The Round Table

Every breath, every second, dead silence, the only sounds within the room were emanating from the occasional heave. Tension in the air had begun to be almost unbearable as we quietly looked around to the seats of people gathered at a circular oak wood table. Being centered in a castle by the boarder wasn't our best decision by far but right now we needed the updated information as quickly as it could come. My fingers tapping on the table trying to wash away the stress of being so close to enemy territory.

Glancing to my immediate right sat an empty chair for the last person, Harri, to arrive. This didn't come as a surprise to me because she had always been that way, no matter how much I tried over the years I could never break those stubborn habits. Every chance she would get to take a nap or get that extra minute of sleep was always deterring us a little bit off schedule. Yet, since the first time I met her I knew from the sway in her hips and the determination in her stride she was going to be stubborn. I still can't understand how she is able to be ontime for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but meetings? Pfft punctuality seems to always slip her mind.

To my left was a girl with strawberry hair. I always loved when she talked to me her crystal blue eyes forever looked so deep and thoughtful. Her skin splattered with hazel freckles contrasting with her fair toned skin. Her posture was ever so perfect, every movement with her had purpose, every dot of an i had to be just right. Sturn and beautiful, such a deadly combo for the soul who falls in love. Even with such comforting eyes she was as cunning and quick witted as they come, she was our diplomat, Lucy Lu.

Even with the time passing by slower it seems we can never get enough of it, every moment filled with planning and strategizing in order to secure the victory when the time comes. Even with all the dedication it felt as if we were permanently a step behind their every move never seeming to catch up to their attacks, almost like playing permanent defense.

Next to Lucy Lu sat a large dragon probably 30 feet tall covered in metallic black scales containing a purple hue when seen in the light. That was the fire power of our seventh Legion, Tsunami.

Across the table and a bit to the right was a girl with dyed green shorter hair and decorated from head to toe with awards and medals, one of our best generals, Elfy. Each and every medal shined every morning to ensure that they gleamed with the same amount of pride that she has to wear them every day.

Who am I? Well, I am one of the two duchesses of The Dark Realm, I stand at a sturdy 5 foot five. I have long light brown hair with some blonde streaks gliding from my scalp. My eyes are emerald green with a speck of brown in my left. People say looks aren't everything but that is pretty much all I have got. I am not necessarily the brains of the operation but I sure am the moral support.

The war council room doors burst open with a bang, and as we all snap our heads to the entrance we recognize Harri standing in the doorway fashionably late as usual. It feels like at this point she is doing it for the effect, I know life is short so you should be dramatic ….but it is reaching the point of absolute overkill. A smirk is plastered across her face, her shit eating grin so wide it is almost as irritating as the jokes I have heard over and over enough to last a lifetime. Charts and maps are spilling from her arms while her long blonde coarse hair dangles in front of her hazel-brown eyes and pale skin. After shifting her gaze away from me the smirk fades a little being replaced by a blush of embarrassment. Without a second thought I knew Lucy Lu had handed Harri a disappointed look.

"We are in the midst of a war, could you at least be on time?"

"I am not late, you're all early," Harri said with a slick smile as she walked to her seat at the table

"Now that we are all here, let's begin."

My voice soft but firm echoed around the stone hall and commanded attention, just the way I liked it.

"First, we need an update from the battlefield. Elfy, how's it looking?"

Elfy rose from her chair, towering over the group. Taking a few brisk steps she marched over to the board. There were separate charts and maps previously set up dictating the overall image of our neighboring kingdom along with our own. Pointing to the upper left region of the map located on the Light Realm side, she marked an X.

"This is the stronghold, our best bet at diminishing their supplies."

Her voice is calm and flat, though it seems to make its way around the room with ease. Even with the clarity of what she had just informed us with, the room's air felt a little heavier. We all knew that is what we would have to destroy to secure a victory from them.

"Scouts and spies have pinpointed that location for us," Elfy continued "We have only lost the 27th army, our weakest, but the 21st and 17th have taken damage."

Watching all of these people die for a cause even if they believe in it is hard for the country, especially the people working hard behind the front lines.

Elfy's tone lowered slightly, almost grim, sensing the feeling within the room.

"This war is far from over."

----

After the meeting, all felt lost to me. Our maps and charts were slightly outdated so we can't keep up with the more recent border struggles on the northwest end. The conflict between us has been going on for centuries, but the tension finally snapped at the worst time possible. I thought back to the war room again. I still don't get why Harri wanted us to send Tsunami over to the North West section of the border. Looking back at the map from my foggy memory, I remember all the castles were in the Southwest, not the Northwest. There was almost nothing in the upper corner but farms. Then it hit me: take out the food, take out the people. The thought of starving people made me feel slightly sick, mornings breakfast sat uneasy in my stomach. The only problem with going to war was you had to lose your sense of pity for the other side. It was a sickening thought but this was war and we have to do what we can for our people. We hadn't come up with a good enough game plan during the last meeting so we got together again the next day at noon. As our council reconvenes the next day we decide the best course of action for victory. With a unanimous vote of five, Tsunami was sent off to the upper end of the border to take out all their crops and storehouses.