TO The Queen.

Aurora had stayed where I had left her to hide. I found Rose with her mother in the healing pool while the other high priestess was busy trying to fix the barrier. Ava was busy treating minor wounded who didn't need the healing pool. It was probably her modesty that kept her from going into the pool. Rose wanted to stay and help beside her mother despite the danger.

I waited until the barrier was back up before me and Aurora rode for home reaching it before early morning. We got to the castle and I asked to see the queen. I had to wait a bit before being led to throne room. The Queen sat at her throne and a man I had seen in the company of the duke stood nearby as did Araseli. Who had flown ahead yesterday.

"Your Majesty." I bowed.

"What is so important that you seek an audience with the queen at this early of an hour?" The man shook his head.

"The barrier at the elder grove was breached." I said as I looked up.

"What? How, who?" The man said in shock.

"Dark elves. At least the ones I saw. The Arch Magus was badly wounded when she put up a fight as well as a few dozen elves and centaurs. Willow pursued after them and she had me come here."

"My Queen. Another envoy from the elves." A voice said. The queen waved her fingers. I looked back to see Ava coming in and bowed when she got next to me.

"Your Majesty. Princess Willow had me fly back here as fast as I could. A mercenary group of at least ten thousand mercenaries have crossed the border and or heading this way." Ava said and held out a piece of paper. The aid took it to the queen who opened it and looked it over.

"How long do we have?" The Queen asked.

"She said they will reach Hunter's Rest by morning." Ava said. From there they would be able to march on the capital.

"The bastards know we have the bulk of our forces engaged in a war with the usurper. We will have to pull our men back and make a stand at the castle." The man shook his head.

"Your majesty, with your permission I wish to try and make a stand at hunters rest." I spoke up.

"That's suicide. We can never hold that fort in the condition it is in." The old man shook his head at me.

"No. Probably not. But it would give as many people as possible the chance to make it to city and allow you time to call in more men to defend the city." I gave the man a look. I would be damned if I let a single person we had saved at Goblinstown die now if I could do something about it.

"Very well. We will send you as many men as we can spare. The Garrison at Rivers end will join you.
Buy the people as much time as you can and then fall back to the city."

"Yes your grace." I nodded.

"Valkyrie? What is your position?" The Queen asked.

"Ava you grace. I am a healer with the academy." Ava did a nod.

"Can you fly?"

"I am tired but I can fly your grace." Ava nodded.

"Men. Get her some food and drink." Araseli spoke up.

"Right away captain." One of the guards moved off.

"We will have need of you and my captain to spread the word." The Queen said as she stood up and walked over toward me and whispered in my ear. "Did they take the fruit?"

"Yes your majesty." I nodded glumly.

"No doubt as payment for this army. They will be pissed when they find out its hollow." She smiled.

"Seren had it." I gave her a look and she nodded. She was never one to leave something to chance. Arwen had handed her a bag before she left and Arwen was with the Arch Magus right before that.

"I will send you back to Hunters Rest." She said as she went to touch me.

"Can you send me to the house first? I need something there."

"Very well. Good luck." The Queen smiled.

"You as well my Queen."