irreparably injured, and Sinaan was most probably dead. House Faline rebelled and deserted. Even if she took all of the Valelands captive, could it really replace what she had lost? Would it really make up for her failure?

Whatever trophies, accolades, or honors she achieved, they just didn't matter anymore. Her sisters were horribly disabled, she was injured, and her brother was dead. She would return home in failure and die for her sins. She would kneel before her mother and perform Skamidaudr. Death by disgrace and shame. Then, her mother would behead her.

Thurdain and Illglan sat a few feet away. The both of them had taken to residing with Aalyn these past few days. They had already paid a very heavy price in service to this campaign, and the real battle hadn't even taken place yet. They signed back and forth now as their only means of communication. They were mutes now, their tongues having been removed by Hayden's guards. They were the two most powerful priestesses in the camp. A fact clearly illustrated by Thurdain's position as the sole leader of nine-hundred and ninety-nine priestesses of Arachne, and Illglan was one of her lieutenants. But now, they were little more than common wenches.

They were still priestesses. That much could not be taken from them. However, without the ability to call on their goddess in holy rites and rituals, or cast spells, it was impossible for them to heal, give blessings, or go into battle. The result was that their authority amongst their peers was all but gone. Aalyn didn't know much about the Temple's politics and hierarchies. They liked to cloak themselves in mystery far too much for her taste. However, she did discern some facts about their hierarchy from Thurdain and Illglan's conversations in the days following their assault by Hayden. Still, she had to take what she heard and orient it with what she already knew of military structure. As far as she could tell the priestesses' camp was organized thusly:

Thurdain was, for all intents and purposes, the commander of a battalion of priestesses. Ogrethanne and Illglan were her immediate lieutenants. Illglan oversaw a company of five-hundred Disciples. The less experienced in need of the most governance. The company of priestesses Ogrethanne was in charge of numbered three-hundred and forty-seven Disciples of the more experienced temple prostitutes, and one-hundred Initiates. Those who were virgins until the army was conscripted and deployed.

Within Ogrethanne's ranks of Disciples, the five most senior about to take their final vows to Arachne were put in charge of the Initiates. This year, those five were Wrathielle Dokkskirn, Gruda Opallain, Aloufina Shouldnelle, Ashrilyn Glamrung, and Nidanth Vischra. The Initiates were then split into platoons of twenty. At least, that was their formation before House Faline's rebellion and desertion.

With great reluctance, Thurdain promoted Ogrethanne Annolstad, the only remaining Priestess in Aalyn's army, to commander instead of risking assassination or challenge. Orgrethanne accepted with malicious glee, and then unceremoniously stripped Thurdain, Illglan, and Aloufina of their authority.

Of a thousand priestesses four-hundred and fifty-six were abducted leaving only five-hundred and forty-four, and Ogrethanne let Thurdain know in no uncertain terms that if she were to have her wish Thurdain and Illglan would have been birched, drawn, and quartered, and their heads put upon pikes as a warning against such treasonous failure. So, here they were, Thurdain and Illglan, hunkering down and looking thoroughly miserable in her tent.

With only five-hundred and forty-one priestesses remaining, only a little more than half the company of Disciples and Initiates she was commanding previously, Ogrethanne wasted no time in replacing missing or incapacitated members. Of the five senior Disciples put in charge of the Initiates only Wrathielle and Aloufina remained. But with Aloufina remanded to Thurdain and Illglan's custody for her part in Hayden's treasonous assault upon House Abendroth, it left only Wrathielle to be promptly promoted to Priestess.

Gruda Opallain was kidnapped along with all twenty of her Initiates while performing services as temple prostitutes. Ashrilyn Glamrung was also among those prostituting along with sixteen of her Initiates. And Nidanth Vischra just happened to be out among the craftsmen consorting with a young male blacksmith when House Faline soldiers raided their camp for supplies, animals, and desirable young men and women.

Therefore, Ogrethanne assigned Malignathiel Wrathlust to oversee Wrathielle's twenty Initiates. Urethane Coldeath was assigned to Aloufina's Initiates. No one was needed to fill Gruda's role since all of her Initiates were missing. And Augustana Sliverstand was put over Ashrilyn's four remaining Initiates and Nidanth's twenty. Then, Ogrethanne promoted Palanthis Labrianth to Priestess and divided supervising the Disciples and Initiates between her and Wrathielle.

Thankfully, the army didn't need to make nearly as many field promotions to make up for Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble's deaths or disappearances. They hadn't even engaged with the enemy and already this mission was a cluster fuck!

Aalyn smiled at the thought of the new curse word she'd learned from Sinaan. She smiled and then almost immediately she was hit with remorse again over his loss. She missed his presence in her bed, but more than that she just missed him!

