While Kurt was waiting for everyone to get there he took some time with his small council to get some idea about what an lich actually is.

"So they can just keep them coming from everywhere?" said Kurt.

"No, the lich is the epicenter, they can't get too far from him, and if they do they basically lose all power."

"So the closer to him the stronger his forces are?"

"The tales say it's more like an area, not directly him, the problem is the lich that's what is clear."

"Why not the army surrounding him?"

"No lich no army, they would all fall. We fall, we join him, in our bones."

"So that doesn't seem so hard one thing, especially with griffins."

"You're underestimating the lich's power, speed and abilities."

"What do you mean?"

"You see they are mostly tales because few have ever killed a lich. Most try to stay out of the way, but if it's coming for the mana wells."

By then everyone had gathered and Layla called the council to order. And told everyone again mostly why they were there to start the Lich.

Maliki started, "we have ways to purify some arms temporarily, this should slow some of the skeleton's recovery, some of the difficulty is slicing a skeleton in half gives legs and and a crawling body you're fighting this should slow that response a bit. Crush the sculls and make sure the legs can't walk quickly after though."

"How long does the process take?" said Simon.

"We can do a lot fairly quickly, but the effect will dull quickly as well. We should do it when we are about to be ready."

"I see," said Simon.

"Will Warlord Travis be back by then?" said Kurt.

"Probably not, maybe the week after," said Thomas.

"If we can ride the griffins we can do a lot from the air with our shamans," said High Shaman Simon.

"That would be possible," said Ben, "many of the females, and young, would be suitable for such a task."

"But it still leaves the Lich, all we would be doing is delaying the army, slowing it down. And they are so mysterious. We know they have spells, speed and strength," said Eleven Lord Victor.

"I'll be helping Kurt this time," said Layla.

"What do you mean?" Said Kurt, "don't get me wrong but you can't fight Layla."

"No Kurt, I've never needed to like to help you before, but," Kurt felt this river of power just flooded through his body, a water fist naturally just formed on both hands, and then it dissipated. What was that? "I'll be doing that, we should probably practice a little later."

"Holy shit," said Sara, "she really has never done it before."

"I will have to be at the battle," said Layla, or at least close enough to it.

Ben let off a screech that didn't translate. Ben's translation was actually the most jarring, usually the voice underneath the translation (the real words being said) is not some screeching bird chirps, it was much more distracting.

"So wait, everyone plan is for me to fight some mysterious powerful being alone?" said Kurt.

"While we deal with the army," said Thomas, nodding.

"I don't like that plan," said Kurt, "I'll need some back up."

"They won't be able to keep up with you," said Layla.

"That might not be completely true," said Boris, "I might be able to for a little bit with the kitsune's blessing."

Kurt thought about the battle he had with Boris, he was too slow to keep up with him. But so was everyone else really. If he pushed himself.

"I might be able to help that as well," said Layla, "if he were to drink from the well I could push that in him too. You should drink too Kurt, it's been some time."

"I was thinking something similar," said Kurt. Kurt looked back and thought, he actually didn't remember ever drinking from any well or spring water since before meeting Layla, only waking up in them.

"We can lay a trap, we know where they are coming right?" said Sara.

The meeting continued, with map work and locations for troops. Location of the battle can be the deciding factor, especially with powerful spell work. Ben had agreed to set up scouts for them to make sure they knew if the enemy's movements changed.

The gnomes were instructed to make a makeshift command center next to the pillar house so the griffin could have access, and tell everyone.

Elven Lord Travis started talking to Boris about equipment, if he was going in with Kurt the elves were prepared to make whatever he needed for victory. Sara and Simon got together to talk about where to put traps and set up circles. Thomas and Ben started talking about where to start having riders for the Griffins, and greetings. The battle plans were moving forward. People were moving away from the meeting and on to personal tasks. There wasn't time to set up schedules.

"Hey," said Arthur to Kurt, Arthur had remained silent for most of the meeting, "I wanted to talk to you."

"Yeah," said Kurt.

"This is awkward," said Arthur, "but, I'm here. Now. Fully, the fire clan is really no more. And Jacob. He seems so happy, Laura will come around. I was so angry with you…"

"I didn't…"

"I know you didn't, you said I wasn't your father, and I'm not but come on like after all those years. Maybe one day you'll understand."

"I'm engaged now."

"Congratulations, that foxy little thing?"

Kurt laughed, "Yeah."

"I didn't understand these creatures. But living with them, and now being able to understand their words. Maybe you were right all along. I guess what I'm trying to say is Kurt, I'm proud of you. I don't know if that means much, from me now but, look around you." Everyone was in their private discussions. "They really want to stay here, not just because of Layla, but because it's their home. And you helped that, even if you don't know it. I'm a little inspired by you."

"Can you say that to my actual father?"

Arthur laughed uncontrollably, "sure kid, sure."

"I know you're strong, and kind. And a good man, Cindy didn't have to do that. I didn't know about the fire clan. The plan…"

"I know Kurt," said Arthur, "I know."

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