Chapter 420: The Prelude Before The War
The morning sun had barely crested over the horizon when Lyan stirred awake. The air in the guest mansion was cool, the faint scent of dew drifting in through the open windows. He blinked, adjusting to the soft light that filtered in, and turned his head to the side. Alina, Belle, and Xena were still fast asleep, curled comfortably into the cushions of the bed. Their faces looked peaceful, and Lyan couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at his lips. Last night had been... intense, but also comforting. A moment of warmth before the storm that awaited them.
Slowly, he slipped out of the bed, careful not to wake them. The morning was far too important for them to rest idly. He took a moment to straighten his clothes, then moved silently towards the door. His companions needed rest, but he had to start preparing. Today was the day they all knew was coming. The day when words and plans would be replaced with steel and magic.
After making his way through the corridor, Lyan entered the main room where several others had already gathered. Wilhelmina, Alice, Raine, and the rest of the mountain tribe women were there, their expressions serious. The air was heavy with the anticipation of what lay ahead, and Lyan took a deep breath, centering himself.
"Morning," he said, his voice soft but carrying an edge of determination. The others looked up, nodding in acknowledgment.
Wilhelmina was the first to speak, her eyes steady as they met his. "We need to finalize the tasks for today," she said. "Everyone has a role to play if we’re going to come out of this in one piece."
Lyan nodded, his gaze sweeping across each of them. "I know. Let’s make sure we’re ready for anything," he said. One by one, he assigned them tasks—Alice and the mountain tribe women would provide support to the supply units, helping organize and distribute essentials for the battle. Emilia and Surena were tasked with coordinating with the scouts to keep track of enemy movements. The rest of them, including Raine and Ravia, were to stay close, forming part of Lyan’s vanguard team.
Once the instructions were given, Lyan took a step back, a sense of pride welling up within him. These women had chosen to follow him, to support him in what could be the toughest battle of their lives. Each one of them was capable, and each had a place in his heart. Today, they were more than just warriors—they were family.
After giving his orders, Lyan took the time to speak with each of his companions individually. He found Belle first, her eyes glimmering with both determination and worry. "You’ll be careful, won’t you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Lyan smiled, reaching out to brush a strand of hair away from her face.
"I will," he promised, his voice warm. "And you too. Remember, we’re all in this together. We fight for each other."