Chapter 0391

“Get out,” my father growls, taking a single menacing step towards the Atalaxian delegation. There’s danger in every line of my father, and even our own people lean away at the sight of him. Dad – he really is the wolf incarnate, ready to leap across the room and destroy this man who has so casually threatened us with conqueset. “Gladly,” Gibson murmurs, giving a little shrug. As one, all of the Atalaxians turn towards the door, pausing before they begin to march. And I realize, as I did last night, that all of this is rehearsed.

That they…they probably never came to Moon Valley intending to have peace talks.

That it was always about this – about learning more about where we stand and then this moment of telling us that they intend to destroy us, and that the assault starts now. Sure, they probably intended to do it after a humiliating defeat of our boxing champion – and we screwed them right over on that one- but still. Their intent is the same.

*The first assault comes in three days, Sinclair.” Gibson says, smug, an eyebrow raised. “We will delay only not to insult the gods on Midwinter. But then… it begins. Get your armies – and your women-* and here his eyes move deliberately over my mother, my aunt, and then me, his disgust perfectly clear, “in order.”

Almost as if on cue, the Atalaxians march from the room. My mouth is hanging open as I watch them go, my mind working frantically to try to understand what this means for us, for our nation.

I spin my head to look up at Rafe, but he’s looking towards my parents with a frown.