The Crown Princess was surprised when the former Demon General strode into the hall with confidence. He wore a plain white tunic bordered with gold with trousers and a cape with the same pattern. His hair was styled neatly into long braids. It was implied that this was the 'something' that Damien had promised to do for Raphael.

She welcomed the former General with a smile but the War Council suddenly thrummed with hostility. 

The old ministers were perplexed at the sight of a demon among them. Raphael tried to smile, but the unfriendly environment got to him.

Amara intervened. She introduced him, 'My dear ministers, this is Raphael, a dear friend of our prince. He has volunteered to help us with our mission.' 

'How can our prince befriend a demon?' A minister inquired. His tone was very offensive. It didn't sit right with her. She posed a sickly sweet smile. 'Do you doubt the prince?' The look of fear that crossed his face satisfied her. 

Raphael couldn't help being impressed by her ability to tackle them. He had been in this position before. He knew how boorishly inflexible the people in power were. Being upright and forthcoming wasn't enough. If he were to be a King, he would have to learn how to bully them into submission gracefully. 

He inhaled deeply before speaking. 'I believe you're looking for a stealthy but swift entry into the Demon Kingdom.' 

Amara replied at once. 'Yes. Do you happen to know any?'

He nodded, 'Yes.' He gestured toward the map of the two kingdoms on the oval table, 'May I?'

She complied and shifted away from the head of the table so that he could comfortably access the map. 

He moved closer to the table and peered at it. He took a moment to think of the time he had first entered the Dithrai Kingdom in search of Prince Damien's lover. He had trudged the path through the snow. That was where it all began.

And that is how it would end. 

When he started to speak, he spoke in a commanding manner. He traced the path he had taken on the map and explained the duration it would take for an army to cross the snowy terrain, where in the Demon Kingdom they would enter and gave many convincing reasons as to why it was it best route to accomplish their mission.

For the first time in many months, he felt different. 

After his insurgence, he had felt lost. But the act of peering at a map, tracing the outlines of the borders, coming up with a plan- this was something he was so familiar with. In the last life, where he was a Demon General who failed to save his king, he had done the same- only that all his efforts were in vain. But this time, the thumping heart in his chest told him it would be different. 

His compelling speech drew a majority of the ministers in. They saw potential in his plan. 

The discussion went on for a while. The plan had impressed many and Amara decided it was time to swear by its secrecy since their plan depended on confusion and chaos. A spell she had learnt came in handy for this task. If ever they attempted to reveal the secret, it would result in an instant death. 

After the War Council dispersed, Amara walked with Raphael. 

'Thank you.'

He grinned. 'It reminded me of the old times.' His smile faded as he gazed at his feet. 

'When you used to be against us?'

He laughed humourlessly. 'I was against war. It was why I became a General. I wanted the war to end.' 

'And look at you now, Raphael,' she said. 'We're almost there.' 

'Thank you, Amara.' 

They were almost about to part ways when Raphael inquired softly, 'The last time I saw Felicia, she looked a little worried. Is she okay now?' 

'Things on her end are a little difficult.'

'Oh.'

'I'll let you know as soon as I receive any news about it.'

'And Alistair? Is he here? I would like to see him.'

'Felicia took him with her.' 

Raphael's heart ached. He felt unsettled by the fact that she had left without telling him anything. It made him wonder if the hearty moments they had shared had been his wishful thinking.