They join Sylvia’s council of war

It takes a little while to get Gill up to speed on where he is and what’s happening, allowing time for he and Lux to clean themselves up and get dressed. Gill seems embarrassed, confused, and – increasingly, fiercely – angry. At Athisz, at the enslavement of his fellow townsfolk, at the deception that has uprooted his whole community.

Willow leads the way back to the main glade, where Sylvia and Juniper are waiting for them. A few other dryads, and a handful of pixies and other fey, are in attendance – the lone treant is starting to look a little crowded. Lux spots Minn giving her a dirty look, annoyed at having missed out yet again while attending to the Queen’s wishes.

Anticipation hangs in the air. The Valley has been changeless for uncountable time, and now everything is happening at once. Lux hovers uneasily, aware of suspicious eyes fixing on her and Gill. After everything she’s done – but then, in a valley of timeless and tricksy fey, trust can’t be a quick thing.

“It’s good that you’re here,” Sylvia says, with a nod to the two mortals in her presence that seems to defuse some of the tension. “Those still loyal to me have answered the call, and I would prefer not to give our enemy more time to prepare. We will march on the Court, and put an end to this.”

“Wait,” Lux says, at the same moment Gill cuts in with “Hold on.” He gives her a nod to keep talking. “The villagers Athisz took from Hollowstone are all around the Court,” she continues. “Gill’s people. They’ll get caught in the middle.”

“Exactly,” Gill says. “We were brought here against our will. We’re not your enemy.”

Sylvia frowns. “I’d rather your people not be harmed,” she says, “but what do you suggest?”

“Well, what if…” Lux racks her brain. “What if we advance enough to draw the enemy’s attention without attacking, and a few of us sneak inside? If you can reason with your husband – or if we can deal with Athisz – it’ll all be over, won’t it?”

Gill nods. “I know my way around the defences,” he says. “I can show you how to get past.”

“Trust our Queen to you, should we?” the towering treant grumbles somewhere overhead.

“We can trust him,” Willow says. “I have no doubt.”

“A chance to settle things directly, with as few lives risked as possible,” Sylvia says. She pauses for a few moments. “Very well. I approve. Once we are near the Court, I will delegate command of our main **** and join you.”

The pixies and dryads close in around here as she begins giving orders, speaking quickly in the forest tongue. A few look doubtful, but none appear ready to speak against their Queen. One by one, they disperse.

Once her couriers have been sent on their way, Sylvia calls Minn over and joins Lux and Gill on the edge of the clearing. Gill still looks a little shell-shocked – he’s just woken up into this strange new world. Lux gives him what she hopes is a reassuring nod, and turns to Sylvia.

“Do you think you’ll be able to get the Erlking to see sense?” she asks quietly.

Sylvia looks at her for a moment. “I think I can make a persuasive argument,” she says.