The room was silent, too silent, I could hear my heart beating frantically, feel the rage coursing through veins at the very mention of his name, the one that bound me and dragged me to my brother and the one responsible for Cynthia's murder. Now he sits in my home like he owns the damn place. My anger must have reflected on my facial features because everyone was practically gawking at me.
"What else?" I asked through gritted teeth "He has a grounded host of about six thousand men" that's twice our host, and they're probably all mounted as well.
"We need to leave and attack immediately" Acrisius said. I agree, but we needed to be smart about it "Did you forget the part where he said they are twice our size?, we need to be smart about this,"
Amenadiel questioned sharply, but regained composure when he noted the look in his eyes "my lord hand" the tension in the room became too much and the men wanted to start arguing "That is enough!" I ordered, calming everyone.
Damon cleared his throat, drawing all attention to him "If I may your majesty, my best men are armed and ready, with a good plan, we can attack them and it wouldn't matter that they're twice our size" I nodded in agreement and the thought of a plan of attack seemed to quell my anger and calm everyone on the table, my council.
Kaida excused herself from the room and came back shortly with a map ranging from the caves of Maladan all the way to Temeria. The only thing separating us if we rode north to Temeria was the Blackstone woods. The map was clear and precise depicting the various rivers and streams, as well a hill that overlooks the woods that looks like it could be a very advantageous point.
We sat in the council room for an hour discussing battle plans, if we left the caves latest tomorrow, we would arrive at the Blackstone woods in three days and with our host, it would be obvious to the enemy that we were approaching, leaving out the element of surprise, but at the same time not entirely.
It would be wishful thinking to wish that Robert didn't know I was a witch, but Herbert would've sang that song throughout the entire kingdom, but the last time, Robert beat me with swords and cuffs, and now it's my turn, and I'll beat him with my magic. "Then we gather then men and prepare to leave at first light" Damon suggested, and the rest of the council agreed.
"Where are you going to be when this all goes down?, surely you don't plan on being on the battlefield" Acrisius asked, "As much as I can handle myself on the field, Kaida and I will be atop the hill with two dozen archers. They will fire down on the enemy at my command after we've done what is needed"
Kaida nodded in agreement "And what is that which needs to be done?" Drazhan asked "You'll all know when it's time. For now you must all play your parts, we leave at dawn" I shifted my chair backwards and stood, everyone else did the same, the meeting was adjourned. "Kaida may I speak with you privately?" I asked, she nodded and waited till everyone left, well almost everyone.
Drazhan stood still, refusing to move. I raised a brow at him "Did you miss the part where I asked for a private audience?" he lowered his head, but again, he still didn't leave "I wanted to speak to you my lady" I let out a heavy sigh "I have nothing to say you, you have your orders, now leave" he nodded sharply and exited the room.
Kaida sat back down at my gesture, and I did the same "You're being too hard on him you know, he only does the things that he does because he's a love sick puppy" I chuckled, and she did too, but I quickly dismissed what she said, that's not why she's here. "I wanted to talk to you about this," I pulled the pendant and placed it on the table "It was given to me by another witch, but I have no idea what it is and what it does"
She took the pendant and examined it, she stared at the snake carving in front of it in awe, then clutched the pendant in her hand and muttered a spell I couldn't hear, then slid the pendant in my direction "it's a talisman," she said "this talisman is made from adonite, and adonite is known to enhance magical abilities, but the problem with this one is it's locked, and you'll have to unlock it"
I nodded in understanding as I wore the pendant once more, I'd deal with that later "Thank you Kaida" I said, she smiled, a warm smile that could warm my very soul "At your service my queen" she responded. I stood from my seat and exited the room, walked the cavernous hallways and back into my chambers, I had a bloody battle ahead of me .