Final meeting

	Tumnal turned and straightened.  “I understand you have words for me, Paladin Vorth?” he asked tightly.

	“Damn right!  What’s this I hear about an entire battalion?” Linus asked angrily.

	“Only until a more secure facility can be built,” Tumnal said coldly.  He dusted himself off and squared off with the Paladin.  “This is not an invasion.”

	“Then why not just tell me about it when I met you?” Linus demanded.  “Because, Knight Commander, I have to say, I will have a devil of a time convincing Lord Neverember that the army you intend to encamp in his back lot isn’t here to invade him.”

	Tumnal glanced around.  His three escorts were scattered across a great distance.  “And where is the force that this Lord Neverember plans to send to secure this site on your end?” he asked.

	“I have not yet convinced him that it is safe to dispatch forces here directly.  They want to seal it outright, which would strand your army here,” Linus pointed out, then winced.  He was angry enough to admit something like that?  That was unlike him.

	“Then it seems the great cost of securing this area will have to fall to the Wildercourt,” Tumnal said coolly.

	Primp cleared his throat.  “Er… perhaps this would help him change his mind, Paladin Vorth?”

	Linus could have ground his teeth.  “Yes.  I’m sure it will help,” he said.  “I will return as soon as I can with his reply.  Kindly do not allow your troops to stray too far from this site, Knight Commander, for their safety is at risk in this monster-infested place,” he grated out.


	Tumnal watched the great Pegasus soar away.  He had to admit, he would have done the exact same thing in Vorth’s position.  A thousand troops was far, far more than what was needed.  A thousand soldiers could take down an entire Giant colony or a Beholder lair.

	Still, it would help hasten the process.  He turned back to see several more of his troops emerge, with ropes and nets in hand.  It was time to go to work.


	Some days later, Countess Capricorn smoothed her dress nervously.  “And this group, they will come alone?”

	“Well, if you count five as alone, yes,” Knight Castinuve said.  “But I will bring some of the flock… with…” he trailed off as Xuriis suddenly looked around.  “Xuriis?”

	“We are not alone,” the young satyr insisted.  Moments later, all present in the clearing turned, with many hands rising in defense, as a mounted solder emerged from the treeline.

	Castinuve’s jaw dropped.  “Stibium?” he asked in disbelief.

	The soldier’s head spun around to face the other Eladrin.  “Castinuve!  My good man, you’re well!”

	Castinuve walked over to the stag and rider in disbelief.  “How did you get here?”

	“Why, we came here through the Rupture,” Stibium said.  He bowed on his mount to the Countess, who stood dumbfounded.  “Countess Capricorn, my lady, I’m relieved to see you unharmed.”

	“Why… yes, thank you, Knight Stibium,” Capricorn said, recovering some of her composure.  “What… how have you found us?”

	Several little blurs overhead resolved into pixies and sprites.  “Ah, my friends guided me,” Stibium explained.  “But my lady, I come with great tidings.  Knight Commander Tumnal’s battalion is arriving now, and we seek to create a stable way between the far side of the Feywild Rupture and the Prime.”

	Capricorn blinked.  “By whose authority?”

	“Duke Severus of the Wildercourt, your Ladyship,” Stibium answered.

	“A thousand men?  Seems overkill,” Castinuve remarked.

	Stibium chuckled.  “Yes, the local fellow, Vorth, said as much.  But, of course, we intend to leave few here.  We shall only leave behind enough force to secure the site once the Duke’s plan is enacted properly.  He seeks to open a market.”

	Capricorn felt quite sandbagged by all the news.  “A market?” Flock Mother demanded.  “Is he serious?”

	“Well, not before finding a safe way to transport you all home,” Stibium said.  “Your families are safe and secure, and we are preparing to build a transit to the far side, but it doesn’t seem stable yet.”

	Flock Mother rubbed her eyes.  “We can go home soon, though?” shee asked hopefully.  Her son was so close…

	“Very soon,” Stibium promised.  “We will save your Flock.”

	Gillint rolled his eyes, but Castinuve looked pensive.  “Hmm.  Then... perhaps a change of plans are in order.  Countess, may I trouble you to ride to the site of the Rupture?  I can collect these local ambassadors and bring them to you at the Rupture site.”

	Capricorn thought that over.  “Hmm... very well.  Dance Lord, you shall accompany me,” she decided.  “Knight Stibium, kindly relay our imminent arrival to the Knight Commander.”

	Gillint and Stibium bowed.  “As you wish, Countess,” Stibium said.  “Take my mount,” he added, climbing down.  “I shall teleport back.”

	“Flock Mother, prepare the court for transit, but do not hurry,” Capricorn said.  “As soon as we can make it back safely, I shall send word.”

	Flock Mother bowed as well.  “As you say, my Lady.  I cannot wait to see my son,” she added longingly.

	“I know, my dear Flock Mother, and I hope you shall soon,” Capricorn said soothingly.

	Stibium faded away as he teleported, while Castinuve took to the trees.  Flock Mother walked back to the flock with a wave while Capricorn and Gillint walked north.