A CALL TO ACTION

The air inside the palace was cool, carrying the faint scent of polish and blooming jasmine. I stepped through the towering arched doors, the walls inside were etched with intricate designs—scenes of elven history, their victories, their losses, their legacy.

Chancellor Aimer, who had walked ahead of us, stopped abruptly, his gaze sweeping over our group once more. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly as they lingered on the dirt-streaked armor, torn tunics, and dried blood that clung stubbornly to us despite the journey's end.

"This will not do," he said, his tone stern. "You are about to stand before the council of Kanesera, the heart of elven leadership. It would be an insult to bring the filth of war into such sacred halls." He motioned toward one of the stewards waiting nearby. "Take them to the palace barracks. Ensure they are cleaned and properly dressed before the council meeting begins."

Triandal inclined his head respectfully. "As you wish, Chancellor."

With that, we were led through a side corridor and into a modest but well-kept section of the palace. The barracks were quiet. I was directed to a small chamber room where I could wash away the grime of the road, the prison and the recent battles. I took the opportunity to shave off the messy stubble on my face and trim my dark brown hair to a slightly shorter length. Also, using warm water was a luxury I hadn't expected, and for a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the sensation of feeling clean once again.

When I emerged, a maid stood waiting just outside the chamber, holding a neatly folded set of clothes. She looked up and froze for a moment, brown eyes widened in surprise as they swept over me. "Oh!" she gasped softly, taking a slight step back.

Her reaction was subtle, but I caught the way her gaze lingered—not with fear, but with curiosity. It wasn't every day an elf came face-to-face with a human in Kanesera, let alone one who was clearly in fighting shape. After regaining her composure, she bowed lightly and stepped forward.

"These are a gift from House Fenmyar. General Triandal hopes these will help present you well before the council" she said, her voice polite but tinged with a hint of unease. 

"Thank you," I replied, taking the clothes from her. Her gaze flicked to my face once more, her expression softening slightly before she turned to leave, her steps quick and measured. I watched her go, wondering briefly how other elves in this city would react upon seeing me.

The garments were finely crafted—a charcoal colored tunic with golden embroidery, paired with matching trousers. Finishing the look was a pair of leather military boots. The outfit felt both elegant and practical. I was adjusting the fit when a knock at the door pulled my attention.

"It's Ellisar," came the familiar voice from the other side.

I opened the door, and he stepped in, his gaze briefly flicking over my new attire before settling on my face. "I see they've decided to make you look the part," he said with a faint smirk. "The tunic suits you."

"Thanks," I smirked, motioning for him to enter. "What brings you here?"

Ellisar leaned casually against the edge of the small table in the room, his arms crossed and his posture deceptively relaxed. "I wanted to finish our conversation from the other day," he began, his voice calm, yet serious. "I couldn't help but notice how you didn't fully answer my questions about your plans."

I met his gaze evenly, crossing my own arms. "And what exactly is it you want to know, Ellisar?"

He straightened slightly, the faintest trace of a frown crossing his face. "What do you want out of all this? You've risked your life, burned bridges with the Empire, and now you stand here, in Kanesera, surrounded by those who view you as an outsider—or worse. So I'll ask again: what's driving you?"

I hesitated, not because I didn't have an answer, but because the truth wasn't simple. My plans, if they could even be called that, were little more than fragments born out of rage and pain, stitched together by instinct and desperation. "Right now," I said finally, my voice low, "my path is one of revenge—blood and bodies piled high in recompense for the lives the Empire destroyed. Beyond that…" I paused, shaking my head. "I haven't thought that far. Survival has taken precedence over planning."

Ellisar's piercing gaze didn't waver. He nodded slowly, thinking over my words. "Let's assume for a moment that you don't die during this crusade of yours—what then? What will you have left?"

I looked past him, my voice growing distant. "I don't know. Right now, I can only afford to think one day at a time."

He exhaled sharply, pushing himself upright. "That's a troubled path you're walking, Shepherd. A lonely one. But my offer still stands—I'm willing to help you, though not just for your sake. You'll need alliances, strategy, and support if you want to succeed."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "And what do you get out of this, Ellisar? You strike me as a man with his own ambitions."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "You're not wrong. I've served House Fenmyar since the day I could walk, always playing my part in someone else's story. But now…" His expression turned thoughtful. "I want to leave behind something of my own. If I'm to die one day, I want it to be on my terms, fighting for a cause I believe in. And from what I've seen of you, we're not so different. You're no ordinary man, Shepherd. People are drawn to you, even if you don't see it. With your strength and some of my guidance, we could bring real change to this world."

I frowned, shaking my head. "Ellisar, the path I walk is dangerous and dark—one that no one should follow. I can't ask anyone to throw their life away for my vengeance."

Ellisar's calm demeanor cracked for the first time, his voice sharp. "That's not your decision to make!" He paused, collecting himself before continuing. "I know what I'm risking, but that's my choice."

I backed down slightly, his conviction giving me pause. "…So you have a plan?" I asked cautiously.

