I fight to keep my eyes open while Naoki secures our hologram projection with Xander, Aportkal's (leader, king, etc.). I run my hand through my grimy white hair impatiently while sleep fights to take over. I'm certain I have dark circles under my eyes, but it can't be helped; It's the price of fighting a war.

My body shivers. This room is in the center of the castle, the oldest and most rundown part; Insulation is non-existent, the brick walls are chillingly cold and become colder in the winter. But as uncomfortable as the room is, it's the most secure area in all of Pobeda, making it ideal for meetings and secure battle tactics.

"Sir, our connection is secure," Naoki announces before flipping switches on the control panel. "Projecting in 3, 2, 1."

Xander's tall frame towers over mine even as a hologram. His usually smiling face is grim and serious, a bearer of bad news. The way he anxiously clutches his claymore, Excalibur, only increases the seriousness of the situation.

"Shu, you're not looking so well. The war is taking it's toll on you," he says calmly.

A half-hearted chuckle escapes my lips as I tilt my head to see him eye to eye. "When I began my rule over Vysokaya, I never expected to go to war so soon. Lui has no patience for these things. How's Aportkal doing?"

"You know what they say; stuff that's planned doesn't usually go according to plan. Aportkal is fine, although trade from the north is being stopped by Hvit's navy. We trade enough to stay up and running, but Hviti goods are no longer passing through. What about Vysokaya?"

I let out a heavy sigh. "Nothing has improved. We're still encountering krige in masses. We lost 83 in a skirmish this afternoon. Villages are being raided and my people are still being taken as prisoners to Sokkelskrem. I feel so powerless to protect them."

He looks at me with pity. "I'm sorry about that, Shu, but I'm doing the best I can. I have to keep the Watch here, but anyone who is willing is trained and sent to your cause," he says as his shoulders slump. He suddenly looks far older than he really is. He is only 19; too young to be in charge of so many responsibilities.

"But all isn't lost, my friend. I have something that could change the course of this war."

"Then tell me."

I gesture Naoki to come closer so Xander can see him. "I'll have Naoki fill you in."

He stands next to me and bows in Xander's direction, who nods his head. He adjusts his glasses before beginning his report. "We've received reports of a new fleet of Hviti soldiers coming from our eastern border with Kitrinos. From what we've heard, it's a large group but carrying such a large capacity of people, horses, weapons and rations would be impossible without stopping on Firiyi for supplies."

"Have you checked with Free if any Hviti military vessels have docked there?" Xander interrupted.

Naoki huffed in annoyance but continued nonetheless. "We have indeed double and triple checked. In fact, Firiyi is closed to Hviti ships, military or otherwise. They simply couldn't have snuck all of that right under the Guard's nose. It's impossible, even for their precious Luinor dragon."

"Okay, so what's the point here," Xander asked.

"The point here," I began while dismissing Naoki. "Is that I have an idea of how they're doing this, but have a suspicion that a country has secretly allied with Hvit and I know who."

"Surprise me."

"Kitrinos."

Xander is caught completely off guard. "Kitrinos? Zenkuro's country? I don't think he would do something like that. Ally with Lui? As much as it hurts to admit, he's a bit of a... what's the word?" he ponders for a second. "Diva, I believe is is the word. He's kept himself out of the war so far, why get involved now?"

"I don't know, we all have our reasons to be involved. Maybe Lui offered him something, like wealth or power. Who knows?" I counter.

He rubs his chin as he processes the information. "Who's to say Free lied to you and is secretly allied with Lui? Firiyi is a small country and would gain from having an ally as powerful as Lui," he argues.

"That's also a reason why it would be best for him to remain neutral," I state. Xander remaines silent, allowing me to continue.

"Like you said, Firiyi is a small country, meaning it's population is rather small as well. If he were to get involved and deploy his people as soldiers, he would lose his entire Royal Guard and three-fourths of his general population. With the cruelty Hviti commanders order their soldiers combined with the harsh conditions, 80% of those three-fourths will die," I explain.

"But if he let's them dock and trade secretly in his harbors without keeping records, he could gain from that trade."

"Incorrect," Naoki interjects.

"How so?" Xander challenges.

"Firiyi's harbors are still open to Kitrinos, Vysokaya and your own country, Aportkal. By staying neutral, he can trade openly with three countries, meaning more money. But if he is allied with Hvit, his trade is closed off to Vysokaya, Kitrinos and Aportkal, which reduces his trade income by 60%. Asides from that, he doesn't get any money from secret illegal trading unless he himself arranged it with Lui in person," Naoki informs.

Xander still looks unconvinced.

I wear my poker face as Naoki and Xander's argument continues. This is bad, very bad. I need Xander to believe my theory or he won't cooperate in the plan. He's always been so skeptical, and would always find a way to dismiss a theory with evidence. The best I can do is tell him my plan and hope it convinced him.

"Hear me out, I have a plan to confirm or debunk my theory," I say with slight desperation. "But to do that I need Ukyo."

"Woah, woah, woah you are not taking Ukyo with you on a super dangerous mission or something. I need all my generals here and Ukyo is my best. I won't allow it," he adamantly says.

I pull on my hair frustratedly. I need Ukyo on the team for this mission to work. I need to convince Xander somehow. "Xander please, I swear if the plan works, he will be out of harm's way. I need him just this once," I pleaded. "Please."

"And if it doesn't go according to plan?" he asks.

I lowered my head as I played through the scenario in my head. If all went according to plan, we would gain valuable information about Kitrinos' status in the war and get away unscathed. But if it didn't.....

"We all die."