Chapter 32 The Council of Kings
The Silence of Elyria
The kingdom had never seen so many royal banners gathered beneath one roof. At least, it had been expected to. For centuries, the kingdoms of Elyria had existed beside one another as independent realms. Some were allies. Some were rivals. Some traded regularly, while others had not exchanged a diplomatic letter in generations. They shared a continent, a history, and a common ancestry. They also shared something else. A remarkable inability to agree on anything. Yet the arrival of Baalania should have changed that. For the first time in generations, Elyria faced a threat that extended beyond the ambitions of individual kings. A foreign power had crossed the sea, established a presence along its shores, and begun investigating ancient sites scattered throughout the continent.
A power with a history of conquest. A power that had swallowed kingdoms, tribes, and entire civilizations. A power that considered every person outside its religion an infidel. And now it had reached Elyria. The kingdom's ruler had summoned the other monarchs. The invitations had been dispatched weeks earlier. Messengers had ridden through mountain passes, crossed rivers, and traveled along dangerous coastal roads. Royal couriers had carried sealed letters bearing the host kingdom's crest. The message was clear. Elyria was facing an unprecedented foreign threat. Its kingdoms needed to unite. The response was astonishing. Almost nobody came. The great council chamber had been prepared for dozens of monarchs. Long tables had been arranged in a semicircle around the central throne. Every seat had been marked with a different royal crest.
A silver stag. A crimson sun. A white tower.A green serpent A golden lion. A blue crown. The banners hung proudly above the empty seats. But beneath them, the chairs remained vacant. There were no foreign kings. No queens. No royal heirs. No grand delegations from the great powers of Elyria. Only a handful of ambassadors, minor nobles, military representatives, scholars, and diplomatic observers had bothered to attend. The host kingdom had expected a gathering of rulers. Instead, it had received a gathering of excuses. And the implications were deeply troubling. A gathering for The Kings Who Never Came
Roan stood near one of the palace windows, staring down at the streets. The city was busy. Merchants were selling their goods. Children were playing near the fountains. Foreign visitors wandered through the markets. Life continued almost as if nothing had happened.
Roan looked back toward the empty council chamber.
"Where are all the kings?"
Celestine stood beside him.
His silver armor gleamed beneath the sunlight, and his long platinum-blond hair fell over his shoulders.
"They were invited."
"But they're not here."
"No."
Roan looked at the empty chairs.
"Why?"
Celestine remained silent for a moment.
"Some claim they have more pressing matters. Others have requested additional information before committing themselves. A few haven't even responded."
Roan frowned.
"But Baalania is coming."
"Yes."
"And they know that?"
"They have been informed."
Roan looked genuinely confused.
"Then why aren't they here?"
Celestine sighed
"That, my young friend, is a very good question."
Behind them, Gor'Thrak sat against a stone pillar.
The enormous orc looked profoundly uncomfortable.
He had been given a formal chair.
He had refused to use it.
Instead, he leaned against the pillar, his enormous arms folded across his chest.
"I hate councils."
Tahir, standing beside the window, replied without looking at him.
"You've never attended one."
"I already hate it."
Snowy smiled.
"You are very efficient."
Gor'Thrak grunted.
"I prefer battles."
Roan looked toward the empty chairs.
"Maybe the kings are preparing their armies?"
Tahir adjusted the black fabric covering his face.
"Some might be."
"Then that's good, isn't it?"
"Not necessarily."
Tahir turned toward the chamber.
"An army that has not been coordinated with its neighbors is not an alliance. It is merely several separate armies waiting to discover that their enemies have already coordinated against them."
Gor'Thrak nodded.
"That's why you don't let every chief decide his own battle plan."
Celestine glanced toward him.
"An unusually sensible observation."
"Don't sound so surprised."
Snowy chuckled.
