“Not to mention the loss of dragons,” Ruban added.
Reyna looked down the table at Gideon. “Alijah truly believes this is right?”
“He believes the source of all evil,” the old master replied, “in whatever form it takes, stems from the misuse of magic. He wants to make us all equal.”
“Except for him,” Kassian pointed out. “He wants to retain his magic to keep him in power. How can he not see that he is the form evil has taken?”
That question almost sent Gideon’s thoughts spiralling again, but he put the issue aside and concentrated on what was in front of him. “If he succeeds, his victory is assured. Having completed the spell on Qamnaran, Alijah no longer relies on the tree for magic. That means he’s only one step away from entering the realm of magic and finishing his work.”
Faylen’s ethereal form dispelled whisps of smoke as she turned to Gideon. “And you believe there is a… doorway at the bottom of that dig site?”
“It’s the only thing that explains the work being done there,” Gideon answered.
“But how’s he openin’ it?” Doran enquired. “He’s not got any dragon eggs an’ me kin can do nothin’ but dig.”
“He never discussed that part of his plan with me,” Gideon lamented. “But he hasn’t come this far just to possess a hole in the ground. We have to assume he’s found a way.”
“Perhaps it is simply the plains themselves,” Galanör spoke up. “They were enchanted centuries past - the ground must hold some magic.”
“It’s a possibility,” Gideon agreed. “But if the power existed in the ground alone I believe we would have seen multiple doorways by now.”
“Gideon’s right,” Vighon said, drawing all to him. “We have to assume Alijah has already found a way to create a doorway. So I put to you: how do we stop him?”
“We should be there right now for a start!” Doran stated. “I bet me only eye that’s where Alijah has gone!”
“How quickly can you rally your forces to the site?” the king asked.
“It’s a day’s march,” the son of Dorain promised.
“It’s closer to three for us,” Sir Ruban said. “Maybe four. Though I’m sure the elves could cross the distance in half that time.”
Nathaniel looked from the captain to the king. “We too could reach The Moonlit Plains in three days if we could muster what forces we have here and started marching this very day.”
Vighon sat back in his chair, absorbing all the information. “We risk everything if we attack the site with only part of our force. And we risk everything by giving Alijah the time if we wait to attack together.”
“He could destroy that tree thing this very day!” Doran argued. “We should set off now an’ attack. Ye can all join us when ye get ’ere.”
“Malliath is fast,” Gideon interjected, “but he won’t get there today.”
“He’s injured,” Inara said quietly, emerging from her grief.
Gideon paused to see if she would say more. “Inara’s right. Malliath bears wounds that slow his flight.”
Kassian frowned. “I didn’t see any wounds.”
“You wouldn’t,” the old master told him evenly. “You would have to know dragon physiology to have spotted it. Your description of his dive into The Hox matches the damage I saw on his wings.”
“He will need to rest,” Inara concluded. “His flight to Namdhor will have exhausted him already.”
“So… what?” Doran pressed. “We ’ave two days at the most then? That’s still more than enough time to cut down some tree!”
Gideon resisted the urge to inform the dwarf that the tree was closer in size to a mountain.
The son of Dorain pushed himself up and leaned over the table. “I agree with ye good king. A unified attack from north an’ south would increase the odds o’ defeatin’ our enemy an’ maybe even endin’ this war. But I haven’ come this far to stop takin’ risks now. Were it anythin’ else ye’d ’ave me word that I would wait. But news o’ this damned tree has me stirred. I’m not for carin’ abou’ magic, but I know the world would be a darker place without it.” Doran paused and took a breath. “Me an’ mine could attack the site an’ keep Alijah an’ his lot busy until ye can reinforce us.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “That’s suicide, Doran. You would be fighting for at least a day, maybe a day and half before the elves from the coast could reinforce you.”
“He’s right,” Vighon compounded. “By the time we joined you from the north and those with Sir Ruban marched up from the south there would be nothing left but a feast for crows. You - your people - are too valuable to lose by throwing yourself at the enemy like this.”
“They would not be alone,” Galanör declared.
Vighon cast his eyes down the table. “A better swordsman there is not, Galanör, but you alone cannot turn the tide of a battle. We don’t even know what numbers Alijah possesses in the plains.”
“We should assume a lot given the importance of the site,” Sir Ruban theorised.
“We would fight beside them,” Faylen made known. “Like the Alliance of old.”
“As would I,” Inara put forth, turning heads. “Athis and I will fly south and join you as soon as we can.”
A flicker of concern for the younger Galfrey hindered Gideon’s immediate response. He was terribly proud of his former student - already a far more accomplished and experienced warrior than he - but he wasn’t going to let her fight alone. Not again.
“Ilargo and I will accompany you,” he proposed. “We would be foolish to think the site is guarded by foot soldiers alone.”
Doran wrapped his knuckles against the table. “Now ye’re talkin’!”
Vighon dropped his head, though his worries were no mystery. “This isn’t how I wanted it to end. We were to face him, them, together.”
Inara reached out and gripped the king’s hand, her features softening for the first time. “This is the only
