May 17ᵗʰ, 1120 - Atticus
Soldiers rushed forward to take Thunder's reins, and quickly stepped back when he snapped at them. I swung out of the saddle and handed the reins to one of my soldiers. I ordered, "Feed and water the horses. Rest for now, and when I return we'll head back to North Fort."
"Yes, sir," replied the soldier, quickly relaying my orders to the other twenty-four soldiers from North Fort.
I turned to Lucas's soldiers and looked over the camp. Compared to the five hundred soldiers I had on rotation through North Fort with only one hundred and fifty mages, intel was he had nearly five hundred soldiers with most being fire and lightning mages. A few structures were made of wood, while most were tents. Watching soldiers move about, I noticed the clear organization of the camp. A few soldiers stared at me, their wide gazes showing inexperience.
"Is one of you going to lead me to Prince Lucas?" I questioned, the fist on my battle arm tightening. "Or shall I wander till I find him?"
One of the soldiers jumped into motion, loudly saying, "This way High Prince Atticus."
He quickly led me through the camp. As soldiers noticed me they stopped what they were doing and saluted me. In the distance towered Vibrant Mountains with shades of green, gray, and purple. The surrounding forest hid any signs of life from sight. Where the forest ended began a lush plain which abruptly ended at a mile wide length of dirt. The border was a literal dead zone with no plants, animals, or even an annoying mosquito. On Thundering Fire's side of the border, the plains continued, albeit more yellowed and less full.
"Prince Lucas is inside, Sir," said the soldier motioning to a large tent.
At my approach the guards quickly pulled the tent flaps aside. I had to tilt my head as I stepped through. The handful of people inside looked up from the map of Vibrant Mountains on the center table.
"High Prince Atticus," greeted one of the men, while he and the others saluted. The only one who didn't was Lucas.
"We hope that you have agreed to lend us soldiers," said another.
I didn't answer, meeting Lucas's gaze.
"Gentlemen, we'll continue the planning tomorrow morning," he said, bracing his hands on the table.
The men left quickly, leaving my brother and I to stand in silence. I stepped up to the table, studying the map where villages near the edge of the forest were marked. Within the mountains there were no labels, even the home of the nature mages, Nature's Crest, was missing. Electricity sizzled as it ran across Lucas's arms, singing the edges of the map. He growled, "If you had sent soldiers when I requested, then we'd have captured one of them."
I raised an eyebrow as the scent of ozone thickened. My own magic simmered beneath my skin. I questioned, "A priestess?"
"Yes, a fucking priestess."
Tapping the fingers of my left hand on the table, I mulled over the implications. No one has seen a priestess since Grandfather was king. Why was one near the border?
"You're sure you saw a nature mage?" I asked.
Lucas glared at me, snarling, "The bitch restrained upwards of thirty soldiers while building walls of thorns. Once she was worn out I lead my elites forward to capture her. She was a nature mage, long green hair, green marks on her skin, and green eyes. Then somehow the forest erupted and horse riders charged into the village. The priestess was snatched by them before they were swallowed by the trees. None of our mages could break through the forest after them."
I shook my head slightly, turning my gaze to the map. A mix of emotions, such as frustration and defeat swept through me. If I had sent him soldiers he would have likely succeeded in capturing the priestess. But then my soldiers would have been stretched too thin.
"I've sent a request to Father for soldiers from North Fort to be permanently stationed here," said Lucas, straightening and crossing his arms. His eyes issued an unspoken challenge.
"I already have too few men to properly guard the coast," I replied. "Shifting soldiers away would cause the beasts to expand their range and the deaths of many."
"Yet having the priestess in our possession would mean the end to the beasts."
I took a deep breath trying to calm the rising magic in me. "There won't be another opportunity. The High Priestess will keep all of them safely within the mountains."
Lucas slammed his fist on the table, snarling, "Then we'll invade the mountains! Finally end this game of cat and mouse bullshit. You think you're all high and mighty because you aren't making the tough decisions. You just battle beasts! Here I am finding a solution and -"
"I have more important things to take care of than argue with you. I will not agree to sending soldiers from North Fort to you." Turning away, I pushed open the tent flap.
"Fuck you, Atticus! This is why-"
I ignored his rant as I stepped outside. He didn't follow but his voice did. The guards were trying to look unphased, and utterly failing. Other people stopped what they were doing. I could feel their gazes on my back as I walked to my soldiers.
