Only time would tell

The next morning dawned with a palpable tension in the air. The castle was a hive of activity, with soldiers and mages making final preparations. Emily convened a meeting with her inner circle and the delegation, the atmosphere charged with anticipation.

Valen greeted her with a courteous bow, his expression inscrutable. "Your Majesty, we are ready to assist in any way we can."

Emily met his gaze, her expression neutral. "We appreciate your support, Lord Valen. We'll need all the help we can get to defend against this threat."

The meeting was brief but crucial. They discussed the deployment of forces, the strategic use of the delegation's resources, and the coordination of magical defenses. Throughout, Emily remained watchful, looking for any sign of duplicity from Valen and his companions.