Days 102-116 (80th-94th)

Day 102 (80th):
When the bells rang, we were already up, dressed, and headed to the garden. Some were there ahead of us while others trailed behind. Once we were all there, Falcon settled in to tell his story.
"My position is trainer of new dragon riders. Unfortunately, I am currently without anyone to train. There are plenty of rider candidates, just no dragons. Maalicus stole our clutch, some sixty-three eggs total. He thinks they are very large gems that we were hoarding. Riding dragons in the shell are unique. They can delay their own hatching until they feel the presence of their riders. As long as he has them, they will not hatch. They have been there for nearly a decade. Here is the deal. Aid us in getting our young back and we will aid you to defeat him and the Baalocs. Even if they are destroyed already, we will still help."
"Falcon, we can see how they fair, if you would like," I offered.
"That knowledge would ease my mind. Please, Sword Sister."
A small pond was not far from us. We all went over to it. Kneeling and encircling it, we seven touched the edge of the water.
"Still water, show us the clutch Maalicus has stolen, please. We need to ensure their safety," we said in unison.
The surface rippled, then smoothed as an image appeared. A large pile of big, smooth, multicolored stones were sitting among other treasures.
"The eggs. That is the clutch. Wait, some are missing," Falcon reported.
"Where are the others, still water? Can you show them to us?"
The image shifted. Three were on a table. One was in a man's hand. He was grinding at the shell. Falcon and Leo huffed smoke. We saw Maalicus enter and begin shouting.
"Sound, please. We need to hear them."
"... idiot! You've been working on them for eight years and not so much as a chip to show for it! Those Abyss-born dragons had more security on these than anywhere else! I want them made into things I can use! No excuses!" he yelled the last over his shoulder and slammed the door.
The man went back to grinding. I felt sorry for the dragon in there. If it ever hatches, the poor thing could be deaf.
Falcon stepped away fro the image, "Do you know where that is?"
"Not yet," we all responded.
Without a word, the image pulled away from the man, out his only window, away from the wall, and revealed a building beside the palace in Baaloc Prime.
"Do I have you word that this building will be one of the first targeted, human King Droland?" Falcon asked in a hushed tone.
"My word, my pledge, and my duty as a king and father. No one's young deserves such treatment," Droland said with a voice thick with emotion.
Falcon gave a slight nod, "Dismiss the image, I can bear no more."
The image vanished and the pond returned to normal. We were all silent for a while. The swirling of emotions was dizzying to me. Servants dashed about our silent assembly, whispering about the new dragon. We were at a loss as to what to say to each other. Falcon would not accept our sympathies. The others, beside us seven, could not see the depth of pain this caused him.
I'm not sure what caused me to turn around.
Facing the palace, a strange sight appeared. I saw the palace in flames. Looking at the others and my sisters, I saw them dead, dismembered horribly, blood coating the ground. Pulling out Vanity, she was rusty, pitted, and all the disks were missing. All of the swords were in similar shape. I closed my fist and saw the ring with the shifting stone. It was still perfect. So were the chain and bracelet. That told me this was a false vision. With that realization, Vanity became pristine in an instant.
"Damn you, girl! No one's mind is this strong!"
Looking towards the voice, it was not Maalicus. Tharinzar stood as we had seen him in human form before returning to his demon self.
"Maalicus wasn't lying when he said you would be a challenge. Many have gone insane from such as I have shown here. Yet, you resist and restore what I have destroyed."
"Tharinzar, this only proves your evil. Maalicus must be insane to believe you are the pinnacle of goodness, truth, and divine power. I have seen your true self. This mask is useless."
With a snort, he shifted to his demon self. He stepped closer.
"Show me your power, then. Make me shiver," he sneered.
I said nothing. Holding the restored Vanity, I swept her across the devastation. The palace stopped burning and returned to normal. My friends and sisters returned to one piece and the living. When I had completed my circuit, the garden was perfect. He growled deeply. Then, everything was gone. We stood in my special room. This made him shiver.
"No, not here! Bitch, how dare you bring me here! He said you were in a room, but not this one. This will cost him."
Tharinzar disappeared. I took a few deep breaths and returned to where I had been standing. 
Once my vision cleared, I saw everyone staring at me, even Falcon and Leo. I wanted to hide from all of those looks, but they walked over to me.
"What was that, Kayla? Your sisters said you left, but we saw you standing right here. We called, but you did not answer. Your eyes were totally white. Falcon said not to disturb you as magic was 'conflicted' within you," Kendar quietly and fatherly said.
I asked everyone to take a seat. When they had, I told them. Darla, Margret, Sarah, Callie, Anna, and a few servants who had stopped to listen fainted. Everyone else went very pale. Leo and Falcon gave a shake. As those who had fainted were cared for, Kendar quietly asked if I needed to lie down or something. I assured him I did not. My conscious sisters also expressed concern. By the time everyone was awake and alert again, lunch was being brought out. We spend the meal in silence.
While the servants were cleaning up, a valet presented King Droland with a scroll. He started laughing as he read it. Unable to speak, he handed it to Vangar.
"'To the evil King Droland and his demonic allies:
I, Maalicus, most blessed of Tharinzar, proclaim to meet you on the field of battle on the day of the full moon on the fields of Selvis. Meet my holy Baalocs if you are not too afraid to leave your unholy barriers and face true warriors of the holiest of beings. My soldiers have been recalled to prepare for this grand event. In that place, we shall see who's power is greatest. Bring all of you men and the Seven Demon Whores and I will annihilate you and them once and for all.
Most Blessed,
Maalicus.'"
All of us, swords and dragons included, were laughing nearly to tears. The fact Maalicus believed every word only made it all the more hillarious. When we could talk again, Falcon and Leo flew out and confirmed the camp was being disassembled and the remaining Baalocs were heading back to Baaloc Prime. Droland, Kendar, and Vangar left to begin the process of gathering troops and seeing to supplies. Falcon and Leo took off to "take care of some things". Darla and we seven went with a few servants to attend to what we would need on this journey. Mattis, Margret, and Gavin stayed in the garden to practice. Mamar went to get the cleric support the army would need as well as any willing wizards.
This consumed the rest of the day, except for a meal break, until we went to bed, exhausted.

