Hiraeth

Chapter Twelve

Sage stood at the edge of the grand hall, her heart pounding as she surveyed the room filled with nobles and allies. The tension was palpable, a heavy mist of anxiety swirling in the air as they gathered for an emergency meeting. The last remnants of daylight filtered through the tall windows, casting elongated shadows that danced along the stone walls. The flickering torches added an ominous glow, setting the perfect stage for the chaos that lay ahead.

Beckett stood near the center, exuding an effortless charisma as he engaged with the nobles, his dark eyes piercing as he relayed the urgency of their situation. Sage couldn't help but admire him from afar; he carried himself with a confidence that both fascinated and intimidated her. Kade was nearby, speaking in hushed tones with Fleck, his brow furrowed in concentration.

As she made her way to the front, Sage felt a mix of determination and dread. She was a lady of the court, yet in this moment, she was more than that; she was a protector of her family, her people, and everything she held dear.

"Everyone, please settle down," Beckett called, his voice steady and commanding, drawing the attention of the assembled nobles. "We're faced with a grave threat, one that jeopardizes our very way of life. But we can stand united against it."

Sage felt a rush of pride as he spoke, his words igniting a flicker of hope among the crowd. She stepped forward, finding her voice amid the whispers. "We have to act swiftly. This isn't just about us; it's about everyone who relies on our protection. We must show strength, or we risk losing everything."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, and she caught Kade's eye, giving him an encouraging nod. He looked impressed.

A noble with a flowing robe stepped forward, his expression skeptical. "And what do you suggest, my lady? We cannot simply march out and confront those who wish to harm us. We must be strategic."

Sage took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "We need to strengthen our defenses and gather intel on our enemies. We should also rally support from the townsfolk. Fear will only breed more chaos. If we can show them that we are united and prepared, it will empower them."

Beckett glanced at her, a mixture of admiration and something more-something she dared not analyze too deeply. "Sage is right. We can't let the enemy dictate our actions. If we rally the townspeople, they will stand with us. Together, we can fortify our walls, train more guards, and ensure that we're prepared for anything."

Another noble, a woman with sharp features, spoke up. "And what if the enemy strikes before we're ready? We could end up losing everything."

"Then we fight back!" Kade said, his voice rising. "We've already shown that we can take them on. Last night, we fought them off, didn't we? We can do it again!"

The atmosphere shifted slightly as Kade's words resonated with the crowd. Sage felt the weight of their fears, but also the flicker of hope igniting within them. It was a delicate balance, and she knew they needed to keep pushing forward.

"We need a plan," she said, stepping closer to the center. "We'll split into teams-those who can gather information, those who can rally support, and those who will fortify our defenses. We must be prepared for a fight but also for the potential of negotiations. We can't rule anything out."

"Negotiations?" the sharp-featured woman scoffed. "With those who threaten our very lives? It's foolish!"

"Perhaps," Sage replied, meeting her gaze head-on. "But we can't underestimate our opponents. If they're indeed planning a coup, they'll have allies among us. We need to find out who they are before it's too late."

Silence hung heavy in the air as the nobles exchanged glances, weighing her words. Finally, Beckett stepped forward, a determined look in his eyes. "I support Sage's plan. We can't let our fears blind us to the possibilities. We must outsmart our enemies."