THE PLAN

It was a morning like any other, except for the air of tension that filled the camp. The soldiers went about their tasks with a grim determination, knowing what the day would bring. The sky was clear and blue, but the sun had not yet risen high enough to dispel the shadows.

The trees rustled gently in the wind, but the breeze did little to lighten the mood.

The soldiers were gathered in the town square, their armor shining in the early light. They stood in neat rows, their faces set in grim determination. They were armed with swords and shields, ready for whatever might come. They had been training for months for this day, and now it was finally here. 

The air was filled with the smell of sweat and leather, and the sound of metal clanking as the soldiers readied themselves. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, a feeling that the calm before the storm would soon be over.

Lucian watched as his father stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the straps of his armor. 

The scene was one that Lucian had seen many times before, but this time it felt different. 

There was a gravity in the air, a sense that something momentous was about to happen.

 Lucian's father turned to him, his face serious.

 "Today is the day we have been preparing for," he said.

"Father, are you really going to go out there to fight the dragon?

" Lucian asked, his voice shaking slightly.

"I must, Lucian. The dragon is a threat to our people, and someone must stop him,

" his father replied.

"But he's a magic creature! A sword like this won't be able to hurt him.

" Lucian protested.

"I know that, son. But I was born with magic in my blood, just like the dragon," his father said.

"Father, please, can't I go with you? I could be your assistant, your squire. I could help you in this quest,"

 Lucian pleaded.

"No, son, you must stay here. Every person has their own destiny, their own quest in life. 

This is my quest, not yours. You have your own path to follow.

" His father spoke with a stern, but kind voice.

"But I could help you," Lucian said, his voice shaking.

"I appreciate your desire to help, Lucian, but this is something I must do alone. 

Your destiny lies elsewhere. I know it is hard to understand, but one day you will see that I am right,"

 his father said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. 

"This is not your quest. Yours is yet to come."

"But I don't want to be left behind," Lucian said, his voice cracking with emotion.

"You are not being left behind, my son. You are simply following your own path.

As Lucian's father spoke these words, a brownish chariot pulled by two white horses came into view. 

The chariot was adorned with intricate designs, and the horses' manes and tails were braided with strands of silver. 

The driver of the chariot was a tall, hooded figure, their face hidden in shadow.

"That is the chariot that will take me to my destiny," Lucian's father said, his voice heavy with emotion. 

"Father, I know this is not my quest, but I still want to help in any way I can,

" Lucian said, reaching into his quiver and pulling out a single, perfectly-crafted arrow. 

"Take this with you. It is an arrow of peace, and I hope it will bring you luck on your journey."

"Thank you, my son," Lucian's father said, taking the arrow and placing it in his own quiver. "Your support means more to me than you know."

Oops! Sorry, I got a bit carried away. How about this:

"Farewell, my son," Lucian's father said, a slight tremor in his voice.

 "I will miss you while I am gone, but I know you will be safe here."

"And I will miss you too, Father," 

Lucian said, his voice choked with emotion.

 "Be safe, and may your journey be swift and without trouble."

The two men shared a long, silent moment, each trying to keep their composure.

 Finally, Lucian's father turned away and faced the road ahead.

The queen stood at the window of her chambers, watching as Lucian's father climbed into the chariot. 

Her eyes were a deep, soulful brown, and her features were strong and defined. She wore a gown of royal blue, befitting her station. As she watched the chariot begin to move,her thoughts turned dark and malicious. 

She had never liked him, and she saw this journey as the perfect opportunity to get rid of him once and for all.

 She knew that without him, she would be the one to rule the kingdom. She could already imagine herself sitting on the throne, with all the power and wealth that came with it.

The queen was taken aback by her daughter's sudden appearance in her thoughts. 

She had not expected anyone to be able to read her mind so easily, especially not her own daughter. 

"What are you doing, child?" the queen asked, trying to maintain her composure.

"I am merely trying to understand your thoughts, mother," 

the daughter replied, her tone curious and innocent. 

"Why do you wish to harm Sir Joon?"

"I do not wish to discuss this with you," the queen said, her voice stern. "It is not a matter for your young mind to comprehend."

"You must promise me that you will never invade my thoughts again, daughter," 

the queen said, her eyes narrowing. 

"This is a violation of the deepest trust between us. I cannot have you prying into my mind like this."

"I am sorry, mother," 

the daughter said, bowing her head in contrition. 

"I didn't mean to upset you. I merely wanted to understand your thoughts and feelings."

"I appreciate your apology, child," the queen said, her voice softening slightly. "But please, do not do this again. It is not right."

"I promise, mother,"

The queen turned to her daughter, her expression stern. 

"Come, child," she said. 

"Let us go to my chambers, where we can speak in private."

The princess followed her mother through the palace, her heart pounding with nervousness. 

She hadn't often been inside her mother's chambers before, and she wondered what awaited her there. 

As they entered the room, the princess was struck by the opulence of the surroundings. The walls were covered in intricate tapestries, and the furniture was made of the finest woods and fabrics.

"Sit, my child," the queen said, gesturing to a plush armchair. 

The princess did as she was told, sinking into the chair's soft cushions. 

The queen sat opposite her, on a matching chair, her hands folded in her lap. For a moment, the two women simply looked at each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.

"What is it you wish to know, my daughter?" the queen asked, her voice deceptively calm.

"I want to know what you are planning, mother,"

 the princess said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to know why you are so intent on harming Sir Joon. 

What has he done to deserve your wrath?"

The queen's face was expressionless, giving away nothing of her thoughts. "That is not a matter for you to concern yourself with,"she replied. "You are still young, and there are many things you do not yet understand."

"The truth is, my daughter,"

 the queen said, "Sir Joon has discovered that we are sorceresses. 

"If Sir Joon were to tell the king about our powers, it could be disastrous for us,"

 the queen said, her voice heavy with worry.

"My husband is already suspicious of sorcerers again in the kingdom, and if he knew the truth about us, he would banish us from the kingdom. We would lose everything."

"The very thought of Sir Joon betraying our trust is terrifying," 

The queen said, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"But we cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by fear. We must focus on our goal, and do whatever it takes to achieve it. We cannot allow anyone, even Sir Joon, to stand in our way."

The princess was silent, considering her mother's words. 

"But how can we be sure that he will not tell the king?" the princess asked. "What if he already has?"

"The king is a fool, and easily manipulated," the queen said, her lips curling into a cold smile. 

"But Sir Joon is cunning, and he must be dealt with. We cannot allow him to continue to pose a threat to our plans." 

She paused, and then added, "He must be eliminated."

The princess gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "Eliminated? You can't be serious!"

"I know what I am doing, my dear daughter," 

the queen said, her voice calm and sure. "I have a plan, and I am certain it will work. 

I have taken every measure to ensure that we will succeed."

The princess bit her lip, trying to keep her composure. "Mother, I cannot condone this.

 It is not right. You cannot just kill Sir Joon, no matter what he may know about us. There has to be another way."

The queen's expression did not change. "There is no other way. Our goal is too important to risk failure.

After a long moment, the princess nodded slowly. 

"I understand," she said, her voice subdued.

 "I do not like it, but I understand. I will help you, and we will do whatever it takes to achieve our goal. 

But I beg you, Mother, to please consider all the consequences of your actions."

The queen smiled, a cold and calculating smile. 

"Thank you, my daughter. I appreciate your support. And do not worry, I have considered all the consequences. I am fully prepared for what is to come."