18: ALANTRA!

The council chambers were heavy with silence, Zara sat at the head of the table, her face impassive but her thoughts storming. She had barely come to terms with the recent encounter and conversation with Alaric when news of an even greater threat reached her ears.

Alantra.

The very name sent a chill through the room. Alantra was known for its ruthless patriarch, King Orden, a man who had built his kingdom on conquest and domination. His army was unmatched, and his thirst for resources and power had made him infamous across the lands. Now, his sights were set on Calithea.

Zara turned to the council, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. "You've all heard the reports. Alantra is preparing for war, and Calithea is their target."

One of the council members, Lady Theron, leaned forward, her expression skeptical. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, these are merely rumors. We have no concrete evidence that Alantra intends to attack us."

"Rumors or not, we cannot afford to dismiss them," Zara replied firmly. "If Alantra marches on Calithea, we will be defenseless. We don't have the numbers, the weapons, or the alliances to withstand an attack."

"The people are already in uproar over the halted wedding," another council member, Lady Maera, interjected. "If we act on unfounded claims of war, we risk further unrest."

Zara clenched her fists under the table. The council's hesitation was infuriating, but she couldn't afford to lose her composure. "This isn't just about rumors. King Orden is known for his aggression. Calithea's resources are abundant, and we're vulnerable. It's only a matter of time before he strikes. We need to act now."

"and What would you have us do, your majesty?" Lady Theron asked, her tone bordering on condescension. "Marry Erythian against the will of the people? Plunge the kingdom into chaos to prevent a war that might not even happen?"

Zara's jaw tightened. The mention of Erythian stung more than she cared to admit. The halted wedding had been a blow, not just to her plans but to Calithea's future. Marrying Erythian would have secured an alliance with his forces, giving her the strength needed to defend her kingdom. But the council's refusal, coupled with the people's outrage, had left her hands tied.

"We can't afford to ignore this threat," Zara said, her voice unwavering. "If we wait for Alantra to attack, it will be too late. We need to prepare, and that starts with strengthening our defenses."

"Strengthening our defenses requires resources we don't have," Lady Maera argued. "Our coffers are already strained, and raising an army would take months. We need a solution that won't destabilize the kingdom further."

Zara's mind raced. Every option seemed to lead to a dead end. The council's resistance, the people's unrest, the looming threat of Alantra and not to mention, ALARIC! The man who was also actively waging war against the kingdom she is working so hard to protect. It was all piling up, suffocating her.

Alaric's voice echoed in her mind, his mocking words from their last encounter. "I always get what I want…"

She wondered if this was Alaric's rumor, this rumor about Alantra coming; what if it's all part of his game? But another part of her knew that king oden has had his eyes on Calithea for the longest and this didn't feel like a rumor.

A kingdom led by matriarchs, he knew that if he conquered Calithea, he would absolutely become more feared and revered.

Is Zara fighting a battle she couldn't win?

She pushed the thought aside. Giving up wasn't an option. Calithea needed her, and she would do whatever it took to protect her kingdom, even if it meant going against the council's wishes.

"We need allies," Zara said finally, breaking the tense silence. "If the council won't allow the marriage to proceed, then we must find another way to secure the support we need."

"And where do you propose we find these allies?" Lady Theron asked with her skepticism evident.

Zara met her gaze with her eyes blazing with determination. "There are other kingdoms, other leaders who value peace over conquest. If we can't rely on Erythian, then we'll seek alliances elsewhere."

Lady Maera frowned. "And what if these other kingdoms refuse to help us? Calithea's position is precarious. Offering aid to us could make them a target for Alantra."

"Then we'll offer them something in return," Zara said, her tone resolute. "Trade agreements, shared resources—whatever it takes to secure their support."

The council exchanged uneasy glances, their reluctance clear. Zara knew convincing them wouldn't be easy, but she had no choice. Calithea's survival depended on it.

By the time the council meeting adjourned, Zara felt drained. The weight of the kingdom's troubles pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she refused to let it crush her.

As she made her way back to her chambers, her mind drifted to Erythian. She had tried to avoid thinking about him, but it was impossible. His absence during the council meeting had been glaring, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he was keeping something from her.

She paused outside her chambers, her hand resting on the door. The dagger given to her by the Oracle felt heavy at her side, a constant reminder of the choices she had yet to make.

With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

To her surprise, Erythian was waiting for her. He stood by the window, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable as always.

