"Gather round, everyone! Take a seat. We're starting now." King Edward called.
"My Lord," sir victor said, bowing before taking his seat. His dark, polished armor reflected the sunlight like a grim mirror.
The king loomed over the council table, eyeing everyone present. His broad frame casting a bear like shadow over the maps of the kingdoms, sprawled over the enormous table. "Your father is still unwell, victor?" He said, brow raised.
"Yes, my lord. I will be taking his place. As usual," Victor replied.
"My regards to him," the King said, sank into his seat, leaning back as the wood groaned over his weight.
Princess Thessa, seated beside him. Buzzed with enthusiasm, leaned forward. "May I say, that your speech to the Talorans was exceptional, father. I'm sure that they're quaking in their boots."
"You're at the council table he's not your father," Prince Edric said, rolling his eyes. His rings clinking against the goblet he stirred.
Thessa's smile curled. "I'm sorry, my lord." She slumped back, her boot tapping impatiently under the table.
Sir Barnabas cleared his throat, spreading a map across the table. "Shall I present our battle strategies, my king?"
The king remained silent, his sharp gaze piercing through their minds like a question long unanswered.
The ether mage, Dunvil, spoke up. "The ravens I sent show me the Talorans are setting up camp as we speak. We can attack now and catch them unaware." His iris glowed a deep blue like an ocean lit by the moon and stars. Under his breath low wisps of spells were being chanted.
"I agree," The council man Carlson nodded. "The sooner we get rid of them the better, Trade is already low as is." His words jammed together as he munched on barley.
"The house of Bran, stands with you." Baldric of Bran said slamming his fist down, making the goblets jump. "May the stag conquer?"
"Then it's decided. I shall lead a cavalry by noon," Sir Victor exclaimed drawing his dagger from its sheath. "And return with their generals head come sunset!" He slammed its tip into the table.
King Edward's eyes lingered on the silver snake's head used as the pommel for Victor's dagger.
Prince Edric chuckled. "You'll need a little more than daddy's money to lead a cavalry."
Victor slammed his clenched fist on the table, but before he could reply, the thunderous voice of King Edward Exclaimed.
"Quiet!"
"What battle do you wish to fight that I have not sanctioned?" The king added.
King Edwards's eyes swept the room with disdain. "I've made my decision. Our gates will open for Talor."
Gasps rippled through the council like wildfire. Their faces riddled with shock.
Only one sat with an unchanged expression, prince Edric.
"Why, fathe…my king?" Thessa mumbled. "We have the advantage!" she added, her chair screeched as she leaned forward.
"I have to agree with the princess, my Lord." Sir Barnabas said. "We do have the advantage."
"What advantage?" The king asked softly, his eyes staring at the maps beneath him.
Thessa leaned in. "We have an army of ten thousand men against their four thousand, more supplies, and…higher ground!"
"She's right!" sir victor exclaimed. "There's no scenario where we lose!."
"Ha! And what do you know of battles, Victor?" Prince Edric replied swiftly, arms folded.
Victor salty from Edric's earlier Jab, "surviving one battle, doesn't make you a warrior, Edric." He said rolling his eyes.
"It's one more than you've seen," Edric smirked.
Victors temper now at boiling point. He calmed himself with a sigh.
Princess Thessa, narrowing her eyes to Edric. "You seem awfully calm, Edric. Given what we just heard."
"That's enough!" King Edward exclaimed bringing the room to silence. "They say age doesn't determine wisdom, but it seems that is not the case here."
"I welcome counsel, but perhaps I need better councilmen to do that," He added.
Victor, Edric, and Thessa sat in pool of silence.
"I honestly don't care what decision we make," Carlson the noble muttered. "Just let it be good for trade."
"It will be," King Edward stated. "The sooner the Talorans leave, the better for merchants. As it stands, no merchant is risking their life passing through a Taloran Battle camp."
"True," Barnabas added swaying his eyes across the maps. "They'll try to starve us out. Any trader coming our way, would likely be killed."
"But can we trust them?" Dunvil the mage asked. "They're known to use any tactics to win a battle, lying would definitely be first."
"We don't have to trust them," the king added. "We just need to know them well enough that we don't get screwed. We'll station archers and knights through the city while they pass."
"Four thousand men," Thessa said below her breath, drawing the room's attention to her.
"Four thousand men, that's what it takes to bring the kingdom of kindrea to its knees?" Princess Thessa added with a look of disgust in her eyes. "What happened to king Edward the third we saw moments ago? Your speech made the knights ready to die for you, Father!"
"He's not you father," Prince Edric muttered.
"Oh shut up!" The princess replied.
Edric with shock written on his face. "Your discourtesy never ceases to amaze me, Thessa."
The two glared at each other like young deer about to charge.
"She's right," Baldric said. "If we bow to the Talorans now, we'll always be beneath them."
"And if we don't, our ashes will be beneath them!" Prince Edric replied.
Thessa, raised her voice. "Do you just echo what dad says? Can't you have a thought of your own?"
"There's a reason why he is king," Edric replied.
"Were not bowing to them," the king cut in. "It's an alliance. We let them pass, and they can destroy Dangard for all I care."
"The Dangards have been our allies for centuries," Baldric protested. "We can't let one bridge destroy that!"
"That bridge will crumble our trade economy!" Carlson shouted. "I don't mind them being destroyed by those war hungry animals."
"And what would that say of our Honor," Princess Thessa asked with vigor, "One adversity and we side with damn Talorans? All ties with Dangard will be severed. The other kingdoms will never trust us."
King Edward countered, "They'll know we had no choice!" His voice bellowing through the room.
"But we do have a choice," Thessa said softly, her glistening eyes piercing through Edwards heart. "We can fight. And show the world that Kindrea can compete with the likes of Dangard and Talor. That we are not to be underestimated."
Her words echoed through the room, igniting a flame of hope in the hearts of the council.
King Edward clenched his teeth, before letting out a relaxed sigh. "I know we can win," He admitted somberly. "Even Phineas Knows it. But when the battle is over, what happens when ten thousand more come? Maybe we somehow hold out, but when were met with twenty thousand, what would remain of Kindrea?"
"I'd rather have any other kingdom as an enemy, but not Talor," he added.
The room quiet, as King Edwards's words soaked into their minds and heart.
"Are they any more objections?" King Edward asked.
Princess Thessa hesitant, but mustered her courage. "If we open our gates, they will never leave. Kindrea will become their garrison!"
King Edward, glancing around the tables looking his council men in their eyes. "As long as I am King, that day will never come!"
"Sir Barnabas, find a knight to deliver this." He said concluding their meeting.
The council dispersed.
King Edward, gazed at his kingdom through the window. The Taloran threat, ever present at its edge.
Edric stepped beside him. "Why did you give a speech like that, my king? If you planned on yielding regardless."
"You can't let them have their way easily," the king said. "Even if you're weaker, never let your enemy know you are!"
They stood in silence, watching the kingdom.
Princess Thessa, from the entrance looked on, jealousy and sorrow mingling in her mind.
"Your highness," Victor held her hand, with a tight grip. "A word."
He led her to a quiet corner where Baldric waited, his face grim.
The three stood where no one else could hear them, the calming light of the morning sun, fazed through the pillars beside them, casting large shadows on the walls behind. The dust danced around the beams of lights in anticipation of the things to be said.
"You've got fight in you, Princess." Baldric said, bowing. "I speak for all three houses of Kindrea, and all its knights would rather fight than yield."
"The next days will bring great change in kindrea," Victor added. "And the only change we want is the one you bring."
Thessa smiled, her heart hammered against her ribs. "I'm glad my words did not fall on deaf ears. We must act!"