Casting a haunted glance back at her sisters, Aalyn left her tent to walk the camp. It was time for her to do her usual patrol and make sure everything was in order. The fog had rolled over them in the last hour and it laid heavily upon the land cutting her already halved vision in half again. It irritated her, this fog, it made her nervous, and worst of all it was affecting her troops—and House Faline's rebellion and desertion hadn't helped.

The sentries walking the parameter stared out at the fog with a mix of anger, suspicion, and fear. Some of them thought that the ghosts in the fog had made House Faline go crazy. Others thought the ghosts possessed them, and still others feared that House Faline soldiers would return and attack as wraiths.

Aalyn made sure to look every one of her soldiers in the eyes and saluted them in hopes of transferring some of her resolve to them. If they saw she was unaffected by the gloomy atmosphere, then just maybe it would reassure and reinforce their confidence and resolve. Before she knew it she was standing at the eastern edge of camp staring defiantly into the gloom toward their target. She couldn't see it of course. Valeheim of the Valelands. It was still miles away. But, her troops saw her and her composer, and that was all she needed right now. Those rebel villralfar in the valley below would get their judgment soon enough!

She stood there for a long time squinting her eye straining her diminished vision in hopes of piercing the gray veil surrounding her camp. Whether it be coincidence or something else, right at that moment a slightly darker gray smudge shifted in the fog. It moved down the road toward the camp, towards Aalyn.

The figure darkened as it drew closer and coalesced into the silhouette of a male. He moved slowly, purposefully, toward her. She shifted her stance, resting her weight on her toes, and placed her hand on the pommel of her sword. Her guards came to attention and raised small handheld crossbows.

"Who goes there?" The guard to her right yelled.

The shadow didn't answer but instead continued to close the distance between himself and Aalyn.

"Identify yourself," The guard to Aalyn's left demanded as he raised his crossbow and took careful aim, "Now! Or, we'll open fire!"

The male came to a stop only fifty feet from Aalyn before reaching up and pushing the hood of his cloak back off of his head. Despite the gloomy gray fog around her Aalyn's eye opened wide in shock and her mouth fell open upon seeing her brother.

"Sinaan!" She gasped in a near-hysterical shriek and then laughed as she charged forward. The soldiers, not sure what to make of their leader's reaction, slowly lowered their weapons but still stood at alert attention, just in case it was a trap.

——(!)——

When Sinaan awoke the next morning Ra'Shaal and Fjallindae were both performing a prenatal exam on Forelain and giving quiet counsel on the babies' health and imminent arrival.

"You are progressing well," Fjallindae said in a whisper, "All of this walking has been good for you. I estimate you're a little over six months along, and the babes are healthy."

Ra'Shaal nodded in agreement before adding, "Even after we return to Idavollr I recommend long walks and an active sex life."

Forelain signed back at them, and then the three began dressing in their robes. Sinaan waited until they were done with their exchange and then he rose and dressed.

"You are going to meet with Lord Viridian?" Forelain asked as she took time from her preparations to speak with him.

"I am," He replied.

"Good," She signed, "May Arachne bless us this day."

Sinaan nodded and flashed his best grin as he pulled up his britches. She was admiring him and he purposely slowed his progress. Her eyes seemed to twinkle once she realized what he was doing.

Smirking, she flashed her hands in a quick command, "Go, quickly, before I decide to detain you!"

Sinaan threw a grin at her and then left.

He found Lord Viridian with his two beautiful women, the Oracles, Glenna, and Hlina, along with the Harpy Queen Burza. Two of her daughters approached the Queen and whispered in her ear. Their speech was always so musical, but as Sinaan approached they fell silent.

Viridian turned and took note of Sinaan's arrival before turning and commanding, "Proceed."

Arden and Saar nodded, as the oldest of Burza's daughters it was their honor to give the scouting report. Arden gave a quick glance toward Sinaan then continued, "As I was saying, my sisters and I found them. They are marching with the fog. Smart move I say, masking their numbers within the mist. They manage to get ahead of it now as the air currents are carrying the fog south primarily. At this moment they sit less than half a day's march from our position due west."

"They have scouts," Sinaan added once Arden fell silent, "No doubt they know we are here as well."

Viridian gave Sinnan an appreciative nod as he replied, "I thought as much, but it is good to have it confirmed."

Sinaan fell silent then and watched. This Viridian Vale seemed very familiar somehow. He had his suspicions about Viridian's origins, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. One thing he knew was that the villralfar was too unique of an individual to be normal, just like Sulabha. Her class as a Necromancer was so overpowered that it seemed to break all the rules of common sense—maybe the universe. Viridian Vale was a creature of those same overpowered impossibilities, but where Sulabha's power seemed to originate from death and decay, Viridian's seemed to blossom from life itself.

