The Raven's Forge

Chapter Five: THE COUNCILS BLADE

The morning sun crept through the high windows of the great hall, painting the stone floor in shades of pale gold. Valeria stood at the head of the long oak table, her hands resting on her father's empty chair. The horn hung at her belt, hidden beneath her cloak. Silence rested at her hip, warm and waiting.

The council had been summoned again.

She knew why. Her uncle Malachar had been busy. She had seen him whispering to the lesser lords, his eyes glinting with barely concealed ambition. He was building a coalition against her, gathering allies who would support his claim to the duchy.

She had expected this. But she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

The doors opened, and the council filed in. Seven faces. Seven sets of eyes. They took their seats around the table, their postures rigid, their expressions carefully neutral.

Malachar entered last. His smile was thin and dangerous.

"Niece," he said, taking his seat. "I trust you slept well."

"Well enough."

"Good. Because I have called this meeting to discuss something of great importance."

Valeria's hand tightened on her father's chair. "The council is mine to call, Uncle."

"And yet, here we are." He spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "I thought it best to speak now, before matters grew more complicated."

"What matters?"

Malachar leaned forward, his eyes glittering. "A report arrived this morning from the eastern border. A village was attacked last night. Burned to the ground. The survivors speak of strange lights in the sky. Creatures unlike anything they have seen before."

Valeria's blood ran cold.

"What kind of creatures?"

"Reptilian. Armored. They came from the sky in a vessel of silver metal."

The words hung in the air like a blade.

Valeria forced herself to remain calm. She kept her face neutral, her voice steady. "And what do you think these creatures were?"

"I was hoping you could tell us." Malachar's smile widened. "You have been so secretive lately. So mysterious. I wondered if perhaps you knew something we didn't."

"I know nothing of these creatures."

"Are you certain?" He leaned back in his chair. "Because I have been doing some research. About the old legends. The ones that speak of beings from beyond the stars."

The room grew still.

"The Vraxxians," Malachar continued. "That's what they are called. A race of conquerors from another world. The old texts speak of them in whispers. They have been watching our world for centuries. Waiting."

He fixed his gaze on Valeria.

"And now they have come."