But Celestine's expression remained serious. He had hoped for more. Much more. The Baalanians were not a small coastal raiding party. They were the advance presence of a civilization that had spent generations expanding across another continent. And Elyria seemed incapable of understanding what that meant. Baalania was The Empire Across the Sea, the Empire of fire, sand, destruction and conquest. A large map had been placed upon the central council table. It depicted two continents separated by a vast ocean. Elyria lay to the west. The continent of Azura stretched across the eastern horizon. Between them lay the sea through which Baalanian vessels had recently arrived. But Azura was not a unified continent. It had once been divided into countless territories. Kingdoms ruled fertile river valleys and ancient cities. Nomadic tribes controlled the endless desert roads. Mountain clans occupied fortified settlements. Coastal principalities traded with distant civilizations. And among them, the Baalanians had risen. They came from distant lands of burning sands, immense deserts, scorching heat, and volcanic fire. Their civilization had been shaped by an unforgiving environment. Water was precious. Survival demanded strength. War was a familiar part of life. But the greatest force behind their expansion was not merely their military strength. It was their religion. The Baalanians worshipped Baal as the one true god. To them, every other deity was false. Every foreign religion was an affront. Every kingdom that refused to accept their faith was a kingdom that stood against the divine order. Their priests taught that spreading the worship of Baal was a sacred duty. Their rulers used that belief to justify expansion. Their armies carried it into conquered territories. Over generations, the Baalanians absorbed neighboring nomadic tribes, subjugated rival kingdoms, conquered trading cities, and incorporated entire territories into their growing empire. Some populations were converted. Others were forced into submission. Those who resisted faced enslavement, displacement, or destruction. Eventually, the territories under Baalanian control became a vast imperial structure. The Baalanian Empire of Emirates, nomadic tribes, and conquered kingdoms. Different rulers. Different customs. Different origins. One religion. One imperial authority. One expansionist ambition. And now that empire had turned its attention toward Elyria.
When the doors finally opened, the Luminous Fangs entered with Celestine. The chamber was already occupied by the host kingdom's ruler, his advisers, several military commanders, and the representatives who had bothered to attend. The atmosphere immediately changed. Many of the nobles had heard about them. Some had heard stories of the enormous orc who had saved a city. Others had heard of the strange celestial sorcerer who could transform into an owl. Some had heard rumors of a Baalanian mage traveling with them. Most had heard conflicting versions of all three. Roan noticed several nobles staring at Gor'Thrak. The orc was difficult to overlook. He was nearly seven feet tall, with enormous shoulders, dark-grey skin, prominent tusks, and scars covering his muscular arms. His enormous double-headed axe, Vorrak-Duum, rested against his shoulder. A few nobles looked uncomfortable.
Gor'Thrak noticed.
He grinned.
"Something wrong?"
Nobody answered.
Roan also noticed people staring at Snowy.
His white robes stood out among the dark formal clothing of the diplomats. His waist-length black hair flowed down his back, and his moon-silver eyes reflected the enormous chamber's light.
One young noblewoman whispered something to another.
Roan couldn't hear what she said.
Snowy apparently could.
He smiled politely.
Tahir stood farther away, deliberately keeping his face concealed beneath his black desert coverings. His presence attracted attention too. But for a different reason. Several delegates recognized his clothing. Baalanian.
One elderly noble whispered to his neighbor.
"Why is there a Baalanian here?"
Another replied.
"Perhaps he is a prisoner."
Tahir heard them.
His expression remained unreadable.
Celestine quietly stepped closer.
"Are you all right?"
Tahir looked toward the assembled representatives.
"No."
Celestine blinked.
Tahir continued.
"But I expected this."
He looked toward the empty royal seats.
"Apparently, I was more optimistic than I should have been."
The ruler of the host kingdom rose from his throne. He was an older man with silver hair and a tired expression.
His royal robes were embroidered with the crest of his house.
"Representatives of Elyria."
The chamber became silent.
"We have gathered because evidence has emerged suggesting that Baalania is preparing a military campaign beyond its traditional borders."
A murmur passed through the room.
A broad-shouldered military representative wearing crimson armor leaned forward.
"Preparing?"
His voice carried across the chamber.
"Or already invading?"
The ruler paused.
"That distinction may no longer matter."
The representative frowned.
"Explain."
Celestine stepped forward.
"The Baalanians have already landed forces along the coast."
Several representatives exchanged looks.
One woman stood.
"How large?"
"Large enough to threaten multiple kingdoms."
"How many ships?"
"More than we initially anticipated."
A nobleman shook his head.
"Perhaps they are merely establishing a trading presence."
Tahir's eyes shifted toward him.
"Trading?"
