General Aldren Willow moved the Eastern Alliance army to the palace gates at dawn.
Four thousand soldiers, Fae-armored, dark-magic augmented, positioned in siege formation along the eastern approach to Aelindris. The banners bore the Willow crest: a black tree on a field of silver, the colors of a house that had served the crown for three hundred years and had decided, in the span of a single refused fated tie, that service was optional.
Atlas received the messenger in the throne room.
The message was brief:
General Willow requests a parley. The Eastern Alliance seeks resolution regarding the treatment of Vesper Willow. A neutral field has been designated in the forest beyond the eastern approach. The General will attend with a diplomatic guard. He requests the king attend in kind.
