Kairu leaned closer.

  "So this is it… What Woody was talking about…"

  "Exactly," Joanna nodded. "The things stolen from the house of Amalia Selpher, Rita’s mother, the night she was murdered. Take a good look."

  Kairu held the brooch up to his eyes, examining it from all sides. It was round, gold-plated, with an intricate design in the center and strange details cast around the edges. On the reverse side was a tiny engraving, a thin silver etching depicting a circle and seven triangles whose sharp points met at the center of the circle. His heart beat faster with excitement.

  "What is this?"

  "The Sun and the Kraken," Rita explained. "It’s the symbol of one of the oldest religious cults of the ancient Nocturns. Thanks to Remiz, we got into the Occultum of the Institute of Magic, analyzed the gold plating, and found out that this item is no less than two thousand years old. Now look at the parchment. Carefully, it’s very fragile."

  "I can’t see anything…" Kairu frowned. "Wait… are those letters? Or just scribbles?"

  "Hieroglyphs of the ancient Nocturn language," said Rita. "The parchment itself is new, by the way. These are the kind commonly used in monasteries, where they still refuse to accept the convenience of the printing press."

  "And what does it say?"

  "Only three hieroglyphs. I’d translate it as ‘Meditation on the Sun and the Kraken.’ But without context, it’s really hard to interpret."

  "What about the coin?" Kairu picked it up and turned it over in his fingers.

  "Look closely," said Rita.

  Kairu did as she suggested. At first glance, the coin seemed ordinary: in shape and weight, it resembled other silver coins used in Aktida. On the obverse was the profile of a king, with the inscription "Aktida, 1453"...

  "Wait," Kairu said. "That’s not Emerlun. And there’s no crown."

  "Good catch. So who is it? All coins bear the profile of the reigning king at the time of minting."

  "The quality of the print isn’t great. But honestly, this guy looks more like Yuf Lainter."

  "Aha!" Viggo cried triumphantly. "That’s exactly what I said!"

  Kairu flipped the coin and was even more surprised. The crest on the reverse was nothing like the one he was used to seeing on Aktida’s currency. Usually it showed an eagle, but on this coin there was a lotus-like flower and below it, a crossed sword and quill.

  "So what does all this mean?"

  "We don’t know," Rita sighed. "I went through every numismatic reference I could find. Found nothing like it... Anyway, these mysteries can wait for later. Now for another piece of news… When Petros left, he severed almost every connection, but he forgot one thing. Ashley Nielder. She was one of the few who went into the First Derelz Expedition and returned alive. Like Petros, Nubel, and Saelin, she chose to live a reclusive life under the protection of the Academy of Sciences. After the expedition, she lectured and conducted experiments for another ten years, then retired to a family estate gifted to her by the Academy. Five years ago, she retired completely and in all that time has only left Onklag County once. But she personally knew Petros, Saelin, Nubel, and Romenford, may those two rest in peace. And she probably knows more about those events now than anyone else, except Saelin and Petros. We thought it would be wise to reach out to her for help."

  "Onklag?" Woody spat on the floor, giving Rita a dark look. "Are you crazy? That’s right under Saelin’s nose. He’s probably already gotten there and killed her, unless the two of them are in it together... He’s taken Boreain now, and his territory borders Onklag directly."

  "I don’t think he could have killed her before the war began, when he didn’t yet have an army," Rita said. "Saelin doesn’t have the guts. Ashley Nielder is, damn it, a very important and influential figure in the Academy of Sciences, the honorary professor of the Mainor’s Institute, a titled countess, and—say what you will—a great sorceress. Her lands are protected by a huge number of defensive spells. As for now... yes, the border now runs along the Flyliene River, but as far as we know, Saelin’s troops haven’t moved further north yet. Honestly, I don’t think Ashley is interfering with him at the moment."

  "That’s odd," Kairu noted. "Not interfering? Or maybe he’s simply allied with her out of old friendship?"

