"We have no justifiable grounds to detain this young woman," Gregory Monroe Longinus advocated for the red-haired sorceress. "Concern for one's homeland is both natural and laudable. We should permit her departure."

  "Release her, Deborah," Joanna remarked with sardonic amusement. "Then perhaps we too should take our leave. Deliberating impossibilities merely squanders our valuable time, wouldn't you concur?"

  "None of you will be departing."

  Augler's shoulders drooped perceptibly, recognizing that events had already deteriorated toward their worst potential outcome.

  "Clarify your meaning."

  "My statement requires no clarification," Deborah enunciated with measured precision. "Not one among you shall leave these premises."

  "My dear Deborah," Giselle Hardy maintained a superficially cordial tone that concealed razor-sharp intent. "What authority do you presume grants you the right to imprison us and curtail our liberty?"

  "I've enacted no imprisonment, Giselle. I merely implement necessary measures to ensure our collaborative efficiency."

  "Evidently, the Brigarian people harbor a fondness for casuistry," Joanna Kenster of Popodovis observed, rising gracefully while arranging the folds of her gown. "I shall take my leave, colleagues. Proper rest has eluded me since my arrival." She proceeded toward the chamber's exit.

  "Such action would prove ill-advised, Joanna," Deborah cautioned, her countenance betraying no emotion. "Regret will surely follow."

  Joanna cast a sidelong glance suffused with defiance. "Indeed? And pray tell, what consequences might you impose?"

  "The corridor beyond is patrolled by royal guards, Lady Kenster," Augler Prescott interjected. "Remain with us, esteemed colleagues. Internal conflict serves none of our interests."

  Joanna Kenster's lips contracted in evident displeasure.

  "Do you genuinely believe a handful of sentries could impede practitioners of our caliber?" Giselle's features displayed an uncharacteristic contemptuous smile. "It appears our abilities as court mages have been gravely underestimated..."

  "Gale Lassō met her end via arrows—mundane soldiers' arrows, not a mage's enchantment," Delores Zimmerman finally contributed, having maintained silence throughout the preceding exchange. "Deborah, clarification seems necessary. Your current position diverges significantly from your previous assertions."

  "I implore your trust, Delores. Causing harm to any present remains entirely contrary to my intentions. However, we stand at a critical juncture, and diversions—however seemingly significant—cannot be permitted."

  "This matter scarcely qualifies as trivial, Deborah Borealis," Giselle Hardy retorted with undisguised indignation. "You have imposed unacceptable constraints upon our freedom of movement."

  "These directives originate from King Royce himself," Deborah admitted with a hint of resignation. "Should you genuinely desire departure, I shall neither impede nor harm you. Successfully traversing that threshold may indeed secure your freedom."

  "Our allegiance properly belongs to our respective sovereigns," Chloe Dinara declared, her tresses now glowing with the intense crimson of molten lava. "Not to the edicts of foreign monarchs."

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "Your respective rulers have already sanctioned your participation here," Deborah explained with deliberate patience. "This very morning, King Royce convened a summit with the six other monarchs."

  Giselle Hardy remained adamant in her opposition. "How fortuitous. I should very much appreciate an audience with King Noland."

  "Such efforts would prove futile, Giselle. They have already departed," Dorothy observed, her attention seemingly absorbed by the gemstone adorning her bodice. "Otherwise, our hostess would scarcely risk such brazen detention. Perhaps... our monarchs harbor minimal concern for our welfare. So long as their interests remain uncompromised, the activities of aberrations such as ourselves warrant little royal attention."

  "I presume teleportation portals have likewise been rendered inoperative?" Gregory inquired in subdued tones.

  "Naturally. This entire palace has been encompassed within barrier enchantments. No portal may serve as egress or ingress."

  Giselle closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "That contemptible monarch!" Her indictment left ambiguous which sovereign had earned her condemnation.

  Neither Deborah Borealis nor Augler Prescott offered any defense of their liege.

  "I entreat you, Deborah," the flame-haired sorceress implored once more. "Grant me leave to return!"

  "Impossible."

  "But Cynthia—"

  "Cynthia stands beyond salvation!" she thundered. "Confront reality, Monica! Even should you return this instant, what tangible assistance could you provide? Have you witnessed the Godman armored cavalry? Patrick's decision to send you here carried profound purpose! Only through our unified effort might the Godman advance be repelled!"

  The mention of Patrick sent his visage flashing across Monica's consciousness, inflicting acute emotional distress. She collapsed back into her seat as Augler extended a supportive hand. Her eyes remained dry despite her anguish.

  "Do you sincerely believe this audacious plan harbors any prospect of success?" Delores questioned Deborah directly.

  "I deem it feasible," she responded. "Though my confidence remains less than absolute."

  "In essence, we find ourselves thoroughly entangled in this predicament," Joanna Kenster remarked, swiftly reclaiming her seat. Her abrupt attitudinal shift demonstrated the adaptability essential to any accomplished witch. "Let us formulate a viable approach, sisters. Regardless of outcome, we must attempt this enterprise. Our alternative is facing the tender mercies of our charming King Royce. I retain substantial ambitions for my remaining years."

  "Never again shall I set foot in this uncivilized realm," Dorothy Andella Jones declared, tossing her luxuriant hair over one shoulder.

  "Let us postpone such pronouncements until after our triumph," Chloe Dinara quipped. "Should Southern forces subjugate the North, I suspect this entire continent shall bear but a single designation: Godma."

  "Then let us not squander precious moments, ladies," Gregory Monroe Longinus urged, addressing Monica with genuine concern. "Can you endure, Miss?" The young sorceress nodded mechanically in response. "Excellent. We require a meticulous strategy, one surpassing King Royce's proposal in comprehensiveness."

  "As Giselle previously indicated, the requisite magical power presents a significant consideration. In academic terminology..." Chloe Dinara deliberated momentarily before adopting a professorial demeanor. "Ah, yes. We must first determine the precise number of 'Tiers of Magic' such an enchantment would demand."

  "Regrettably, no definitive answer exists," Dorothy stated. "I'm thoroughly convinced no historical precedent exists for such extraordinary magical exertion."

  "A precedent does exist," Sarah of Wyrmδenborn interjected, her voice carrying its characteristic raspy quality. "The historical record documents weather manipulation magic. However, humans were not its practitioners."

  "How curious. If not humanity, then who? Elves? That seems implausible. Certainly not dwarves, goblins, or halflings..."

  "Dragons." Sarah raised her gaze, methodically surveying the assembled mages. "Dragons possess weather manipulation capabilities."

  "You refer to Ancient Dragons?" Joanna inquired.

  "No, not the dragons indigenous to our realm, but rather those originating from distant territories. Though they likely share certain ancestral connections with our Ancient Dragons. During the tumultuous Age of Strife, they employed weather manipulation in their alliance with dragonkind against the Titans."