War Preparations

Alora headed back to the sea castle. She did so by dipping her feet into the river and summoning the serpent twins to herself, they were on all counts much more formal with her and took her solemnly to the castle.

She walked down the hall and found it dead silent.

So she walked to the throne room and found it in chaos.

"Welcome back Alora," Dauntice said, his strained. Farren was at his side with their young son. "Did you find your daughter?"

Alora huffed, "Onicent is a fool."

That made Dauntice smile just slightly, "he always has been, you should have known him when he was younger."

"He will not return Elsbeth, though he knows perfectly well where she is. She is with Maiguh in the end." Alora said shortly, "he seems very afraid of Maiguh."

Dauntice nodded, he knew the reason. "Onicent fears being uprooted by his brother."

Alora nodded slightly. Then scowled, "I wish he wouldn't bring our daughter into it then. Especially not now with everything going on." She paused then added, "I met with Ianin, your son. He told me the truth, are we coming to a war?"

"It would seem," Dauntice said gravely.

"Then we shall fight."

For the next few days they prepared vigorously. At some point in this time Vown mysterious appeared without his parents. He however seems quite willing to assist in making weapons, for he had some of his fathers skill.

Neonee was perhaps the busiest of all. He designed tirelessly. Of his creations the most impressive was what he called an 'iron golem'.

"They will target and kill monsters and defend the villages." He explained over a tense dinner.

Serse looked quite happy but the others groaned slightly.

"Do not forget our shrines are in the villages." Neonee warned, "and the people deserve our aid."

He also worked with Iyora to design a series of traps to put around the biggest villages as well as the castle its self. For Dauntice did not intend to allow his son to be endangered or his wife who was not as powerful as the others. Farren was happy enough to stay out of the action for the most part. Her warm presence was enough to keep their resolves strong.

Lyris and Hermyra were also proving helpful, they had developed an alarm system.

"If anything comes through we will know." Hermyra said fondly, showing how it worked. "That way there can be no surprise attacks on the castle."

Both intended to stay out the action for the most part with Serse. The rest planned to fight in one way or another.

Airabella was very hesitant to allow Feia to be in the combat, but she insisted she would be of some help.

Alora had designed her own trap, a bush covered in prickles that would grow from the ground and trap enemies.

They did not fight one each other for once. Airabella would at least be civil to Iyora. Vown and Neonee somewhat got along with each other, though Vown's father had given Neonee the scars.

Vown had began making armour and Neonee aided him here and there. Together they made a few sets.

They all knew there time was running out though, it showed in the quietness at the table and the stoney expressions during council.

The storm was coming and they weren't sure they could hold it off.