“The thermal upwelling did not seem like it had been there for a long time. I believe you might be correct. Also, I am detecting minute vibrations that might indicate that the enemy is investigating. Weapons power is at nineteen percent.”

“Granddaughter, have I told you that I am very glad I journeyed back home with you? This is the best after-dinner table entertainment I can recall since the eleventh century, no, I take that back— since ever.”

“Oh? Is dinner over? I think I want seconds,” Declan said, standing up.

“Declan!” Stacia said with just a trace of sharpness. He turned and held out his hand and she put her plate in it. “Thanks,” she said with a smile. “Some more of that brisket, if you would.”

“Good job training him,” Lydia said approvingly. “Just remember to keep a firm hand or he’ll backslide quicker than you’d think possible.”

Stacia didn’t respond other than to look at Chris and Tanya. Chris just smiled and his wife rolled her eyes at her sister’s snark.

“You are remarkably unworried about your computer’s avatar?” Senka asked Declan.

“He would have commented if any of his systems were less than nominal. Sounds like his force shielding has been supporting all that rock. As long as he keeps the top and bottom fields fully powered, the battle drone won’t even have the pressure of the stone directly on it. If he wanted out, he’d start moving rock, but like you already said… he’s trapping his trappers.”

“I am just interested in the level of faith you have in the machine’s abilities,” Senka said.

“Other than myself, Father knows more about all of my technology than anyone else on the planet. We confer multiple times daily about all aspects of it.”

“So it’s safe to say that Declan’s knowledge of this new, alien machinery would be valuable?” Senka asked.

The room went silent, glances being exchanged, eyebrows lifting as understanding followed her words.

“Mother?” Galina asked.

“I’m just pointing out yet another aspect of our young friend here that needs to be considered. My understanding is that Omega is the greatest, fastest, most powerful computing machine the world has ever seen. Yet it asks Declan’s opinion on tactical situations involving Zinnia and her forces. Either that is done to make him feel good, which is illogical and which I personally reject, or it values his opinion. Omega, how many opinions do you value?”

“I value Tanya’s with markets, economics, and business. I value Chris’s with anything to do with demons. I value Father’s and Aunt Ashling’s with arcane topics. I value Father’s with anything to do with Fairie, and mixing technology with arcane power. I value Stacia’s with anything to do with Father. I would defer to you on topics regarding Darkkin.”