Nyella was shaken by what she had just heard. She frowned deeply with her face full of pain. "What did we ever do to him?" she whispered. "What did the royal house ever do to Voryn Vanyr that he carries so much hatred toward us? Just how horrible can someone truly be?"

She turned to Aeron, her eyes wet with tears she was trying to hide.

"You heard all that," she said, "and still you want to defend her? Still, you want to tell me she might be innocent? Aeron, she carries the blood of such a man. Do you not understand? Being the child of someone like that is evil itself."

Aeron looked at her. "Nyella, listen to yourself. Please, do not say that. Since when do we judge people by the sins of their fathers? Do you not remember? You yourself have said this before. They carry their own identity, and we carry ours. Blood does not make us who we are, our choices do. And yes, I will still insist, she means us no harm."

Nyella's eyes softened for a moment, but she wasn't ready to listen to any of that. She turned back toward Irha. "I appreciate what you have told us," Nyella said coldly. "But you still have not answered me."

"You still have not given me what I asked for," Nyella pressed. She took a step closer. "How did you know Aeron would be attacked? How were you there at that moment? Who sent the assassins?"

Irha who sat tied to the chair, looked down at the floor and said nothing.

"It seems you refuse to comply," Nyella said. She stepped back and gave a signal. "Guards, continue."

The guards obeyed without hesitation. They picked up thick ropes and began to lash Irha across her arms and back. Her screams filled the chamber as the blows landed again and again.

Aeron felt his chest tighten. His eyes filled with tears. Never in his life had he witnessed such cruelty. His head ached as he tried to hold back the emotion, but he could no longer bear it. He turned his head away, unable to watch as the beating went on. Still, the guards did not stop. Irha screamed again, but the strikes continued.

Just then, the door of the chamber suddenly opened. "What is this noise? What is happening here?"

It was King Rollo. The guards froze where they stood, and lowered their ropes in hesitation.

Nyella did not flinch. She turned to the king and, with a calm voice, explained everything. She told him who the girl was, what she had confessed, and why she had ordered the punishment.

King Rollo listened for a while, then he drew a long breath. "You should not simply send a message with words," Rollo said. "I know men like Vanyr. They do not believe threats unless there is proof. You must give him something solid… like her hair. Cut her hair short and send it to him. Then he will know that you are serious and are prepared to act."

Nyella's eyes widened at his words, but before she could respond, Aeron stepped forward immediately. "Cut her hair? That would be even more cruel. What more would you do, cut off her head and serve it to her father?"

Rollo replied to Aeron. "You are young, boy," he said. "You do not understand such men. They are wolves, and wolves only bow to proof. If you send him nothing but words, he will laugh at you. But with his daughter's hair, he will be ready to negotiate."

"I still don't agree with you," Aeron said. "This girl has done nothing but be honest. Are you really going to treat her in such a dishonorable way?"

"Good men alone deserve honor, not the child of a rebel," King Rollo replied coldly.

Aeron's mouth went dry. He had never seen this cruel part of the world before. He wanted to speak again, but no words came to mind.

"You are needed in the war room," Rollo said. "Both of you."

With that, the king turned and left. Aeron followed behind, but instead of entering the war room, he stopped outside the castle gates. His heart was restless, his thoughts scattered.

He looked around at the people, the houses, the life within the castle walls. But his mind was far away.

Then someone came beside him and stood facing the same direction. It was Miriam.

"I heard what happened," she said softly. "And I heard of the assassination attempt on you."

Aeron stayed silent.

"Not speaking to me, huh?" she asked, glancing at him. "I suppose this is because of what I said before the war. Maybe I went too far. If I did, then I apologize."

Still, Aeron did not reply.

"But about what I said," Miriam continued. "I wasn't joking. About having only one empire in this world."

Aeron finally turned to her. "You weren't joking about bringing down all kingdoms to make one?"

"When will these wars ever end, Aeron?" Miriam asked. "They won't. In fact, they'll only get worse. Do you really think these creatures just appeared from nowhere? No. It began with the greed and strife of kingdoms. And now it has led us here."

She looked into the distance, then said, "If there had been one empire, one true ruler, the hydra would have been destroyed long ago."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Aeron asked.

"Because what I spoke of can be achieved," Miriam said firmly. "But not by me. Only one person can do it. Only one can create an empire strong enough to end the wars. Only one can save the world."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Aeron said.

"Think about it," she whispered. "Think about the innocent lives. Children who would no longer live in fear. Families who would not have to hide or run."

Aeron shook his head. "This is my third encounter with you and none of it had been pleasant so far. I may not know many things, but I know what it means to poison one's mind. I won't allow myself to be a victim of that. I have somewhere I need to be."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Miriam standing alone.

When Aeron entered the war room, everyone was already there, standing around the table. Among them were Chief Uzek and Master Odeg.

"You are quite late," King Rollo said flatly.

Aeron bowed his head slightly. " Had to take a breather. He said.

"I understand the pressure, but all these will soon end. Let us continue," Rollo said.

General Amber was the first to speak. "We do not know when the hydra will strike again. But if we wait for them, we may be destroyed. We must move before they do. We must strike first at the caves. The weapons that can kill them are already being made and soon every warrior will have one."

Aeron raised his hand. "I thought we would speak of destroying the caves themselves, instead of sending more soldiers to their deaths."

Amber turned to him. "It would be good if we could do such a thing, but tell me, who can destroy a cave? Can you?"

Aeron shook his head. "No." He said.

"Exactly," Amber said. "Only great builders could even attempt it."

Aeron frowned his face and spoke. "But come to think of it… There are such builders."

"The people of Zeirath?" King Rollo asked.

"Exactly," Aeron said. "They have built things larger and stronger than any of us can imagine. Many here would agree to this. If anyone could do it, it would be them. But the problem is… they will not agree to help us."

Rollo narrowed his eyes. "Why do you think so?"

"They already rejected our proposal twice," Aeron replied. "I do not see them changing their mind now."

"That was when only two kingdoms stood together," Rollo said. "But now, with the whole alliance who have gathered. They must see the strength of our army. They must see that if we chose to take Zeirath by force, their walls and towers would not save them."

"What do we do then?" Aeron asked.

Rollo replied, "We send a message to them right away. If they do not answer positively, we make it clear that they must help. We desperately need their assistance."

At that moment, a guard entered the hall. He walked straight to the king, bent down, and whispered into his ear.

Rollo smiled faintly and faced the others. "Just as I said. The army of Zeirath is already at our gates."

The lords and generals murmured among themselves in surprise.

"They will wait until we are done here," Rollo continued calmly. "Then we will invite them in."

Aeron frowned. "Wouldn't that anger them? To be kept waiting at the gates?"

"They have no choice," Rollo said with steady eyes. "This time, we hold the upper hand."

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