be prudent to go right now while everyone is still agitated. Also, you need to address those who remained behind to renew their support of you as their leader,' Yukio said decisively.
'Do you really think diplomacy will work with those that left?' she asked.
'If we are to survive an outside attack, then there must be peace between the two mountain nations,' explained the general. He wrapped his massive arms around his wife and held her close. He was troubled in his mind about the recent events, but he too did not know what to do. He stood there lost in his own thoughts, holding on to his beautiful wife. Where has Kana gone? Why has she not helped us?
They held each other for a long time while looking out the window at the pouring rain. Both were consumed by their own thoughts and were not in the mood to talk anymore. They were both determined to figure out the best course of action before the day was out. They watched passively as the home guard darted this way and that across the royal courtyard. The weather got increasingly worse as the day wore on. Finally the couple decided they had to do something aside from just standing there. They both left the room heading in opposite directions. Yukio had to get back to his troops and give them their new orders while the queen returned to the council room for a follow-up meeting. A swift and decisive course of action was needed. These two would do just that in their separate responsibilities.
The troops under General Yukio's command instantly snapped to attention at his arrival. He looked calm and in control of the evereroding situation. The master manipulator immediately sensed that the men felt a diminished sense of purpose. He could tell that there was a singular question amongst them regarding what should be done now. Do they give chase to those who departed, or do we just continue to defend the city? He would have to put an immediate stop to the questions and doubts. He would infuse purpose back into the men and inspire them to greater heights. He called for the troops to come to attention, and complete silence fell; even the rain seemed to have been silenced.
'About half of the high elves have departed for Mount Konane while we were in that dreadful meeting,' General Yukio declared solemnly. 'We will leave them alone for the time being and even wish them well in their new endeavor. Our goal will be to establish diplomatic ties with them, so whenever we see one of the departed, treat them kindly.' He was trying to impress upon the minds of the troops that they were not to mistreat the high elves that left Alanderas.
'What are our orders now, General?' asked one of the captains.
'We are going to fortify the outer and inner walls of this great city. No one will penetrate our defenses while we still have breath in our bodies! There is a very real possibility that we will be attacked very soon. The enemies of the high elves will think that this is the right time to attack since there is a division among the people. We will prove them wrong!' bellowed General Ibreshri. His eyes were blood red with intensity as he spoke.
The whole army erupted into shouts of approval, and war chants soon drowned out the yelling. The excitement and anticipation the men were feeling was palpable. General Yukio cracked into a wide smile as he watched the enthusiasm of his soldiers. He felt reassured that the defense of this massive city was in capable hands. He knew that they would be able to defend against anything or anyone that came at them now. He had the feeling that some kind of war was brewing and that there were going to be people from the different races involved. There will be many of the powerful creatures of Tuwa who would be dragged into the conflict. Maybe even the Elementals would get involved somehow. He just knew that he had to be prepared for whatever tried to breach the walls of Alanderas.
After talking with the men, he headed to the council chambers where he knew he could find his wife. He needed to talk with the high elven home guard to make sure they knew their role in defending the city from assault. The guard would have the queen as their charge; nothing would change that. Yukio would defend the city from external attacks, but the queen would have to be defended from traitors by her guard. He was confident that they would be equal to the task; however, he would make sure that they were properly motivated.
As he was walking toward the council chambers lost in his thoughts, he came across the very person he had intended to talk to. General Marek Thraadinal snapped to attention when Yukio came into sight. Marek was in charge of the army of the high elves, diminished as they were in numbers. The army doubled as the high elven home guard because of their small size and because their main purpose was to defend the capital city. The two military leaders looked at one another for a moment and then threw their arms around each other in a hearty embrace. They stood back looking at one another appraisingly.
'My dear old friend, how have you been?' queried General Marek.
'Better than you from the looks of it,' General Yukio replied with a laugh and a hearty slap on the back. 'I have not lost over half my army. How are the inner wall defenses?'
'The inner wall and the castle are impregnable. Do not worry, my friend. I will keep your wife safe at all costs. You do not hide your feelings in this matter very well. I thought you were the master of controlling your emotions while manipulating others to do your will,' Marek chided knowingly.
'If you were anyone else, I would have you locked away for such brashness, but then again, you were always good with words,' Yukio joked. 'I have come to talk to you about the importance of maintaining the inner wall defenses as well as to give you some vital information that will be needed to defend the queen against hidden attacks.'
'I could use all of the intelligence I can get my hands on. I fear there are some who would want to do the queen harm. I do not think these attempts will come from without; they will come from within.'
'You are very perceptive, my friend. That is my worry as well. So, let me give you some information that no one else has. There are two secret entrances to the queen's bedchambers. The entrance to one is a magically hidden door within the inner wall. The door is opened by tapping on the wall five times at the east end of the wall where it meets the mountainside. Make the sign of the star with the five taps, and you will be given admittance. This secret passage will lead to the portrait on the right side of the queen's bed. Kira does not know about the secret doors, so be careful.' Ifyou surprise her, it will probably be the last thing you ever do.
'I understand what you mean. I would not want to surprise her; I would not survive the attack.'
'No one would survive her attack. I do not worry about her ability to defend herself. However, she is a very trusting person who can be led astray by cunning words or devices. That is why I am entrusting her into your care, Marek.'
'Your trust is not misplaced, Yukio. I will make sure she is not harmed in any way.'
'Good. Now, there is a second secret entrance that is much more elaborate and goes through the entire mountain to the north face. At the base of the other side of the mountain, there is a secret door behind Gorgen Falls. Behind the waterfall is solid rock with no crevices or cracks in it. There is a jet-black mark on one part of the wall that when it is pressed opens a small entrance. The opening is only big enough for one person to walk through. The passage is very small for most of the way except for a massive cavern at the very heart of the mountain. This space is big enough to fit the royal castle within it.'
'That is very impressive. How did you find such a path?'
'Well, the cavern was already there. I just had to create the path to and from it. I also made sure to place supplies in there in case you need to take the queen there to hide. To magically seal the entrance to this path from the queen's bedchamber, carefully shut the door and say, `Twilight Cavern.' The trap door will disappear and can only be opened from inside the tunnel. This door is located under the bed and is covered by a throw rug.'
'Why would I say, `Twilight Cavern,' to magically seal the door?'
'The phrase `Twilight Cavern' is actually the name of the cavern at the heart of the mountain. By saying its name, the magic that protects the trap door will seal the entrance from the bedchamber so no one could follow you. I discovered the secret of the magical cavern from Mistress Kana. She knew that it might be necessary to use it at some point in the future.'
'I see great wisdom in what you have shared with me, my friend. I will do what you have asked of me. In return, I ask that you keep our city and its people safe from whatever the shortsighted people of Tuwa throw at us. I vow to keep your wife safe from any kind of harm. Promise me to protect the high elves at all costs.'
'I will. Know that if I break my oath that I must forfeit my life at your hand. If you should break this covenant, then your life belongs to me.'
'I agree. I have a feeling that desperate times ahead of us, my good friend. Let us be diligent.'
'Agreed. Now, I must be off. I need to inspect the perimeter defenses before the day is done. I will return in three days to follow up with you and to report to Kira. Keep her safe,' General Yukio asked. He took Marek's hand and shook it firmly. He did an aboutface and marched back toward the front gate.
