Loved and Lost

Falling Into Place

"Right now, you don't need to do anything." She tells him, enunciating on the need part. Kida's hands lay on the stone table and it's obvious that she's trying to come up with our next move.

"Then why have you all come, if not for travel and adventure?" The confusion in his voice is inevitable.

"There's a war that is going to happen. We need all the backup we can get." As Kida begins briefing Earl Leif on her plan, everyone else stands around the circle, involving themselves. "I'm sure you've heard the raid on Litsurburge didn't go well, yes?"

"I did. It was so tragic," he starts shaking his head as he sucks his teeth. Placing his hands over his heart, he continues, "we had a day of silent prayers the day after we heard." His voice fills the room with sadness, but along with my sadness comes rage.

"Well," Kida begins. It's obvious that she's taking over the situation and I'm a bit impressed. I thought Bjorn would have. "Ajita here is from Litsurburge. The time has come that we all think it's about time to throw Rodac off his throne."

"You're not serious," His gasp echos through the giant open room.

"Oh, but we are. This 'gentle' giant has had his reign for far too long," Bjorn throws his index finger into the table and I almost cringe from how bad it must have hurt

As Bjorn was about to continue his rant, Earl Leif interrupts him, "This isn't something that can just be taken care of," He shrugs while throwing his hand in the air.

"No," Kida nods her head. "But it can be done."

"But it just can't!" Leif yells at all of us.

"It has to be done!" Bjorn yells, slamming his fist on the stone table. The four of us are full on staring at him, eyes wide open but Leif stops for a second. Slowly, he turns his head to bjorn. This isn't going to be good.

"First off," Leif presses his lips together, pausing for a moment. He disengages himself from the situation entirely until the life comes back into his eyes. It's almost scary. "There is a problem much bigger than Rodac even if you were to even kill him. Secondly, even if we wanted to, this problem is much bigger than just four people-"

"Marek and Magnus are here as well," Senne informs him.

"Six people," Leif shoots his index finger at Senne, correcting himself. "Six people and just my village."

"Faulkner will stand behind us as well." She informs him. He snaps his head to her, breaking his aggravation and dead stares as he looks at her with pure innocence like a father teaching his child right from wrong. It actually makes me think of the times my Einrik, my dad, would give me that same expression.

"It's still not enough, Butterfly," His voice is gentle with her. "Listen to me," he brings his attention back to the circle. "I'll put Pinkurth in the battle if there is one. And let's say there is one, we would need the help of Karsale, Salesteer, Morkinsto, and Halvestar. Are you ready to make that journey? Are any of you?"

It's like something shifts inside Kida. "Don't you dare question me and my men about what we're capable of." Kida slaps the palm on her hand on the stone. She rests it on top of the table only to point the index finger on her other hand at Leif. Her voice is sharp, catching both Leif and I off guard. Leif keeps his mouth ajar, but the thing is, a leader has to fight for her team, and I'm sure that Leif knows that.

He squints, and after what seems like forever, Leif sighs, "Fine." He shuts his eyes, he calms himself down, and quite possibly the situation. "Me and my men stand right beside you. You're not wrong about Rodac and his reign needing to come to an end." He takes the time to stare at each and every one of us, making sure we're all engaged in the conversation. "I trust that this will more than likely go awry just because like us, Rodac has connections too. But you all know that, don't you?" Leif's questions have left the room speechless. Why?