Bor the unicorn no longer nosed through the scorched earth for fodder, but raised his head toward the whitening east, baring his teeth in agitation. Vanya the Silverwing Griffin crouched low, stalked behind him, and jabbed his hindquarters with her razor-sharp beak. The unicorn startled and leapt skyward.

  "What of Perithorio Anaktoro?"

  "What?" They were admiring the distant sunrise, leaving Nira unable to catch Celas's words clearly.

  "I said, what if we could sway Perithorio Anaktoro? Though Illuviλofer cannot be counted upon, perhaps we might accomplish something with the Sylvan Elves. Well? You should better understand the western continent... actually, to speak plainly, you understand the entire continent better than I. You're the Wind Listener," Celas made little effort to conceal her envy. "A gift I lack entirely."

  "As for Perithorio Anaktoro, I've already offered King Avrai considerable counsel," the goddess said. "And events have proven they possess more mettle than Illuviλofer. King Avrai has reached some accord with the Queen of Cynthia—an alliance of sorts. The cloaks the Sylvan Elves treasure so dearly are among the equipment now being supplied to Cynthian soldiers."

  "I can scarcely believe the Sylvan Elves would proactively ally themselves with humans. Even if it's merely providing equipment, they've taken a momentous step forward." Celas smiled ruefully, shaking her head. "I had naively assumed Perithorio Anaktoro would adopt the same policy as Illuviλofer: compromise. For thousands of years, they've hidden themselves well. They neither trespass on others' territories, nor permit others to violate their lands. We witnessed their departure, laden with disappointment and disgust. I never expected they would take action against Godma's aggression—the Sylvan Elves are few in number, their fighting force hardly greater than Illuviλofer's. We both know why they chose Perithorio Anaktoro as their new homeland—because of our feebleness. Even today, I still harbor guilt toward them."

  "They differ from the High King, from all the elves of Illuviλofer," Nira said. "The Sylvan Elves are much like us—awakened souls, you might say—though they chose evasion instead of confrontation. Today, however, they may finally end their retreat and choose resistance. They've taken that first step, and what follows lies beyond our intervention. I've offered my counsel; how they reflect upon it falls to Avrai. Perhaps the Sylvan Elves will forge closer ties with Cynthia or the Northern Kingdoms, perhaps even directly engage in the conflict—breaking tens of thousands of years of elven neutrality—or perhaps they'll merely draw a line, keeping Cynthia at arm's length. Since the High King has made his decision, and I've done my part with Avrai, our duty is concluded. The Sylvan Elves' next move depends on how humans negotiate with them."

  "This has become a matter between humans and Sylvan Elves," Celas stated simply.

  "Indeed it has."

  "What of us?" the Forge Goddess inquired. "Dawn has broken, and your journey's purpose has been accomplished—or rather, cannot be accomplished. What shall we do next?"

  "I haven't decided," Celas twirled a strand of hair around her forefinger. "Every time I recall last night's encounter, fury rises within me."

  "You're wounded and hampered in movement. Perhaps you should first visit Balithar Lake for a bath."

  "Oh?" Celas cast her a sidelong glance. "You'd actually permit my form to grace your precious waters?"

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  "It's no trouble—a few crocodiles have taken up residence there." Nira covered her mouth, laughing heartily. "I've always been quite generous, you know."

  "You're trying to orchestrate my death, goddess," Celas said disdainfully. "With me gone, you'd be the world's only remaining goddess, wouldn't you?"

  "True enough," she waved dismissively. "But I would be desperately lonely."

  The Goddess of Moon and Harvest carefully skirted the Silverwing Griffin, protecting her dress from further spatters of saliva.

  "You can recuperate at my dwelling," Nira offered. "Afterward, we could travel together—clear our minds."

  "The entire continent teeters on the brink of war. What haven could possibly remain untouched?"

  "We could journey to the Seven Seas Kingdoms, or perhaps the Free Isle. Safe harbors still exist. If all else fails, Blessedwood remains an excellent choice. The Naiads would never treat us with discourtesy, would they?"

  "But I have no desire to leave," Celas adjusted the saddle before mounting. "I wish to bear witness—to observe the final moments, to see whether Godma or the Northern Kingdoms emerges victorious."

  Nira climbed onto the griffin's dark-brown back. "In such a devastating conflict, I suspect there will be no victors. The common folk inevitably suffer most."

  "Illuviλofer may require assistance. The future remains uncertain; the Emperor of Godma might strike at the last moment. If possible, I'd prefer not to stray too far from Illuviλofer."

  "Then we shall linger at Balithar Lake for a time. I'll tend to your wounds. And I could forge you a... bow." Nira, Goddess of the Forge, giggled mischievously. "Provided you don't turn your nose up quite so high, I might consider gifting you a bow of exceptional quality."

  Celas snorted, though the corners of her mouth betrayed amusement. The griffin extended her silver wings, lifting her head crowned with pale-golden down, preparing to launch skyward.

  "I'm more concerned for the Sylvan Elves than for Illuviλofer," Nira added. "They face greater peril, having chosen their allegiance."

  "Choosing sides always brings pain and indecision, yet people never tire of doing so." Celas looked up at the airborne goddess. "Which side do you stand on, Nira?"

  "Rubbish," she replied. "Both your question and my answer are waste of breath. The truth is self-evident."

  "Hmph." Celas bound her silken golden hair. "Perhaps we two might accomplish something," she suggested. "Cynthia cannot endure much longer. Soon the North—indeed, the entire continent—will suffer beneath Godma's iron heel. You've negotiated with the Sylvan Elves and know Perithorio Anaktoro intimately. Though I've long been absent from Illuviλofer, both Madlos and I are Sinor Elves—I'm confident I can offer counsel without being thrown into a dungeon. We can each fulfill our respective roles."

  "You propose we continuously exert influence upon them?"

  "Precisely, while simultaneously gathering intelligence, controlling circumstances to some degree, and exchanging information between us. We must involve ourselves deeply, Nira. We are the awakened; this responsibility falls to us. Surely you recognize that our duty remains far from complete."

  "Very well," Nira sighed softly. "The haughty goddess speaks truth once more. I too have no desire to remain uninvolved. But there's one condition—you must first recover at Balithar Lake."

  The Moon and Harvest Goddess smiled with the tranquility of still waters. "Shall we race, Forge Goddess? Let's see who touches Balithar's surface first."

  The Forge Goddess burst into laughter. "You jest with me, Moon Goddess?"

  "I'm entirely serious."

  "So you expect my Vanya to remain earthbound on four legs, do you?"

  "You may fly," she smiled gently. "Don't underestimate Bor, Nira. A unicorn from the Elysian Garden runs swift as the wind itself."

  "Vanya, the unicorn challenges you." The griffin cried twice, regarding Bor with imperious disdain. "Don't let her diminish you, Bor," Celas encouraged.

  "Leave her in your wake, Vanya."

  They launched almost simultaneously—as swift as the fall of Cynthia Palace.