After listening to the report, the king of Ryukyuu rubbed his temples. “These Wisp Stealers are going to be a larger problem than I thought, aren’t they?” he asked. Andrew decided it was probably a rhetorical question didn’t answer, though he was in complete agreement with the sentiment.

  “How many groups did he say were in the country?” Captain Yamada asked.

  “He didn’t know for certain,” Andrew said. “They may go deeper into hiding, now that one of their larger strike forces has been destroyed. Elias was supposed to be the strongest mage on this side of the mountains.”

  The captain crossed his arms and pressed his lips together. The Ryukyuujin were pleased that the Wisp Seekers had managed to bring the bandit back alive. Few were enthusiastic about what the group had managed to learn from their captive, though.

  The king noticed the dissatisfaction among his commanders. “Peace. The news is grim, but useful. It is at least enough to confirm the story our guests told us about the Grealish Chancelor, Daniel.”

  “And Zech,” Peter said from behind Andrew. The king gave Peter an indulgent smile, and nodded.

  “Yes. And it is good to know that this enemy is not quite so united as they seem,” the king said.

  “They seem fairly united,” Captain Yamada pointed out. “They are strong allies at the very least.”

  “Yes. But two factions working together, which we might divide. They need not always be allies.”

  “From what the bandit told us,” Andrew said, “it sounds more like a group with two leaders. Daniel is still the primary leader, using the group for political purposes. They’re partners. It seems like Zech just had another group operating in the region toward some other goal.”

  “Which is still unknown,” one of the Ryukyuujin commanders muttered.

  “A valid point,” the king said. “But still, it is information we can use. We know this Zech’s other team is now operating on the coast, south of where the Nordarin Prince landed before. And they are unaware of our knowledge. We might use this to launch a strike upon them and gain further intel.”

  “We’ve also learned that there really was a coup in Grealand,” Captain Yamada said. “And that the usurper really is trying to provoke a fight. I’m disinclined to participate on his terms.”

  “Yes,” the king said, his expression growing more somber. “Information is at a premium, and it would be unwise to march where the enemy sends us. We may walk into his spear.”

  A few murmurs of agreement echoed around the pavilion. Andrew felt relief wash over him. As uneasy as many of the Ryukyuujin soldiers clearly felt, the fact that Daniel’s schemes were, if not in the open, at least visible slowed down the prospect of war by more than he’d dared to hope. He glanced over his shoulder and could tell from the expression on her face that Anna had a similar reaction. Peter didn’t seem to be listening quite as much. Andrew supposed he was still disappointed that Veithi didn’t want to travel with them and had already gone back to her nest. Andrew thought it was for the best. It was difficult enough to operate normally with just Jarnvaror carrying them around.

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  Andrew turned his attention back to the king as he went on. “We have learned something else very important from these events. The Wisps, and those who use them, are not to be underestimated. An intelligent mage empowered by the creatures is beyond most of what we can muster, and they will use tactics that diminish our capacity to fight back. Not unless we have our own Wisps defending us.”

  Most eyes in the room swung toward Anna. She continued to look straight ahead, though Andrew saw as she moved her hands together to clasp the bracelet at her wrist.

  “Perhaps the power should be divided among our mages, so we can better defend against this Grealish Usurper?” suggested one of the officers. “Perhaps a few warriors as well, so we may stand on equal footing. With them.”

  “Can you spare us the Wisps?” the king asked Anna.

  Anna took a breath before she began. “I don’t know how the Wisp Stealers get control of their Wisps,” Anna said. There were a few angry mutters. Andrew managed to hear the officer who’d made the suggestion’s comment about refusal to answer. The king waved a hand for silence, then gestured for Anna to continue. “I’ve unwoven the spell, but could never make sense of it. It was only because the Wisps I had with me were helping that I was able to do it.”

  Anna looked around at the various officers. “That’s the key difference,” she said. “I’m working with the Wisps. They want something. I think they want to be together. We’re still learning to communicate, though. I could ask that some of them stay behind, but I don’t know if they would understand. Even if they understood, I don’t know if they would listen.”

  “You were able to command them alright after the battle,” Haru the mage pointed out.

  “That was relatively simple,” Anna said. “Help this person do this thing. I don’t have to ask them to split up. Or teach others how to communicate with them.”

  Haru nodded his understanding and leaned back. Others among the officers didn’t seem to understand. But the King’s expression lit up as he leaned forward. “She’s like a beast tongue, but for the Wisps,” he said. The others looked at him, and he smiled and gave the group a shrug. “If you asked me to give orders to your house cats, I could, but I could not predict how they would behave.” He said. “Somehow, cats like me, as dragons like the young man over there. They’ll do things for us they would never do for any of you. So too, it seems, with the Wisps.”

  “I’m sure that you and Peter are better able to communicate with your respective beasts than I am with the Wisps,” Anna said. This, at last, seemed to put the officers at ease. Or at least, it directed their attention away from Anna.

  “Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise,” Andrew muttered.

  “Why is that?” the king asked.

  Andrew blinked, not realizing he’d made the comment aloud. As he tried to get his thoughts in order, he realized where his mind had been going. “In all our travels, we’ve only encountered one mage or warrior who controlled more than ten Wisps, and that was while she was collecting them.” Andrew saw realization dawn on Captain Yamada’s face and a few others right away, but he continued. “Anna, though controls several dozen. More even than the most dangerous Wisp Taken we’d ever encountered. We don’t know how many Wisps the Wisp Stealers have. But they are spread out. If we go after them one at a time, Anna is guaranteed to win.”

  “Assuming they never gather en masse like in Borac,” the king pointed out.

  Andrew nodded. He looked at the other officers. “But, at the very least, we know that isn’t the case with the at the coast.”

  “Which means you three are still the most effective weapon against them,” Captain Yamada said.

  Andrew thought that might be a bit too strong a statement. “I don’t think I’d like to fight them with just the three of us. A few more ground forces wouldn’t hurt.” He looked back at the king. “But we need the information as well, to save both our country and yours from the usurper.”

  The Ryukyuujin king nodded. “Yes. I think I shall take you up on that.”