"This could very well mean war."

King Phoenix nodded absently, his hands clasped in front of his mouth as his dark red eyes scanned the map in front of him. The men sitting around the table waited expactantly, some grasping the table. He looked up at them, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Our scouts have not yet returned, my Lord," one of the generals said. "That can only be warning sign. We most mobilize troops now."

"But we have no idea what's out there," one of the delegates said, a nervous man by the name of Aregard. "What if they just got caught in a storm going through the pass? Then we'll have worried out people for nothing."

"And if not, our people will perish!"

Arguments broke out all along the table, voices ringing off the dark chamber walls. Phoenix rubbed his forehead warily, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Alright, gentleman," he said, opening an eye to look at all of them. They instantly fell silent, leaning forward to hear what he had to say. "You've all made valid points. Aregard is right, we cannot send out troops blindly charging into war if there is nothing to fight. General, increase the defenses, get some men ready, but do not prepare them to mobilize just yet. We need time to understand what's attacking us."

"Sir, I fear we will not have time," the general said irately. Phoenix raised an eyebrow at the man, then stood up, bracing his hands against the table.

"I will not risk our men," he said, his voice soft and smooth, as if he were talking to an infant. "I learned a very long time ago never to charge into battle blindly." He sat back down, nodding to them all. "You are dismissed. We will meet again tomorrow." The men all filed out, leaving the King alone to stare at the map laid out in front of him. Although his calm demeanor betrayed nothing, he was worried. He had never hoped to see war in his long, long lifetime, and yet now, only fifty years later, Allona was threatened once again. And this time, there was no hope of diminishing the threat through old ties. Even Phoenix had to admit, he knew nothing of what was coming at them.

He looked into the shadows across from him, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "You can come out now, Shadow," he said. Seconds later, a young, black-haired woman stepped out of the shadows, a guilty smile on her face.

"How did you know I was there," she asked, coming around the table. She kneeled, her head bowed respectfully. "Not even the Duke knew I was there, and he almost tripped over me."

"It's called being your father," he said, ruffling her dark hair. She made a face and got to her feet, standing next to him. "You're mother would be furious if she knew you were here."

"Only because she couldn't be here, too," she countered with a victorious grin. Phoenix snorted, rolling his eyes affectionately. "Is there really going to be war, dad?"

"Not if I can help it," he said, but even he doubted his words. He watched his young daughter carefully, observing trivial things about her- how she had her mother's soft, delicate face structure, her eyes the same deep, dark red as his. He dreaded the thought of war breaking out with his child in this world. "How is your mother feeling?" Shadow shrugged, biting her lip.

"She's only getting worse," she said softly. "Her cough is bad, daddy." Phoenix made a face, then got to his feet. He towered over his daughter's 5'6" stature; why she was so short was beyond him. Even her mother stood at a decent 5'10".

"I'll go check on her, then I think I'll take a nap," he said, stepping away from the table. Shadow nodded, watching as her father left. As soon as the door closed, she turned to look back at the map, her eyes wandering over the detailed piece of parchment. She sighed, then turned and left the room as well, closing the doors carefully behind her.