Chapter 70: Something Dark at play

Reika was lost in thoughts, staring into nothingness. Daisy entered carrying a tray with their tea on it. She could sense the pressure in the room. "Your Majesty," Daisy said softly, setting the tray down. "You should rest. Tomorrow will be another long day." Reika offered a faint smile. "Rest is a luxury I can't afford right now, Daisy. But thank you." Daisy hesitated a moment, then nodded. "At least drink the tea. It'll clear your head." As she walked out, Reika sipped her tea and was whisked into thoughts of the Dawn family. What was their game? Why now? Gnawing at her, those questions refused to give her any peace. Dawn Family Moves Morning dawned. In the strategy room, Reika had gathered her council together. Ileus and Kael were already sitting at the table. Serious weight hung on both of their faces. "Scouts confirm the rogue wolves are indeed heading south into the border region," he told them, "except that their movements do seem so peculiar-they keep out of major thoroughfares, to minor wood-covered tracts of land, almost." "Clever," Ileus growled. "They want to stay hidden until they're close enough to strike. Reika leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "And what of the Dawn family? Anything from our spies?" Kael shook his head. "Nothing concrete, but word is they've been seeking out other families to grant them aid. If it succeeds, we'll have a coalition on our hands." "That would spell disaster," Ileus said grimly. "We can't afford to see them gain more allies. Reika nodded, her mind running a mile a minute. "Then we'll hit them where it hurts. We need to send a message that aligning with the Dawn family is a death sentence." "How?" Kael asked. A chilling smile played on Reika's lips. "We cut off their resources. The Dawn family thrives on trade routes and mercenary alliances. Disrupt the supply lines, and they're ready for the kill." Ileus nodded. "It's risky, but it just may work. We do have to move quickly, though. They aren't going to take it lying down." --- Unseen Shadows It wasn't until later that night, when all was quiet, that Reika was left to herself in the library. Long shadows cast through flickering candlelight danced in the room, while the light scent of aged parchment wafted through the air. She looked for anything-ancient strategies, forgotten lore-that could give her an edge. Her wolf senses had been sharper lately; her instincts more in tune with the subtlety of the movements of her enemies. But even with these advantages, she could not rid herself of this nagging feeling that something watched her. A soft creak broke the stillness. Reika spun around, her eyes narrowing. "Who's there?" she called firmly and steadily. A figure emerged from behind the shadows. It was a young scout, one of her most trusted messengers, with his face gone pale, shaking in his hands. "Your Majesty," he stammered. "I… I bring urgent news." Reika nodded for him to continue talking. "What is it?" "The Dawn family," he whispered. "They have allied with a neighboring kingdom. And their forces are not as weak as we had thought. Reika's heart sank, but her expression didn't change. "Which kingdom?" "Velmir," the scout replied. "Their army is already on the move. Velmir was a formidable ally, known for its disciplined soldiers and tactical brilliance. If the Dawn family had secured their support, it changed everything. 'Thank you," Reika said, her mind already spinning with strategies. 'Rest now. You've done well." As the scout left, Reika slumped back in her chair, her fingers clasping the armrests. The Dawn family was growing braver, their reach going farther than she had thought possible. A Sudden Revelation Reika called Ileus and Kael to her chamber. "We have a problem," she said baldly as they entered. Kael scowled. "Another one?" he asked dryly. She ignored his sarcasm and handed him the report from the scout. As he read, his face darkened. Velmir," Ileus muttered, pacing the room. "This changes everything. Their army alone could overpower ours." "We must strike before they are able to unite," Reika said. "Divide and conquer. Provided we can cut Velmir's forces off from the Dawn family's, we may have a chance." "How?" Kael asked. "They will be expecting us to try and do just that." Reika's eyes hardened. "Then we shall do something they don't expect. By midnight, Reika had outlined a plan. She would lead a small elite team herself to cut off the flank of Velmir's army, while Ileus and Kael were on the task of destroying Dawn family supply lines. "It is risky," Ileus said, furrowing his brow. "If this goes wrong, we will surely lose everything." "I know," Reika replied. "But we don't have a choice. This is our only chance to turn the tide. Kael nodded reluctantly. "We'll make it work. We always do." The preparations began, but somehow Reika felt she missed something. The moves of the Dawn family were calculated, almost too calculated. It was if they were anticipating her every step. Late that night, as she stood on the balcony overlooking the castle grounds, a shadowy figure appeared below. "Who's there?" she called, her wolf senses tingling. The figure stepped into the light; a face was revealed to her with which she was well acquainted, but his expression was wrong; cold and detached. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice flat and expressionless. "I have a message for you." "What message?" Reika demanded. He chose his words, answering, "The Dawn family knows; it does know all about that."   Reika's blood ran cold as the spy turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving her to the dawning of realization.   It wasn't just wanting to win with the Dawn family; it wanted to bring on the total ruin of herself-being that one step in the lead at every important junction. "Let them come," Reika breathed, hardness settling into her face and growing resolve. "It isn't over."