The nobleman looked irritated.
"Yes. Foreign powers often establish coastal settlements before beginning diplomatic negotiations."
Tahir stared at him.
"Do merchants usually arrive carrying enchanted weapons, military formations, and fire mages?"
The nobleman hesitated.
Celestine continued.
"The first vessel we encountered was destroyed."
A few representatives looked relieved.
Then Gor'Thrak spoke.
"It wasn't their army."
Every eye turned toward him.
The orc slowly stood.
"Thousands are coming."
The chamber erupted.
"Thousands?"
"From where?"
"How can you know?"
"How reliable is an orc's testimony?"
Roan immediately stiffened.
He looked toward Gor'Thrak.
The orc didn't react. Not at first. Then his eyes narrowed.
Celestine stepped forward.
"His testimony is reliable because he was there."
One representative frowned.
"And you trust him?"
Celestine looked directly at him.
"With my life."
The chamber became quiet.
Gor'Thrak looked toward Celestine.
For just a moment, something passed between them.
Respect.
The orc sat down again.
The host ruler raised his hand.
"Let us hear the rest."
Tahir stepped forward. The room became noticeably colder. To them he was The Mage from Baalania He removed a small stone fragment from beneath his cloak. Ancient symbols covered its surface. He placed it upon the table. Several scholars immediately leaned closer.
"This was recovered from Garthuun."
A scholar frowned.
"Garthuun?"
Tahir nodded.
"An ancient magical site."
He placed an ancient map beside the fragment.
The map spread across the table.
Lines connected different locations throughout Elyria. Mountains. Forests. Coastal regions. Deserts. Kingdoms. And places that no modern map recognized.
Tahir pointed toward the markings.
"Garthuun was one node."
A representative leaned forward.
"Node?"
"Part of a larger magical network."
The room fell silent.
Tahir continued.
"The ruins were constructed long before the current kingdoms existed."
He pointed toward another location.
"And another."
Then another.
"There are dozens."
A scholar's face paled.
"Impossible."
Tahir looked at him.
"I walked through one."
The scholar said nothing.
Celestine studied the map.
"Why were these places built?"
Tahir's expression darkened.
"We don't know."
"Then how can you say Baalania is interested in them?"
Tahir pointed toward one of the symbols.
"Because I've seen this marking before."
The room became silent.
"Where?"
"Baalania."
Several representatives immediately turned toward him.
Tahir continued.
"During my captivity."
Roan watched him carefully.
He knew Tahir rarely spoke about his past.
The fact that he was willing to reveal this much told Roan how serious the situation was.
"The Baalanians have scholars studying ancient sites."
A noblewoman frowned.
"Archaeologists?"
Tahir shook his head.
"Not merely scholars."
His eyes hardened.
"Military expeditions."
That changed everything.
Tahir looked around the chamber.
"I was born in Teheletia, within Baalania. I know its people. I know its customs. And I know how its rulers think."
He placed both hands on the table. He knows The True Nature of Baalania
"You must understand something. Baalania is not simply another kingdom seeking wealth, territory, or favorable trade agreements."
He pointed toward the map of Azura.
"Across the sea, they have conquered countless territories. Kingdoms that once possessed their own crowns, laws, armies, and religions are now under Baalanian authority."
He moved his finger across the map.
"Nomadic tribes that once controlled vast stretches of desert have been absorbed into their empire. Some were offered positions within its hierarchy. Others were defeated and forced to submit."
A representative interrupted.
"But surely these conquests were political?"
Tahir looked at him.
"Political?"
He almost laughed.
"No. Religion is the foundation of their expansion."
He continued.
"The Baalanians worship Baal as the one true god. They believe every other religion is false. Their priests teach that the world must eventually recognize Baal's supremacy."
He paused.
"To them, we are infidels."
A nobleman shifted uncomfortably.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
Tahir's voice became colder.
"It means that our refusal to worship Baal is considered an offense that cannot simply be tolerated."
He looked toward the assembled representatives.
"They will offer peaceful submission first. They will speak of brotherhood, enlightenment, trade, and divine truth. They will promise protection to those who accept their authority."
He paused.
"Those who refuse will discover what those promises actually mean."
Nobody spoke.
"Conversion. Subjugation. Enslavement. Destruction."