Either way, Sinaan found that he liked the guy. Viridian Vale had good instincts when it came to being a leader, he was charismatic, had a natural sense of justice, and listened to his councilors. He also explained his decisions so that those councilors' advice he didn't take understood his reasoning, and he was firm, once he came to a decision that was it.

"Good job Arden, Saar, thank you so much," Viridian said once their report was completed, then asked, "Who's out scouting now?"

"Sora and Arn," Saar replied this time, it was her first chance to speak.

"Good," Viridian replied, "Then let's keep the scouting rotation as it is for now unless there is anything else I need to know?"

"No, husband," Arden replied in a very warm purr.

Viridian returned her grin, but also said, "Is that everything then? Does anyone else have anything to add?"

"I do," Sinaan said, speaking up now that everyone had fallen silent.

"Yes, Lord Sinaan," Viridian said, acknowledging him, "Proceed."

"It is my Matron's recommendation, given the recent developments and hostilities between House Abendroth and House Faline, that we should approach her in stages," Sinaan said in as honest and persuasive a tone as he could.

"Was this rebellion really so bad," Viridian asked?

Sinaan nodded solemnly as he replied, "Yes, it was. An attack on my sisters and my mother. An attack on our soldiers, and when House Faline deserted they attacked several other houses and kidnapped hundreds of priestesses, many of which were nobly born. If this is not handled very carefully House Faline and House Abendroth could find themselves at odds with every House in Idavollr."

Viridian only nodded. He knew that House Faline was aligned with House Abendroth in order to quell the animosity between them. That was why Sinaan, though only eighteen, was now married to Matron Forelain Faline. Still, he took his time and thought over the problem carefully before asking, "Tell me your plan. How would this work? If you run ahead of us you could betray us easily. What assurances do we have that you will speak on our behalf and not give away our strength?"

Sinaan just smirked and shrugged his shoulders as he admitted, "There is no assurance I could give you that would quell your suspicions. The fact is I could betray you, and I would be lauded by my people as a true patriot for doing so."

As he spoke he could see Viridian's hackles rise and his emerald green eyes flash with anger, but he kept his temper because, in the end, he knew that everything Sinaan was saying was just the simple truth.

"However," Sinaan continued, "Matron Forelain has convinced me that we must not go to war with you. If for no other reason than that, our goddess's Oracle is missing. The result might mean we've lost Arachne's favor, and you obviously have the favor of at least two goddesses that we do not want to anger."

Viridian looked at Sinaan for a long while. They were of an age, maybe even the same age. Viridian appeared to be searching Sinaan's expression and his eyes for—something—truth maybe.

"Fine," Viridian finally said, "But, I think I should accompany you."

Sinaan felt his spine and scalp tingling in alarm. His eyes opened wide with surprise and cold fury welled up in his chest, but he wrestled it all down and mastered himself just as his mother and sisters had taught him. Fear. Rage. Indignation. Those led to mistakes and then death. If he wanted to survive he must be calm and reason out his choices before making a decision, not let his feelings lead him to ruin.

"My lord," Sinaan began to protest.

"I advise against this, husband," Glenna said immediately.

"Daniel, no!" Hlina gasped.

Viridian turned on Hlina then and pinned her with a stare that could have flayed skin from muscle, and Hlina shrunk back in surprise and embarrassment.

"I will be using Prowl," Viridian explained, but his tone had a hint of defense in it, "They won't even know I'm there."

"What if they were to somehow discover you," Glenna asked as she crossed all four of her arms over her spectacular breasts while her tail whipped back and forth in agitation.

Sinaan quieted and let Viridian's own women handle him. After all, he was more likely to listen to them than him anyway, and this way he wouldn't seem suspicious. But, he kept his eyes on Hlina. The young dokkalfar. She must be eighteen. His age. Viridian's age. Sulabha's age. She had called Viridian—Daniel.

Could it be that Hlina was like him and Sulabha? From a different earth? Could they both be? And if so, who were they?

There were ten alpha testers, and he knew all of them. They had all known each other, and one of them was Daniel Raes. That explained Viridian, but who was Hlina?

"Virdy, no," Hlina said again, this time using the right name, "What if you are killed? I—I can't lose you again!"

Again? Sinaan smirked inwardly as he averted his gaze from Hlina just as Viridian cut his eyes toward him.

Viridian heaved a mighty sigh then said, "Fine! I will remain here. We will make preparations and fortify while Sinaan starts introducing the idea of parlay to the commander of the approaching army."