Days 103-105 (81st-83rd):
The next couple of day were activity dawn to dusk. Soldiers arrived nearly by the hour. The whole city was obsessed with the impending battle. More civilians volunteered and many were accepted. Even with all the confusion, everyone was assembled, geared, and prepared by the end of the second day.

Day 106 (84th):
Bells signaled our departure. They rang longer today than any day we had been here. Leo and Falcon were not a part of the grand procession we made while leaving. People line the streets to see us off. Others cheered from windows and balconies. Passing through the barriers seemed to give everyone strength. By nightfall, we had gotten just beyond the fort. The tower and city were still visible in the fading light. No tent was pitched. We all just laid bedrolls out on the open ground. Under the stars again. It was beautiful.

Days 107-115 (85th-93rd):
A week of travel got us to the border of the old kingdom of Selvis. Abandoned farmhouses and buildings left in ruin testified to the presence of Baalocs in the area. Sheep gone feral were discovered along with a few goats, chickens, and a band of horses. Most of them, save for the oldest, had never been touched by people. Those that followed our parade were welcomed and treated well. We marked the phases of the moon to gauge our progress. By three-quarters, we were only a day or two from the battle area.

Day 116 (94th):
I don't know if Maalicus believed we were that stupid, but he actually had it marked where the battle would be fought. On each side were markers for us and the Baalocs to set up camp. They weren't just flags or small signs with "Raval", "Battlefield", and "Baaloc" on them. Large signs proclaimed the holyness of the Baalocs, Maalicus, and their mission as well as the foulness of us, Droland, and anyone who sided with us. The battlefield marker was likewise huge and covered front and back with the "glorious defeat of the Raval evil, the Demon Sisters, and all things foul" in a battle that had yet to take place. We used the signs and posts on our side for firewood that night.