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Under Attack
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2024-11-27 02:00:38Maerilee
The moment the doors to the throne room close behind River and Brook’s parents, the reality of the situation hits me like a tidal wave. War. Oceana has declared war on us. And with Direken already making threats, the danger to Altinna has never been more real. My heart pounds in my chest, the urgency of finding my Fourth crashing over me with the force of a thousand storms. I can’t afford to wait any longer. Every second we waste brings us closer to disaster.
I turn to my parents, ready to discuss how we might find him, how we can gather the resources and magic needed to locate the last piece of this puzzle. But just as I open my mouth to speak, my mother’s face pales, and she sways on her feet. The world seems to slow down as I watch her stagger, her hand reaching out as if to steady herself on an invisible support. My breath catches in my throat, and before I can react, she crumples to the floor.
“Mother!” I cry out
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*Maerilee*I sit by the window of my chambers, the stone seat beneath me chilled despite the fire burning low behind me. Outside, my kingdom glows orange and gold with the fires still burning from our enemies. Smoke rises into the sky, making it nearly impossible to tell if it’s night or day. Not that I’ve been paying much attention anyway. Time means nothing anymore.Akin may have died days ago, or seconds for all I know. There’s no telling how long it’s been, I just know that there is a definite split in time. Before Akin died, everything made sense. After, everything crumbled into ash. I know I can’t let this grief swallow me. I know that I have to show up for my people and for myself. But it feels like there’s nothing left to live for, and that alone keeps me glued to this bench, staring aimlessly at my kingdom on fire.There’s some hope, though. Where I’ve faltered, Brook stood up and took charge. He gave the army a strategy to hold onto. When I’m able to focus, I hear about thei
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*Brook*I stand at the table in the middle of the war room, the edges of the massive map curling up slightly under my palms, and listen as the generals argue around me. Their voices are low and tense, an overlapping hum of uncertainty and exhaustion that fills the space. At least they aren’t yelling at each other anymore. No one has the energy for that left in them. Instead, they speak in clipped phrases, drawing lines and circles on the map trying to find the best approach to end this war, like any of this can still be planned.Maerilee is a shell of herself now. She sits at the head of the table, a heavy cloak pulled tight around her shoulders, her eyes glassy and distant. Her hands stay folded in her lap. Her mouth never moves. She’s still breathing, but only barely. It’s like I can feel her grief in my own body. I wish I could carry it for her. Her people need her far more than they need me.River enters the room not far behind the king. I don’t know where he’s been all day, but I
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