"I understand," Irene replied, her voice softening. "But we cannot stand idly by while our home is threatened. We must find a way to balance our duty with our nature."
They discussed their options, their voices hushed. They reviewed ancient spells, studied forgotten rituals, and debated the limits of the lake’s power. They knew that the Earth Kingdom soldiers would come with fire and steel. They would also be accompanied by dark magic. They needed to be prepared.
Meanwhile, Finn, the young soldier, had been entrusted with scouting the borders, gathering intelligence on the Earth Kingdom's movements. He moved through the forest with the agility of a seasoned warrior, his eyes ever watchful, his senses alert.
He reported back to Irene, his face grim. "They are coming, Princess. The numbers are larger than we anticipated. They are traveling with siege weapons, and they are accompanied by a dark sorcerer."
The revelation of the sorcerer sent a shiver of dread through Irene. She knew that dark magic was a dangerous weapon, and she couldn't help but to imagine the dark power that would be unleashed.