“We should change our course.” the alderman shouted. “Xoroya is east. We need to head north! Those things… will catch up to us as it is. Our best bet is to head straight for Aslone. They will be heavily fortified and a port in which we can flee to the sea if need be. Our troops will be a welcome sight to them. If the city falls, we can always escape back into Vulkira.”

“He’s right.” another alderman puffed out his chest. “Rayman said the Vog are on our side now. We can go back to our land. Vulkira is the most logical choice. Xer is doomed anyway. If we can close off the gates from their side, then the Thrak can’t get to us.”

Torstein cursed loudly. “Rayman told us to go to Xoroya! That is what I’m going to do. With Erik dead, Rayman is essentially our king now.”

“That was before the Thrak started consuming every living soul south of Qutreth and Uqeon.” another alderman shot back. “With all due respect.” he glanced at Shay standing quietly in the corner. “Rayman is not here. Those orders are three days old. We must flee to Aslone. Maybe Calchester even. General, please listen to reason. If we keep going east, the Thrak will catch up to us.”

Torstein brooded over the map on the stool that substituted for a table. He sucked in a deep breath. Glancing to Shay, he signaled with his eyes for her to speak if she wished.

“I know I do not hold any authority here, but I believe they are right,” Shay said calmly and politely. “I know my husband had his reasons for us to go to Xoroya but circumstances have changed. We cannot allow ourselves to be caught in the open.”

She gazed at Torstein who nodded at her. Stepping back, she went silent again, watching closely.

The council members cleared their throats and nodded in gratitude.

“Very well. We head for Aslone in the morning but we are not leaving Xer to fend for themselves. Every soldier will stay and fight. We can defend at Aslone as our citizens escape back into Vulkira. Whether by boat or land, that will be up to the Xerians. That is my final word.”

The four aldermen surrounding Torstein muttered agreement.

“Thank you, general.” the most reasonable alderman of the bunch bowed deeply. “I’ll send a rider and our messenger hawks informing them of our arrival, immediately.”

“Yes. Yes.” Torstein waved them away.

“I’ll send another to my husband,” Shay said.

“I see nothing wrong with that.” Torstein looked at her. “Do it quickly.”

Shay watched closely as the council members exited the tent. She turned her attention to Torstein, who began to pace back and forth.

“Everything.” he started. “Everything is going to hell. We don’t even have time to grieve. I still can’t believe he is dead. Rayman should not have placed me in charge. Even you thought I was wrong to continue to Xoroya.”

“Rayman would want us to think for ourselves,” Shay said softly. “He has our best interest but I also agree that Aslone is our best bet. If it is any comfort to you, we all know you too have our best interest. As for Erik, we will all mourn his passing when we are safe to do so. That is your priority, our safety, and everyone knows that.”

“I know.” Torstein huffed. “I just… I don't know how to do this,” he admitted. “I’m a military commander. I fight, that’s what I do best. I can’t lead our country. That’s what Rayman was for and now he’s gone and got himself trapped in the east. By the time they reach the capital, it will be too late to head north. Xer’s main army is in the capital, there won’t be enough time to move them. Your husband won’t be able to leave. For all we know, the Thrak are already at their doorstep.”

“I know Rayman will do what he thinks is best,” Shay said confidently. “I wish he was here too, but don’t doubt yourself, general. Now is the time for leadership. And the people need you. I know you will do just fine. I am confident in your skills, as you should be. There is a reason my husband left you in charge and not the council of aldermen. You may have a military mind but that is what we will need.”

Torstein turned to her and stopped pacing. “Thank you,” he muttered under his breath.

“I am here to help any way I can.” Shay smiled at him. “But may I ask why you called me here for this meeting?”

“You know why. You have always been level-headed, m’lady.” Torstein praised. “I-I wanted your opinion on the matter. And… Rayman always says how supportive you are. I need that now. Aslone is our best course of action. You are possibly the only person I completely trust apart from Rayman of course.”

“You give me far too much credit.” Shay nearly blushed. “But thank you, general.”

“Forgive me.” Torstein cleared his throat. “Tend to your children. I pulled you away in the middle of the night. I know they will be worried.”

“Very well.” Shay curtsied. “If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, m’lady.” Torstein nodded as she turned to leave.

Inwardly, Shay was terrified. She was terrified for her children and Rayman. Losing Erik was a blow to them all. But now, they faced a far greater threat, one in which Erik had foreseen and had worked to prevent.

Erik hadn’t known exactly what he was trying to prevent, but he had tried. She had doubted his sanity and now felt the guilt for judging him wrongly. He did have a connection to the Vog and the very thing he tried to stop, had killed him. He had died on the walls of Unari, defending them.

And there was the matter of Jebbin. Torstein didn’t speak of it but upon hearing of Jebbin’s death in Xerixes he had responded quite oddly. He seemed to mourn the old alderman but hadn't spoken a word on his behalf. It must’ve been something to do with Rayman taking him to the capital while Torstein stayed behind. She wished her husband had told her more.

A part of Shay believed it had to do with what Erik had told her. Not to trust Jebbin, but he was dead and it all seemed meaningless now.

Coming into view of their tent, she saw Daniel pacing outside, head lowered.

She worried for him, Erik was like a brother to her son. Shay felt Erik’s loss as if losing a son of her own and Daniel had felt that. Perhaps out of jealousy or whatever reason, Daniel had taken it badly in more ways than one.

“Daniel. Shouldn’t you be asleep? You didn’t wake Alexi did you?” Shay stepped up to him.

“I couldn’t sleep. Alexi is still resting soundly.” Daniel moved to hug her. “When I woke to find you gone, I grew worried. One of the guards told me. Are we really headed for Aslone?”

“Yes, dear.” Shay combed his hair back.

“But father is in the east. We need to meet him in Xoroya.” Daniel protested. “He’ll be stuck there without us.”

“Listen.” Shay began. “Your father knows what he is doing, but I don’t think Xoroya is the best place to go. North is our best option. The Thrak have already taken the south. We can’t take the chance to be caught in the open.”

“But.” Daniel huffed in annoyance.

“I know. I know you want to see your father. I do too. I worry for him just as much as you.” Shay soothed. “Don’t worry. Your father is strong and capable. Don’t underestimate him.”

“Will you let him know?” Daniel asked. “That we are going north instead?”

“Yes, of course,” Shay promised. “I’ll tell him everything. He’ll understand. We can send a hawk together if you’d like.”

“Alright.” Daniel sighed. He paused for a long moment, staring into her eyes. “Will we see him again?”

Shay looked at him and lied, her heart seemed to break in that moment. “Yes. Of course, we will.”

Inwardly, Shay had a gnawing feeling of dread. The situation they faced was like no other in their history. The Thrak could be an extinction-level event. But she didn’t let her son know that.