The raven reached the capital before dawn, its black wings slicing through mist. It landed upon the stone sill of Lady Seraphine's window—and cawed once before vanishing into smoke.
She read the message tied to its leg with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
> "She wants a war," Seraphine murmured. "Then let's give her one dressed in peace."
---
Back in Kirevale, Elira stared at the worn blade in her hands. It had been left at the gates—no guard, no blood, just a simple message etched into the steel:
> Come to the border town of Caelum. Alone. The Council will speak.
The others argued. Garran called it a trap. Auren flatly refused to let her go alone. But Elira's heart stirred with something deeper than caution.
> "If they're sending an envoy," she said, "it means they're afraid."
Auren gritted his teeth. "Or overconfident."
> "Either way, I need to see how far they'll go."
---
The journey to Caelum was quiet. Too quiet.
Elira traveled in disguise, her flame cloaked, her steps careful. The town was barely more than a watchpost with cobbled streets and a crumbling tavern.
In the courtyard of an abandoned temple, she waited—until the doors creaked open.
A woman stepped out.
Not a soldier. Not a mage. But draped in silver-gray, her hair bound in twisted braids, and her eyes cold as steel.
Lady Seraphine herself.
> "You've grown bold," the councilor said, folding her hands. "Wearing fire like a crown."
> "You tried to kill me."
> "And failed. Which makes you valuable… for now."
Elira didn't blink. "Speak plainly."
Seraphine stepped closer.
> "Return with me to the palace. Submit. We'll craft you a new story—a martyr turned monarch. One we control."
Elira laughed once, bitterly. "You don't want peace. You want a puppet."
> "Better that than a pyre."
Magic surged beneath Elira's skin, but she held it back.
> "Tell the Council," she said, "I'll return when the Crown has ashes in its mouth. Not before."
She turned and walked away, the old sword clutched in her hand.
Seraphine watched her go, lips curled in quiet amusement.
> "Then we'll see how well you burn."
---
Back in Kirevale, Elira returned to her people with fire in her eyes.
> "They want to control the story," she told them. "So we write our own."
> "Let the kingdom know: we are done bowing."
---
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