A scholar lowered his eyes.
Tahir continued.
"Their warriors are hardened by the desert. Their fire magic is deeply integrated into their military traditions. Their pyromancers can burn through fortifications. Their battle mages can destroy entire defensive formations. Their soldiers are disciplined, experienced, and accustomed to fighting in extreme conditions."
He looked toward the host ruler.
"And they are not coming here to become our neighbors."
One of the representatives slowly raised his hand.
"Has Baalania officially declared war?"
Tahir looked at him.
"No."
"Then perhaps we are acting prematurely."
Celestine frowned.
The representative continued.
"If their intention is to establish diplomatic relations, we should not immediately assume hostile intentions."
Gor'Thrak let out a low growl.
Tahir remained perfectly still.
Then he spoke.
"That is precisely how they prefer to begin."
The representative frowned.
"Explain."
"They will tell you that their intentions are peaceful. They will tell you that they seek only friendship and cooperation. They will speak of trade, religious understanding, and mutual prosperity."
Tahir leaned forward.
"They will ask for permission to establish a settlement. Then a religious compound. Then a military garrison to protect their people."
His voice became sharper.
"Then they will ask for more."
He looked toward the map.
"And if you refuse, they will accuse you of persecuting their faith."
Celestine folded his arms.
"They will make resistance appear to be aggression."
"Exactly."
Tahir straightened.
"And by the time you understand what has happened, their soldiers will already be inside your borders."
Silence followed.
Snowy watched the representatives.
Some looked troubled. Others seemed unconvinced.
One older noble finally spoke.
"That is a rather extreme interpretation."
Tahir turned toward him.
"Then I sincerely hope I am wrong."
Celestine returned his attention to the map.
"The ruins may explain why Baalania is interested in Elyria."
Tahir nodded.
"Possibly."
A scholar suddenly spoke.
"Could the sites contain weapons?"
Tahir considered the question.
"Possibly."
"Artifacts?"
"Possibly."
"Ancient magic?"
"Almost certainly."
The room became increasingly uneasy.
The host ruler looked toward the representatives.
"This changes the situation."
A military commander nodded.
"If Baalania gains control of these sites..."
He didn't finish. He didn't need to. Everyone understood. They wouldn't simply possess another kingdom. They might gain access to something ancient. Something none of the modern kingdoms understood. Something that could potentially alter the balance of power across the entire continent.
Snowy stepped forward.
"There is another possibility."
The representatives turned toward him.
"The Baalanians might not understand everything about the network either."
Tahir looked at him.
Snowy continued.
"They may be searching for something without knowing exactly how to activate it. If they are examining multiple sites, they could be trying to discover how the structures connect."
Tahir nodded slowly.
"That is consistent with what I have observed."
Snowy glanced at the markings.
"Then allowing them to investigate freely could be dangerous."
"Very."
The crimson-armored military representative stood.
"We should attack them immediately."
A noblewoman across the chamber shook her head.
"No."
"They are already moving!"
"And attacking first could unite every Baalanian against us."
Another representative spoke.
"We should fortify our borders."
Another answered.
"We cannot fortify every ancient ruin."
"We don't even know where they are."
"Then find them."
The chamber erupted into arguments. One representative proposed closing the ports. Another argued that doing so would damage the kingdoms' trade. A third suggested sending an embassy to Baalania. A fourth insisted that the empire should be allowed to establish diplomatic relations before any military decisions were made.
Celestine listened.
He was growing increasingly frustrated. These people were arguing over trade agreements while a foreign empire was establishing itself on their shores.
Roan watched from beside him.
He had expected kings and nobles to be impressive. Instead, they reminded him of villagers arguing over market prices.
Only with armies.
Celestine leaned toward him.
"Never underestimate a room full of frightened rulers."
Roan whispered:
"Are they frightened?"
Celestine smiled faintly.
"They're terrified."
"But they're doing nothing."
"Fear does not always make people sensible."
Across the chamber, Gor'Thrak shook his head.
"Where I come from, if another tribe marches toward your territory with weapons, you don't invite them to dinner."
Tahir replied quietly.
"Unfortunately, some people require considerably more evidence."
Gor'Thrak grunted.
"Then they're idiots."
