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Claire smiled as the sound of Greta’s walking stick thumping against flesh was heard. The Elven warriors made way for the Elven Elder quickly.
“Getting yourself into all sorts of trouble I see, young prin- Queen?”
“What can I say,” Claire leaned down to hug the old Elf, “I had the best teacher.”
Greta grumbled and shook her stick at Claire. “No more of that now. Where do you want me?”
“I knew you were too stubborn to die.”
Claire turned to see Elder Vali making her way through the crowd.
“Vali, you old coot,” Greta cackled. “I thought you would have kicked the bucket by now.”
Claire wanted to snort at the stunned faces of both the Elves and Fae around them. She had an inkling that the two of them would have been good friends if they knew each other and turned out she was right.
“I see you two know each other,” Claire said. “Elder Vali, would you take Greta to where the other healers are set up. We’ll assign a few warriors to move the wounded to you.”
Elder Vali smiled and gestured in the direction back to the village. “Come on, let’s put you to use.”
Greta grumbled something that she was always useful as she passed Claire and Claire hid a grin. With the healers sorted, Claire turned back to the others. Uncle Toan was greeting a few other Fae commanders like they were old friends and Claire noticed a few other warriors exchanging greetings. The Elves and Fae hadn’t just been cut off from the Realm they were also cut off from each other. The two races held a long alliance even before Winona and Erick and both sides likely had friends or even family in the other territory.
As much as Claire wanted to let them keep having their reunion, they had preparations to make.
She threaded her way through the Elves gathered around the trees, making her way to the stone arch next to the grove of trees. The dark gray stone was warm under her hands and Claire focused into her magic center. Finding the piece of Academy magic she had taken into herself what felt like ages ago, she called it up into her hand. Then she called up some of her magic, marveling again at how easy it followed her command after bonding. Well that and accepting her magic as part of herself. Now it didn’t rush or overwhelm her. It was as easy as breathing.
When she pressed her handful of magic into the stone arch, the stone beneath her palm felt like it rippled in response. It tugged on more of her magic and she let it flow from her center into the stone. She focused her intention on building a pathway from this stone to its counterparts at the Academy.
The pathway felt like it hit something and after digging deeper Claire recognized it as the barrier magic around the Fae lands. She pushed the pathway harder, cutting through the barrier and hurtling out across the Realm to find the Academy. The air between the archway shimmered once and Claire poured more magic into it. Everett stepped up behind her, offering his silent support and Claire pulled on their bond slightly to finish the pathway.
The air shimmered and rippled in the arch before it stabilized into a white shimmery surface. A figure pushed through. Claire smiled and stepped forward to hug Andy who gave her a quick squeeze.
“Here, let’s the others come through,” Andy said, guiding Claire away from the arch.
“The others? Who’s there? We just sent out calls not too long ago.”
“Everyone,” Andy said. “They started arriving at the Academy a few days ago. There was something in the air that made us realize the time was near.”
Helene crossed through next followed by several people Claire didn’t know. Bethany and Cody cut through the crowds towards them calling greetings. Cody shook what looked to be his father’s hand while Bethany threw herself into her mother’s arms as her father pressed a kiss to her hair. They didn’t linger at the arch as another two familiar couples came through. Holly greeted her parents and Frederick and Ilena as Headmaster Dorian pushed through.
“Headmaster,” Claire greeted. “Thank you for coming.”
“Call me Dorian,” he said with a wry grin. “If we don’t succeed today I doubt I’ll be Headmaster much longer.”
Claire nodded her head in acknowledgement although her stomach turned at his pessimistic outlook. They had to win today. If they didn’t, they could plunge the Realm into another Great War.
Several groups of people followed Dorian out of the arch. Claire recognized a few students in the group and realized these were the allies that Andy and Helene had been working to collect. Andy took the lead on quick introductions before looking to Claire.
“Where do you want us?”
Claire’s eyes widened as she realized they were all looking at her for battle directions. Except, she wasn’t a warrior. But she didn’t have to be.
The story of Friednar’s mother rang in her ears as she surveyed the group of people who had chosen to risk everything to fight at her side. She didn’t have to be the ultimate warrior here. That’s not what the Champion of the Realm meant. She had rallied these people here. But there were others far more experienced with battle strategy.
“Actually, I would like it if Toan, Kallan, Frederick and Alpha Bryson and Pride Leader Sadara would weigh in on the decision. The five of them have a wealth of battle experience to share.”
She saw Friednar in the crowd and he nodded at her, a small smile on his lips.
Andy also nodded. “We will start an inventory of what weapons and spell casting abilities we have among us. You coordinate with your commanders.”
