Shadowed Battlefield

Chapter 1

In the grand chamber of Navarvia's royal palace, a somber atmosphere enveloped the war council as the kingdom's most esteemed advisors gathered. Bathed in the flickering light of torches lining the ornate walls, the air was thick with tension and urgency. I stood behind the Crown Prince as the debate grew more and more heated.

At one end of the table, General Thorne, clad in polished armor, stood with a stern countenance, his hands clasped behind his back. "Your Majesty, we cannot afford to delay any longer. The enemy advances swiftly, and our defenses must be bolstered immediately," he declared, his voice resonating with authority.

Opposite him, Chancellor Elara, draped in rich silks and adorned with jewels, leaned forward, her expression one of diplomatic caution. "But General, to mobilize our forces now risks overextending our resources. We must consider the long-term implications of such hasty action," she countered, her tone measured yet resolute.

Amidst the heated exchange, Lord Garrick, a seasoned strategist with a weathered visage, raised his hand to interject. "Forgive me, Your Majesty, but perhaps a more nuanced approach is warranted. We must assess the enemy's movements with precision before committing our forces," he proposed, his voice a calming presence amidst the rising tension.

Amidst the fervent debate among his advisors, King Aldric turned his attention to the young prince seated beside him, his gaze seeking reassurance amid uncertainty. "Prince Alexander," he began, his voice cutting through the tumult, "what news do you bring of the enemy's movements?"

Prince Alexander, his youthful face set with determination, rose from his seat beside his father. "Uncle," he replied, his tone steady despite the news he was about to give, "our scouts report increased enemy activity along the eastern border. It appears they are marshaling their forces for a decisive strike."

The prince hesitated for a moment, his gaze meeting his uncles with unwavering resolve. "JoHansen tell the council what we discussed this morning."
I took a step forward so that the whole room could see and hear me. "The mass of the Eldria army is still in the capital city Lumina, with one bomber we could take out most of their forces and stop any attack that could be coming. With Seraphina now under the King's rule, we could have it sone with in the day."

Both the prince and I knew what the outcome of this meeting would be, nothing would be decided by the council it never was they bickered to much amongst themselves. And unless the King himself told the prince no, then I would be leaving on the bomber as soon as I was dismissed from the meeting. I was the Prince's Strike Force Commander I only answered to him and the King. Keeping my eyes respectfully lowered I waited for the king to decide. With a subtle nod of his head, I was dismissed to take the bomber to Eldria.

A few hours later the bomber took off and was on its to the city of Lumina, I had spent the last 13 years preparing for the end of the war. And to be the one to end it, the king himself would sing my praises. "Commander, we are nearing the drop zone. Should we prepare to drop." The piolets voice brought me out of my musings.

"Prepare to drop on my mark." In the distance growing ever closer was Eldria's capital city Lumina, looking over the city a feeling of unease grew. As the drop grew closer, I lost my resolve to give the order.

"Commander we are about to lose our chance, we won't get another one." The pilot looked to me waiting for my orders. He was right we only got one pass, if we tried again, we would be shot out of the air, they would have time to prepare. It was now or never. I hesitated a moment longer.

"Drop the bombs." My voice was hardly a whisper, but my command was carried out. I didn't dare look below at the explosion's I knew were happing, I didn't need to see what those three little words had done. Instead, I turned my back on the windows and radioed the Royal City that it was done. From the corner of my eye, I saw the fire below as we turned to head back.

I stood outside of the prince's study waiting for him to call me in, only a few hours had passed since I had arrived in the Royal City and a soldier was waiting for me with a summons from the prince. Though I was the Commander of his personal Strike Force I rarely saw him, all my orders were sent to me through a messenger or from the General of the Kings army.

When the study door opened a man exited and looked me over with a smirk. When I looked him in the eye an image of him dragging me from a room filled my head, but as soon as it had appeared it was gone. It startled me, as I had never seen this man before much less been dragged from a room by him.

"Crown Prince Alexander will see you now." His voice brought me back to my senses, I studied him a second longer before entering the study and bowing to the prince.

"JoHansen shut the door and take a seat." Rising I quickly followed his orders he was quick to anger if his orders were not done quickly enough.

Sitting in the chair across his desk I took the moment to study him while he finished writing. His Angular face was lined from the stress of the war, his hair darker than the raven from which his family name came was turning silver at the temples, and as he looked up, I met his ice blue eyes. They gleamed with a chilling malice, though they were a pale ice blue they swirled with a darkness that seemed to eradicate any light, the calculated ambitions in them were unmistakable, he met my gaze with an unwavering stare that sent shivers down my spine. I quickly lowered my eyes respectfully.

"Your Highness, you called for me." I dared not raise my eyes to meet his again, it may have been hearsay from boot camp, the whispers of his lethal retribution for meeting his gaze directly lingered with me.

"The scouts just sent in their reports. It seems, that congratulations are in order." He leaned back in his chair. "The Eldria army was decimated what remained of the leaders surrendered within an hour of the bombs dropping. My uncle is planning to hold an official surrender signing in a few days' time and he has requested that you attend."

"It would be an honor to attend." To be invited by the king himself to anything was an honor not many people got much less someone of my status.