The Luminous Fangs
Snowy quietly watched the arguing representatives.
His expression was calm. But his moon-silver eyes moved constantly. He was observing. Listening. Remembering.
Tahir stood beside him.
"You've noticed it too."
Snowy looked at him.
"Their reactions?"
"Yes."
Snowy nodded.
"They are afraid because they don't understand what they are facing."
Tahir's eyes narrowed.
"And neither do we."
Snowy smiled faintly.
"But we have each other."
Tahir didn't answer. But he didn't disagree.
Across the chamber, Roan looked toward them.
He smiled.
He understood now.
They were not merely five people traveling together.
They were becoming something stronger.
Something capable of standing against whatever was coming.
Celestine looked at his companions.
He could not make the kingdoms unite,He could not force their monarchs to understand the danger.
But he could make certain that his own people were prepared.
And perhaps that would have to be enough.
Eventually, the chamber fell silent.
The host ruler stood.
"We cannot afford to fight one another while Baalania searches for these sites."
He looked around the room.
"We will share intelligence."
Some representatives hesitated.
"But," he continued, "each kingdom retains its sovereignty."
That condition was accepted.
Reluctantly.
"We will investigate the ancient sites."
Tahir looked toward the map.
"And we will determine what Baalania intends to find."
Celestine nodded.
"And warn every kingdom that may be threatened."
The ruler looked at him.
"That will be your task."
Celestine straightened.
"Mine?"
The ruler smiled faintly.
"You wanted the kingdoms warned."
His gaze moved toward the others.
"Perhaps the Luminous Fangs should carry the warning."
Roan's eyes widened.
Gor'Thrak groaned.
"More traveling."
Snowy laughed softly.
Tahir folded his arms.
"I suspected this would happen."
Celestine smiled.
"Then it is settled."
But the decision felt strangely hollow. There had been no grand alliance. No gathering of kings. No solemn declaration that Elyria would stand united against the foreign empire. There would be intelligence sharing. Some investigations. A few diplomatic promises. And a great deal of waiting. The representatives gradually began to leave. Some were already discussing trade. Others were speaking about border disputes. A few were more interested in the ancient map than the approaching enemy.
The empty royal chairs remained untouched. The kings of Elyria had been summoned. And the kings of Elyria had chosen not to come.
The Luminous Fangs remained in the chamber after the representatives had departed. Celestine stood beside the map. His eyes followed the coastline. Beyond it lay the sea. Beyond the sea lay Azura. And beyond Azura, the vast territories of the Baalanian Empire.
Tahir approached.
"Disappointed?"
Celestine considered the question.
"Yes."
"Surprised?"
"Unfortunately, no."
Gor'Thrak crossed his arms.
"Let them sit in their castles. We don't need them."
Snowy looked toward the empty seats.
"We might need them eventually."
"Then hopefully they'll arrive before it's too late."
Roan stared at the map.
"Do you think the Baalanians will really try to conquer all of Elyria?"
Tahir answered without hesitation.
"If they believe they can."
He pointed toward the eastern coast.
"They have spent generations expanding across Azura. Their empire is built upon conquest, religious authority, and the subjugation of neighboring peoples."
He looked at Roan.
"Why would Elyria be any different?"
Celestine rested his hand on Lueur Sainte.
"Then we must prepare."
Snowy nodded.
Tahir rolled up the ancient map.
Gor'Thrak lifted Vorrak-Duum.
Roan tightened his grip around his sword.
The five stood together.
Outside, the streets of the kingdom remained busy. Merchants continued trading. Nobles continued entertaining their guests. The bells rang. The markets flourished. And beyond the sea, the Baalanians continued their preparations. They would arrive with their dark desert banners, their enchanted weapons, their fire mages, and their religious convictions. They would speak of peace. They would offer friendship. They would promise enlightenment. And beneath those promises would lie the same ambition that had consumed so many kingdoms across Azura. Conquest. The kingdoms of Elyria had been given a warning. Some had listened. Most had not. The Luminous Fangs understood something that the absent kings did not. Baalania was not coming to Elyria to become part of its world. It was coming to make Elyria part of Baalania. And if the kingdoms refused to understand that before the first great invasion They would learn it through fire. The Council of Kings had ended. But the war had already begun.
