Resistance

Aidon

Dinner hadn't been a total disaster, although it was kinda scary that the two leaders of separate armies thought and acted so similar.

It was the day after though, and I was dressing for the meeting. Yesterday after dinner I had sent out a letter to all the commanders, so they should all be there.

Grabbing my maps and binder full of information on everything, I walked out, down through the village to the academy, where we held meetings in the conference room.

People either avoided me, or said hello politely. I nodded in turn, but I generally hated going through the village, I didn't get why being the soon to be second in command intimidated people. I was a normal person really.

After about a fifteen minute walk, I made it to the gates of the academy. It was so familiar, almost like a home, people saying hi, and addressing me by name. Even the younger students, some of which I knew as my brothers friends.

"Nice suit Herondale!", Grace, one of the trainers and my friend called out.

"Thanks Smith, might want to keep your guard up before your student clobbers you.", I yelled back, laughing as she nearly missed blocking a strike by the kid training with her.

"Very funny Aidon.", she grumbled back at me.

I made it through the courtyard, heading into the hallways of the main studies classes, going to the last room at the end of the hall.

It was a plain, white walked room, with a giant oval table in the middle. Not much for a room that planned wars.

Thalia, the general, and a few other people who had came early were seated around the table.

Thalia had left with the general so they could discuss exactly what had to be done, before they told the assembly.

I wasn't very happy with what she had told me yesterday about the plan she had, but it's not like I could change her mind, so I just went along with it.

I doubt she had told me the whole thing, but the sense of it was that she was going to let them come in, then drive them back, letting them think they had striked. I didn't get why she wanted us to believe that, but I was guessing it was part of her plans.

"Hey Aidon, why don't you come sit down?", Mr. Herold said.

"Sure, have you finished planning it all out?", I came over to stand behind Thalia, watching as she drew a whole map, and traced where we would have to attack and so on.

"Pretty much. But we're probably gonna need to bring in a lot of reinforcements, do more tactical, have different plans, and a whole bunch of other planning, but we have the essentials down.", Thalia grumbled as she measured something out, using her thumb as a guide.

"Of course, but we have to worry about getting it approved before we start on that.", I said, putting my hands on her shoulders.

She turned to me, glaring, "I'm trying to draw a straight line, you're not helping.", then she turned back and continued.

I decided to take a seat on the other side of the general so I wouldn't disturb her. More and more people were filtering in, soon everyone would be here, about fifteen members.

James and Carter walked in, taking seats next to me. There were only three people not here now, and it looked like Thalia had finished, any minute we would begin.

"I don't think I've ever seen my dad this excited for a meeting, maybe this could be our breakthrough.", James commented. I didn't reply, I knew it was going to be a futile attempt.