Finding Sunshine

Table talk

“I apologize for my absence yesterday. Thank you for allowing me to rest.” Zarak said as he sat down at a large round table made of red wood. His father loved this table. He was a man that cherished the stories of knights who sat at the round table. He wanted every one of his people to know that he was equal with them and so they sat side by side.

There sat four strong Allies and his brother. They were ready to start strategizing.

“We have two months, at the most, before the cold weather hits.” Chad started the meeting.

“There’s two routes that they could possibly take to strike. We don’t know which they’ll take, when they’ll come or where they’ll strike first.” He continued as he looked at the faces at the table.

“What do we know?” A grey haired man asked. Mike was the leader of tripe clan, the furthest and oldest ally their father had. They were across the sea and resided on an island. He was probably the wisest of them all. He’s been around for several wars. He was the king’s closest friend and didn’t hesitate to be a safe haven or to offer his men to assist.

“When they ambushed the queen..” Chad cleared his throat. “It was just outside the dark woods. We think they’ll strike there first.”

“How did they know the queen was there?” This time a woman asked. She went by her warrior name, Valda, which means powerful ruler. She had long red hair that was braided down her back. Her tan skin was so perfect it glowed, almost as if she rubbed oil on before she came. She was definitely the tallest there at the table and definitely one of the strongest women amongst all clans. Valda resembled an sss. She was from the serenity clan, located on the other side of the snow mountains. The women there were the warriors.

“What do you mean?” Zarak asked.

Valda looked around the table and saw that she was the only one who wondered that.

“Men.” She shook her head.

“Watch your mouth woman!” The youngest of the group snapped as he stood, causing a few others to stand in case a fight broke out.

“Duncan!” Zarak calmly said as he raised his hand to silence him.

Duncan and the others sat back down, his fist in a ball. Zarak knew that Duncan lost his father around the same time as they did, leaving him to be leader of the Arman clan at just fourteen. He was young, with no guidance and felt he had a lot to prove.

“It’s odd that those snow bastards knew exactly when and where to ambush.” Valda commented.

“A traitor?” Chad questioned as he looked at his twin.

“There’s no way of telling. Father was on his deathbed. He had visitors paying their respect for days before hand.” Zarak said as he looked at Chad then back at Valda.

Valda bowed her head in respect, showing the others that she meant no harm. Everyone bowed in acceptance.

“What if they come from both sides?” The last of the allies to speak out was Hugo. His name meant intelligence. He was a thinker. He studied wars and different techniques. He may be the skinniest of the bunch which made him physically the weakest but he was one of the best at strategies. He had the strongest mind.

“They don’t have enough men to cover both.” Mike said. “They’re just one clan.” He finished his thought.

“And who’s to say they don’t have friends?” Hugo challenged the thought.

Zarak rubbed the bridge of his nose. His head was running in circles. He knew that the possibilities were endless.

“Could we have enough warriors to cover both entryways?” Duncan suggested.

“That’ll leave us out numbered if they only enter one way.” Hugo answered.

Zarak looked at mike who had fixed his posture as if he just had an idea.

“Are the dark woods on board?” Mike asked. He was the only one who knew about the promise.

“With them it might just work.” He said.

Chad looked at Zarak. They had yet to talk about any of it but his brother didn’t bother looking back at him.

“We’re working on it.” Zarak replied, then he looked around the table.

“We’ll get on that. I need you all to start your trainings. We need your warriors ready.” Chad took lead.

“Valda we fear your clan could be in danger due to being the closest to the mountain. You are welcome to bring all of your people here. We have enough rooms in the east wing and more than enough room in our field to train.” Zarak extended the hospitality he always saw his father give.

Valda bowed her head in acceptance.

“Thank you.” She said, looking at both bothers.

“I’ll send the outlay of the land as soon as I reach home” Hugo said.

“Smart. Thank you.” Chad replied.

“Duncan, we need you to help Valda and her clan with their travels.” Zarak stated.

“I have warriors, not slaves.” Duncan said with aggression, referring to his dark complexion.

“Then I suggest your warriors be men and help the women and children to safety.” Chad snapped back.

Duncan went quiet.

“Do you understand?” Chad asked while looking at Duncan.

Duncan sat up straight in his chair and nodded with pride.

“We’ll expect your arrival in two weeks.” Chad told Valda.

Valda nodded then looked at Duncan.

“When shall we expect you and your men? She asked him.

“We’ll be there in twelve days” he replied.

Valda nodded then looked at the twins.

“Thank you all again.” Zarak said as he looked at everyone and stood to let them know the meeting was over.

Everyone stood and started walking towards the door to leave. Once the room was quiet and it was just Zarak and Chad, they sat back down. Zarak sighed.

“You seem better.” Chad said suspiciously.

Zarak looked at him and then looked down at his hands.

“I’m glad brother.” Chad said lovingly.

Zarak looked up in shock.

“I was selfish. I kept her to myself and I never once cared for your pain. When I was away from her all those months, it was the most pain I’ve ever felt.” Chad continued.

“Could this work?” Zarak asked his twin.

Could they both marry, be in love and live with Rain peacefully?

“I’m sure we’ll come across some problems.” Chad replied.

“But we have to.” He said as he leaned back in his chair.

“Did she agree to marry?” Chad asked his brother.

Zarak nodded. “Have you two reconciled?” He asked Chad.

“Not yet.” Chad sighed.

“You need to let her in Zee. No more lies.” Zarak wanted them all to be able to get along.

“I know brother. I will.” Chad assured his twin.