The familiar smirk returned to his face as he adjusted his glasses. "I always have a plan. The Empire's strength doesn't lie in its armies or resources—it lies in fear. They've made the world believe resistance is futile. These peace talks they've orchestrated? They're the perfect chance to disrupt that narrative, to show people that the Empire isn't invincible."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "But first, you need to think beyond revenge. Triandal may trust you, but trust alone won't win over Kanesera. The council, the people—they'll need to see more than a fugitive or a soldier out for blood. They'll need to see a leader, someone with a vision."

His words struck deeper than I wanted to admit, stirring thoughts I hadn't fully confronted. I opened my mouth to reply, but a sharp knock at the door cut me off.

"The council is ready," a guard announced from the other side.

Ellisar glanced toward the door, then back at me. "Think on what I've said," he murmured, stepping aside to let me pass. "You'll need an answer sooner than you think."

I followed him out of the room, the weight of his words lingering as we made our way through the winding corridors toward the council chambers. Whatever awaited within those chambers would shape the course of everything that followed.

The grand double doors to the council chambers loomed ahead. The guards stationed at either side pushed them open, revealing a vast circular chamber lit by a cascade of natural light pouring through high, stained-glass windows. The council sat at a raised semicircular table at the far end, their faces stern and unreadable.

The council members murmured amongst themselves as we entered, their voices too low to make out, but the tension was palpable. Triandal took the lead, bowing slightly before addressing the chamber. I remained a few paces behind, scanning the room. The seat at the center of the councils table remained conspicuously empty, adorned with golden embellishments far grander than the others.

One of the council members, an elven woman with sharp features and an air of authority, leaned forward. "Where is Her Majesty? She was supposed to return by midday."

"She has yet to arrive," another councilor replied, his tone laced with unease. "Perhaps she was delayed."

A heavy silence followed, broken only by Triandal clearing his throat. "If I may, I would like to begin my report."

The council nodded in unison, and Triandal stepped forward, recounting everything from the elves capture at the border to their time in the Empire's prison and the eventual escape. He spoke in measured tones, carefully detailing the information they had gathered before their capture—intelligence about increased patrols and strange activity near the border. His words were met with a mix of concern and skepticism, the councilors exchanging glances as they processed the gravity of his report.

When Triandal finished, the council turned their attention to me. Chancellor Aimer leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "And what of you, human? Your actions, your motives—they are not yet clear to us. Kanesera cannot afford to take risks with those we do not fully trust."

Before I could answer, the doors to the chamber burst open with a resounding crash. A guard stumbled in, his face pale and his chest heaving as though he had run the length of the city.

"Forgive the interruption," he gasped, bowing quickly. "But there's urgent news—Her Majesty's entourage has been attacked just outside of Alathion."

The chamber erupted into chaos. Council members rose from their seats, shouting over one another in panic and confusion. Triandal tried to restore order, his voice cutting through the din. "What do you mean, attacked? By whom?"

"Not by men," the guard replied, his voice trembling. "Monsters. Creatures like nothing we've seen before."

My heart clenched, and I surged forward, my voice sharp. "What kind of creatures? Describe them."

The guard hesitated, his eyes darting to the councilors as if seeking permission to speak. I yelled, drawing his attention back to me. "I said describe them!"

He swallowed hard before replying. "They were... demonic things. Their flesh burned and blackened, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Claws like obsidian, and their forms... some weren't humanoid anymore."

The description hit me like a slap in the face—the demonic creature my squad had fallen to. It was exactly as I had described in the reports I sent to the capital months ago, warnings that had been ignored or dismissed. The memory surged like a wound torn open, raw and bleeding, as if fate was mocking me for daring to forget.

I didn't wait to hear more. "Ellisar!" I barked over my shoulder as I stormed toward the exit. "Get me some gear. Now."

Ellisar blinked in surprise before springing into action, shouting orders to nearby guards. "You two, fetch him some armor and weapons from the barracks! Move!"

"Where do you think you're going?" one of the councilors called after me, their voice indignant.

"To save your Queen," I snapped without turning back, my steps quickening as I reached the corridor.

Triandal's voice rose behind me, trying to calm the council and maintain some semblance of order amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, Ellisar caught up to me, his face a mix of exasperation and determination. "You really have a knack for the dramatic, don't you?"

"Not the time, Ellisar," I growled, my mind racing. "If these creatures are what I think they are, the Queen and her guards won't stand a chance."

Ellisar nodded grimly. "I'll rally a few men to accompany us. You're not going out there alone."

"Fine," I relented. "But hurry. Every second counts."

We reached the barracks in record time. Ellisar barked orders to the soldiers milling about, his commanding presence leaving no room for argument. As I strapped on the armor brought to me and secured a sword to my hip, I forced myself to focus, pushing aside the questions that threatened to overwhelm me.

What the hell was I doing? I had reacted without thinking, without weighing the consequences. This wasn't my fight. This wasn't my place. This wasn't my kingdom. And yet, somehow, their Queen's life—and possibly Kanesera's future—will now depend on what I did next.