CHAPTER 93: WE ATTACK FIRST

As King Rollo emerged from the palace, Nyella returned to her horse and rode toward him, with Devic, Aeron, and the others following behind. When she reached him, she bowed and said, "Your Majesty."

"Well, well, well," Rollo said with a smile. "What do we have here? The princess alive and well before us." Then his eyes shifted to Aeron. Looking back at Nyella, he asked softly, "Is he?"

Nyella gave a small nod of affirmation.

"Oh my," Rollo said, his voice filled with wonder. "What a sight this is. The Dragon Rider standing at my gate, especially when we need him the most. What a blessing." He lifted his eyes and saw Draco circling high above. Rollo’s joy grew even greater. "Look at that. Isn’t it beautiful? I never imagined I would witness such a day in my life, but here it is."

He stepped forward and said to Nyella. "Thank you for this princess, all these."

Then he spread his hands. "Forgive me for keeping you waiting outside. Please, let us go in."

The gates opened wider, and he led them into the palace. The soldiers were guided to where the others were gathered, while King Rollo brought those on horseback to the royal chamber. When they arrived, he spoke warmly. "I have ordered that your chambers be prepared so you may go and rest."

"Rest, you say?" Nyella asked. "You suggest we rest while thousands of skeletons march against us? I cannot speak for others, but as for me, I have had enough rest to last a lifetime. Take us instead to the war room and give us the latest news of the enemy. You and I both know there is no time to waste."

Rollo paused, then gave a small laugh. "Ah, I almost forgot how resilient you are. Forgive me for saying such a thing. No one wants to prepare sooner than I do. No one is more desperate to win this war than I am, so if you wish we begin now, then let us head to the war room at once."

With that, King Rollo turned and led the way with his general walking closely beside him. Nyella followed with Devic, Aeron, Ronan, and Yvarra following behind.

They reached the war room and joined two other generals who were already waiting there. The room was large, lit by torches on the stone walls, and a great wooden table stood at the center, covered with maps and markers. Everyone circled the table, and without wasting any time, the meeting began.

General Amber was the first to speak. "The last war we fought was lost. Most of us here in this room witnessed it. Not because we were unprepared, but because it was the first time we faced such creatures. None of us knew what we were up against."

He sighed deeply before continuing.

"That is the bad news. But if there is anything to hold onto, it is this, while others fell quickly, we lasted through the night. Since the Hydra began conquering kingdoms, no army has stood against them that long."

Nyella looked at him and narrowed her eyes. "Lasting through the night is not good news, General. Not when we lost countless lives. Not when the enemy remains undefeated. Survival without victory is nothing. It can never be called good news unless we discover how to beat them." She said.

Amber looked at her, then lowered his head slightly in respect.

"I did not mean it as comfort, Princess. I only stated what is fact," he said, then continued. "The first war was at the Plains of Shatals, as we predicted. But this time, all signs point to them marching here. They will come to Dorch. And if we do not hold them off, this kingdom will fall. From here, they will advance to Ivarion, slaughtering thousands and burning villages along the way."

General Davic struck his fist against the table. "And we cannot allow that to happen. The kingdom must not fall, no matter the cost. We can’t afford to lose that many lives unless there is no ounce of hope again. Tell me General, what measures we have in place? What strategies? What defenses?"

Amber shook his head slowly. "There is none. Not yet. At this moment, our scholars and scouts are still trying to study the Hydra as a whole. To defeat an enemy, one must first understand it. We need to know what they are and what they seek."

"You mean there’s nothing at all in place? What progress have you made with this study? Any discoveries at all?" Nyella asked him.

"None," Amber admitted. "Still nothing.

Nyella’s hand tightened into a fist.

"So we have no answers. No strategy. We sit here waiting for them to march upon us, and when they do, we defend ourselves like last time? And hope we survive another night?"

Amber spread his hands helplessly. "I am afraid that is it for now. But I assure you, Princess, we will come up with something. Soon."

"I really cannot believe this is happening," Nyella said angrily. "I expected more, especially when we’re facing a deadly enemy like this."

For a long moment, the room was quiet, and then Aeron, who had been quiet since they entered, finally spoke.

"What if... what if we do not wait for them to come at us? What if we go to them ourselves? What if we attack them first?"

Everyone turned to look at him. Amber scoffed.

"A clever plan, coming from you, boy. And then what? We walk into the lion’s den and let the lion tear us apart at its will? That is not a strategy, it is suicide. Who are you, even, to speak of such things here?"

Before Aeron could answer, King Rollo leaned forward. His voice was calm. "He is the one who will help us win this war, if we have any chance at all. Show him the respect he deserves, General."

"..."