The Lealfast Nation had congregated on the lower slopes of the Sky Peaks to the north-west of Elcho Falling. Here they waited for Eleanon and, as he approached, the elder, Falayal, moved forward to greet him.

“You have been keeping your plans too close to your chest, Eleanon,” Falayal said, in no mood for the courteous. “The Nation wonders, I wonder, if perhaps we should return to the frozen northern wastes. We have had enough of traipsing about after power. It appears that we will never —”

“You know that the One has been trapped within Infinity,” Eleanon said. “There is now no barrier to our taking Elcho Falling and —”

“No barrier save Isaiah, and Axis, and Maximilian.”

“And they are no barrier at all,” Eleanon said, his voice now several levels lower, his eyes sharp as he looked at the elder.

Falayal regarded Eleanon with ill-disguised cynicism.

“I am thinking of the Nation,” Falayal said, “not your personal ambitions.”

“And I am thinking of the Nation!” Eleanon said. “By the stars and Infinity, did we not agree to merge with the One? To march together into a future unbounded by either our Skraeling or Icarii blood? We are all changed by the power of Infinity! And now the One is useless, we can take Elcho Falling and —”

“How can we take Elcho Falling?” Falayal said.

“It is what I have come to discuss with you, my friend,” Eleanon said. “The time is almost here when we can step forth and claim our new heritage. It is time for the Lealfast to march toward their future.”

“How?” Falayal said again.

“With some song and dance and music!” Eleanon said. “As well as a little help from the Dark Spire.” He put his arms about the shoulders of the other Lealfast man and led him away slowly, talking softly.

When, finally, he halted and ceased speaking, Falayal’s face was white with astonishment, his eyes glittering with ambition.

There was a frisson of excitement running between the two men that was almost palpable.

“It is too easy,” Falayal said, in a tone which suggested he felt he ought to voice some token concern but didn’t believe that concern in the slightest.

Brilliance is oft easy, Eleanon thought. “You agree?” he said.

Falayal hesitated, then nodded.

“It will need to be taken to the Nation,” he said.

“Of course,” Eleanon said. “It would be impossible without their agreement and compliance. I can address them this evening, as the first stars rise in the dusk sky.”

“When?” Falayal said, and Eleanon knew he didn’t refer to the assembly this evening.

“As soon as Maximilian and Ishbel return,” Eleanon said. “Then we can move. But we need them inside Elcho Falling.”

“Naturally,” Falayal said. “You will address the Lealfast Nation this dusk, and they will agree. They will shout for you, Eleanon. Then . . . we begin training?”

“Then we begin training,” Eleanon said. “This will be a great dance. One that will be remembered throughout eternity.”