"Yes, let us get some rest dear. Everything will be all right. I promise," he said as they left the balcony. As long as I have breath in my lungs, I will keep you from harm.
CHAPTER 9
The queen could not believe what she had just experienced in the council room. She had no idea that Kishi was going to divide this newly created nation in two. She lay on her bed with that sick feeling ravaging her stomach. She still could not shake the ominous, dreadful sensation even though she just had the most gut-wrenching experience she could have ever imagined. She knew that she should not have attacked her sister, but she simply could not believe that her sibling would be so treacherous. Anger and disbelief coursed through her body as she sat up to look at her silent husband.
"I thought you said she loved me and would be my biggest supporter!" she snapped hotly.
"I know what I said. Her time for understanding has not come yet. Please be patient a little while longer. I am sure she will come around. Maybe the two of you were meant to rule the high elves together. Maybe by crowning you queen and making her a princess caused an unintentional rift between you. You know that I can read minds, so believe me when I say that your sister does love you," Yukio pleaded with his wife. She had better get a hold of herself now or all will be lost.
Silence enveloped the room while they stared at one another. The queen's expression began to soften as she felt her husband's words bringing her a measure of peace. She did not know what she would do without the strong support of such a devoted husband. He always knew exactly what to say and when to say it. He had his flaws for sure, but he complimented her in ways no one else could. She felt the anger and frustration leave her body as though she was slowly deflating. She stood up and walked to where Yukio was standing.
"You are right … as usual. I just do not know what to do at this point. Kishi must be furious with me. I think we will need to establish some sort of ties, but I am not sure she will be too accepting after what I did. I am sure the people who followed her will know by now what happened, so they will not support any diplomacy with such an unstable ruler," she said dejectedly.
"That is a good point, my dear. We do need to strike some sort of accord with your sister and her people as soon as possible. Maybe I should take Bronwen with me and head over there in a few days. I do not think it would be prudent to go right now while everyone is still agitated. Also, you need to address those who remained behind to renew their support of you as their leader," Yukio said decisively.
"Do you really think diplomacy will work with those that left?" she asked.
"If we are to survive an outside attack, then there must be peace between the two mountain nations," explained the general. He wrapped his massive arms around his wife and held her close. He was troubled in his mind about the recent events, but he too did not know what to do. He stood there lost in his own thoughts, holding on to his beautiful wife. Where has Kana gone? Why has she not helped us?
They held each other for a long time while looking out the window at the pouring rain. Both were consumed by their own thoughts and were not in the mood to talk anymore. They were both determined to figure out the best course of action before the day was out. They watched passively as the home guard darted this way and that across the royal courtyard. The weather got increasingly worse as the day wore on. Finally the couple decided they had to do something aside from just standing there. They both left the room heading in opposite directions. Yukio had to get back to his troops and give them their new orders while the queen returned to the council room for a follow-up meeting. A swift and decisive course of action was needed. These two would do just that in their separate responsibilities.
The troops under General Yukio's command instantly snapped to attention at his arrival. He looked calm and in control of the evereroding situation. The master manipulator immediately sensed that the men felt a diminished sense of purpose. He could tell that there was a singular question amongst them regarding what should be done now. Do they give chase to those who departed, or do we just continue to defend the city? He would have to put an immediate stop to the questions and doubts. He would infuse purpose back into the men and inspire them to greater heights. He called for the troops to come to attention, and complete silence fell; even the rain seemed to have been silenced.
"About half of the high elves have departed for Mount Konane while we were in that dreadful meeting," General Yukio declared solemnly. "We will leave them alone for the time being and even wish them well in their new endeavor. Our goal will be to establish diplomatic ties with them, so whenever we see one of the departed, treat them kindly." He was trying to impress upon the minds of the troops that they were not to mistreat the high elves that left Alanderas.
"What are our orders now, General?" asked one of the captains.
"We are going to fortify the outer and inner walls of this great city. No one will penetrate our defenses while we still have breath in our bodies! There is a very real possibility that we will be attacked very soon. The enemies of the high elves will think that this is the right time to attack since there is a division among the people. We will prove them wrong!" bellowed General Ibreshri. His eyes were blood red with intensity as he spoke.
The whole army erupted into shouts of approval, and war chants soon drowned out the yelling. The excitement and anticipation the men were feeling was palpable. General Yukio cracked into a wide smile as he watched the enthusiasm of his soldiers. He felt reassured that the defense of this massive city was in capable hands. He knew that they would be able to defend against anything or anyone that came at them now. He had the feeling that some kind of war was brewing and that there were going to be people from the different races involved. There will be many of the powerful creatures of Tuwa who would be dragged into the conflict. Maybe even the Elementals would get involved somehow. He just knew that he had to be prepared for whatever tried to breach the walls of Alanderas.
After talking with the men, he headed to the council chambers where he knew he could find his wife. He needed to talk with the high elven home guard to make sure they knew their role in defending the city from assault. The guard would have the queen as their charge; nothing would change that. Yukio would defend the city from external attacks, but the queen would have to be defended from traitors by her guard. He was confident that they would be equal to the task; however, he would make sure that they were properly motivated.
As he was walking toward the council chambers lost in his thoughts, he came across the very person he had intended to talk to. General Marek Thraadinal snapped to attention when Yukio came into sight. Marek was in charge of the army of the high elves, diminished as they were in numbers. The army doubled as the high elven home guard because of their small size and because their main purpose was to defend the capital city. The two military leaders looked at one another for a moment and then threw their arms around each other in a hearty embrace. They stood back looking at one another appraisingly.
"My dear old friend, how have you been?" queried General Marek.
"Better than you from the looks of it," General Yukio replied with a laugh and a hearty slap on the back. "I have not lost over half my army. How are the inner wall defenses?"
"The inner wall and the castle are impregnable. Do not worry, my friend. I will keep your wife safe at all costs. You do not hide your feelings in this matter very well. I thought you were the master of controlling your emotions while manipulating others to do your will," Marek chided knowingly.