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The Hivewarden glared daggers at her, the effect somewhat diminished by the mottled swelling taking over his nose and one cheekbone.

Good thing looks can’t kill or you’d have just dropped dead.

She almost laughed. Almost. Shite, she was nervous.

“Unfortunately, I’m not sure there’s anything to be done with that particular discovery yet. It’s too new, and I haven’t had sufficient time to perfect the methods in order to teach them. If I can teach them, and if there are any healers here with enough power.” Lunara resisted the urge to pick up one of her curls so she could fiddle with it. “That said, I believe the Westrealm’s request is more than reasonable. This is not a Thodeleborian issue, it is a Bordorothian issue. Our world is at stake. It’s time we all started acting like it.”

Lunara misted back to her throne. “Your Highness, Thaddeus, you can expect word within the next few days detailing the pending arrival of the forces you’ve requested. We only ask for a little time to organize everyone. Does this arrangement suit you?”

“Aye, Lunara,” Thaddeus said, fist to his chest as he bowed again. “It’ll take us some time as well to gather our payment since⁠—”

“No need. We will seek no compensation for helping our neighbor because we have plenty more than we require already, and we aren’t heartless fucking arseholes.” She looked up and around the Hollow. “Are we?”

The answering Nay wasn’t quite unanimous, but it was good enough for her.

My dear nephew,

I never wanted to write a missive like this in my life. And aye, you’ll notice straight away that it’s in Thad’s hand because mine was fucked by a Forgotten not an hour after we returned from visiting Nachthelliae. Damned if that wasn’t the final straw for Lycidas and Ursula.

I think you know that it’s bad here, but I’m not sure you realize the full scope. Everything you’re about to read is to help you understand how badly we were already hurting before today’s events, and that the decisions herein were not made lightly or in haste. Don’t think less of me, Maggie. Please.

As I’m sure you’re well aware, we ventured into the Evesong to beg Lunara’s aid. We’ve tried everything to halt the shadows on our own, but they defy all sense. They’re rising up in the dead center of our lands. Everywhere they appear, the rot spreads. We’ve buried it. Dug up surrounding areas. Covered it with boards. Built walls. And still, half the crops are failing or dead. Add in our troubles with the Demon contingents here and calling on the Nachthellians was all we had left.

I’ll be forever grateful that Lunara is who she is. The lovely lass didn’t even blink before promising to help. For bleeding free, can you believe it? Not being forced to spend coin we don’t have is a relief I didn’t know I needed.

In preparation for the arrival of the Sorcerit forces, we’ve started the arduous task of herding what’s left of the livestock to the Northern Glens a bit sooner than planned, both to hide them and hopefully keep them breeding to restore numbers. Too little, too late, I’m afraid. Up ’til now, we were able to feign normalcy and keep up with outside demands because we’re used to fighting the beasties. The large cities nearest Fanghold were kept well fortified and protected, their crops with them.

Everything changed this afternoon.

We lost Lochmor and the Emerald Hills entirely. Alynbor is more than half gone as well. They even managed to infiltrate the Keep. We’ve got it under control now, thank the blessed fucking everything. But almost all of our stores are gone, with no hope of replenishing until after our Occurrence. Still months away.

We don’t know how it happened, and with no warning. But decisions needed to be made to ensure the continued safety of the Wolflords above all else.

It’s to be rations for the Montrealm, lad. I did everything in my power to ease the sting, and made sure there will be one final distribution of goods to match what the Demons are used to. Enclosed, you’ll find the official communication from Lycidas and Ursula for Lyriat, and said Chieftains’ revisions to our previous trade agreements. At some point, we’ll have to figure out a damned time to meet and discuss the logistics.

Don’t you dare race your arse back here. We’re fine, do you hear me? The job you’re doing for Lyriat, looking after Brand’s shite while he can’t, is just as important. That’s what brothers are for, aye? And I think that hard-headed Demonling King is going to need you to help see him through the shite.

I hate every fucking thing about this, and I’m sorry to put the delivery of such news into your hands. I just hope everyone can forgive me and we can go back to normal when all is said and done.

Stay safe, lad.

—Caius

(Da doesn’t want to go into the details because he’s trying to stay positive and not worry you, but Loch and Emerald were Glynmor all over again, Mag. Cubs and all, aye? Nothing left but a bloodbath. You didn’t hear it from me. —T)

—It’ll be alright, Maggie. He’ll understand⁠—

Magnus almost laughed, the whole situation so fucked that it was funny again.

—We laugh to keep from weeping. No shame in that⁠—

Aye, Pet. I just wish there was some happiness involved.

He inhaled the floral sweetness on the air. Took a moment to let the distant crash of waves soothe him. Closed his eyes to feel the breeze.

—It’s not going to get any easier, lad⁠—

Fuck it. Pet was right.