High Lord Tiesto smiled, turning to Miro. "Yet you've been there, yourself, Lord Marshal, and survived to tell the tale. One day you'll have to tell me that story."

"At your convenience." Miro smiled. "So, High Lord, we can safely assume the Veznans are out of the war."

"Can we expect any assistance?"

"It's highly doubtful," Rogan said. "The Veznans, true to form, are already implementing an isolationist policy. I'm sure they wish they'd never entered the war."

"Leaving us to pick up the pieces," Tiesto said.

Miro looked at his second-in-command. "Marshal Beorn, you're the most up to date with the Petryan situation."

Beorn scratched at his beard before speaking. "The second item of good news is that the desert men of Raj Hazara have taken Tlaxor, the Petryan capital."

There were gasps around the room as those who hadn't heard the news reacted.

"They say a great magic was performed at Lake Halapusa," Beorn looked sidelong at Miro, "and the unconquerable city was taken in a day."

Miro had the news second-hand, but had been relieved beyond belief to hear about the incredible freezing of the lake and the golden-haired woman who had saved innumerable lives, both in Petrya and here in Halaran.

His thoughts darkened, however, when he thought about an eventual meeting with this desert prince. No one, not anyone, came to Miro's home under the pretence of friendship and took his sister away from him.

"The Petryans are also out of the war," Beorn said, "but these horsemen are heading for Tingara as we speak. They move faster than we do, and they haven't made clear their intentions. Rumour says the Hazarans are building a city, deep in the desert, and I hear they are a violent people."

"This is a matter for concern," High Lord Tiesto said. "We have to place this at the top of our agenda, even higher than the destruction of these horrific essence plants, I'm afraid. The Hazarans cannot be the first to reach Seranthia. The empire is in ruins, and what happens to Seranthia will determine the future of the world."

"I agree whole-heartedly," Miro said. "We must be the first to Seranthia. This Prince Ilathor is not to be trusted, and his motives are unclear. Which brings me to the next item on the agenda," he paused, licking his lips, "the Akari."

One of Tiesto's lords, a man Miro knew not at all, raised his eyebrows so high it looked like they would jump out of his head. "The Akari? Tales to frighten children. Any rumours about them should not be credited."

"Let the Lord Marshal speak," Rogan growled.

"We've sent some scouting patrols into the Azure Plains — risky ventures behind enemy lines. We expected losses, but nothing of this scale. Hardly any of our patrols have returned, but those who've made it back alive speak of white-eyed warriors who cannot be defeated."

"Revenants?" the Halrana lord snorted. "I thought we were here to discuss strategy."