Autumn Dawn (Fate's Intent Book 11) (21 page)

Chapter 39

Zayden: Day 7

Adele had already left the room this morning but I still needed to get ready for the day. I grabbed a quick shower and before I could even get dressed, Troy and Darius came into the room.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“We just came to wake you up.” Troy said. “We have things to do today.”

“Yes, and to hear about your night.” Darius added. “Did you meet with Cadence to talk?”

“Yes.”

“So.” Troy said. “What happened?”

“We talked as planned. Just talked. I got her to realize a few things about herself and why she was feeling the way she was. Everything worked out perfectly.”

“Well, I guess that’s good news.” Darius said.

“Yeah.” Troy agreed. “One thing down. You should get dressed. The General is coming today as the final days of preparation draw near.”

I nodded and continued on my current path towards my closet to get some clothes. Darius and Troy waited in my room until I walked back out to them. “Where to first?”

“Where would you like to go first?” Darius asked.

“Let’s go to the statue thing first, just to get that out of the way before the General arrives.”

“All right.” Troy said. “Let’s go.”

We walked out the door and started down the hall to the stairs. Seth’s door opened as we were coming up on it and Cadence stepped out, wearing only one of Seth’s shirts. She closed the door behind her to turn and see us walking towards her. She was jumped and put her hand over her heart while backing up against the door.

“Forgive us.” I said. “Have you seen Seth this morning? The General is coming today and I need him to be present for the briefing.”

“Yes I have, in fact he’s still sleeping.”

“Well, wake his ass up. He needs to be ready for when the General arrives and I will not tolerate any laziness today.”

“When will the General be here?”

I looked at Troy for the answer and Troy looked down at the list he was holding. “Noon.”

“See, that’s plenty of time. I’ll personally make sure he’s ready by then.”

“Let’s just do it now, just to be safe.”

I took a step towards the door but Cadence stopped me with a loud voice. “No! I’m afraid I can’t allow that. He really needs his sleep.”

Her voice was too anxious and I knew something was up. “Cadence. What are you hiding?”

“Hiding? I’m not hiding anything.”

“Then what’s going on? Is he even in there?”

“Of course he is. We were just—kind of—up late.

“All right.” I held up my hand before she went on in front of Darius and make him react defensively towards my son. “Just make sure he’s ready by noon.”

“I said I would.”

“Good.”

We walked passed Cadence and they looked at her as she looked at them. “Darius. Troy.”

They nodded and continued to follow me down the hall but I stopped and turned back. “Oh, and Cadence.”

She quickly turned. “Yes?”

“Put some clothes on, would you? It’s daytime.”

Cadence looked down as she held Seth’s shirt down over her and smiled. “I planned on it.”

“Do it now then.”

She smiled again and turned back inside Seth’s room.

We continued down the hall and Darius let out a long sigh.

“Sorry you had to see that.” I said.

“Please don’t worry about it. I can’t talk to her yet. I guess it will have to be after we get this fight out of the way.”

Troy laughed. “You say that like it’s going to be nothing.”

“Isn’t it? I’m sure we’ll have them fleeing in no time with our sons getting to be more involved.”

“Let’s just get on with the day.” I said. “We can talk about how easy it will be at the meeting.”

Darius just laughed quietly and we began walking down the stairs.

Dirk and Lana were walking through the main hall and Darius called out. “Dirk!”

Dirk let Lana keep walking and turned. “Yes, father?”

“Don’t go running off today. The General will be here at noon for the briefing and you need to be there.”

“Of course.”

“Where’s Bryce?” Troy asked.

“He’s in there.” Dirk said as he pointed to the dining hall.

“Make sure he knows and don’t be late.”

Dirk nodded and walked away. We left the palace instead of eating with them and got our horses ready so we could get to our first stop. It was fairly boring. I just stood around while I was being measured but it was something that had to be done.

Once we were through there, we realized what time it was and rushed back to the palace just as the General arrived at the gates.

“General.” I called. “You’re early.”

“I hope that’s not a problem, your majesty. Everything has been moving ahead of schedule.”

“No problem at all. We’ll be in the conference room so you can present your full report.”

The General nodded and got off his horse. He walked inside and we settled our horses in before following. Adele was walking a distance away and she shared a look with me. I knew what it meant and I almost dreaded this but I slightly nodded to her as we continued into the conference room and Seth, Dirk and Bryce were already in there with the General.

“Well, look who’s late.” Seth smiled.

“We’re allowed to be late. You’re not. Besides, we’re not late, it is not yet noon but let’s just get to it anyway. General, would you do the honors?”

Everyone sat down while the General remained standing, ready to explain. “Certainly, your majesty. I’ve prepared every unit as you ordered and they are currently stationed outside the city, awaiting your next instruction.”

“How many?”

