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My father answers. "Request denied."

The Elarion representative goes silent for a few seconds. "Excuse me?"

"Varethia cannot remove its primary response command while the regional pattern is still developing."

"We are losing civilians."

"I know."

"You have trained personnel who have direct experience."

"We also have an Academy, a village and a kingdom that remain possible targets."

The representative's face hardens through the crystal.

"We are already a target." Silence. That lands.

Rhyven says nothing. Neither does Caelen. Dax's expression is unreadable. Chiefs waiting while people debate where they're most needed. I hate this.

The Elarion representative looks directly toward Rhyven. "Chief Corvell." Rhyven's gaze lifts.

"You designed several of the response protocols we're using."

"With others."

"Then come help us implement them properly." The room becomes very still. No.

Rhyven doesn't answer immediately. My chest tightens. Not because I think he'll say yes. Because I don't know. "The Council made its decision." He finally says. That's all. Not refusal because he doesn't care. Not agreement. Duty. Again.

The representative's jaw tightens. "Understood." The crystal goes dark. I look at Rhyven. He doesn't look at me.

Later, in the corridor, I catch him alone. Or almost.

Caelen is ahead. Other Chiefs behind. We have maybe ten seconds. "That bothered you."

Rhyven looks at me. "Yes."

"Being asked."

"No."

"Refusing."

A pause. "Yes." There.

"Would you have gone?" His eyes hold mine. Same question. Different day.

This time he answers differently. "If they had no one else."

My stomach tightens. "And now?"

"They do."

"Not enough."

"No."

"You can't save every kingdom yourself."