Sinaan nodded, then began to fully explain the plan, "Matron Forelain proposes a three-step introduction. I will go first. As Aalyn's brother, she will be relieved by my safe return. I will then report what has happened within House Faline and our alliance. Then, Matron Forelain will approach the camp and with her authority as one of the Matrons of Idavollr, and a priestess, she will begin advocating on your behalf. Finally, if everything goes well, Matron Forelain and I will return on behalf of General Aalyn with terms for parlay. If not, then you should be prepared for an attack."

Viridian nodded, but he looked grim.

"I will set out now," Sinaan said.

"Are you sure you do not wish for additional support," Viridian asked.

Sinaan shook his head no, "It would only complicate matters. It is better if I approach my sisters alone."

Viridian nodded again, and Sinaan took it as a dismissal.

——(!)——

Aalyn usually tried to be more reserved with her feelings, especially while in front of her troops, but her relief was too great to hold back her hug or the tears as she peppered Sinaan's cheek and mouth with kisses.

"Oh! By the goddess's grace, Sinaan, you are alive," Aalyn chortled happily.

"Barely," Sinaan replied, his voice thick with humor and sarcasm. He noticed the eyepatch over her left eye and brushed his fingers across her cheek as he traced the scar that disappeared beneath the eyepatch before reappearing above it, ripping through her eyebrow, and arcing over her nose to slice across her forehead all the way to her hairline, "Please, tell me, sister, how are my sisters' health?"

Stepping back from Sinaan, once again in cool command, Aalyn replied, "Here, we will return to my tent and you shall see them for yourself. Then, you can explain to us where you've been for the last four days!"

As Sinaan walked through the camp he noted new faces among the officers, and how they stared at him and Aalyn as they passed. There was a notable agitation as well, and even knowing of House Faline's desertion did not prepare him when he saw the camp. There had been casualties when House Faline made their escape. Now, there were little more than four thousand warriors. The priestesses were reduced by nearly half, and the camp followers were missing many of their apprentices and gear.

Aalyn passed by her guard and led the way into her tent. Thurdain and Illglan were both sitting on Aalyn's cot reviewing reports Ogrethanne had submitted to Aalyn. They both jumped at the sudden sound of the tent flap rustling and Aalyn and Sinaan's appearance. They blinked almost in unison when their gazes fell on Sinaan, and then they made weird crooning sounds and jumped to their feet so they could embrace Sinaan together, neither one wanting to wait for her turn.

It didn't take long for him to recognize the late Faline brothers' handiwork. Aalyn's missing eye, and Thurdain and Illglan's missing tongues. He was furious with Hayden and Gunngrul, but even more so with himself. If only he had been here when they needed him!

"I'm sorry," He apologized, which set off a flurry of questions both spoken and signed.

Sinaan found himself taking a deep breath and then he dived into telling them of his adventure. He started by telling about following Rweble and finding the mirror, his transference to Idavollr and House Faline. Finding Sulabha, the Necromancer responsible for turning the three priestesses into Soulless and implanting the souls of assassins in their bodies.

"Did you kill her," Thurdain asked in quick finger-wagging sign language.

"No," Sinaan replied.

"Foolish," Thurdain signed in sharp angry gestures.

"Always a fool for women," Illglan added in similar sharp gestures.

"She was a prisoner," Sinaan replied, trying to keep his tone neutral and not argumentative or defensive, "and the actual heir of Matron Forelain Faline."

That quieted them.

Then Thurdain signed, "Even more reason to kill her"

Sinaan could understand the sentiment, so instead of arguing, he told them of finding the entire matriarchy of House Faline dead inside their private temple. All with the exception of Matron Forelain who was kept prisoner inside her own room, upon her own bed with her tongue cut out, her mind broken as her sons used her as breeding stock. All while she watched her lover rot in the far corner of her room.

The silence in the tent was palpable. Suddenly their sufferings at the hands of the Faline sons seemed poultry in comparison. After a brief moment of silence, Aalyn whispered, "Hayden threatened to keep me alive as breeding stock, but I never imagined he had already done the same to others."

"Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble divided House Faline right down the middle," Sinaan intoned, "The fools who despised their subservience to the matriarchs and those loyalists who didn't. The females that were more loyal to their males than to their matriarch joined them. Those women that objected Hayden and his brothers were raped and killed, the men that objected that were sent to join this mission in hopes that they wouldn't return."

"I see," Aalyn mumbled.

"I beg your pardon sister, but no you don't," Sinaan replied, "At least, not yet. With my help, Matron Forelain and Sulabha were able to rally those that supported her and the old ways. We killed Rweble and almost killed Gunngrul but he escaped. Then we had to rush to House Abendroth to stop the third assassin sent to kill mother. Afterward, with her entire House devastated, and the matriarchy dead except for her, Matron Forelain Faline begged for a marriage alliance with House Abendroth."

