Page 186 of The Shadow Wand

VU TRIN MILITARY

INTERNAL MANDATE

Set down by Vang Troi,

Commander of the Vu Trin Forces

Mandating a hunt for Elloren Gardner,

the next Black Witch.

CHAPTER ONE

ZALYN’OR

WYNTER EIRLLYN

Sixth Month

Amazakaraan,

Capital City of Cyme

Wynter wraps her threadbare wings around herself, tight as a blanket, as she makes her way through the Queenhall’s archways of deep-purple curtains, hemmed in by two Amaz soldiers before her and two behind.

Her fluttering trepidation mounts as she prepares to answer this unexpected summons to Queen Alkaia’s Council Chambers, her mind casting about like a small boat in a storm, unable to anchor itself on what could have possibly prompted this most urgent call to stand before the Amaz queen, a call issued on the same evening that war between Noilaan and Gardneria has been declared.

Wynter can feel the new defiant tension that this declaration of war has shot through the air of Cyme, the entire Amaz Guard mobilizing for potential hostilities with both Gardneria and the Alfsigr Elves. All of the Amaz soldiers and soldier apprentices she’s gotten to know have already been summoned to the military bases on the periphery of the Amaz territories.

Amazakaraan.

The last holdout. The only land in the Western Realm not annexed by Gardneria or Alfsigroth.

The Lupine lands have fallen.

Verpacia has fallen.

Keltania has fallen.

And now, two monstrously powerful armies are looming on Amazakaraan’s doorstep, and the Amaz’s only remaining military ally is gone—Noilaan’s entire Western Vu Trin force decimated in one day by the Gardnerians.

Wynter winces as she recalls the fearful questions asked by Amaz children in a multitude of languages.

Mamma, will the Gardnerians and the Alfsigr come and hurt us?

Muth’li, will they send the broken dragons? What happens if they send the broken dragons?

Auntie, if Mamma Tith’lin goes to fight the Gardnerians, will they kill her? Make her stay home. I don’t want them to kill her.

And always the same answers, said in a variety of ways and languages in the same forced, reassuring tones—

The rune shield over our lands will hold, sweet one. You need to trust our brave queen and our brave soldiers.

You’re safe, toiya. The shield will keep the dragons out.

Nothing will happen to you, my love. Our brave soldiers will protect us. I’ll protect you too.

But the children catch the undercurrent of doubt, their fear not assuaged.

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