Secrets of a War God

8.

Tarnon

With the build up to the colder months coming in, Tarnon had become busier. The streets were filled with families trying to buy as much food as possible, knowing that it gets harder to farm. Calissa had taken to walking the streets more, interacting with the people of her kingdom. And the fact that she was the War God was not lost, but they still treated her as she wished. 

The atmosphere in the Capital was peaceful, even with the intrusion of an Arelyan a couple weeks ago. The borders had been fortified by the Guards kept under the King. The borders had been quiet ever since the announcement, and that put both the King and Calissa on edge. Neither knowing if an attack was to expected.

Her walk around the Capital wasn't for fun, she was scouting where the weak points are in the protection, checking the faces of her people, and making sure none were being mistreated. It was easy to see who an outsider was in their kingdom, this being due to the paler complexions of the locals. Winter was a longer season for them, with daylight being rare during it. Any foreigners found in the lands were expected to have more colour to their skin, what with their lands being warmer. From what Calissa could see, none were as dark as those in Arelya.

Satisfied with her scoping for today, Calissa returned to the palace, greeted with an overly giddy dragon. Naya wanted to go with her, but due to her beastly size she would have crushed half of the buildings in the Capital. In fairness she could barely fit in spaces with the palace. Calissa reached for her companion, wanting to have some time in the sky as well. 

Faris watched as they took off over the palace, wishing for that sense of freedom as well. He had taken rides on Naya with his sister, but that was only when they had gone to find a space to train. Naya was picky with who she respected and trusted, the two siblings, Teresita and Uther had been the only ones allowed to even come near her. Cylis and Theon were growled at whenever they were within her eyesight, deeming both of them as unworthy for her. 

Moving back into his room, Faris had started to pack his bags. Once a month he made his way into the mountains, he owned a house up there that he uses for special occasions. Most people within the palace new that the Prince leaves every month for a couple of days, but no one knew exactly why apart from the King and Calissa. After all, they were the ones that helped to set it up. Kato was bouncing around, he couldn't wait to get into the snow, and see someone else. 

Kade walked in to his brothers room, not caring for formalities, as usual. Taking his seat in one of the chairs, he scrutinised his brother, hating the fact that he leaves him for almost a week every month. 

"So...Why are you leaving again?" His question had been asked every single time Faris packed, and every single time he had the same response.

"Somewhere you are not." Faris turned to look at him, he never liked leaving his younger brother. "Please don't do something idiotic. I will be back in a week." With that he picked up his bag and made his way out the room, Kato bounding along beside him. Both ecstatic to be getting out. 

Kade was not amused, knowing that his brother had purposefully decided to annoy him. Leaving him in a foul mood before he left for a week, pleased that he wouldn't have to deal with it. Him and Tao, his beautiful brown furred wolf, stalked the palace. Neither liked the company of their eldest brothers, with Santi as the exception as he didn't really socialise with anyone but their father. 

Tao had taken off suddenly, leaving his human to follow. The wolf was normally the one guiding the pair to a destination, which Kade was more than happy about. Rounding a corner he saw his wolf scratching at a door and whimpering slightly, and he knew exactly where he had stopped. Kade refused to turn the corner, not wanting to see the person behind the door. Trying to call Tao back to his side was impossible at this point, he had sat firmly outside the doctors door. It was opened by a red haired doctor, wondering why an animal was scratching at his door. Looking down at the creature, he knelt before Tao's face, being rewarded with a lick on the cheek. A chuckle escaped the young mans lips and he moved forward to scratch behind his ear. 

"You can't be here right now Tao." His voice was a melody to Kade's ears, knowing he would hear it later anyway. "Go on, I'll see you and him this evening." With a final stroke of Tao's head he turned and closed the door, releasing a heavy breath at the idea of tonight. 

The wolf sauntered over to his human, feeling very happy to have received the touch of the doctor. Kade looked down at the animal, knowing inside that he was jealous he couldn't touch the man yet. It was a secret he kept from everyone in his family, not knowing if they would accept this part of him. He was supposed to have a child, bear heirs, and marry a woman. But that wasn't what he wanted. 

He wanted the doctor. And it killed him inside to admit that.

Arelya

Leia had been staring out the window for hours, waiting to leave the palace. Her father had decided that she must leave, something about what he had planned for their enemies. She stayed in the library, looking out onto her kingdom from her favourite seat. It was a plush window seat, with plenty of space for a group to sit down. Leia had been sitting their for hours, watching the world pass by below her.