  "We don’t know, and we won’t until we go there ourselves," Rita said. "At the very least, we know that she’s maintained contact with the upper ranks of the Academy of Sciences, including Romenford, and communicated and sent documents through a magical sphere, an invention of Nubel, by the way. The last time was this past winter, during the siege. These spheres connect Mages' Guilds in every city in the world."

  "Even Mainor and Asternia?" Woody asked.

  "Of course."

  "I don’t get it. Then why the hell did Kairu and I drag ourselves halfway across the country with that letter when we could’ve just turned on a little sphere and dictated a message to Telorand through it?"

  His question was met with restrained silence. Jeremy gave a dry chuckle. Dalid said:

  "You know, that’s true. I completely forgot. Jeremy and I have already spoken with Lainter and Hugo, but you haven’t. Still, they said they were planning to tell you everything, so I don’t think it’ll hurt. We’re on the same team now, right? The Twelfth Regiment is still alive."

  "Don’t drag it out," Kairu grumbled. "What is it?"

  "I’ll have to start a little further back," Dalid sighed. "Here’s a brief overview of international politics in Laugdeil, and the role the Cassians play in it."

  Dalid leaned forward and lowered his voice conspiratorially.

  "Tensions in international relations had been growing for a long time, over the last ten years, ever since Emerlun took the throne… The Lake of Aktida only became a point of contention between the three kingdoms. Emerlun quickly fell out with Jake and Raniot, then they fell out with each other. By early summer, relations were already on the verge of collapse; they were all expecting war and secretly building armies. Those plans were derailed by Saelin—war was unleashed not by the monarchs, but by him, and they had no choice but to play along. While Aktida kept suffering defeat after defeat in its war with Saelin, Jake Farian hesitated to take a clear side. But now, with the tide turning and Emerlun ready to storm the Eastern Province, kill Saelin, and take the diamond… Jake will strike, no doubt about it. So will Raniot—last summer, the Nocturn envoys left Aktida offended, and surely rejoiced when the pirates attacked. A war is about to erupt between Aktida, Vaimar, and Rikutiam over the legacy of Saelin’s ruined empire. What’s happening now is nothing compared to the cataclysm that could come if Saelin is taken off the board and the titans clash. His power is nothing but an illusion, he’s playing with tin soldiers. Once the Lake is in one monarch’s hands, they’ll simply destroy each other in a short, brutal world war. Everything will die. Absolutely everything we’ve spent the last hundred years building, our whole fragile civilization. The few survivors will be thrown back into the Stone Age, which would be no different from an apocalypse. Saelin’s tyranny is nothing compared to that threat."

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  "That’s exactly what Petros told us last summer," Rita said quietly. "The prophecy of the ancient Nocturns… It’s coming true right now."

  "But isn’t there a way to prevent that?" Norton asked fearfully.

  "There is," Kairu muttered. The others quickly turned to him. He spoke slowly, rubbing his temples—his head was splitting with pain.

  "This is another thing Petros told us back then... I must take control of the Lake of Aktida. It’s the only way to avoid world war. I don’t yet know what I’m supposed to do with it, Petros didn’t say. I don’t think even he knew. But he was absolutely sure that I, and no one else, had to take the diamond from Saelin."

  "Well, that’s a bright idea, Kairu," Woody said with a sarcastic grin. "The conclusion is obvious. March into the Eastern Province, break into Saelin’s castle, steal the diamond from his lab, and run off to Vaimar. No one will ever think to look for it there. So, shall we?"

