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“Princess…” Honour trailed off. “I don’t think it’s wise for me to waste time going there.”

“You’re going. That’s an order.” She seemed to be using that line a whole lot more than usual lately, and she didn’t quite mind it as much as she thought. It was nice not to have to argue and to just get her way.

The feel of the water changed as soon as the king entered his study. Soulara nearly stuttered as her lack of confidence hit her full force. Pregtox raised an eyebrow at her, but she didn’t move out of his space and held her ground.

“Will you speak with the Kwights?” Soulara raised her chin. This ask had to be quick and to the point.

Pregtox sneered. “You know I don’t like them.”

“We need them.”

“For?”

“A coordinated attack.”

He hummed, glancing from Soulara to Honour. “And your general agrees?”

“Yes.” They said at the same time.

Pregtox seemed pleased by that. He turned slowly to face Soulara fully. “Tell me your plan.”

Shit. She’d only just started to come up with this. “There are four tribes we can reach within a few days journey. We’ll convince them all to join us. This isn’t a war just for Reine. We’re all affected by it.”

“Convince them how?” Pregtox flicked another glance to Honour.

“The Kwights want Shankman’s Cliff. Give it. The Talons want tech, I’ll negotiate how much. Makryn can bond to form an alliance with the Norah.” Soulara bit her lip, hoping that would be enough of an explanation.

“And the deep sounding tribe?” He was slow when he spoke, because ultimately they wouldn’t want anything from Reine except to be left alone. No one had had any contact with them in so long they’d nearly forgotten they existed. It wasn’t until Kaelin that memories had come to light. “What will you give them?”

“They don’t want anything,” Honour jumped in. “And they’re pacifists.”

“They weren’t always that way.” Soulara sent Honour a sharp look. She didn’t appreciate being interrupted or having Honour answer for her.

“Go on,” Pregtox stated as he gave Soulara his full attention.

“They fought us. It’s why we left. They fight against change, technology, everything they find unnatural to the world. And they do want something.” Soulara steadied herself, because she had no idea how much her father knew and didn’t know. If her mother had shared, then he would understand immediately. “They want soul stones.”

A deep line formed in the center of Pregtox’s forehead. “Do you have any for trade?”

“I can… try to find some.” It would mean speaking with her mother again, since Milan seemed to have some magic way with finding them. Nylah appeared over Pregtox’s shoulder, staring Soulara down. For the first time since Soulara had been given the soul stone she felt Nylah send her waves of happiness.

Did they want to be reunited with the deep sounding tribe?

“Will you command the army you’re creating?”

“We will work together as tribes who have come together,” Soulara responded, defiantly. She didn’t want to be a general, and she certainly didn’t want to be the leader of a giant army. She had no experience with that. Autumn would be a better choice than her.

Soulara’s heart sank.

Where did Autumn fit in all of this?

They were planning on attacking the very kraken that Autumn was going to be in, which would mean Autumn would likely die. Soulara swallowed the lump in her throat. Perhaps she did need to be in the battle.

“An army without a leader sounds like anarchy.” Pregtox eyed Honour over, the two of them having a silent conversation.

“I’ll figure it out,” Soulara mumbled.

“Fine.”