The journey back to Kragnir was fraught with tension, each beat of their wings echoing the weight of what had transpired. Ethel, still weakened from the venom's assault, flew slightly ahead of Zym and Zola, his crimson feathers ruffled with barely contained anger.
"The Nagas," he growled, his voice raw, barely audible over the whistling wind. "Their treachery runs deeper by the day."
Zym glanced at him, concern etched into his features. "We must tread carefully, Ethel. If we let our emotions lead us, we could ignite the very conflict we are trying to prevent."
Ethel's feathers bristled. "Conflict? They accused my people of stealing their precious relic. Then they tried to kill me. They should have thought about the consequences before crossing that line."
Zola interjected, her voice calm but resolute. "We need to consider all possibilities. Veridian's hesitation suggests there are factions within Naga society actively working to ignite a war — against their own queen's interests as much as ours."
Ethel's expression hardened. "Regardless, the Nagas have crossed the line twice. Whatever comes of this is a consequence of their own making. They will be held accountable."
As dusk painted the sky in hues of crimson and gold, the majestic city of Kragnir rose on the horizon, its spires piercing the twilight like dark blades reaching for the heavens. Descending into the palace courtyard, they were met by a flurry of anxious guards, their faces drawn with concern.
"Ethel!" A booming voice cut through the air. King Eothis strode toward them, his regal bearing unchanged, but his amber eyes narrowing sharply at the sight of Ethel's weakened state. "Tell me. What transpired within Naga territory?"
Ethel straightened, pushing through the residual pain to hold the King's gaze. "I was poisoned, Your Majesty," he said, his voice hoarse with restrained fury. "By a Naga assassin, within the very halls of Oephidia."
Eothis's feathers rose in a surge of barely contained rage. "A Naga assassin? They truly believe they can assault a Garuda envoy with impunity?"
Zym stepped forward, his voice a measured counterpoint to the rising fury. "Your Majesty, caution is paramount. This attack may be a carefully constructed ploy to ignite war. We need to understand who orchestrated the theft of the Eye and who sought to kill Ethel before we act."
A cold, steely resolve entered Eothis's eyes. "Their transgression demands a response. If war is what they want, then it is war they shall have."
The grand council chamber hummed with tense whispers as Ethel, still bearing the mark of the attack, stood beside Zym and Zola. King Eothis, perched upon his golden throne, addressed the assembled advisors with the gravity of a man who had already made up his mind.
"The Nagas have crossed every line," Eothis boomed, his voice filling every corner of the chamber. "They have attacked one of our own within their sacred halls. The venom itself is evidence enough. This blatant display of aggression will not go unanswered."
Councilor Tyrian, a war-hardened veteran with crimson feathers streaked silver with age, rose from his seat. "Your Majesty, it is clear the Nagas seek to obscure the truth. They hold the Eye of Naga and seek to use our restraint against us. We should not give them that luxury."
Zym stepped forward, his voice steady. "We must not be blinded by righteous anger, esteemed Councilor. Veridian himself alluded to a power struggle within Naga society — rogue elements who would benefit from chaos as much as from war."
Eothis's gaze cut to Zym, unyielding. "They should have considered the repercussions before they transgressed." His voice carried the finality of stone. "Prepare for war, my generals. We will not be cowed by Naga treachery."
Silence fell over the chamber like a shroud. The whispers turned to murmurs, the murmurs to grim pronouncements, as the assembled court braced for the storm that was about to break.
War had been declared.
Zola turned to Ethel, her brow furrowed with worry, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is there anything we can do to stop this? Can we not appeal to the King's caution before it is too late?"
Ethel shook his head, a bitter edge to his expression. "No. His mind is set. He sees this as a matter of honour — a direct assault that demands an answer in kind."
Zym paced in silence, his usually steady demeanour shadowed by the weight pressing down on him. He knew what war would mean. Not a swift resolution, but an indelible scar carved into the realm — a wound that might take generations to close.
He stopped suddenly, a glimmer of something sharpening in his eyes.
"There may be another way," he said, his voice quiet but certain. "Zola — I think I know someone who can help us pull this back from the edge."
Ethel and Zola exchanged a glance. "Who?" Zola asked.
"Kael," Zym said. "From Vasperia."
Zola's eyes widened. Kael — Master Leor and Shania's son. She turned the idea over in her mind. "He would not normally involve himself in a conflict between Garudas and Nagas," she said carefully.
"No," Zym agreed. "But Kael is committed to protecting the realms — all of them. He may be able to shed light on what truly happened in Oephidia. The Naja signature, Veridian's behaviour, the planted feather — if anyone can help us untangle this, it is him. And if we can expose the true culprit before the first sword is drawn, we may still have a chance."
A fragile hope kindled in Zola's chest. It was a long shot — unorthodox, risky, and far from guaranteed. But it was a chance, and right now a chance was all they had.
"Go," she said. "I will stay here and do whatever I can to delay the war. Buy you the time you need."
Zym met her gaze and nodded. "I will find Kael and bring him back."
Ethel looked between them, a quiet understanding settling over his expression. He knew what they were risking — both of them. A desperate gamble cast against the tide of two kingdoms lurching toward war. The road ahead would not be kind. But the fate of the realm, and everyone in it, hung in the balance.