  "That’s suicide, Kairu," Viggo cut in, skipping the sarcasm and going straight for the point. "Forget it. We need another way…"

  "…and the Cassians have one," Dalid Eyring finished. "It’s a radical one. The path of revolution against Emerlun and Jake. Strip them of power, and they won’t be able to start a war. This idea goes back to the ancient Nocturns—the forced limitation or abolition of monarchy, through a sea of blood and prolonged civil war. But the outcome is eventual stabilization. Woody, you asked why you were carrying that secret letter to Telorand… Ringus and Geonar are just as dissatisfied with the king as we are. We managed to convince them our actions were right—not directly, of course, but our people in the government worked hard to implant sound, logical ideas. As a result, your letter forged an incredibly strong bond between Mainor and Asternia. The Mages' Guilds and Romenford couldn’t be trusted. The message had to be handed to Telorand personally, so he could think it over while still in the Northern Province. Your journey was of immense importance to the country… If the monarch fails to meet the people’s needs, he must be removed. Power must be handed over to an elected parliament. I believe that’s fair, and fairness is the main weapon we can use against the Lake of Aktida, which for now only divides people. That is the Cassians’ primary mission."

  In the silence that followed, everyone fell into thought, trying to digest Dalid’s speech. The silence was broken by the one they least expected.

  "That’s the model invented by the Nocturns," said Remiz.

  "Exactly!" Dalid smiled. "And it’s a brilliant model. Strange it took us so long to want to return to it. Petros, of course, refined it. Corrected the obvious flaws that could be found from descriptions in historical treatises…"

  "But you want to apply it to Aktida as it exists now. Within its current borders."

  Dalid looked at him in surprise.

  "Of course. What other way is there?"

  "What about the Nocturns? Two thousand years ago, you took our land from us. Now you want to use our model of governance in your own state? What about giving back what was stolen?"

  "I don’t understand what you mean, Remiz," Dalid said slowly.

  Rita suddenly recalled the night at the Garamant’s mansion. She understood. She gave Joanna a worried look. Joanna’s face was unreadable, impossible to tell what she thought of the Nocturn’s words.

  "For all these years, two millennia, Aktida has been ruled by Alven kings," Remiz said. "They clung to this land with all their might, and even if the borders shifted, the whole territory still remained under Alven control. You spoke of fairness. If the Winver dynasty falls, and for the first time in history Aktida is without a king, doesn’t that mean it’s time to bring fairness to the division of land as well? There are as many Nocturns as Alvens, but we’re forced to crowd into Rikutiam, where the land is already crying out in pain, unable to feed us all. If you want to build a new world based on justice, maybe it’s time to return what was unjustly taken by your ancestors?"

  "Hey, hey, Remiz, buddy, cool it!" Viggo shouted from his bed. "That’s ancient history. And it’s too early to talk about dividing the country, while Emerlun’s still in power… And if we start dividing it, the Kalds will want Petista for themselves, more Kalds have always lived there than Alvens..."

  "Ancient or not, your people have never even apologized for that war, and for our exile," Remiz replied. He turned his gaze on Dalid, who was clearly taken aback and at a loss for words.

  "Remiz, Nubel apologized, didn’t he? The expedition for the Lake of Aktida was meant to symbolize the reconciliation of our peoples..." Viggo began again, but Remiz cut him off:

  "Viggo, we all know what Nubel really wanted. That was nonsense. What I want is for you"—he looked at Dalid — "you who call yourselves Cassians, to think. You’re aiming for a very high goal. You want to gain power to help the oppressed. In Rikutiam, millions live who were oppressed by Alven kings two thousand years ago, and who are still suffering from that legacy. Thousands of Nocturns travel to the mainland just to feed their families. Not long ago, we were slaves on your plantations and in your factories. I just want to remind you that maybe you should broaden your definition of justice, if you care so much about it. Otherwise,"—the Nocturn’s eyes suddenly gleamed strangely —"we all know from history lessons that the chaos of civil war can suddenly benefit those who’ve waited years for their moment. The pirates from Talaska have already taken advantage of it."

  He fell silent. Kairu exhaled furtively: this was the first time in his life he had heard the Nocturn give such a long speech. Dalid seemed to come to his senses and collected himself a little.

