Echoes of the Concealed Realm

9

Mira was utterly surprised that morning when greeted by both Amer and Ayra with an open invitation to join them in their throne room. The room was supposedly exclusive to them, yet they asked her to contribute to their political discussions.

She was about eighty percent sure that this was some manipulative ploy but... How much did she even care?

"Why would their army head back?!" Amer asked Ayra frustrated, as Mira just listened it.

"They did not just head back to their own state, a few of the ships moved somewhere else. Took a completely different path."

Ayra with furrowed brows, was also confused about Zayer' motives.

"What happened to Sanah?" Ayra asked as Amer shrugged.

"No words for the past three days. It's safe to assume that she's-"

"Who's Sanah?" Mira asked finally.

"Our spy." Ayra said. "Not anymore, I guess. How about we send Jason?"

"No. I am not sending anymore of my people." Amer said glaring at Ayra.

"Our people." Ayra corrected with a raise eyebrow. Amer had never spoken to her regarding their kingdom like this. What was going on? Mira smirked slightly at the visible cracks. 

"Our people? You care, Ayra?!" Amer asked, getting up from his chair and pointing an accusatory finger at his sister. Ayra matched his intensity, yet Mira could tell how cautious she was. No matter how aggravated Ayra got, she was always aware of Mira being in the room; unlike Amer, who let frustration take an upper hand over logic.

Ayra slightly shifted her eyes to Mira, signaling Amer to stop talking.

"Alec-" Amer said but Ayra cut him off.

"Alec's not going anywhere." Ayra said cutting him off. "He's staying right here in this castle. I refuse to send him to Kitsuri."

"He's our most skilled analytical ninja, you think-"

Mira's eyes narrowed. So, Alec was their brain? It had to have Ayra's hand too.

She then looked at the maps beneath all of the papers, getting bored of the twins. If a few of the army just separated from the others and went ahead in a different direction instead...

Where could they possibly go? Mira contemplated staring deep into the papers.

How far could Zayer stretch his plans?

Mira pondered for a little while.

Until it hit her.

Her eyes slightly lit up at the realization.

"Yo imbeciles!" Mira called out to the arguing twins. "They were heading to Orachi. I think Zayer wants to take over Orachi." 

The two of them stared with his mouths slightly agape as Mira smirked. This Zayer had some balls.

"How do you- what?! That's a risky move why would he do that?" Ayra asked.

Hmm. Risky indeed. 

"If a few people headed away from the rest of the army, but also not towards your kingdom, they only have two other continents to reach through the seas: Ahana or Orachi. They would never attack Ahana. Even Zayer would know that's out of reach for now. Its sister kingdom Orachi is much easier to break however. If he conquers Orachi, he has more manpower. He can then take over Morik and then soon overpower Ahana." Mira laughed slightly. The plan was good, but not good enough.

Ahana was an ally to Orachi, and if it were to aid Orachi with the soon to be war with Kitsuri, the former stands no chance. No matter how strong Zayer is, he cannot overtake all three kingdoms at once. It had to be done in a very steady and cautious manner. Either he's being delusional or has something greater going through his mind. Mira sighed, it was probably the latter.