"Alexandra" I looked up at the thickness a knights voices. It was heavy with an accent I never knew existed. I blinked at his silver armor, the empire's colors of red and black shown a bright contrast to his uniform and my own. I looked at his chest plate where his name was held. It read James Jackson.
"Yes, Jackson?" I whispered my voice soft and unnaturally quiet for a general. I breathed in the icy-air and sighed my breath coming out in a cloud.
"The emperor wishes to speak about the attack on Aphrotic" I nodded figuring this time would come taking a last look at the starry sky I stood up climbing back from the ledge that I had been perching at. I couldn't leave the castle so I choose to spend my free time up on the roof. It angered the knights who had to come up and bring me down, but it gave me a vantage point. I could see past the mountains that surrounded the city to watch for any mounting attacks. I looked at the snow and ice that shown in the gleaming moonlight. I sighed as I entered back into the castle through the window, the air was warm and thickened with the scent of apples probably being prepared into a pie. I let the knight that was following me go for the night and made my way to the war room. It was only used to ever plan attacks, however it hasn't been used in quite some time. My crimson cape furled out as the large finely carved oak door opened. I walked in my boots silent on the large plush, red carpet. I made my way to the oak table. I put myself into a bow before the emperor and looked up at him.
"My apologies, My Liege." I whispered and stood up looking at his chocolate brown hair and matching eyes. His empress sat beside him. I felt my heart skip
one...
two...
three...
I counted silently steadying myself. He nodded in acceptance to my apology. I blinked my own red eyes as I took my position next to him and looked at the layout of the land on the large table. The empire to my far left and the kingdom of Aphrotic to the far right, the mountains separated us. This was a battle that he, my emperor, wanted to accompany me on. I had to choose the safest route as to not get him in any danger. I looked at the empress,who looked at me with a doubt gleaming in her blue eyes. She never trusted me. I ignored her gaze and spoke looking at a path arching through the mountains.
"This path is the Algerian Trail the easiest and faster route through the mountains, but it would not be the safest. They would expect us to go through here." I said my voice finally back to it's normal octave. The strong courageous voice a general should have.
"So, White Knight, what do you propose." The empress spoke her voice high and formal holding hostility in her voice.
"A surprise attack at midnight on a new moon when the sky is darkest. We will travel through this path here." I drew a line with my finger across a winding path up and down the mountain that was barely noticeable without being pointed out. I watched as the two nodded, the knights looked rather startled at hearing my voice full again. Most of them were new recruits. I looked around the room. "When we attack." I moved over to the opposing kingdom and looked at the wall around it."We go around the back and wait for midnight, then I will lead a team in by climbing the wall. This key area has no guard and the wall here is lowest and weakest. " I nodded looking at the map the plan forming visually in my head. "If I am correct guards walk by here" I pointed to the castle gates."At approximately midnight, now when my team get through the wall I will lower the gate after stealing a guards uniform. That's where the rest of you will be waiting. We must use stealth through the city to the castle, you capture their king and queen, you capture the city." I nod and look at the surprised and respectful gazes. The empress looked upset.
"Who will Aiden be going with? " She whispered indicating the emperor.
"He will be guarded at all times by me. " I nodded noting her fear.
"Thank you, Alexandra, you are dismissed the knights and I will discuss whom will be best to accompany us on this mission." I nodded and bowed leaving.
My heart caught at being dismissed so quickly. It was hopeless falling for someone who was already given a female. I scoffed at myself using the stone stair case to get back to the roof. I sighed and slowly opened the window. The air tossed my hair around like a waterfall. I blinked and picked my way towards the highest point. I could see the bright moon dancing off the icy lake. I closed my cape around me and just breathed. The small sounds from the city pricked up my senses and I watched the homeless try to find shelter from the wind a small feeling of guilt was in my heart I was here warm and they were not. I sighed and stayed like that still as a statue all night until the sun with its pink and purple sky a canvas behind it rose upwards. My muscles and limbs all felt frozen as I stood guard until i could no longer. No one bothered me or asked if I was okay. I wasn't aloud to be cared about. I was to be independent and strong, for I was the general. I was the support for this kingdom. It was an honor, but it was also a burden. The way I was now cold,dead and alone. I couldn't help seeing it as anything but a burden.
(I put a picture off Alex uhhh that way------->)
~Shatteredsoulxx
