Narda chuckled. “A very big surprise,” she replied. “And considering that we age quite slow, it took, hmm, two decades before the growth spurt took effect. My mother, bless her sweet heart, she was particularly concerned about how I would marry. The men mostly feared me, you see. But it is a good advantage to have. Separates the wheat from the chaff, as they say.”
“Their loss, my good lady,” Ed put in with a wink. 
Narda laughed, then nudged Envy. “Oh, don’t you worry, you’re tall enough for me. Just the right size,” she said playfully. Kire almost coughed out the pork she had swallowed.

The Amrians continued their meal as the rest of the elves finished theirs and left. Kire pondered Envy’s question. “I would love to visit when I don’t actually have some pressing matter to ask your help with. Can’t have you thinking I’m only dropping by when I need something. And you can keep Narda, by all means,” she added.
The giantess snorted. “I would love to not see your face and hear your whining for a few months. Envy is already much better company. Finally, someone I can talk to without having to look or bend down,” she teased back, ruffling Kire’s hair with greasy fingers, earning her a few curses from her friend. 
“It might be a while though,” she answered after grumbling at her giantess friend for a bit. “I can imagine the family needs time together once Ed returns. And it depends on the status of our stalemate with the Gemini. We might get ready for the big push soon.” 
“And then you’ll decide if you’re keeping the throne,” Ed said. Kire turned to him, brows raised. “Your people are loyal, as you’ve seen from our soldiers here, and we both know you have nothing but their best interests at heart. But your armies can’t fight for someone with weak resolve.”
“My resolve isn’t weak. I fully intend to take back the empire,” Kire said firmly. Ed raised a hand. 
“I know, Kire. I didn’t mean to question that. We’ll speak of that later, when we’ve come home.” 

They finished their meals, though Narda took her time. Kire and Ed told Envy a more detailed recounting of their time in Lithilote as they ate. Afterwards, Kire stretched, then stood up. “Thank you for the lovely meal, Envy. Ed and I have to go gather the others so I can take them back, along with the fallen. After that, I’m going to need some rest. Old man here needs his beauty sleep, too.” Ed shook his head at the teasing. 
“I’ll stay here,” Narda said. “Don’t much fancy walking out there in this weather.” Kire nodded, and the cousins approached the other three Amrian soldiers, speaking to them in Taakalon. They nodded, then left the chamber to gather their comrades, Kire and Ed following behind. Narda watched them leave before returning to her meal. “For a man who has lost his city and more, you are holding yourself together very well. Not many can say that with pride,” she commented to Envy. “It’s a lonely position to be in, I imagine.” 

Kire and Ed were back in the caves, waiting for their soldiers. Soon, the first eight who would be making the journey with her tonight showed up, bowing to the Empress. After asking after their wellbeing, Kire told them what the portal would feel like, warning them that it was a totally different kind of discomfort to Shadow-walking. There was some apprehension after that description, but none voice it out loud. When they said they were ready for it, Kire called three to her side, two to one coffin, while she and the third shared the load for the second. They disappeared in a blue flash, the other soldiers gasping. Several minutes had passed before Kire returned. “Elva and Jan rounded on me,” she said. “But Elva’s happy, even if she was grumpy about the sudden guests.” The next two trips went more smoothly, now that Elva and her attendants were ready to receive them. Elva had asked about Ed, and Kire promised to deliver him with the rest of the soldiers tomorrow. When Kire left, Elva was already fighting tears. 

“How are you holding up?” Ed asked as soon as Kire returned. The Paladin was catching her breath, a hand held up to give herself a moment. 
“I’m fine. Little winded, a little headache, but other than that, I’m good. And you?”
“It still feels a little—unreal,” he admitted. “Come on. I need an actual drink, and I want to check on the rest of them before we turn in. The others gave me directions to the other dining hall.”
“Gods, yes.” 

Though the rain had let up a little, they were still soaked by the time they reached the other hall. Only a few more soldiers were still there, though they, too, looked like they would turn in soon. After getting used to the nocturnal schedule of the Raielwen, then suddenly interrupting that with a hike through the outskirts of Lithilote and enduring Shadow-walking, they were exhausted despite their excitement. Kire could smell the seafood and fondly remembered Ysaryn’s cooking. The Wyverns talked to the remaining soldiers and told them that the first transport was a success, and after that let them go about their business again or to go sleep.