Fabian had entered the library quietly, not wanting to disturb his sister yet. He knew she didn't want to leave, Leia always hated leaving the palace for trips. But this was needed. Her father had decided to start a war and didn't tell anyone, at least not until they started receiving letters from their enemies and allies. 

"Come on, everything is ready to go. We're just waiting for you." Fabian was holding his hand out for his sister, knowing she doesn't want to leave. She had always been hesitant to leave her safety.

Standing up, she grabbed her brothers hand, wanting the comfort he could provide. Walking out the library, Fabian tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. Leia loved her siblings, more than she loved her parents. Having a special bond with each of them, learning from them as well. In reality, she could probably live without her parents, her siblings supported her that much. 

They'd moved to the front gates of the palace, where Tyrone was waiting for them. Releasing her brothers arm, she ran into his. Tyrone was always more protective, where Fabian was more compassionate and caring. 

"It's time to go.  I'll see you when everything is over." With a quick kiss on the cheek, Tyrone said his goodbyes and made his way back into the palace. Knowing if he looked back, he would bundle his sister up and probably put her in the basement. It was the same with Fabian, not wanting to let his sister go. 

Fabian watched as the carriage took his sister away, knowing she would be safe but still felt uneasy because of it. 

The palace seemed empty now to both brothers, Leia had always filled it with her laughter and her singing. With a sigh Tyrone made it to his room, not wanting to run into anyone yet. He landed on his bed and looked to the ceiling, through the skylight he had installed for this exact reason. He could lay in bed and watch the birds and clouds all day. This was his comfort. 

Which was quickly interrupted with a knock on the door. Tyrone groaned as he sat up, not liking the intrusion that was about to happen. The knocks came again, seeming more urgent this time. Moving towards the door, he felt more than one presence behind it. Immediately his hand went to the dagger hidden on his back. Opening the door, he was greeted by King Damien and three of his guards. Straightening up, he removed his hand from the daggers handle. 

"Tyrone you are needed immediately in the throne room. We are having an emergency meeting of the War Council. Get sorted." And with that the King left, never liking the presence of this Prince. He seemed to put the King on high alert, and would never be together without at least three other people. Meaning the rest of his family. 

Closing the door, Tyrone shucked off his loose shirt and grabbed his battle attire. Every time one of these meeting occurred, he would be present with his armour and weapons. Knowing that they would look at him as though he were a child otherwise. This armour consisted of a tight leather shirt, lined with a material that did not allowed a sword to pass through. Tyrone called it knight-mesh, not knowing the real name. Over the top of his shirt was his harness, this consisted of sheaths for his swords across his back and a dagger at his front. He had two swords peaking from above his shoulders, an he never went into battle without them. 

Done with his attire, he made his way to the throne room. Not too excited to see the old men that dictated the war, especially when he felt he could do it himself. 

The arguments from the throne room could be heard from a mile away, the men were not agreeing on a battle strategy to attack first. King Damien was sat on his throne, watching the bickering going on below him. He hadn't noticed the Prince was by his side, cutting an imposing figure in his battle attire.

"Silence." That simple word from the King stopped the men of the council, all looking at their King and awaiting an answer. "Your bickering is useless and giving me a headache." He slowly stood up and moved towards the table, with the scattered plans thrown everywhere. "From my entire rule here, you have never been able to all agree on one simple strategy. And because of your insolence in this regard, the Prince Tyrone shall lead the attack and plan of this war." 

At his statement there was unrest between the council members, not liking the fact they had to take orders from a child. Their words exactly. And whilst they had been arguing and begging the King to change his mind, the Prince had been looking over the papers. Absorbing all of the information, he quickly drew up a plan of his own. Once complete he slapped it down onto the table and stood back. The sudden sound of papers hitting the table had stopped the men from speaking.

"That there is the plan." It was a simple statement from Tyrone, and didn't leave any room for arguments. The men simply looked at the Prince and then rushed to read his plan. None of them could find any fault with the plan, which annoyed them more than anything. 

The rest of the meeting was filled with Tyrone giving orders to the men, as each of them was a general in his army. Although they worked beneath him, they resented him for his wisdom and knowledge. Especially as such a young man. They took orders with reluctance, but knew that he would take them to victory. 

Tyrone left the throne room and made it back to his, removing the harness and clothing as he made his way to the bed. Landing with a huff, his naked form looked up to the sky, wishing for a different path in life. As he thought about the possibility of change he fell asleep, dreaming of the future.