"And mother granted such a request," Aalyn asked as she cut her eyes to the pendants on Sinaan's cloak.

"She did," Sinaan replied, "I am now Sinaan Abendroth D'Faline, husband of Matron Forelain of House Faline, and mother has sent priestesses, including Ra'Shaal and Fjallindae, to help rebuild House Faline."

"I—I will never forgive House Faline," Aalyn growled, "Not until Gunngrul's blood wets my blade!"

"Then you must forgive them," Sinaan replied through clenched teeth and a malicious grin, "I found Gunngrul dead a few yards from where Hayden attacked you. We also managed to resurrect the priestess inhabited by the assassin that attacked you. That was what led to the troops from House Faline deserting. They found out that Matron Forelain was alive. They hated the brothers, so with Rweble and Hayden dead they killed Gunngrul for his part in raping, torturing, and killing their wives. However, they feared reprisal from Matron Forelain. With no House to return to, they decided to take new wives for themselves from the priestesses and run away while they still could."

"How do you know this?" Aalyn hissed angrily.

"We caught up to them," Sinaan replied.

"We?" Illglan signed.

Sinaan nodded as he answered, "Matron Forelain and I were sent to stop Hayden and Gunngrul's rebellion, but it was already too late by the time we arrived. My apologies."

"All is forgiven," Thurdain signed.

"Yes," Illglan agreed with a nod and sign, "You did your best to complete the task we assigned you."

"I am not satisfied," Aalyn said angrily as she shook her head, "I was very explicit. I told you to investigate, nothing more!"

"Again," Sinaan replied but this time bowed his head in respect to his sister, "I apologize, sincerely. I failed you. If I had returned sooner surely I could have stopped Hayden and his guards."

There was a long moment of silence as Aalyn regarded her brother. There was a quiet exchange in sign language between his sisters but Sinaan knew better than to look up to find out what they were saying.

"You're forgiven," Aalyn said finally, sounding resigned as she shook her close-cropped white hair, "Honestly, I'm just happy you're alive. However, I want the deserts returned so that I can put them on trial for desertion, and return the kidnapped priestesses to the temple, and any others to their kin."

"I'm afraid that is impossible," Sinaan replied regretfully.

"Impossible," Aalyn replied, her voice low and grim, "How so?"

"They have already been returned to Idavollr and House Faline to help rebuild," Sinaan said, "I tell you this only because you are my sisters and members of House Abendroth. It is now an internal House issue, but I promise they will not go unpunished."

"That is unsatisfactory," Aalyn growled, "I am this army's general. I am their commanding officer. I have the right to put them on trial and sentence them!"

"If that is your wish," Sinaan replied in a firm but neutral voice, "Then I am sure an arrangement can be negotiated with mother and Matron Forelain. However, as far as the rest of this army, the nobles, and the Temple of Arachne are concerned, the deserts are gone, or dead."

"How is House Abendroth and House Faline supposed to keep nearly five hundred kidnapped priestesses from escaping or notifying their kin, or the Temple of who has them and where they are?" Aalyn growled, still dissatisfied with the situation and how remarkably cool Sinaan was in the face of her rage.

"Honestly," Sinaan sighed as he shook his head, "By the time we caught up to the deserts the damage was done. Remember that most of the priestesses are very young. Disciples and Initiates. It wasn't hard for the males to win over the majority of them and into giving up the priesthood and prostitution to become wives. As for those that didn't consent, well, I am afraid that the soldiers resorted to silencing those priestesses much the same way Thurdain and Illglan have been."

"What of the males that were kidnapped," Illglan asked in finger-wagging sign language.

"Most of the men taken were already in relationships that have been growing since this army set out for the Valelands," Sinaan replied, "By the time we caught up with them, all of the captives were willing to continue with soldiers' new husbands or wives."

"What punishment could House Faline possibly force upon them equal to the crimes they have committed," Aalyn asked angrily.

"Permanent house arrest," Sinaan answered, "Everyone thinks they deserted or are dead. They can never be seen in Idavollr again. So, they will spend the rest of their long lives within the boundary of House Faline or House Abendroth's gates."

Sinaan could tell that Aalyn was still upset. Frustrated mostly, but the punishment would be far worse than death and she knew it.

"So," Thurdain signed changing the subject to something she was more interested in since she was little more than priestess in name only, useful only as a prostitute now, "Where is Matron Forelain Faline now?"

"She is heavy with pregnancy," Sinaan stated resignedly, "A parting gift from her sons. So she is traveling more slowly. Also, we thought it best that you see a friendly face before you see someone you might consider an enemy."

