36 - Meeting with the First Prince

*Nemesia's POV*

The next morning was crisp and clear, with the sun casting long shadows over the small port town. We had settled into the inn late the previous night, our group blending into the early morning activity of the town. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants setting up their stalls, the distant cries of seabirds, and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the docks.

As I stood by the window of my room, watching the town come to life, I felt the familiar weight of the mission ahead settling over me. Today, we would make contact with Prince David, the First Prince of the Lycan Kingdom, and the man I would have to deceive to accomplish my goal. I couldn't afford to let emotions cloud my judgment, but I knew this would be harder than I had anticipated.

Athena stirred within me, her presence a steadying force. "You can do this, Nemesia. Remember, he's just a pawn in this game."

I nodded slightly, taking a deep breath as I turned away from the window. Evar was waiting for me downstairs, along with Murphey and the others. We had gone over the plan the previous night, but now it was time to put it into action.

When I entered the common room of the inn, the group was already gathered, speaking in hushed tones. Evar looked up as I approached, his expression unreadable.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice low.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Let's get this done."

We left the inn quietly, moving through the narrow streets of the town toward the Lycan encampment. The tension in the air was palpable, but we maintained our cover, appearing as nothing more than a group of traders on a routine journey.

The closer we got to the encampment, the more I felt my nerves tighten. This was no ordinary mission. If David knew what had happened back at the capital—all our plans could come crashing down. I had to keep my composure, rely on the history we shared, and trust that his honour and naivety would blind him to the truth.

As we reached the encampment, the guards stationed at the entrance eyed us warily. I stepped forward, offering a polite nod.

"We're here to see Prince David," I said, my voice calm but authoritative.

The guard hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Tell him... the old sword wants to help his rusty one... I guess he should remember" I added trying not to cringe at our old saying.

"Wait here. I'll inform the Prince." They've said.

We stood in silence as the guard disappeared into the camp. I could feel Evar's gaze on me, but I kept my eyes forward, focusing on what was to come.

A few minutes later, the guard returned, accompanied by another man—a soldier with a serious expression and a commanding presence.

"Lady Nemesia, the Prince will see you now," the soldier said, gesturing for us to follow him.

Seeing as he used my name and title, the prince remembered our saying and... probably didn't know about my 'issues' with Marco.

We were led through the camp, the Lycans and Jaguars around us casting curious glances in our direction. It was clear that news of our arrival had spread quickly. I kept my head held high, determined not to show any sign of weakness.

The tent we were led to was large and well-appointed, befitting the status of the man who occupied it. The flap was pulled back, and I stepped inside, followed closely by Evar and Murphey.

Prince David was waiting for us. He was standing by a large table covered in maps and documents, his posture relaxed but alert. When he saw me, a smile spread across his face—genuine, warm, and utterly disarming.

"Nemesia," he said, stepping forward to greet me. "It's been too long."

"David," I replied, returning his smile with one of my own - it didn't even feel very forced. I could also feel Murphey's and Evar's surprise. "I wish it were under better circumstances."

He nodded, his expression turning somber. "War has a way of bringing old friends together in the most unfortunate of ways. But I'm glad you're here. We could use all the help we can get."

I felt a pang of guilt at his words. David had always been kind to me, even when others in the court had looked down on me for my lack of noble blood. He had been a friend when I had few, and now I was about to betray that friendship.

But this was my war, and in war, there were no friends—only allies and enemies.

"Of course, David," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "We're here to offer our support in any way we can."

He seemed genuinely pleased by my response, his eyes lighting up with gratitude. "Your support means a great deal to me, Nemesia. With your help, I'm confident we can turn the tide in this war."

Murphey stepped forward, offering a respectful bow. "Prince David, my name is Murphey. I lead a small contingent of warriors who have been working under Lady Nemesia. We're at your service."

David nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you, Murphey. I appreciate your willingness to join our cause. The Bears are a formidable enemy, but with your help, we may be able to push them back."

