Chapter52: The Moments Before

*​​River* After the revelation that Queen Kimalissa’s magic is gone, everyone disperses to deal with the implications. Brook and Permiton have disappeared to the library to see if they can find any precedent for what’s happening. Akin has disappeared to the barracks to be of service to the other soldiers in any way he can. Once again, I’m left without any real purpose. So, I stand on the balcony of the palace, stone cold beneath my hands, and watch as the enemy armies spread across the distant hills. The blue and silver streamers of the Oceana flags catch the wind, their metallic edges reflecting the sun like blades. They aren’t alone. Direken’s forces from Ambrosia march at their flank, cloaked in crimson. The barrier hums weakly in the distance, stretched thin and ready to break at any moment. It’s holding for now, but barely. One bad blow, and the whole thing could collapse. Maerilee doesn’t think she’s strong enough to fix it. She doesn’t trust herself, and maybe she doesn’t trust