"Wise," Thurdain signed.

"We thought so," Sinaan purred in satisfaction.

"Well then," Aalyn said as she pinned Sinaan with a firm expression, "Return to your Matron and tell her she is welcome in our camp. I, on the other hand, will disseminate your report to my lieutenants with instructions that the information be passed down through the ranks. As for the deserters, I will say that you gave chase but didn't find them. They are gone and forever branded as traitors. Should any of them be seen they are to be killed on sight?"

"Thank you," Sinaan said as he stepped up and hugged his sister.

She didn't refuse him and though upset, actually hugged him hard in return before placing a salty kiss on his lips that left him breathless. When she stepped back she mumbled so only he could hear, "We will never be what we once were to each other, but I am happy for you Sinaan."

Aalyn left then to meet with her Lieutenants. That left Sinaan to hug his other two sisters and receive kisses from them before leaving to reconnoiter with Forelain.

——(!)——

It was midafternoon by the time Sinaan returned to the svartalf camp with Matron Forelain walking more slowly than usual. She wore a white spider-lace gown today that clothed her from her neck all the way down to her ankles and wrists. Made of enchanted spider silk it appeared to be little more than spider webs clinging to her skin shaping itself to her very maternal curves, and it really did very little to hide her nudity beneath. Also, she wore several rings of mage armor and anti-venom. She knew she was going into hostile territory and she was prepared.

To her left, opposite Sinaan, Fjallindae carried Forelain's bottomless bag and a dagger within easy reach of the Matron. Surrounding them were Forelain's maids acting as an honorguard.

Beinbalkr was in the lead. Older and wizened, she was the only svartalf in all the camp that truly appeared plump, but that was a deception. She was plump, but the thick layer of fat that covered her arms, legs, belly, broadened her hips, and expanded her breasts until they were larger than almost all other svartalf females, hid an incredibly robust woman. A fact testified to by the massive mithril war hammer named Tenderizer. Its head was spiked and its haft was half the length of her body, but Beinbalkr held that hammer in a strong and knowledgeable hand like it weighed little more than a regular meat tenderizer.

Marching in the front guard with Beinbalkr were Aldrnari, Aetla, and Deild. Aldrnari and Aetla both wore long enchanted knitting needles as their weapons. Deild, on the other hand, proudly wore two large butcher's cleavers on her back in special sheaths on a chest harness that made her pregnancy-induced, overly large, breasts seem like they were going to burst from her uniform.

More than a few soldiers snickered as she passed by. Her large, round, obviously pregnant belly wasn't hard to miss. Soon none too subtle jokes said quietly but loud enough to hear began rolling through the camp that Deild had accidentally eaten their reinforcements. Others joked that she had come to birth their reinforcements on the field of battle. Deild wasn't the only one ridiculed, much the same was said of Matron Forelain. However, those whispers were in hushed tones that never passed the few males nearest the speaker. Deild for her part just pinned them with such murderous glares that they choked on their laughter and fell silent as the rest of the procession marched past. Instead, many made admiring or lude comments about what they would like to do to, or with, the beautiful female honor guard.

Making up the right guard was half-over half-villralfar Baer, Katr, and svartlafar Byggja-byrr. Ebony-skinned Baer with her indigo hair and eyes garnered many comments over her expansive bosom and coloring. Her sister Katr received as many comments but from different soldiers who like her chestnut skin, flaming red hair, crimson eyes, and equally copious breasts. Byggja-byrr, a classically beautiful svartalf was openly whistled at, but nothing more.

The left guard was made up of Raudr-daga, Kvedja, and Istas. On that side, the soldiers were much more well-behaved. No one so much as leered at the two svartalf women or the lupus-alfari.

As the procession passed and the rear guard came into view, Svartsilki and Gloa were ignored as most sven'dahl are, since they are seen as nothing more than luggage carriers. Ra'Shaal, however, received more than a few comments from clients of priestess Prodaenoff Hrodengae that thought she looked familiar.

The march ended with Aalyn standing just before the officers' tent. Thurdain and Illglan stood just behind her and to her left. In front of them and to Aalyn's left were Ogrethanne and her lieutenants, Wrathielle and Palanthis. To Aalyn's right stood her lieutenant colonels: Quindiehl Ljosbani who commanded a thousand soldiers from Houses Abendroth and Ljosbani. Rastof Annolstad who commanded a thousand from Houses Annolstad and Aettadrhael. To replace Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble, Aalyn field promoted Captain Radnoc Jafnrok to command Houses Jafnrok and Svartvaenn, and Captain Ahnaliegh Dokkskirn to command Houses Dokkskirn and Rancorus. And lastly, Captain Formica Malicide who led only House Malicide since House Faline deserted.

