The Light And Shadow Chronicles - Books 1-3

2. Disappointment

The tactical room was eerily quiet as Callista and her advisors arrived. They lit the torches that hung on the wall and a warm yellow glare illuminated the room. Plans, sketches and diagrams hung on every wall. A huge map of the world was positioned on the northern wall with pins marking the current location of soldiers and units. A long oak table filled the centre of the room and in the middle of it was an intricately carved model of the imposing Fortress of Crae that silently guarded the entrance to Alcherys, the united lands of the Children of Light.

The tactical roomThe tactical room usually buzzed with activity, people dashing from one map to another, marking ambassadors" movements, tracking armies and issuing status updates. But tonight the entire city celebrated outside and only Callista"s most important advisors and generals were called to the meeting.

Callista sat at the head of the large table and placed her hands flat on the surface, surveying a crumpled old map laid out before her. Her fresh, delicate skin and youthful features betrayed none of the torment and hardships she and her people had been suffering for 135 years. She was a fearsome warrior, highly trained and immensely skilled with years of leadership behind her. So many years of war against the same enemy had equipped her with a deep understanding of the mentality of the Brotherhood of Shadow and its fighters, especially their leader, Vincent Wilder.

At 151 years old, she had been married four times and had brought up twenty-eight children. Three of her ex-husbands now sat on the council as her advisors, still on good terms with her despite their break-ups. Her most recent relationship had ended with tragedy and she was still recovering, throwing herself into governing her nation and not allowing herself to stay still long enough to dwell on it.

“Sorry to drag you away from the evening"s festivities, but it is crucial we discuss our tactical position and to direct our soldiers in the most efficient way from here on. After tonight you will head your separate ways, and we do not know when our next opportunity will arise.”

“You are quite right, Mother. We all understand our responsibilities as leaders of our nation. Let us get to business right away so that we may join our families for the rest of the night.” Raven Lennox, Callista"s son and valued advisor, addressed the small group. “The Brotherhood"s attacks have stopped for now, but we can"t allow ourselves to become complacent. You know how the Brotherhood works; they attack relentlessly. If they are quiet, it"s because they"re up to something. I believe we should maintain our defenses here. There is no point sending soldiers away to distant lands if we are to suffer an unexpected attack to our home.”

Chaos gave an eager nod of agreement, supporting his father, but Scorpio Bast, Callista"s second-in-command and one of her ex-husbands, shook his head.

“Our borders are the quietest they"ve been for the past seven years. Now is the time to advance. I say we send all the soldiers who are sitting idle here out to the uncharted lands to secure the loyalty of the unallied peoples and bring back new soldiers.”

“May I remind you,” Callista"s voice broke into the debate, “that we are not conquering? We are not trying to recruit soldiers to fight for us; we are offering the people of these towns security and the ability to protect themselves from other invaders who may not be so kind.”

Scorpio held his hands up by way of apology. “I know that, Callista, and, of course, their welfare is our priority. I merely meant that the villages could potentially hold talented fighters, and we need all the soldiers we can get.”

“No, we don"t,” Raven interrupted. “We have many soldiers here who are itching for the extra training and the opportunity to enter our elite forces. Training the people we already have should be our priority.” He gestured towards Chaos, who sat upright proudly.

Raven, Scorpio and Chaos turned to look at Callista, seeking her judgement. She sighed. “Jordan, where do you stand on this?”

Another of Callista"s children, Jordan Thialdor had excelled in military planning as he was growing up, able to see gaps in defences and isolate weak points with startling precision. Now he ran the Children of Light"s tactical division and was one of Callista"s most trusted advisors.

His gentle but confident tones chipped into the conversation.

“I am reluctant to advise any expansion until our own borders are thoroughly secure and can withstand attacks. We have a number of weaknesses along our border with Terralia that concern me.”

Callista sat forward without a moment"s hesitation. “Then pull some troops from the western and northern areas and relocate them to the Terralian border. The Brotherhood may have enslaved the people of Terralia already, but it"s only a matter of time before they march across the wasteland and attack us from that angle.

“Raven, I would like Avalanche to relocate to the Terralian border as well. I know it"ll be harsh on you all, and I"m sorry for that, but let your team take their families with them if they want to go. The more soldiers on the frontlines the better. Take three drylls with you from the aviary. That way you can send them back and forth with messages and keep me updated at all times.

