Roses on Fire ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 2.
Chapter 7 ~ Plans and secrets

The next morning everyone was gathered in the circular room again. Every member of the council was there except for four person: Pádraig, Delroy, Merle and Lord Chavdar.

As Adrastos and Ivelle sat down, the guards left, and the discussion began. Allerick took a deep breath looked at the others and started speaking.

“If we want to act, we have to do it quickly. Merikh is getting stronger with every day.”

“I agree.” said Adrastos.

“How touching.” murmured Cirillo. Adrastos threw him a glare but went on. “We don’t know how much does Merikh know about the other Sister, but if he has the slightest suspicion that we are planning something he’ll do everything in his power to stop us.”

“Then it’s time you resume your journey.” stated Xaun simply.

“Have you chosen your companions?” asked Dragomir looking slightly nervous. Adrastos looked at Ivelle, who nodded slightly.

“Yes.” she said simply ” Hagan and Merle should come with us.” for a moment there was complete silence in the room.

“You can’t have Merle, we need her here.” stated Vortigern “She’s the protector of the school. If she leaves the pupils will be unprotected.”

“Hagan can’t go either.” stated Cirillo sharply ” He’s too young.”

“It’s not your task to decide this.” said Allerick “I’m his father and his king and I say he can go.”

“No, I’ll go instead of him.”

“And how do we know, you won’t change your mind again? Like you did before?” sneered Adrastos.

“I won’ t.”

“Fine, you can come. But we still need a second one.” sighed Ivelle

“I’ll go.” said Áedh.

“No, you’re injured.”

“I’m fine. I’ll go.”

“Fine.” said Adrastos. “Now that it’s settled, we need a plan. I advise to go through the No Man’s Land.”

The No Man’s Land was a grand area between Lorlea and Etalia, and Nendawin. Ivelle heard a lot about the savage who lived there from Adrastos and Delroy. The people of Sanctuary slowly started calling this land the Savagedom and feared to step through its borders.

“I don’t advise it.” started Allerick “Merikh conquered it a few days ago.”

“And you didn’t tell me?!” Adrastos stood up and leaned on the table.

“Be happy that you can even sit with us.” said Cirillo.

“Be happy? Why should I be? Because I’m in this new fancy alliance? But am I really in it? You don’t tell me anything, you don’t trust me. What’s more your alliance is pitiful. Let’s examine it, shall we? We have a fairy king who we all know won’t participate in any armed conflict. We have a dwarf king who only cares about his mines, and a queen without a kingdom. Surely, we have Lord Vortigern, who’s power is nothing, and then there’s two remaining power: the elves and the dragons. Yes, yes, they are the strongest kingdoms in Sanctuary but even their power won’t be enough against Merikh. So, I’m asking again: why should I be happy? ” He sat down, and a very mournful silence fell on the room.

" I advise you go South to the ocean and ask the water nymphs to help you. ” Said King Xaun slowly” Take the road that goes from Lorlea through Etalia and Etealind until the Great Ocean. There you can replace the nymphs. ”

" That sounds like a plan to me. ” Nodded Adrastos slowly” We leave tomorrow night. The less people know the better. ”

Ivelle once again had to realise that things don’t always go as planned. They discussed the details of their leaving far into the night, and when she got back to her room, she immediately fell asleep. She wasn’t sure how much time later, but Adrastos woke her up and made her change into the clothes Delroy had gotten for them when they arrived in Sanctuary. Then they rushed to the stables where Cirillo, Áedh and Delroy were already ready.

“Okay, what’s happening?” she asked Adrastos while mounting her horse. Adrastos gave her weapons and took a deep breath. Cirillo and Delroy were already sitting in the saddle.

“The savage attacked the borders of Lorlea, and the city is outnumbered. We have to leave now.” he said while spurring her horse. Ivelle did the same and followed the three men.

“Shouldn’t we stay and help?”

“No. They are evacuating the city. And our mission is much more important.” Ivelle just nodded and followed him. “We have to reach the coast of Etealind as quickly as possible.” Said Delroy looking behind him. Adrastos nodded.

“I know.” he sighed and looked behind him.

“Are you ready for another war, Cousin?” asked Cirillo mockingly.

“It’s the same war, it’s only the enemy that has changed, Cousin.” Cirillo hummed and rode ahead. Ivelle, Adrastos and Delroy spurred their horses to quicken them and rode after Cirillo.