As Matron Forelain Faline made her final approach Beinbalkr and Aldrnari peeled off to the right while Deild and Aetla moved left. They joined the right and left guards leaving Forelain to face Aalyn. Forelain came to a halt and all her guardswomen stopped simultaneously.

"Welcome, Matron Forelain Faline," Aalyn greeted as she executed a perfect bow according to her station as a noble and the general of the army.

Matron Forelain took a long sweeping look at the army officers in front of her. She saw many neutral expressions and knew they hid anger and hostility, sentiments that were shared openly by those with less self-control. Then, Matron Forelain did something no Matron in her place would have done.

Forelain curtsied.

A wave of whispers immediately spread out from the officers telling of what was happening. When Forelain raised herself back up she began to sign.

"My deepest apologies General Aalyn Abendroth for the grievous betrayal by House Faline while under the leadership of my sons, Hayden, Gunngrul, and Rweble. You are not the only ones my sons betrayed," Forelain began, then paused to place her hands on her gravely pregnant belly as her gaze fell to her hands. However, when she looked up her eyes blazed as she signed in strong, angry gestures, "Those males have paid for their crimes. Hayden by your own hands General, and the other two by mine, as well as all those that sided with them when I retook control of my House!"

Aalyn gave a curt nod of approval.

Then Forelain stepped forward and took Aalyn's hand as she continued to sign with the other. The silence in the camp was deafening, "Sister, thank you for sending Sinaan to investigate my sons. Without him, I would still be imprisoned, and more than likely my House would be destroyed by Hayden's plots to assassinate you, your sisters, and your mother had been successful. So, thank you."

"My condolences to you on your losses," Aalyn replied softly, "It is hard to let go of the insult given to my sisters and me, but upon hearing of your suffering—it helps put it into perspective."

"We are sisters now," Forelain said as she touched Aalyn's cheek just below her eyepatch, "In many more ways than just the fact that your brother is my husband. We have shared experiences. I hope it forged a bond between our Houses that is unbreakable."

"We shall see," Aalyn replied neutrally.

Forelain and Aalyn shared a long silent look and then Forelain nodded and stepped back from Aalyn. When she started signing again, Sinaan verbalized her words for her, "General Aalyn Abendroth, I, Matron Forelain Faline, come at the behest of Governor Elhanor of House Svendahlain, Matron Hela of House Abendroth, Matron Resinquahl of House Metisnir, Matron Oxildaehl of House Ljos'svendahl, and Matron Mjolganir of House Villrsvart. I come with such authority in hopes that you will listen to my council."

"Council?" Aalyn said, her voice mildly shocked, while her eye squinted suspiciously.

"Yes," Forelain replied with a single sharp gesture before continuing, "Council I must give in private."

Aalyn's plump mouth pursed into a frown, then she looked around at her officers. Quindiehl Ljosbani and Rastof Annolstad regarded her with neutral expressions until Aalyn commanded, "Dismiss the soldiers. Give orders to break camp. We will march as soon as I hear Matron Forelain's council."

Both Lieutenant Colonels soluted a second before turning on their heels and rushing off while Rastoff yelled, "Dismissed! Get your sorry carcasses back to your tents! Break camp! Get ready to march!"

As the crowd started dispersing Aalyn motioned for Forelain to follow her into the officers' tent. Thurdain and Illglan led the way and drew back the tent flaps for Aalyn then Forelain and Sinaan accompanied by Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal. Once inside Aalyn spun on Forelain and demanded, "Are you taking command of this army?"

"No," Forelain signed in a quick but firm gesture, "That for which I was sent is irrelevant now. Now, I only seek to give counsel, and I hope you will listen."

"Okay," Aalyn said as she searched Forelain and Sinaan's expressions for meaning, "What is this counsel?"

"In our travels," Forelain began.

"You mean while you were searching for your wayward armsmen," Aalyn interrupted.

"Yes," Forelain replied, "Just after we caught up to them, we came across a rather remarkable party of individuals. Among them are two Oracles, one of Seline, Goddess of the Moon, and the other of Gaia, Goddess of mother Earth. Accompanying both of them was also a villralfar Druidlord who is also blessed by the same two goddesses as their Champion. Aside from those three, they have a large retinue of animal females, all of them, Oracles and animal females alike are the Champion's wives and concubines."

"Oracles, Champions, and animals, it matters not," Aalyn said as she waved her hands dismissively, "We will crush them just as we will crush the Valelands."

"I urge caution," Forelain signed as she shook her long mane of white hair, "These people are not to be underestimated. They are powerfully blessed by their goddesses."

