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THE SMELL OF SMOKE still clung to the air. When Parker had last been in the Great Hall, the stage was on fire, the wispy walls disintegrating, the perches burning, and the bodies of the dead strewn about. But now, the Upperworlders had repaired the stage and most of the perches had been replaced. Even the clouds had rejoined to create the walls of mist. And the poor souls who lost their lives had been laid to rest.
Stefanos wore his mourning cloak, wrapped his talons around his perch, and positioned himself with Belliza and Vibius to one side of his wing. Stefanos caught Parker’s eye and motioned she flank his other side with Edison and Henley. As the leaders arrived in a solemn procession of despair, Parker waited for questions to be asked and answers to be given.
Stefanos peeled back his hood with the tilt of his wing and revealed the eye patch had been removed. The deep red scar over his eye reminded them of how close the attack had come to hurting their leadership. “We’ve suffered a terrible loss, my Great Ones. None of us want to believe there could be a war here in our own world. In our castle. But we must be careful of whom we accuse. The worst possibility of all is that the Underworld is instigating our destruction.”
He spoke cryptically to Vibius in their tongue. Then he turned his attention to the room. “Before this attack, many of you, including me, did not want to believe the Underworld could be responsible for tainting our water reserves on Katamoor. But now, after the brutal assault, just as we welcomed our earthlings, we are forced to scrutinize all possibilities. As of now, no one has claimed responsibility. It is unclear who executed the destruction.
“Today, we come together to put a stop to all of this. We are taking action. I have formed a task force to investigate the debris and remains from the destruction here at the Citadel, as well as at Katamoor in the areas where our water sources have been tampered. Cole is finalizing his due diligence in the Underworld. All findings will be presented as soon as our analysis is complete. I am also stepping up security at all portals. Our immediate goal is to preserve our safety and security. And if possible, protect the whole of Spyridon.” He rested for a moment and studied his leaders. “Questions?”
One of the largest birds in the Great Hall, with the body the size of an elephant, covered in gray and black quills, lumbered from his place and took the lead perch.
“Great Sky King, I speak for the Titans. I have seen Cole’s initial reports from the Underworld, and they do not reference any poisoning of our water sources.” He stared down the Ruling Great One. “Why pick an enemy we have no proof exists?”
“I agree, Great Cranwell. Cole’s reports are not worrisome. But still we must probe deeper,” Stefanos said. “Without a plan for protection or purification, we will be forced to leave our own kingdom. We will be left without a single resource for clean water. It is difficult to say these words, but we will not be able to live here among our own any longer. None of us wants to believe this to be true. But we will not stop until we know our enemy. And when we do know, they will pay.”
Vibius, nudged Stefanos and whispered, “If I may say a few words, Great Sky King.” Stefanos affirmed and Vibius turned to address the Great Ones, “I support you, our Ruling Great One. But suggest we take action first. Now.” In a gruff and hawkish tone, he added, “Without drinkable water, we are on a path of annihilation. I suggest we put together a show of force first and demonstrate we will not be anyone’s victims. And then, as the Underworld is the likely culprit, we will let them prove to us they are not to be blamed.”
Stefanos spoke to Vibius privately and Parker wondered if he was objecting to the aggressive stance Vibius proposed. Stefanos closed his damaged eye with an elegant movement of his wing tip and gathered his cloak around him. His prominent beak pointed to the top of the Great Hall and he appeared distracted. Parker sensed the buzzing vibration again. She recalled Stefanos wore the same odd expression when he received word that Cole was arriving. She prayed Cole would appear again. If so, it was just in time.
Moments later, all eyes turned to the entry. Cole entered, knelt before them, and looked around cautiously before addressing Stefanos. “Great Sky King, I have an urgent bid from the Underworld. The leadership requests a meeting at a neutral location. The request is for one emissary who speaks for the Sky King, and no more than five others. They promise peace. Is your permission granted?”
Stefanos tipped his beak. “Granted. If they come in good faith as you say, I will meet them off Zonoros Point. On the sand bar where we cannot be ambushed. They must arrive tomorrow at daybreak. Not a moment before.”
He turned to Cranwell. “Prepare your troops for the meeting. I want your protection for our shoreline. Set up blockades a mile out to sea—they’ll serve as checkpoints to stop and clear whomever or whatever attempts to pass. The falcon troops will hover overhead. We must take every precaution.
“Great Cole, tell the Empress and her brother no weapons will be permitted on the site from either side.”
“Yes, Great Sky King.”
“Then we shall be safe. The Spirits of the Sky will watch over us. The Underworlders will not be able to approach out of the water. I will handle their envoy on my own. If trouble arises.”
Stefanos returned his focus to Belliza and Vibius, “I have often thought the impossible. Or improbable. If the Underworld was responsible, do they have an alternate planet to which they can migrate?”
“They will have to, Great Sky King. Another war will render Spyridon uninhabitable,” Vibius said.