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ELRETH

When she turned from sending Reece, Tarkyn stood behind her, his face tight.Â

Their eyes caught and Elreth gripped her hands to fists. She was shaking. She couldn't let any of them see how terrified she was. Because she was also certain that this was her job. She was here for a reason. And she had to do this right.

She needed Aaryn. With a silent prayer that he'd be able to get back quickly, she nodded to Tarkyn. "I need your advice," she said quietly, praying the gathered people would stay distracted enough not to listen to her whispered words with the Captain.Â

Knowing Tarkyn would follow, she walked back around to the dining area were there were fewer eyes and ears.

"What is it?" he asked quietly.Â

"It seems to me that it's better to keep the humans from getting closer, but they also have the second traverse. The Guardians are supposed to have defenses in place to hold that one, but I didn't have time to check with Gahrye. The priority has to be getting the traverses closed and stopping any further invasion, but even if we're successful, it does us no good if there are too many fronts here within Anima and they take us down anyway.Â

"Is there anything you can tell me, anything you can see that might help me? Because otherwise I feel like I'm left spreading our forces too thin."

"I'm sorry, El. Without speaking to Gahrye and the messengers from the Outsiders… all I can say is that you're seeing clearly. But I can tell you that given what we already know, this isn't a time to be cautious. We'll need every set of hands, warrior trained, or not. Especially to defend the Tree City, because we'll need all the guard to cover it. And if they break through…" He trailed off ominously.Â

"So, you believe our focus should be to put the Guards against the humans, in direct battle?"

Tarkyn nodded. "Last ditch efforts. This is all or nothing. The citizens themselves need to be our second line of defense."

Elreth concurred. And it made her sick.Â

Calling the Anima to war was one thing, but breaking families and asking every able-bodied Anima to fight… It hadn't even been done during the conflicts with the wolves that her father navigated. It was a measure of how desperate they were.Â

"El, we have to prepare to march," Tarkyn said. "As soon as the messengers arrive and we can be sure we know everything, we can't waste a moment. We have to pick our paths now and use those preparations to launch the moment we know which one is right—"

"I'm aware," she said, clapping her hands to get everyone's attention.  The room silenced immediately, Gar coming to his feet and stepping through the group of Protectors in front of him to wait for orders.Â

"We are at war," she said solemnly. There was no time for pretty speeches. The people here didn't need them anyway. "Gather the young and old, any that cannot fight, in the center of the city. Call everyone else, any capable of defending themselves or others, warriors or not. Give them whatever weapons we can muster. I don't care if they're carrying harvest scythes. Do not leave them unarmed.Â

"Form them in fronts at the north and southwest of the city, one mile from the borders.Â

"Based on what we know so far, our plan will be to send one third of our trained fighters and guards to circle the southwest portal cave. Any Anima that come through in the next couple days should be allowed passage to the city, but any adult humans with them that cannot be bond-scented must be retained until they can be scented for truth.

"The other two thirds of the warriors are to go to the great plain to the northwest. They must stop the humans advancing beyond the desert, or... failing that, delay their progress for as long as possible.Â

"Pairs of sentries and messengers will be posted at four mile intervals to relay information the moment the humans engage. Get everyone in place, then await more orders."

A hum rose in the cave as Tarkyn and the guards began to discuss how to implement the orders. But Gar's face went tight.Â

"What about the Protectors?"

Elreth nodded. "Pick a personal protection team for me and Aaryn, my parents, and Gahrye. Select your best trackers and spies for two more teams, one for each Portal. They'll start marching no later than tonight. As soon as we understand exactly what's involved with closing the portals, and what the messengers know of the human invasion.Â

"Your leaders will be flown ahead to the north, to reconnoiter and plan. The rest will march to positions.

  "We have to usher Gahrye out safely, then receive those from the human side who will return permanently—"Â

"You're assuming they aren't coming at us from both sides."

Elreth cut off and turned to find Gahrye pushing into the room, his son Reece on his heels.Â

"No, I'm not," Elreth said sharply. "These are preparation orders. They will change every time we receive new information—starting with you. How do we close the portals? We can't delay another minute. If you need to speak with me privately, let's do that now."

"I can give you the details later, for now, understand that together with one or two Protectors, Kalle and I, and your parents can close both portals."

"If they can get the portals closed so we know we won't be taken by additional forces, once we have a clear idea of the numbers, we can marshal inside WildWood, keep the humans on the desert—reduce their resources and make it harder on their weaker bodies—and rush them in the dark when they can't see—"

"You're forgetting that they have technology," Gar said quietly. "A rush will likely just get us killed."

Tarkyn growled. "What choice do we have? Just let them come?"Â

Elreth watched her brother's jaw twitch in frustration. "No," he said finally. "I guess not."

The males looked at each other and Elreth sighed. "War it is," she murmured.Â

But even though her battle advisors were in agreement and began to discuss their options, Elreth couldn't feel easy.Â

Something about this niggled at her, and she couldn't figure out what it was.Â