Chaos straightened up in his chair. “Grandmother, would you like me and Nightfall to accompany my father at the border?”

She quickly dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “No, Chaos. I"ll come to you in a minute.” He sat back in his chair, deflated.

“Scorpio, you and the main forces should remain here in Nazaki with me and Jordan.”

He gave a curt nod. “Of course.”

Callista took a deep breath and turned to Chaos. “I would like you and Nightfall to relocate to the Far East on the border with Karinam. There is a small town there by the name of Eresteid. It is mostly empty but once served as a barracks so you and your team will be able to lodge there and train.”

“What?” he shouted, fury burning in his dark eyes before he reined in his temper. “That border is miles from the rest of our settlements. As an elite force, would we not be more effectively used somewhere like Terralia?”

“Jordan just stated that our defences in the east are weak. You will be in a perfect position to defend our lands if the Brotherhood chose to attack from that direction.”

“If they attack. In a hundred years, the Brotherhood has never attacked via that route. That mission is effectively taking my unit out of commission. How can I prove to you what Nightfall and I are capable of if you don"t give me the chance? I am the son of Raven Lennox! Does that mean nothing to you?”

Ifnever“Having a successful father does not mean you inherit his success. You have to work for your own recognition,” Callista said firmly.

Chaos"s face reddened with fury. “I strive every day for that recognition! How many of our soldiers are mentioned in the Book of Alcherys? That"s not just a dusty old book, you know, it tells the future of our people, the destiny of the greatest warriors to grace our lands, and I am in it. Me.” He jabbed his finger at his chest as he spat the words out.

Book of Alcherys“You are not the only person mentioned in the prophecies, Chaos. And please do not lecture me on the sacred text; I know it more intimately than anybody.”

“Then you should know that I am destined for greatness!”

“Your destiny has nothing to do with it. It"s too dangerous for you in Terralia.”

destiny“Dangerous? Come on, tell me the real reason you won"t let me go. This isn"t about my safety. You don"t trust me.”

Callista heaved a deep sigh. “No, I don"t trust you. It hasn"t been that long since you"ve taken the elixir. You are still a child by our standards. And your actual age wouldn"t be an issue if you could just act more grown up, but you are still too immature. When I send soldiers out on missions, they act as representatives of the Children of Light. That is a huge responsibility, and you are not ready for it.”

not“That is downright insulting. I am not immature! I"ve been ready for years; you just refuse to see it. I took the elixir four years ago. Four years!”

Four years!“That"s enough!” Raven slammed his hand down on the table, making Chaos jump. “I"ve stood by you for long enough, but you can"t speak to Callista like that. She"s your leader and your grandmother. Show her some respect.”

“Why should I? She doesn"t show me any. I am clearly ready—I am the strongest fighter of my generation and should be treated as such. I should be one of the first people consulted when important or dangerous missions are assigned.”

Raven sighed. “It"s that arrogance that"s stopping you from getting assignments! Do not assume that being the best inside these walls is the same as being the best out there. You have not seen the worst our enemies can throw at us. You have been of age for four years. Do you really think that"s long enough to be called an established warrior? Four years is nothing, Chaos. I"ve been of age for seventy years, and I am still not good enough to beat some of the horrors beyond Alcherys!”

fourChaos paused for a moment before his face soured into a dissatisfied scowl. “My four years are worth a hundred of anybody else"s.” He got up and stormed from the room, slamming the heavy wooden door on his way out.

Callista turned back to the meeting table, where Scorpio and Jordan were casting disapproving looks at one another, and Raven stared at both of them with an intense glare.

“Don"t worry.” Callista"s voice dropped to a gentle, reassuring tone. “He"ll be fine. I know it"s tough on him and on you, but he needs to learn that he can"t have everything his way.”

“I know, but it"s hard,” Raven said. “He"s very talented for someone so young. I just wish he didn"t put so much belief in that prophecy. To be told you are "destined" to bring down the Brotherhood would make anybody arrogant.”

“But it is in the book, so it must be true. The book does not lie, and Chaos"s part in the future of our people motivates him.”

is“Yes, but it motivates him too much, doesn"t it? He thinks he"s better than everyone else now.”

Callista smiled. “Yes, but he is better than everyone else, Raven. I just hope he can focus that talent in the right direction, or we"ll find it harder and harder to keep him under control.”

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