“Our numbers have decreased since our fight with the Leccans but we’re still strong. There are two thousand and five hundred cavalry members remaining accompanied by four thousand infantry and there is also a good five hundred archers for use but dividing up our forces will only weaken our defenses.”

“So, what are you saying General? Do you not believe we can win this way?”

“It’s doubtful, your majesty. If you still so choose to split up the forces the number of losses will be great, giving the enemy the advantage. I fear we cannot win under those conditions.”

“There must be a way around this. Giving up our lands to the enemy is not something we’re about to do.”

“We can only hope that they attack in waves where we can respond all at once. There is no other way around this.”

“Yes, there is.” Seth said. “I’ve got one.”

“All right, Seth.” I replied. “Since this is your initial plan, how would you resolve this?”

Seth stood up and looked at the map on the table. “Simply. For starters, we can force them to combine their invasion points. For example, take out the eastern path through the mountains denying Ledia passage.” He pointed to the pass on the map. “This will force them to take a sea strike at the Silver Gates where Hintus will surely be.”

“Do you realize what you’re saying?” The General asked. “It would take a true measure of power and strength to demolish that pass.”

“True, General but we just so happen to have two of those on hand.” Seth looked over at Darius and Dirk to prove it. It sounded feasible to me.

“What do you have planned for the south then?” The General asked.

“We set a centered placement of the entire force here.” Seth pointed at the map. “And wait for them there.”

“But that leaves nothing in the north, where they could easily move to the city.”

Seth laughed. “Don’t worry about them, General. Just leave that to me. I’ll take care of it.”

The General looked over at me for some kind of response but I more or less agreed with Seth and nodded. I knew Seth was capable of taking out the fleets alone but the General was probably looking for a different answer.

“Very well. With your permission, your majesty, I would advise we move out the army at once.”

“Permission granted. Station them at the meeting point and be ready for battle.” The General nodded and left the conference room. “You have once again proven your leadership, my son but are you ready to take on full responsibility for the outcome in the north?”

Seth sat back down with a confident nod. “I am, father. It will be all too easy as I send every approaching ship to the bottom of the sea.”

I smiled to his enthusiasm. “Very well. Now that we fully understand what’s happening here, I must inform you that this will be the first time we’ll be splitting up. With that said, it’s time you knew that your mothers and the Kalu Assassins were sent back to Kalu to aid Aleksander in their victory.”

The boys looked at each other and were confused.

“Hold on.” Dirk said. “What do you mean by were sent?”

“They’re gone.” I said. “They were to leave as you came here.”

They were angry and rightfully so but remained quiet about it.

“There was no time for sad good-byes.” Troy said. “They have a duty of their own and that’s to Kalu. Not here.”

They still didn’t say anything and the silence alone was almost unbearable.

“You will see them again.” Darius said. “But at war’s end.”

“And there is no need to worry.” I added. “Their fate doesn’t end here but for now, we need to focus on what’s happening with us.”

They respectfully understood and three slow days passed until we were gathered in the conference room again for the final meeting before war.

“All right.” I said. “I know it’s been a tough few days but the time has finally come.” The boys sat back in their chairs and were still angry about not being able to say good-bye to the girls but still held back from speaking of it. “Darius. Dirk. I need you to ride to the eastern pass and take it down before Ledia decides to strike then ride to the meeting point.”

Darius nodded as he got up from the table and walked around it to Dirk. He looked up at his father with red eyes but Darius didn’t have to say a word and just pointed to the door. Dirk sighed, making his eye color fade and they left the conference room to prepare.

“Troy. Bryce. I need you to go out and check the positions of the other armies. I want to know their numbers, where they are, where they’re headed and how long it will be before they arrive at the meeting points. Once you find out all of that, ride there and report back to me.” They nodded and left the conference room together. I was left alone with Seth, who still sat quietly. “As for you, Seth. I don’t feel right sending you out alone but I know you’ll be able to handle it. Your mother would be proud to know you’re willing to take on the responsibility in the north.”

“Yes, she would be.” Seth muttered as he stood up and turned away. “If she were here!”

“Seth.” I stood up after him and leaned on the table. “This is not the time to be exchanging harsh words. War is upon us and I need you to be prepared for what might become of this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I might not survive this war.”

“Father!”

I held up my hand to silence him so I could continue. “And if I don’t, you have to be ready to take over as King. I know your mother would pass the task to you as she would be too distressed by my passing to rule in my stead.”

“Don’t say such things. You’ll make it home as you always do. You’re fate doesn’t end here as mine doesn’t.”

“Maybe not but I still need you to be ready when you’re called to duty.” Seth sighed but nodded as I walked around the table to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “You better go and get ready to ride to your post. I want you to stay there until you are completely sure you’ve taken out every ship, understand?”

“Yes, father.”

