Chapter 68: Shadows in the Dawn

The sun shone gold over the grounds and poured that warm radiance into gardens, sending shafts of heat into Reika's room For the first time in weeks, Reika allowed herself a smile. Riftan was defeated-locked away where he could do no more harm. The trouble was overcome, it would seem, and for the moment, peace lay within sight. She sat at her dressing table, stroking her hair in soft. Daisy bustled around the room, filling it with energy. "You look so tranquil today, my queen," chattered Daisy cheerily as she placed fresh roses in a vase by the window. Reika's gaze met Daisy's in the mirror; her smile quieted. "Peaceful? I suppose I am. I feel… lighter. For the first time in years." "Well, you deserve it," Daisy huffed softly. "After everything with that Riftan, you've more than earned a moment of peace." She grinned, hands on her hips. "Shall I bring you tea in the gardens? You could sit and enjoy the morning. Reika considered it a moment, a small laugh escaping her lips. "You spoil me, Daisy. Yes, tea in the gardens sounds perfect." Before Daisy could reply, a knock sounded at the door—firm and urgent. "Come in," Reika called, straightening slightly. The door burst open, and Alpha Ileus strode in, his features grimly set; a pace back followed Kael, an equally disturbed mask on his face. In that single instant, the tranquility of Reika's space dissolved and filled with the weight of their presence. "What?" Reika asked, rounding toward them. "What has happened?" Alpha Ileus spoke first; his voice was low and laced with concern: "The Dawn family. They're on the move. Reika blinked. "Moving? What do you mean?" Kael stepped forward, eyes focused like razor-sharp needles. "We received word this morning that the members of the Dawn family have gathered their allies. Quietly, but with purpose. They are planning something; just what, we have not yet identified." Reika's face creased in a thick frown as her stomach settled with unease. "The Dawn family-always serpents, staying in the shadows and- "They have been awfully quiet since Riftan's imprisonment," Ileus said, his jaw tight. "Too quiet. I don't trust it." "Neither do I," Kael added. "But this time, they are not hiding. Scouts have watched their forces moving near border towns. Small gatherings of soldiers, shipments of weapons… They're preparing for something big." Reika leaned back from the vanity and stood to face them. "Do they know we are aware of their movements? Ileus shook his head. "No. We've been careful not to alert them. But if they continue gathering their forces, it won't be long before they make their move." The only sound after that was the heavy silence, save for the faint rustling of the wind against the windows. Reika's mind was racing. The fall of Riftan should have been enough to destabilize any other threats for now, yet here was the Dawn family, rising like another shadow. "They are opportunists," Kael said, his voice dark. "Riftan out of their way, they seize this chance to strike. They think you are weakened by all this that has taken place."   Reika's eyes shone bright with cold determination. "Then they know nothing about me at all." Ileus cocked his head; pride seeped through the sober mask of his face. "I knew you would say that. Still, we shall have to tread very carefully. In case we're wrong about their intentions- "We are not wrong," Reika cut in, hardness in her voice and a stubborn set to her face. "The family of Dawn has never been satisfied by sitting beneath a heel. Always it yearned for power, and this time it thinks the vacuum is left." Kael nodded to that. "We should send scouts, possibly even infiltrate them. "Yes," Reika agreed, pacing slow across the room. "We need answers, not assumptions. I want to know everything-where they're meeting, who they're speaking to, what their goals are. Send word to our spies." Ileus frowned slightly. "It's dangerous, Reika. The Dawn family doesn't take kindly to spies. If they catch even a whiff of our presence- "They won't," Reika cut in, her voice sharp. "Our people are the best. Besides-if the Dawn family wants a fight, I'll give them one. But not on their terms. On mine." Kael allowed a small, dark smile to cross his lips. "They won't see you coming." Reika ceased pacing and whirled on the both of them with steel in her eyes. "I want to be ready. Double the guards at our borders, keep the castle defenses ready. I don't even want to give them a ghost of a chance in case they strike when we are not ready." "Consider it done," Ileus said, with a nod. "Good," Reika returned. "And, Ileus?" He raised an eyebrow. "Thank you-just for always being by my side. Ileus' face relaxed, his shoulders losing some of the tension that pulled them tight. "You don't have to thank me, Reika. You, and this kingdom, are my purpose. Kael grunted; he didn't feel comfortable with the turn in their conversation. "Well, if we're done being mushy, I'll go deal with the scouts." He turned briskly for the door. "I'll report back with whatever we find. As Kael vanished, Ileus remained, his eyes riveted to Reika. "You're strong, Reika. Stronger than you think. But don't carry all this alone. Reika could manage the faintest of smiles; it never quite reached her eyes. "I'm used to carrying it alone." "Perhaps not anymore," Ileus replied determinedly as he too left the room. With that, the door shut, and quietness became the dominant factor. Reika was alone with her thoughts. She ran and fell onto the chair by the window, looking outward into the gardens below. Now, that was a goal beyond her grasp-appreciable serenity which she once possessed. The Dawn family was never to be waited for. Grass snakes, insidious, dangerous, and relentless. And Reika knew as well as anyone how fatal a mistake underestimating snakes could be. The light of morning changed as the clouds moved in to drape the palace grounds in their shadow. It was not a good omen. In came Daisy again, this time complete with a tray of teas and cakes. Her bright smiling dispelled for one moment the heavy tension in that room. "Your Majesty, the gardens are waiting should you still want to." Reika vacillated, her lips breaking into a slight, frail smile. "Yes, Daisy, let's go out." Daisy beamed at her. "There, that's the spirit. Fresh air will put roses in your cheeks. Reika followed Daisy out into the hallway, her face cool, though already brewing in her plans-the family of the Dawn thought that they might outsmart her and weaken her victories. But she knew better. She emerged into the gardens, taking the cool breeze upon her face, her eyes strained to the horizon beyond. "Let them come," Reika fumed inside, "I shall be prepared".