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Chapter 62: The Gathering of Shadows
Chapter 62: The Gathering of Shadows
The grand council chamber was eerily silent as Queen Alice took her seat at the head of the long, polished table. The torches along the stone walls flickered, casting long shadows across the faces of the gathered lords, generals, and advisors. Each one bore an expression ranging from concern to outright fear. They had all seen the report. Word had spread fast within the inner circle—Shambell, the silent giant to the west, was stirring. And yet, they still didn’t understand the full gravity of what was coming. Alice did. She had received her warning in a way no one else had. As she sat, she placed a single hand on the table, her fingers grazing the smooth wood as she took in the faces before her. Some of them were men and women she had spared during her purge of corrupt nobles, those who had proven their loyalty in the wake of the kingdom’s rebirth. Others were military leaders, hardened warriors who had fought countless battles. But none of them were ready for what she was about to say.
Alice cleared her throat, her gaze sharp as steel. "We are on the precipice of war." The words cut through the air like a dagger. Several council members stiffened, some shifting uncomfortably in their seats. General Varian, a seasoned warrior with a scar running down his cheek, was the first to speak. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, these reports only indicate minor movements near our borders. There has been no official declaration of war." His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed his unease. Alice leaned forward slightly, her expression unreadable. "Do you truly believe Shambell will offer us the courtesy of a declaration?" She let the question hang for a moment before continuing. "I have reason to believe that this is not a simple shift in power or a political maneuver. This is an act of preparation. They are moving their pieces into place before we even have a chance to react."
The room tensed further, murmurs breaking out between council members. Lord Edrin, a shrewd politician with sharp eyes, narrowed his gaze at the Queen. "And what reason do you speak of, Your Majesty? If you have intelligence we do not, I believe it is time to share it." Alice didn’t flinch. Instead, she reached into the folds of her cloak and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. She placed it on the table and slid it forward. "A letter. Delivered by someone who has never once given me false information." She did not mention White Raven’s name outright, but the subtle reaction from a few of the council members told her they knew exactly who she was referring to. Alice continued, her voice unwavering. "She was aware of this before even our scouts were. She predicted their movements before our reports confirmed them. That means Shambell has been planning this for longer than we anticipated."
Silence settled over the chamber once more, thick with unspoken tension. Commander Darius, who had remained quiet until now, finally spoke, his voice like thunder rolling through the room. "If she is right, then we are already behind. We must assume the worst—that Shambell is planning a strike. The only question is: where, and when?" Alice nodded, her mind already racing ahead. "That is why I have called you all here tonight. We must act now. We must fortify our borders, strengthen our alliances, and prepare our forces. I will not sit idly by and allow this kingdom to be caught off guard." Her voice carried a finality that left no room for doubt. The council members exchanged glances, their faces grim but determined. The air was charged, the weight of their next decisions pressing down on them all. They could either prepare for what was coming—or be crushed beneath it. Alice had made her choice. And soon, the entire kingdom would follow. The storm was no longer approaching. It had already begun.