Strategy

The king looked at the two captains who had given their reports. "Captains, thank you for the information. The rest of the council needs time to deliberate on what we have heard. You're dismissed"

The two men bowed and took their leave. What must they be thinking? I certainly don't think that they imagined this is where the day would lead them.

"Why would the Norads want to cause chaos? What can that possibly gain them?" My mouth had a mind of its own today. I hope I don't regret letting it run away without me.

King Caderyn seemed irritated at my questions. He pressed his thin lips into a barely visible line.

"Chaos can be helpful for a lot of different purposes. Just think if someone needed a distraction for a nefarious plot." My uncle tried to lead me in the direction of starting to think like a council member.

"Or if the citizenry loses confidence in our system of government and its ability to keep them safe." Lord Garrison hypothesized.

"They could also be trying to frighten people away from Ensis. Historically, the Norads considered this land their own. Maybe they are trying to reclaim it." Lord Bleddyn's speech grew with anger. He was a fighter at heart.

My history books rarely talked about the time period that Lord Bleddyn mentioned. The oral history was passed through whispers and nursery tales. The accounts did not always agree. What I did know is that at one point there were elves.

The elven race was thought to have passed into extinction before most of our legends were even recorded. I still hold out hope that they exist, but the odds are not in my favor. Before their disappearance from the pages of history, they were said to have lived alongside a certain group of humans in the region that would become Ensis.

It is said that elves intermarried with these humans and created magical beings. Their descendants warred against the people who had no magical abilities at the formation of our kingdom. Whether this is myth or legend, no one knows. I suppose there must be some truth to it since the Norads exist.

"The Norads already lost that war once. They would be foolish to start it again. We are strong." The king preened with overconfidence.

"Considering one of their archers did manage to wound my son today, I would advise caution over confidence, My King. We are strong, but we need to be wise as well," Lord Garrison somehow reprimanded the king while still maintaining an over abundance of respect for his authority. I do not know what swordsman's training looks like in the house of Falcon, but I hope to learn some of their finesse.

"Since Lord Bleddyn is the most knowledgeable about our opponents, shall we hear his ideas on how to best prepare ourselves?" My father brought us back to the topic at hand. We needed a plan.

"We need to make sure we double the training guards receive…," Lord Bleddyn began the five hour planning session off with defensive moves. I began it by hanging on every word.

The swordsman were all knowledgeable. Ideas of defense and offense were presented in turns. Sometimes the same Swordsman who presented the idea was the first to abandon it. Strategies were adopted, revisited, revised and then reopened for general debate.

I suppose it was good for me to hear all of the ideas, but hours into this meeting my head was spinning. Maybe I would be able to appreciate these meetings once I had a few more years under my belt. These men were all my father's peers.

I had not missed Lord Holden until this moment. He was usually at the border and departed sometime yesterday. Maybe someone younger would be able to better help me keep pace with the most recent plans and the methodology to get to them. I stifled a yawn.

A knock at the door disturbed everyone's thoughts. The king was the first to regain composure. "Come in."

A servant entered and walked to Lord Garrison's side. She handed him a piece of paper. "My son's surgery is over. He is expected to recover. He's awoken from the doctor's sleeping draught and is asking to see me."

There was no question in Lord Garrison's voice. He stood before remembering himself. "Excuse me, King and Council."

"Of course! By all means. I wouldn't deny a request from a Swordsman. Especially under these circumstances." King Caderyn nodded his head in approval of Lord Garrison's departure.

"Your Majesty, since you would not deny the request of a Swordsman, consider this. Please allow me the honor of striking out in the morning to take care of this threat against our kingdom!" Lord Bleddyn was usually more reserved. Maybe the past brought out a different side of him. His voice was full of conviction.

This was a new thought. With my interest piqued, even the thought of yawning disappeared. How would this request be received?

"I appreciate your passion, Lord Bleddyn but I'm not sure that plan is the best option. I would prefer as many swordsmen as possible be near the castle." King Caderyn seemed poised to protect himself.

Lord Bleddyn looked displeased. "If the opportunity arises, I will avenge my wife, Your Majesty"

I hope I never cross the clan of wolves. It's clear that Cali comes by her passion and intensity for life honestly. Lord Bleddyn and Cali were cut from the same cloth. I had been on the receiving side of a lesser version of the utter look of disdain that the Swordsman was giving King Caderyn. No one would take away his chance to right the wrong that had happened to Cali's mom so many years before.

The king was exasperated. "Enough! I mean that is enough for today. Council dismissed"

My uncle, father and I all walked back to the holding room we had left hours before. Even from down the hall, we could tell our loved ones were still there. Laughter filled the halls.

We walked into a sight that filled me with joy. Liliana was snuggled in between Cali and Alina. All were guessing wildly at the charade my mother was trying to perform. It must be some type of bird.

"Never forget that coming home is always the best reward and your marriage will be filled with love." My father was a wise man. Today I understood him a little better