"Erythian," she said, her voice guarded. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about the council meeting," he replied, his tone cool. "And the rumors about Alantra."

Zara closed the door behind her, her gaze never leaving his. "You should have been there. Your input could have swayed the council."

"And what would I have said?" Erythian asked, his eyes narrowing. "That the marriage should proceed despite the uproar? That the queen should sacrifice her reputation for the sake of an alliance?"

Zara bristled at his words. "This isn't about my reputation. It's about Calithea. If Alantra attacks, we won't stand a chance without your support."

"And yet, you and your council refuse to let the marriage happen," Erythian said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "They've tied your hands, Zara. And mine."

Zara's gaze softened, but she didn't let her guard down. "We can still find a way to protect Calithea. But I need to know where you stand, Erythian. Are you with me or against me?"

Erythian studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and walked toward the door.

"Erythian," Zara called after him, her voice laced with frustration. "This isn't the time to be evasive."

He paused, his hand resting on the doorframe. "I'm not being evasive, Zara. I'm protecting what matters most to me. And I suggest you do the same."

With that, he was gone, leaving Zara alone with her thoughts. "What does he even mean?"

The days that followed were a blur of meetings, preparations, and sleepless nights. The rumors of Alantra's impending attack and the possibility that Alaric would be attacking any day continued to spread, fueling unrest among the people.

Zara spent hours poring over maps and strategizing with her advisors, but it felt like trying to hold back a tidal wave with her bare hands.

The council remained divided, their indecision only adding to the chaos. Some argued for diplomacy, while others called for immediate action. But without a clear plan, Calithea was at a standstill.

And all the while, Alaric's shadow loomed over them.

Zara couldn't shake the feeling that he was behind the rumors, manipulating events to his advantage. But without proof, there was little she could do.

Later that evening, as Zara sat in her chambers, poring over maps and reports, a strong wind blew open the window and startled her, it seemed really familiar; something that had happened the last time Alaric came to her, Before she could respond, Alaric stepped inside, his expression was surprisingly neutral, it was unlike Alaric and Zara worried but snapped out of it quick enough.

"What do you want?…no scratch that, how did you even get past the guards?" Zara asked coldly, her eyes narrowing as she rose to her feet.

"That's not important, I came to offer my help," Alaric said simply, shutting the door behind him.

Zara raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Help? You've done nothing but sow chaos and division, and now you want to help?"

Alaric sighed, his gaze steady. "I know you blame me for the unrest, but this isn't the time for grudges. If Alantra truly plans to attack, Calithea won't survive unless we work together."

Zara's anger flared, her voice sharp. "Work together? Do you even hear yourself? If you'd just stopped behaving like a child, the marriage would have gone through, and we wouldn't be in this position! Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Alaric flinched but held his ground. "I may have opposed the marriage, but that doesn't mean I want Calithea to fall. This is my home too, Zara."

"Then start acting like it," Zara snapped. "Stop undermining everything I do. Stop stirring unrest among the people. If you'd just put your pride aside for one moment, maybe, just maybe!—we'd have a chance."

Alaric's jaw tightened, his usual smug demeanor replaced by something far more serious. "I can't change the past, but I can help now. Let me help, Zara. For the sake of Calithea."

Zara stared at him, her emotions warring within her. She didn't trust him and couldn't trust him, but the desperation in his voice was hard to ignore.

After a long moment, she turned away. "If you truly want to help, prove it. Start by undoing the damage you've done. Convince the people to trust in the crown again. Until then, stay out of my way."

Alaric nodded, a flicker of something like regret crossing his face. Without another word, he turned and left, leaving Zara alone with her thoughts.

The days that followed were a blur of meetings, preparations, and sleepless nights. The rumors of Alantra's impending attack continued to spread, fueling unrest among the people.

Zara spent hours poring over maps and strategizing with her advisors, but it felt like trying to hold back a tidal wave with her bare hands.

The council remained divided, their indecision only adding to the chaos. Some argued for diplomacy, while others called for immediate action. But without a clear plan, Calithea was at a standstill.

One evening, as she stood on the balcony of her chambers, staring out at the darkened city, she felt a flicker of doubt creep into her heart.

Was she making the right choices? Could she really protect Calithea from the storm that was coming?

and for a split moment, she wondered if it would be wise to accept ALaric's offer but she killed the thought.

With a deep breath, Zara steeled herself. Doubt wouldn't save her kingdom. Action would.

And no matter what it took, she would do whatever was necessary to protect Calithea.