CHAPTER 28: RECKONING AT DAWN

The air was thick with tension as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. Thecastle, usually a place of quiet majesty at this hour, buzzed with a sense of anticipation. The events of the previous night had sent ripples through the kingdom, and the fallout was just beginning.

Evelynn stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, her hands gripping the cold stone railing. Below, the soldiers assembled in disciplined rows, their armor reflecting the dim morning light. Each one of them knew what lay ahead—war was no longer an approaching specter; it was at their doorstep.

Darius emerged behind her, his steps slow, deliberate. He carried the weight of their kingdom's fate upon his shoulders, and it showed in the way his usually unyielding posture sagged ever so slightly.

"You should rest," Evelynn said without turning.

Darius exhaled a short breath, stepping beside her. "I cannot afford to. Not now."

She turned to him, studying his face. The golden glow in his eyes, once fierce, now carried a subdued fire. "We need you strong for what's to come," she insisted.

He gave her a weary smile, but it did not reach his eyes. "Strength is more than just rest, Evelynn. It is resilience. And we must be resilient now more than ever."

A knock at the chamber doors interrupted them. Lucien entered, his expression grim. "The council has gathered. They await you both."

Evelynn and Darius exchanged a glance before following him down the winding corridors to the council chamber. As they entered, the assembled lords and advisors stood from their seats, murmurs spreading like wildfire. The recent revelation of Rowan's treachery had shattered the council's unity, and now, the remnants were left to pick up the pieces.

Lord Everard, a seasoned statesman with a sharp gaze, was the first to speak. "We cannot ignore what has happened. Lord Rowan was not alone in his beliefs. There are others who question the wisdom of continuing this fight."

Darius leveled his gaze at him. "Rowan was a traitor. Are you suggesting we entertain his treachery?"

Everard hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I am suggesting that we be pragmatic. Kael's forces outnumber ours. His alliances grow stronger with each passing day. If we do not consider every option, we may find ourselves fighting a war we cannot win."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room.

Evelynn stepped forward, her voice firm. "And what would you suggest? That we kneel? That we surrender to a man who would see our people broken and enslaved?"

Everard's lips pressed into a thin line. "I suggest we negotiate."

A scoff from the far end of the table drew all eyes to Selene, who leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Negotiate with Kael? You might as well sign our death warrants now."

Darius placed his hands on the table, his gaze sweeping over the council. "Rowan's betrayal cost us dearly. We cannot afford another misstep. Kael does not seek peace—he seeks dominion. There is no future under his rule."

The room fell into silence, the weight of his words settling over them.

Finally, Lucien spoke. "Then we prepare for war."

The decision was made.

The next hours were a blur of preparations. Messages were dispatched to allies, weapons were sharpened, and strategies were debated. The city itself hummed with activity, its people bracing for the inevitable battle.

Evelynn found herself on the training grounds, overseeing the soldiers. She watched as young recruits sparred, their movements swift but unpolished. War was no longer an abstract concept for them; it was a reality they had no choice but to face.

As she moved through the ranks, a familiar voice called her name. She turned to see Garrick, an old friend and one of the kingdom's most skilled warriors, approaching.

"You look like you're carrying the weight of the world," he remarked, handing her a practice sword.

She took it, testing its balance. "Feels that way."

He gestured to the training ring. "Then let's see if you can still keep up."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Are you challenging me, Garrick?"

He grinned. "I'd never be that foolish."

They faced off, circling each other, their blades meeting in a swift clash. Evelynn moved with precision, her body remembering the drills drilled into her since childhood. Garrick was a formidable opponent, but she met him strike for strike.

As their sparring intensified, the tension that had gripped her since Rowan's betrayal eased. For a brief moment, she wasn't a princess standing on the precipice of war—she was simply a warrior, fighting alongside those she trusted.

Their duel ended in a stalemate, both breathless but grinning. Garrick clapped her on the shoulder. "You're ready."

She nodded, gripping her sword tightly. "We have to be."

Night fell, and with it came a restless energy. The castle was alive with final preparations. Scouts returned with reports of Kael's advancing army, their forces moving closer with alarming speed.

Darius stood in the war room, surrounded by maps and battle plans. Evelynn joined him, her gaze flickering to the markers that represented their troops. "How long do we have?"

"Two days at most," he replied. "Perhaps less."

She studied the map, her mind racing. "Then we must strike first."

He looked at her, intrigued. "You have a plan?"

She traced a path along the map. "Kael expects us to defend. He believes we'll wait for him to bring the fight to us. But what if we disrupt his advance before he reaches the city?"

Lucien, standing nearby, nodded slowly. "A preemptive strike. Risky, but it could give us the advantage."

Darius considered it, his golden eyes flickering with thought. "We'd need to move swiftly. A small force, precise and deadly."

Evelynn met his gaze. "I'll lead them."

A muscle tightened in his jaw. "No."

She stepped closer. "Darius—"

"I said no." His voice was firm, but she saw the conflict in his eyes. "I cannot risk losing you."

She placed a hand over his. "And I cannot stand by while others fight in my place. This is my kingdom too."

Lucien cleared his throat. "She's right, Darius. If we want this to work, we need our best out there."

Darius exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. Finally, he nodded. "Fine. But I'm coming with you."

Evelynn smiled faintly. "Then we ride at dawn."

The morning was eerily silent as their small force assembled at the gates. Clad in dark armor, they moved like shadows against the landscape, their horses restless beneath them.

Darius rode beside Evelynn, his expression unreadable. "If this goes wrong—"

"It won't," she interjected, offering him a reassuring glance. "We've come too far."

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then let's end this."

With that, they spurred their horses forward, vanishing into the mist, heading straight for the enemy.

The reckoning had begun.