Zaza stood with me in my chambers. The Captain has reported that the Bandits in the Hinder lands are growing in numbers, and we will be next if we don't confront and stop them now.
“I cannot fight two battles, Zaza, what you are requesting is a suicide mission from my men,” I said.
“Then fright one,” Zaza replied
‘Which one?” I asked.
“I don’t know, whatever I choose, it is still your choice,” Zaza said.
I was wondering at myself for allowing a fourteen-year-old to choose my battles when I had captains in my ranks. I was not certain of what to do, and Elder Ce
Karim's return from the Hinder lands brought with it very worrying and disturbing news, painting a dire picture of the situation unfolding beyond our borders. As he recounted his journey and the harrowing truths he had uncovered, a heavy silence settled over the room, thick with the weight of his words.I was livid as I wondered why the soldiers did not intervene so quickly before things escalated. Why would they be this callous as to allow their borders to get threatened by a group of Bandits who they know had been infesting lands and stealing goods and crops?The Captain explained that it was the battle for leadership that consumed the Generals and that it would be good if we consolidated our forces with those of General Masa.“Karim, what did you learn?” I ask
The arrival of the messenger from Nashville brought a momentary pause to our preparations, his urgent message casting a shadow of uncertainty over our plans. Alpha Jo's summons was unexpected, and the timing could not have been worse. I was wondering what or who gave him the authority to summon Alpha’s, anyway Border Town was not known for an Alpha leadership.With the threat of the bandits looming large on the horizon, every moment was precious, and every delay could spell disaster for our people. I do not honor such invites gives us the edge we need for our safety.I exchanged a glance with Karim, a silent understanding passing between us as we weighed our options. On one hand, the council of Alphas held the promise of unity and collective action against the bandits, a chance to pool our resources and strategize a coordinated response to the growing threat. But on the other hand, it also meant delaying our mission to the Hinder lands, leaving our people vulnerable to further attacks
I looked at the twelve warriors who had chosen to accompany me. Each of them brought unique strengths and skills to our group, and their loyalty and courage were evident in their determined expressions. I was glad we did not lose anyone in the first battle and maybe we do not have to lose anyone if Karim does his job very well.Here are the twelve, including Karim:KarimKarim, the seasoned hunter, was the leader of the twelve. His keen senses and extensive knowledge of the land and its creatures made him an invaluable asset. With a rugged appearance and a calm demeanor, Karim was a man of few words but profound wisdom. His ability to track and anticipate the movements of the enemy was unmatched.Leif
As the early morning light filtered through the trees, casting a golden hue over our camp, I called the twelve warriors together for a final meeting. Their faces, etched with determination and concern, mirrored my own resolve. We had prepared meticulously, but the gravity of what lay ahead weighed heavily on us all."I told you I had a plan," I began, my voice steady but filled with urgency. "The situation in the Hinder lands is dire. Karim's reconnaissance has revealed the full extent of the bandit threat. But instead of launching a full assault, I propose a different strategy."I paused, meeting each of their gazes, drawing strength from their loyalty and courage. "I will go alone to confront the leader of the bandits. If I can eliminate him, it may destabilize their ranks and save us the bloodshed and loss of life that would come
The first order of business was to establish a stable government. The Hinder Lands had been leaderless for too long, and the absence of a strong, fair authority had allowed chaos to take root. We needed to set up a council of elders and counselors to govern the land, ensuring that power was distributed and that the voices of the people were heard."People of the Hinder Lands," I called out, my voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "We have come together to bring peace and order back to your homes. Today, we will establish a council to govern fairly and justly, and we will appoint a leader to guide you through these challenging times."The crowd cheered, their faces lighting up with hope. Among the twelve, we had already discussed potential candidates for leadership. After careful consideration, we decided to place Torin, a se
The celebration in Border Town was short-lived as pressing matters weighed heavily on our minds. As night fell and the townsfolk began to retreat to their homes, my inner circle and I gathered in the council chamber to discuss the invitation from Alpha Jo.Captain Hyde, Karim, Zaza, and the other members of our group sat around the large wooden table. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the somber mood."We can't ignore this invitation," I began, breaking the silence. "Alpha Jo has summoned all the Alphas to Nashville to discuss the bandit threat. We need to decide how to respond."Zaza was the first to voice her concerns. "Ava, we have to consider the possibility that this is a trap. We've already learned that the bandits are receiving orders from Nashville. If we walk into this meeting unprepared, we could be walking into a dangerous situation."“Come on Zee, I can take care of myself,” I said not knowing how it came out of my mouth.“I don’t want
As I walked through the town of Nashville with Zaza and my guards, I could smell the fresh air and the natural nature of the town. I was very happy to be home. From my hotel to the conference hall was a walking distance and I loved it. I was glad to be in my town once more. A lot has not changed, both the people and the town. The people did not know me anymore and that pleased me.I could smell and feel a lot of them throwing gazes at me. Most of them had not seen a lady, dressed so richly and guarded by hefty-looking handsome men. Yes, I chose my guards very carefully as I wanted them to look intimidating and handsome.The conference door opened, and I was ushered in alone. I sat close to the exit door as I did not want to disturb the meeting. It was a meeting of the Alphas in the district. Alpha Jo had called for a meeting aimed at defeating our common enemy, the bandits.After his opening speech, I watched as he set his gaze on me. I was not sure that he recognized me. But as he wa
The other Alphas were waiting for us. They could not hear us, but they could see that I was not afraid of their intimidation. I was not ready to reveal that I was Alpha Ayar. They must respect me as an Omega.My ex-husband, who rejected me at my wedding, was still looking at me in shock. He could not believe that I had challenged him. The only female that had ever done so was Maria, his sister.“Could you please follow me? I want to introduce you to the other Alphas,” Alpha Jo said.I stood up, raised my gown a little, and followed Alpha Jo. It looked like the longest walk I ever took. The distance was short, but my steps were heavy. All eighteen eyes were on me. I tried to keep my composure. I managed to stand in front of them and by the side of Alpha Jo.Alpha Jo took a glance at me before introducing me. “Fellow Alphas,” he said, as he took another look at me, then continued. “We have in our midst an emissary from Alpha Ayar. He decided to send us this lady. I am sorry I did not ge