Mana Wells

The dealings with the Midas kingdom had gone well thanks to Betsy. He trusted she had a plan that would work. She had disrupted their plan. They would still have been better off without the guilds at all, but it seemed to be the best idea. Kurt got his glassblowers. They were supposed to tell the techniques for the paste as well.

The problem is that the secret is the goblin magic without which the whole process wouldn't be worth it. So even once they figured it out they wouldn't be able to replicate it. Betsy knew that as well, thinking the King had planned to do that after the negotiations. Knowing he would find nothing he could do, she played the outward negotiation harder because the internal struggles were on their side. There was no way to replicate what Wellspring could make without the other creatures. She had made everyone almost happy. There were some percentages she wasn't pleased about as well, but found herself pleased with the overall deal.

They would have to allow some time to get the glassblower and inspectors to come but they had no plans on leaving just yet. They had other purchases to make for raw material. And products to unload.

Kurt was discussing some of the particulars with Betsy in her new office which she had finished. She had many people who would come to the window for her and someone she recruited. Talia had found them.

"So this is where you are," said Talia.

"Babe, what's up?"

"We're under attack?"

"What?"

"The Shadow Clan is attacking Valentine. Come help us."

"What do you mean by attacking?"

"They gained control of the gate.. We lost all access to the Earth without you, who is on another continent."

"How?"

"The shadows moved quickly. They had to have known Darien was gone."

"Are you prepared for this?"

"Yes," said Talia, "but we have a pact for this."

"We need time," said Kurt, "to make a proper force."

"I know that but you can come, your council and Layla are already in Valentine territory," said Talia. "Justin is helping bring more, we didn't know where you were though."

Kurt looked at Betsy and she looked back. Then Kurt got up and went with Talia to the pillar to slip into Talia's castle. On the way.

"This is big Kurt," said Talia, "they have never attacked like this at our gate. We'd mostly be on different sides of Earth."

"So they have a plan?"

"Most likely."

Then they got to the throne room close enough to the well to slip, Sara was there.

"What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean Kurt with both you and Alayna going who is in charge here?"

Kurt forgot about that part Sara was third in charge of everything. But her hold over the power wouldn't keep a kingdom like Layla or Kurt could. Mostly Layla.

"He's been talking to that hussy," Talia said, crossing her arms and turning her head.

"She is making us money," said Kurt. "You heard she's more likely to get with Boris than me."

"Boris? Really.," said Sara.

"Have you talked to Jacob recently," said Kurt.

Sara turned away, "Okay okay. Listen, Talia, you're too good for Kurt since the day he was born—"

"Thank you."

"But this isn't the time, go you idiots."

Talia was giving Sara a scrunched-up face about that comment. Kurt had grabbed her arm and slipped to Justin's well.

"So what am I supposed to do?" Kurt said.

"Fight them of course," said Talia.

Harvey had run up to Kurt, "master master."

"Really bring him?"

"Layla thought it was a good idea because he could smell them."

"Me, smell nothing here," said Harvey.

"What happened Justin?"

"They attack quickly and powerfully," said Justin, "it seems their main goal was to cut us off from Earth."

"Don't you control the city around the gate?"

"We should," said Talia.

"That's the problem, we don't know anything about that side at the moment. We have them contained to the walls of the Gateway Keep. But we don't have a way to talk to the other side at all right now."

"That sounds bad, what do you think their goal is? It can't possibly be to take down Valentine?"

"I wouldn't think so," said Talia, "the force isn't enough. But it is a serious problem."

"So what do you need from us?"

"A show of force, make them regret they even came, and that the solution is to leave."

"We can probably do that but we should try to figure out why they are here."

"To me that part is obvious," said Justin, "They are here because they somehow knew we were in disarray and Darien left. We are somewhat in a weak state internally and externally. They are trying to take advantage."

Kurt came out to the courtyard where many of his own forces were arranged. There was no point trying to guess the motives right now. The timing was most likely because of what Justin said.

Due to some preparations, they were able to fight them. The eleven had made some modified incense holders that would use the flames from the goatmen. So it would make their normal shadow appearance inapplicable. The major problem with the shadow clan is their ability to go intangible in the shadows.

"We will need to go soon," said Talia, "let's get to the trains and get to the right place. We have no reason to hide our comings and goings here."

The Valentine and Wellspring forces traveled in separate cars. They were allies but there was still a bit of a disconnect between the many species and humans. Hopefully, all they needed to do was put on a show and explain how outmatched they were.

The train moved toward the center of the valley that was Valentine's land. Kurt didn't know where the gate was but it wasn't surprising that they kept it surrounded. They couldn't move it and it was unlikely Layla could either not bring one of her own.