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By the time my costuming was complete, Asahi had found one of his own. He turned away when he took off his mask, and I saw him move quickly to cover his own face with gauze and then a large helmet.

One of General Saxu’s men left the estate with a message from him, and returned a few minutes later with news that Lord Pehine’s men planned to negotiate with us.

General Saxu did not ask what I intended to do, and I was glad, because I wasn’t sure myself. Was I going to kill the men? Even I would struggle to kill that many all at once without forest magic at my disposal, and we were too far from the elder trees for me to attempt it.

I could try using ice magic, but the memory brought up what I had done to Kacha’s army.

As soon as the gates opened, Commander Rede walked through and Asahi and I positioned ourselves toward the back of his retinue. No. It was obvious what I would have to do.

It had been months since I had seen an elephant up close, and their massive size was still shocking. It was like looking at a building come to life.

Lord Pehine’s captain was in front, and he and Commander Rede immediately began greeting each other in the formal imperial way, subtle hand motions and each bowing at the correct angle for the other’s station.

But I was focused on the closest elephant. There were three of them, and the one in front was the largest. Two tusks arched from under its lip and it swung its head back and forth. The last of the daylight showed the thick metal collar it wore around its neck.

So, at least one of Pehine’s men was an electro mage and Bemishu had told him—or perhaps been told by him—how to control the elephants using electro magic.

I could see men on top of the elephants, but from the distance and with sunset casting shadows, it was impossible for me to tell if they were imperials or goblins.

Asahi touched my arm, and we moved to the side. One of Pehine’s men watched us, and Asahi used an accent I had never heard him use before.

“Is that an elephant? Haven’t ever seen one. Heard about ’em. Bemishu brought them to the capital. Are they dangerous?” As he asked, he moved us closer, and Pehine’s man followed. “You’re brave. Wouldn’t catch me close to one of these things.”

“You just have to know how to handle them,” Pehine’s man said. “Them and the goblins both. They need a hard hand. You see the collar up there? With that on, they won’t try anything. They can’t or…”

The man opened his fingers, and electro magic danced between his thumb and forefinger. The elephant shuddered and I saw it take a half step back.

As Asahi kept the man’s attention, I took a few steps away, looking up at the creature.

“Do you have a name?” I asked quietly. Animal speak didn’t need volume if both parties were willing to communicate.

“Who are you? Have they come up with more ways to torture us?” the elephant asked. It tossed its trunk slightly, not enough to dislodge the men riding on its back.

“I knew several elephants. The matriarch was named Eldest. Do you have a name?” I asked again.

“Among my kind they call me Storm Survivor,” the elephant said.

“Inside the estate, we have freed the goblins and intend to send them home. I know there are goblins with you, slaves, we intend to free them too. Will you help us?” I asked.

“I will,” Storm Survivor said. “Though it might be my last action. What shall we do?”

I could ask them to kill the imperials here and now, but the elephants might not be able to distinguish between General Saxu’s men and Pehine’s.

“Tell the others to retreat with you when the battle starts. Pull back as far as you can and resist if they try to direct you forward. Do not attack the estate,” I said.

The elephant sighed, its massive body shivering with the movement. “Is it true that you spoke to Eldest?”

“I did. We heard that she arrived safely. Was that true?” I looked up at the creature, seeing its intelligent eyes, its thick skin. I wasn’t sure what I would do with the pain in my stomach if Eldest or the others had died en route south.

“We heard whispers from the goblin keepers, who heard from the other slaves. I will do as you ask, even if it will kill me. I would rather live in hope of freedom than die chained.” The elephant reached up with its trunk, touching the collar around its neck. I made my way back to Asahi, and he broke off from Pehine’s man.

When we made our way back to Commander Rede, the officer was coming to the politest declaration of war I had ever heard. Even Pehine’s commanding officer seemed unable to find fault with it.

With more bowing, we began to retreat back toward the estate, which was exactly when Pehine’s men realized they were losing their chance at hostages. With a desperate yell, they leapt forward, attacking.

Asahi grabbed hold of me, putting his body between me and the men, shoving me back toward the estate even as a rain of arrows came down from the walls, killing most of the men that had tried to attack us. Asahi didn’t let up, shoving me forward, but I watched as Commander Rede turned, killing the captain of Pehine’s guard with one swift movement.

The elephants retreated, as I had told Storm Survivor to, and I watched as their handlers brought electricity to life. I was sure I was about to see them die but instead, the electricity was plucked directly from the men’s hands, traveling across the battlefield. All of Pehine’s men froze, as Tallu, fourth emperor of the Southern Imperium, caught hold of it in his hand, shaping it into a ball above his head.