An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 5

Mare POV

I can't keep focused during these endless meetings, my mind wandering to various places as I sit there, trying my best to listen. I catch a few words here and there, which keep me informed enough to follow the conversation, but I know Cal will fill me in on the details later. I look over at him, all the way on the other side of the table, and I can tell by the concentrated look on his face, that he is taking in every word.

I hear Davidson talking, and then Farley saying something beside me in response, but my head just swims with thoughts about the baby, about the possibilities of threats from the Silver Succession in the future, how we're going to tell my family, and how my family is going to react.

Obviously, Gisa is going to be ecstatic. She is a great aunt to Bree's kids and Clara, and she has been asking me if I have ever thought about the possibility of having kids one day with Cal. I think my mom will be excited too, albeit she may be a bit surprised at first, especially at how soon this pregnancy happened, but I think she will be happy. MY dad and brothers on the other hand, I am not so sure about. They have gotten more accepting of Cal over the years, now that they see that he truly has changed and that he really does love me, and will never choose the crown over me again, but they still don't have the best relationship with Cal. I know that it hurts Cal, and I know that he tries so hard with them, but eventually, they will come around. It will just take a bit more time.

Suddenly, someone bursts through the doors to the meeting room, and walks up to Ada, Julian, and the other representatives of Norta, snapping me out of my thoughts.

The room around me has gone deathly silent, except for the sound of the new arrival's steps as they approach the Nortan delegation table. They suddenly engage in a hushed conversation, causing looks of confusion to spread across the room.

I steal a glance at Farley, but she just looks back at me and shrugs her shoulders, equally as confused and curious.

The messenger then stands up and begins to leave, and I see Cal slowly move from his place in between the Montfort and Nortan delegations to go and talk with Julian. Before he gets there, Ada stands up and starts speaking, her voice steady and strong.

"We have just received word that members of the Silver Succession and Lakelander forces are on their way to land a surprise attack on the castle."

Gasps and whispers fill the room, and a mixture of both dread and fear starts to rise in me. I look at Cal to find him frozen in place, his gaze set intently on Ada, awaiting her every word. I can see by his face and the way that he sets his jaw, that he is worried too.

"It would appear as though they were being fed information from a source inside the castle, and are now planning to attack while all members of the alliance are present." Ada finishes.

The room breaks out in hushed whispers as everyone reacts to the news. The commotion grows louder until Davidson rises from his seat, his voice radiating across the room, silencing everyone around him.

"So what are we to do then?" Davidson looks at Ada and the other officials with a gentle face, remaining calm in a worrying situation in a way that only he can.

"We would like to ask that, since this attack is aimed at all members of the alliance, that all members would offer their troops and support to help fight off this invasion." Ada's voice is strong, and she makes a compelling argument.

The Montfortian delegates and members of the Scarlet Guard all turn to talk amongst themselves, before Davidson turns back to face Ada.

"Montfort will offer it's support in this battle, but only from the troops and supplies that are already here. I'm afraid we don't have the provisions or the time to offer you anything more."