I watched as David and Murphey exchanged pleasantries, my mind racing as I considered the next steps. We needed to establish our cover, gain David's trust, and gather as much information as possible about the Lycan forces and their plans.

"David," I said, interrupting their conversation, "perhaps you could show us the current situation on the battlefield. It would help us to better understand how we can assist."

He nodded, motioning us to the table where the maps were spread out. "Of course. We've made significant progress against the Bears, but they're a resilient enemy. Their knowledge of the terrain gives them an advantage, but we've managed to hold them at bay for now with all the intel from the Jaguars."

As he spoke, he pointed to various positions on the map, detailing the movements of the Lycan troops and the strategies they had employed. I listened carefully, noting the weaknesses and vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Evar and Murphey also studied the map, their eyes sharp as they absorbed the information. I could see the wheels turning in Murphey's mind, already planning our next move.

"The Bears have retreated to this area," David continued, pointing to a section of the map that was heavily wooded and difficult to access. "It's a natural fortress, and they're using it to their advantage. We've tried several times to break through their defences, but so far, we haven't had much success."

I nodded, pretending to consider the situation. "It sounds like a difficult position to overcome. But perhaps with a fresh perspective, we can find a way."

David smiled, clearly relieved by my willingness to help. "I'm sure we can, Nemesia. Your tactical mind is unparalleled. With your help, I believe we can help the Jaguars reclaim their lands."

I forced myself to smile in return, knowing that every word I spoke was leading us closer to our true objective. "I'll do whatever I can to assist, David. My team and I are at your disposal."

As the meeting continued, we discussed various strategies and plans, all the while keeping up the facade that we were there to support the Lycans and the Jaguars in their fight against the Bears. David was attentive and respectful, always seeking my opinion and valuing my input.

It was almost painful, knowing that I was deceiving him so completely. But I reminded myself of the greater goal—of the revenge I sought and the justice that needed to be served.

When the meeting finally concluded, David stood and offered his hand to me. "It's good to have you back, Nemesia. Together, we'll make sure the Lycan Kingdom remains strong."

I shook his hand, the weight of my deception heavy on my conscience. "I have no doubt of that, David."

As we left the tent, Evar fell into step beside me, his expression thoughtful. "He trusts you completely," he said quietly with a hint of... jealousy?

"For now," I replied, my tone grim. "But we're only just beginning. We need to make contact with the Bears as soon as possible."

"We will," Evar assured me. "But first, let's get our team settled. We'll need all the rest we can get before we make our move."

We returned to the inn, where the rest of our team was waiting. The atmosphere was tense, but I could see the determination in their eyes. They knew what was at stake, and they were ready to do whatever it took to succeed.

As night fell, I found myself standing at the edge of the town as I went for a walk, looking out at the darkening sky. The stars were just beginning to appear, their light faint and distant.

Evar joined me, his presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my thoughts. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his voice soft.

"I'm fine," I replied, though the weight of the situation was beginning to take its toll. "David trusts me, which is good. But it's also making this harder than I expected."

Evar nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "It's never easy when you have to deceive someone you care about. But you're doing what needs to be done."

I sighed, leaning against the wooden railing. "I know. But it doesn't make it any less difficult."

"I'll help you... And when it's all over, you'll have the revenge you deserve." Evar said, his tone resolute.

I smiled faintly, appreciating his support. "Thank you, Evar."

"And if you're feeling bad about betrayin' him maybe... we could alter the plan in a way so he wouldn't have to pay such a high price?" he added, his expression softening as he looked at me. "But no matter what you decide... I'm with you every step of the way, Nemesia. No matter what."

We stood there in silence for a while, the night air cool against our skin. At that moment, I felt a rare sense of peace, knowing that no matter how difficult the path ahead might be, I wasn't walking it alone. And Evar's words made me think... Maybe I could... be less cruel to David?