“Good. Now go. I must prepare myself and ride to the meeting point to meet with the General.”

Seth nodded and left the conference room to prepare. I stayed behind for a moment and looked over the map again. This plan had to work. Whatever it took.

Chapter 40

Dirk

I hated this.

Lana was gone; my wife and I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye. Suddenly preparing for war here didn’t seem to matter. All I wanted was to see her again.

I was staring at the ceiling while laying on my bed and my father entered my room, completely dressed for war. “What are you doing? We’ve got to get going.”

“I know. I’m working on it.”

My father sat down on the bed next to me and probably knew I was thinking about Lana. “Deep down you know it was the only way. Splitting up our units was not an easy decision but we can’t just let Kalu fall. They needed just as much help as we do.”

I knew he was right but sat up angrily anyway. “But why couldn’t you just tell us? Now I’m going to spend every second wondering if she’s okay.”

“There wouldn’t have been time for long good-byes. I didn’t even get to say good-bye to your mother either.”

“And still you seem so confident that she’ll be fine. How do you do it?”

“Because I know how great of a warrior your mother is. She’s a fighter and she won’t let something like this see to her end. You have to have faith that Lana is just the same. She’s been trained well. You need not to worry, they’ll look after each other as we do the same here.” I nodded and started to feel a little better after hearing my father’s words. “Good. Now finish getting ready. We have a mountain to move.”

I smiled to the thought and we both stood up so I could prepare. He was there to help me but we didn’t say much else to each other. We didn’t need to.

When I was completely ready, we headed down to the stables where Troy and Bryce were preparing their horses.

“You got ready quick.” My father said as he walked to his horse.

“We have a job to do.” Troy replied. “You know I don’t like to waste time.”

“I guess so.”

Seth and Zayden walked in last and Zayden was more than willing to give us a well-needed speech. “Is everyone ready for this?” Everyone was on their horses and met him on his by the entrance. “This is where we separate. The next time we’ll be together like this is at war’s end. I’m off to the meeting point where I will see most of you there to assist in our victory. Until then, good luck in your prior tasks and may our fates once again prove dominance over all else.” It was hard for everyone not to smile because it was true. “Remember what we ride for and you will return. We ride for honor, we ride for glory and most importantly, we ride for the women in our beds.”

We cheered for that agreement just to make it sound happy as Zayden’s horse reared up and he took off out of the stables, heading south. My father and I followed but we rode east through the city and headed to the eastern mountain pass.

It was early morning on Day 11 before we made it there and we travelled through to get to the border.

“This is it.” My father said. “No need to be subtle here.”

I smiled and got off my horse. “All right. Let’s do it!”

“Hold on. Don’t get too excited just yet. We have to make sure we don’t get caught up in it.”

“So, what do we have to do then?”

My father looked around at the ledges around us to figure out a plan. “First, we must climb up and find a secure place to stand.”

“You mean up there?” I wondered as I pointed up.

“Yeah. Do you have a problem climbing in that or would you rather take it off first?”

“No time for that. I can handle it.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

“Okay then. You take the left side and I’ll take the right.”

I nodded and we both walked to the ledges and started to climb up. It seemed really slow. Wearing all this armor seemed more difficult but I’ll admit it was also my first time climbing a cliff like this.

“How’s it coming over there?”

I tried to turn my head and saw my father already up about fifty feet, waiting for me. That’s nice. He was clearly much faster at it than me.

“Not any faster with you talking to me!” I heard him laugh but continued to climb up another slow fifteen feet until I found my secure spot. “Okay! This should be good!”

My father got up and looked over the edge then took a few steps back. “Okay! This is what I want you to do! We’re going to make this simple! Take a few steps away from the edge and do as I do but remember to not overdue it or you’ll go down too! Ready?!”

“Ready! Go for it!”

My father took a deep breath. He simply stomped his foot down and took a few more steps back. The rocks started to crack around him and straight down the side of the ledge to the ground. There was a moment of silence after that then the whole side of the cliff fell into the pass, scaring the horses.

I waved away the cloud of dust from my breathing space so I could react. “That was amazing!”

“Go ahead! It’s your turn! We can’t get down until you do!”

I smiled, ready to finally be allowed to destroy something. I slammed my foot down like he did and stepped back. Again, the rocks cracked down the side of the ledge to the ground then they all collapsed into the pass on top of the other pile. It felt amazing.

“Great!” My father said. “I think that ought to do it! Let’s get down from here and ride to the meeting point!”

“Okay but how?! We can’t exactly get down the way we got up!”

“You better find away unless you want to stay up there forever!” My father started to climb down on his side. “Come on!” He started to slide down the fresh rubble all the way to the bottom. It looked easy enough. I sat down on the ledge and jumped down to another and slid down to my father. “Now it’s to battle and hope they don’t start without us.”