"What counsel do you give, then," Aalyn asked.

"We have already made contact with this group and traveled alongside them for many days," Forelain answered, "The accord I struck with them is that I would speak to you on their behalf. So, it is my duty to inform you that they request parley to discuss terms for this army to leave their lands."

"Parley?" Aalyn scoffed, "Retreat? Surely you jest? This army has been commissioned with the duty to raze the Valelands and take everything within its border as spoils of war!"

Forelain nodded. She knew as much, she also knew that never had an army this large had never been commissioned, nor a domain as large as the Valelands ever been targeted by their annual raids upon the surface.

"Surely, you know as well as I do that never in our history has Idavollr launched a campaign as large as this one," Forelain signed as she looked around for a chair to sit in. Fjallindae found one and motioned for Ra'Shaal to carry it over to Forelain.

"Yes," Aalyn said, "That is why this campaign has the potential of being the most lucrative in our history."

"True," Forelain agreed, "But then it also has the possibility of being the most costly. Let me share with you what the Oracles of Seline and Gaia told me."

There was a brief pause where Aalyn nodded as she said, "Proceed."

Forelain nodded and then began wiggling her fingers, waving her hands, and using larger gestures as she signed, "What caught my attention most about the Oracles and the Champion, aside from their astounding power, was their message. Through vision, the Oracle of the Moon has been commissioned with stopping our advance on the Valelands. She has also been commissioned to investigate the Temple of Arachne and search for her Oracle."

"Arachne? Oracle?" Aalyn said in confusion, "I haven't heard of an Oracle being anointed by the Spider Goddess."

"Neither have I, though, granted I have been locked away in a room for eleven years," Forelain replied before gesturing for Fjallindae and Ra'Shaal to testify.

When Thurdain and Illglan saw Ra'Shaal they stepped forward though it was Thurdain that interrupted as she signed, "You're Prodaenoff, aren't you? One of our Initiates that disappeared?"

"This is Prodaenoff's body," Ra'Shaal answered.

"Prodaenoff was the assassin sent after mother," Sinaan interjected, "Or, rather, it was her body. Sulabha Faline, the necromancer who ripped Elwin, Prodaenoff, and Ophimaev's soul wells from their bodies, replaced them with assassins. The assassin in Prodaenoff's body killed Ra'Shaal and she was unable to be resurrected, so Sulabha raised Ra'Shaal up as a grimasalas, a shadowy undead. Once we defeated the assassin, to make reparation for Ra'Shaal's death, Sulabha put Ra'Shaal in Prodaenoff's body."

"By the goddess," Illglan gestured as she shook her head and sat down looking shaken.

"To do these things," Thurdain signed, "This Sulabha must be very powerful."

"She is," Ra'Shaal agreed.

"However," Fjallindae said as she stepped forward, "To bring the discussion back on track, I can say definitively that I have not heard of our goddess, Arachne, having appointed an Oracle."

"Likewise," Ra'Shaal added.

"What does this mean?" Aalyn asked as she brought up her hand and cradled her chin as she thought over the implications.

"Just this," Forelain signed, "Either the Oracles of Seline and Gaia are lying to us to save their lands and people, or they are being truthful and that means that our own church and government are lying to us."

"Why would they lie," Aalyn asked, sounding doubtful but curious.

"Control," Sinaan replied, "It is always about control, greed, and power."

"The Oracles have made an offer to you for this army's retirement from this campaign," Forelain announced by way of hand gestures.

"What is it?" Aalyn replied, her tone stony now that they had come to the point.

"Meet with them," Forelain answered, "Sign a nonaggression treaty on behalf of Idavollr and the Valelands. Then, they will come with us as our guests and investigate the disappearance of the Oracle of the Spider."

"Investigating a government and religious cover-up," Aalyn mused openly, "It would be safer to kill these people and raze the Valelands."

"Their numbers are few," Forelain signed, "But just between the two Oracles, they seemed quite capable of destroying my rogue army, and the priestesses that taught challenged them very easily. Two against a thousand, and the champion only stood there watching."

"I heard stories as she traveled with them," Sinaan added, "They told of a story where the Champion took on a host of enemies. Hundreds. Maybe thousands. By himself. Undead creatures raised up by some dark god that he was also able to repel and send back to the void that spawned it."

"I heard the same stories," Fjallindae said while Ra'Shaal nodded in agreement.

Aalyn spent several seconds looking at the group before finally responding, "So, what your saying is, we either face certain death with them or just possible death if we return to Idavollr empty-handed and start an investigation into the government and church."

Forelain didn't reply. She only smiled as she and Aalyn shared a long, considering look.