[2] WEEPING MONK║you're not what I was looking for

43| Thicker Than Water - 𝐈𝐈𝐈

[TW// blood, injury, grief, intoxication.]

Chaos descends upon the forest and Ari is forced to take drastic measures. Lancelot finds himself in a sticky situation.

An emergency meeting in the large tent by the edge of the clearing had been called, and rightly so given everything that had happened and it was barely midday. The Red Spear leant against the table, only just able to stand upright though she held herself strong and explained how her group had been ambushed, the toll of blood spilled and how much coin or gold they had gathered, but that detail was the last thing in the council's thoughts.

Ari only half listened to what she already knew, her tactical mind turning her options over and over. She had tried to persuade Red from taking her raiders out, attempted to dissuade the woman from wanting to go on this rampage but there was no arguing with her, and now look what had happened. If her friend had not been so stubborn and listened to her then her people would still be alive, but she would not say this aloud. Controlling the fallout was all that she could do now.

Unwritten parchments sat spread on the table from the morning, her quill now dry without ink and she stared to them, unable to tear her blank expression away.

Gawain put his hands up on his hips, speaking the minds of all here from across to Ari's left, "Everyone will be expecting a war, at least a battle if they have not suspected our plans already."

The old king agreed from beside him, standing tall and composed like usual and turning his face towards his daughter who was not looking to anyone at all, "This is the catalyst, you must tell them now."

Her mind was still racing, hands fisting and fidgeting discretely by her sides uncomfortably but she heard his silver voice. She had been waiting for a moment, the right opportunity to gather everyone and tell them of what is to unavoidably come by spring. Her father was right, this is the day where she will tell them, tomorrow at the latest once they are safe again.

"We must retaliate!" The Red Spear barked from the queen's right side, gripping the blade handle at her hip.

Ari shook her head sharply with her disagreement, keeping her voice cool, "I will not fight back." Out of the corner of her sight she saw Red snap her wild eyes to her, and she anticipated just what was coming.

"My people did not just die for nothing!" The Red Spear thrust her decree into the tensing air and her temper was thoroughly warranted.

Ari held her nerve whilst her friend let loose her frustrations, attempting to calm the rush coming from beside her, "No they did not," she turned to the raider, contending, "but I will not retaliate like you wish. I will not start this war in the heat of revenge."