The route, though slightly perilous, served fairly what Amara had been desiring. They placed an order for a hundred white furs that would help them merge with the snow. 

Amara had worn armour before. It had been a bother, but now, when she put on the embellished silver armour, she felt powerful. Not only was it lightweight, but also sturdy. A dark blue cape fluttered behind her as she walked. Initially, she received a deep red cape, but Amara changed it to a different colour.

She had invited Damien to see her, so she had dismissed all the servants who had assisted her.

The War Council had unanimously decided that they would send a hundred and seventy warriors through the unforgiving terrain. The rest of the army would take the conventional route. They were to leave four days hence, with Lord Tyhane leading the former and Amara leading the latter. 

Raphael would assist Lord Tyhane through the route since he had already witnessed the harshness and lived through it. 

'You'll leave soon,' Damien sighed as he gazed at Amara through the mirror. He held a leather-bound book in one hand and his walking stick in the other.

Suddenly, the armour made her feel stuffy. The reality of what she was about to do hit her hard. The armour wasn't something that embellished her. Suddenly, it had become a reminder of the serious responsibility that rested on her shoulders. It was a reminder of the lives that she commanded. The lives that she was responsible for. 

Was this something she was meant to do? What if Damien were harmed again? What if this time she wasn't as lucky as she was the last time? 

She began to untie her vambrace in an attempt to get rid of the feeling. This? Is this really who I am? Will my idea really work? Will more people lose their lives?

He hobbled toward her. 'Wait.' He rested his injured arm against the table and the book as well before he began to adjust the straps that held the vambrace in place. 'There. Is it better now?'

Amara looked at him. 'It is.' Her voice shook.

He embraced her. 'You'll come back soon.' 

'Will this work, Damien? What if something untoward happens? What if I haven't thought this through?' She wept. 

'You have thought this through, Amara,' he stroked her hair. 'Many, many times. If anything happens, you can find a way out.'

The conviction with which he said those words comforted her. 

'I've received some news,' he said when she remained quiet. 'The Demon Queen is still unconscious,' he whispered. 'Right now, the Demon Kingdom is torn into multiple factions, and none of them is more overpowering than the other. If we want to win, the time is now.'

Amara agreed with him. Then- 'Is the Lornis clan one of them?'

'Yes, but we still have the upper hand. They are not popular among the subjects there.' 

'I was looking for something that could help us if we're pitted against them. They are the biggest threat.'

Her gaze landed on the book. 'Is this what this is about?' She flipped through the pages casually. 

'Yes. It is a book on their customs and powers.' He pursed his lips. 'I might not know much about them, but I found a spell that could give you an advantage over them.' He flipped over to the page he had marked with a bright blue ribbon. Amara studied the spell for a while before she raised her head and beamed at him. She pecked his cheek, 'You're a genius!' 

A slight colour tinted his face and neck, which went unnoticed since she was admiring the spell.

'I think I still have time to come up with something,' She said. 'Maybe I can use this spell in combination with others. That will give us a far greater advantage.' 

'I'm glad it could help.'

She smiled at him. 

'But don't push yourself too far, Amara. I want you to come back to me.' 

'Are you nervous?'

'Yes.'

'Don't you have faith in me?' She teased. 

'I do, but I wish I could go with you.'

'Not a chance, Damien,' she said sternly. 'You haven't recovered.'

'Then do you promise?'

'I promise I'll return victorious.' 

He hugged her. 'Did I tell you how magnificent you look right now?'

She buried her head in his shoulder. 'You did now.' 

*

Lord Tyhane and Raphael set out, leading three hundred warriors toward the heart of the Demon Kingdom, while Amara led two thousand of them through the longer route. The former would take about three and a half days to reach the Capital. The latter would take seven days to reach the border. This was all planned.

The reason why it was imperative for Lord Tyhane to reach the Capital at the earliest was sow the seeds of discord. The different factions in the Demon Kingdoms were wary of one another, and to keep it that way, Amara had devised a plan. They would spread rumours among each of the factions that the others were helping the Dithrai in order to tip the scales and gain supremacy. And by the time they would come to terms with it and take any actions, Amara would attack the border.

Undoubtedly, some factions, if not all, would arise to take the bait. They would send their warriors to reclaim the border. In the midst of the chaos, Lord Tyhane's army would spread another rumour- this time about the Queen's passing. Of course, it would be just a rumour. This would cause panic among the subjects, and the civil war that would break out would weaken the factions.

At this time, Lord Tyhane's warriors would invade the Demon castle and hold the Demon Queen captive. Amara would then march into the capital, cut through the chaos, and straight into the castle. There, the two parts of the army would merge and collectively get hold of the Capital.

This would occur over a period of fifteen days. These days were crucial.