“You wished to see me, Majesty?” Jeiel said, entering the War Room soon after being contacted. “You do realize the seriousness of our situation and that I really cannot spare…”

“Cease talking, Jeiel, and sit down.”

Surprised at the gruff authority in Dammen’s tone, Jeiel fell silent before his sovereign and instantly obeyed, waiting as Dammen directed everyone else from the room before sitting down at his control station to face him. The handsome cambra knew that only something of extreme importance would have made the Altair pull him from his duties during a war of such magnitude.

Dammen retrieved Jenny’s journal and played with it between his fingers before...