•|01|• The Plan
Naila
"Daughter, is there any reason why you look like there's a man under the table?" Mother's voice slashed through my thoughts. I jerked upright, embarrassed at having been caught daydreaming. Clearing my throat, I sat properly in my chair.
"My apologies Mother. It won't happen again." I spoke softly, aware of the laughing eyes of my brother's and sister's on me. Mother, standing in front of our table beside a map, raised an eyebrow.
"Do not let it happen again." She spoke. "But since you're here with us now, why don't you strategize our next battle plan for dealing with the Nymph carriage?"
Blinking, I tucked my hair behind an ear and analysed the map. The route where they were to ambush the carriage supposedly carrying the Nymph royal family was highlighted in red.
"It would be best if we were to ambush them before they got to Naija river. They'd expect us to ambush them from there, but if we ambush them before, they won't anticipate that. But it shouldn't be far from the River for obvious reasons. If we're taking a captive, we should be able to reach the river quickly for a fast getaway." I spoke calmly, looking at Mother the entire time.
She nodded in pride, her curly blue hair bouncing around her shoulders.
"Good. Yes, that plan makes the most sense."
My sister, Ila, raised her chin. She was younger than me by a few decades, with a darker hair colour than our mothers, and our father's silver eyes.
"Mother, I know it will be tight, but I think we should take a handpicked squad and run a few reconnaissance sessions in the night around the area, to familiarize ourselves for maximum effectiveness." She said softly. I said nothing, knowing her point to be a good one.
Mother looked deep in thought before she nodded again.
"Yes. Excellent idea Ila. You and Naila will lead this mission. I expect excellence." Mother's green eyes bore into us. Ila and I glanced at each other and nodded. We both knew the consequences of failing Mother. It would not happen.
Nodding in approval, Mother went on to discuss our war strategies and tactics, and where each sibling would be positioned for maximum effect.
The thought of war made me uncomfortable. Not only because I was averse to it, but that there was never a true winner once the dust settled. Everyone lost something in war, it was just a case of which side lost less than the other.
Sighing softly, I paid attention unless I wanted another scolding, looking at the board dispassionately.
Finally, after about an hour, we were dismissed for the evening. I was the first to leave.
Ila, of course, caught up to me quickly, as long legged as she was.
"Naila. I would like us to go tonight." She spoke without preamble. Internally, I sighed. Because it meant my own plans were delayed. Not to mention I couldn't say no or she'd no doubt complain to Mother. Which left me stuck. Ah well. At least I could always sneak away after.
"Yes, the sooner we can go, the sooner we can get everything ready." I responded to her. She nodded. And as we headed towards the Soldier's barracks, I compiled a list of capable people in my head. As we walked, I told Ila of my list. She proposed several people as well, and so, by the time we got to the barracks, we had a list of fifteen soldiers.
Once inside the quarters, we split to notify the men and women of their new assignment. None disagreed, stating that they could be ready within the hour. Ila and I agreed and headed to our own quarters to prepare. I sighed as I closed my door slowly.
So this was it.
Heading into an adjacent room I swiftly pulled on the pliable leather armour, open at the back for my wings that would be formed. I strapped on my weapons, which included a sword at my waist, a retractable shield that sat on my left hand, two daggers, and a thin sword that sat comfortably in it's scabbard on my spine.
With that finished, I plaited my hair and wrapped it in a tight bun, then headed out onto the patio Ila and I had agreed on. She was already there. As were our Soldiers.
"Move out." I commanded, my wings spreading and growing out of my back. Without fear, I walked off the railingless space, freefalling until I righted myself, my wings snapping out to slow my descent. With Ila and the squadron behind me, I winged my way to the portal. It was created by the Gods eons ago, so that we could either visit the human world or Atlantia, deep under the ocean. Today, we were going to Atlantia. The portal came into view, standing as it was on a cloud, shaped like a doorway and glowing with a swirl of colours such as gold, blue and white. I snapped my wings flat to my back, once again falling, and fell into the portal. Lights flashed all around me. I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to lessen the effects of the lights flashing beyond my eyelids. Next came the River. Before I knew it, the portal had spat me out into a body of water. Expecting this, I held my breath and swam to the top, taking care to move slowly once I got the surface. Surveying the wooded area carefully, I made sure it was empty, and dark, the only source of light the half moon hanging low in the sky. My ears alerted me to Ila and the rest of the squadron surfacing behind me. I made a forward motion with my hand and we moved quietly out of the water. Quietly giving them the order to keep low, we moved into the nearby trees and headed for the top of Valley.
Once we'd all gathered at a spot, I outlayed a plan.
"I want us to split up into four groups, each surveying a section from here to here." I rolled out a map of this very spot and pointed out the route.
"The targets can only take this route, because the other areas would take too long. If you find a spot where we have the maximum advantage, notify either Ila or myself at once. Clear?"
Soft affirmatives filled the space. With a nod, Ila split the squadron up and we were off.