  "Thank you for that remark, Remiz," he said. "I’m almost finished, just want to draw a conclusion. We have a path. It’s the path of Lainter and Petros, the path of the Cassians, which I set out on quite a while ago and which I intend to follow. And the current plan we’ve arrived at is this: leave things as they are and continue recruiting supporters. And then strike, not waiting for a world war to begin. Overthrow Emerlun. The Kalds will get rid of Jake Farian, the Nocturns can overthrow Raniot—and then, maybe, we can forge an alliance. We’ll be able to peacefully and fairly redefine the border, but only if we all agree on how to govern our lands. Sooner or later, this will happen across all of Laugdeil. I’m sure of it."

  "And how long do we have to wait?" Rita asked calmly. "Wait, don’t answer. Of course, the revolution is just around the corner. It’ll only take a bit—just recruit a few million people in Aktida and Vaimar, arm them all, set an hour X, press a button and—bam!—Aktida becomes a democratic republic under the leadership of Mister Lainter, as the ideological spearhead. Maybe Petros, if he actually survives, will share that heavy burden that he’d rather give up, but can’t, for the sake of the people and a bright future! And we’re supposed to just sit quietly and wait until the big guys decide everything for us and finally press that magic button that starts the irreversible process. Ten years, no more… Meanwhile, mortal danger is already here, and I could be hanged or burned just for sitting here, listening to your speeches, and not reporting your gang to Maclevirr."

  "Your sarcasm is misplaced," Dalid said wearily. "Ten years—you exaggerate. With proper preparation, all this will take at most a year. The masses will only need weapons when a few people already hold power, and by then, all of Aktida’s Arsenal will be free. Along with Yuffilis, there will be a full parliament and several chambers where all officials are equal in rank. Maclevirr… He’s dangerous. We’ll either recruit him to our side, or we’ll have to kill him. That option is being considered too. Yes, this year will need to be endured, it will be long and hard. And certainly the most dangerous. But once it ends, all our troubles will end as well."

  "I’m not so sure," said Kairu. "But that doesn’t matter. That option doesn’t suit me. I won’t wait. If I have to, I’ll go to Onklag alone and talk to Lady Nielder. I’m not interested in a revolution, I’m interested in the fate of the diamond, because it’s inseparably tied to me. Do you understand?"

  "Don’t be stupid," Rita said grimly. "None of us will leave you."

  "Rita…"

  "You heard me."

  "I’m not going with you in any case," said Dalid. "Jeremy and I, and the rest of the Cassians, are needed here. But for storming the Castle, you’ve got enough people already… more than enough." He gave a mocking glance around the room.

  "Lainter and Hellerson will be able to hold back Mainor’s forces until at most June, when reinforcements will arrive from Vaimar. During that time, both sides will be gathering strength, and I doubt Saelin will risk initiating open conflict."

  "So, until June, the southeastern roads will be relatively calm," Rita noted. "Which means if we want to go there, we can't waste any time."

  "Sounds great," said Kairu. "Tomorrow, I want to see Yuf and talk to him personally. Then I’ll be ready to go. And now, I’m utterly exhausted and want to sleep. My whole body aches, and I need to have my wounds redressed."

  "Good," said Viggo. "Midnight heroes, my ass. As if we just came back from a Sunday stroll, not a battle. Honestly, my eyes are still spinning from all the blood I’ve seen today…"

  "…and from that horse hoof kick right into your helmet," Woody added slyly. "Rita, for Aktos’s sake. Bring us a shot of vodka, or I’ll never fall asleep. Too much shock for one day."

  Rita came back very quickly, clearly from her cell in the hospital. She first treated and redressed the wounds of Viggo and Kairu. Then they silently drank, sitting on their beds, grimacing, shaking their heads. The noise of the sleeping city faded. The lights of houses were going out, where for the first time in a long besieged winter, stoves had finally been lit. The drunken shouts of celebrating soldiers drifted away. Even the smell of smoke had almost vanished, and now the victory looked just as it should: solemn, pompous, joyful, and only slightly sad. That minor note was best conveyed by the heavy smell wafting from the gates, but Kairu and the others, gulping the burning alcohol like medicine, naturally didn’t notice it anymore. They felt good.