Sweet Desire

Prologue Pt.2

"We're all in the same game; just different levels. Dealing with the same hell; just different Devils"

~~~~~

Mitch and Jerome were speeding down the halls, "Why didn't you wake me earlier?"

"I didn't know you fell asleep--have you even been sleeping lately?" Jerome said.

"That's not the point, I can't believe I am 15 minutes late!" Mitch slid his fingers through his hair and sighed. Dear Notch he was exhausted. The last few months have practically driven him up a wall. The war was at its highest peak, and with his forces spread thin due to keeping soldiers posted throughout the kingdom as a sort of defense against any surprise attacks, Mitch has been in charge of trying to find any spare hands to help with the war. He had the help of Jordan's rebels, and the newly established Morvic Task Force, which if he could add, was actually a great success. And they were still waiting for any news of possible Keutian aid currently being rallied by Cal Vesuvius, and this was in mere days of their final march.

Mitch and Jerome burst into the meeting room to find Adam waiting patiently with the Duhitian General and several Lieutenants and Jordan.

"Your highness, good of you to come."

"I apologize for my tardiness, let's begin without a moment more to waste," Mitch announced, he approached the large oak table where Adam pulled out a map and began to unroll it. He placed paper weight on each corner. Jordan helped to position small colored pieces on the map.

"Your highness, if you'll please, I have a proposition to make for our strategy," his general spoke up.

"Go ahead," Mitch nodded.

"I propose in three days we have the rebels and Morvic Task Force began a direct march towards the Emedo capital. The size of the forces will be small but allow for the main troops to cut through the abandoned Emedo army camp and travel through the deserts of Keuta. The main troops will march in two days, not three," the general moved the lines of red pieces from Duhita to Keuta, and the grey pieces that represented the rebels, plus the brown pieces representing the morvics straight to Emedo.

"This will keep all of Emedo's attention on the rebels and morvics while our main troops arrive from the west and attack in surprise. This will offer up the least amount of casualties and finish the war quickly."

"I disagree," Jerome spoke up, "if we follow this plan then the rebels and morvics will arrive in Emedo a full day ahead of the main troops. You expect us with our numbers to hold out for an entire day?"

"Of course, it's--"

"So when you say this option offers the least amount of casualties you mean of Duhitian humans, not of the rebels or morvics."

"I'm not implying anything like that. We need the main troops for the ambush, our army is already small, we need the largest numbers for the lasting effect."

"I have to agree with Jerome," Jordan spoke up, "As a former general of my own army, this tactic would be ill advised. While I agree that ambushing with a large force will leave a more devastating effect, you would have to cut down on the armor and weapons for your troops. Otherwise there would be too much noise moving in. A better option would be to send in a smaller force comprised of the best fighters as the ambush squad and have the larger forces act as the frontal attack."

"Doing this would minimize the risks of being spotted or heard, and have a higher chance of success."

"I see, any more suggestions and oppositions in terms of our general strategy?" Mitch asked, when none spoke he clapped, "Then that settles that. Let's discuss the smaller details of who will join this temporary ambush squad...Adam, General Dune, please confer among each other on the members of this ambush squad. I trust in your judgement, once you have done so you will present the member and with my approval inform such persons of their responsibility."

"Yes your highness,"

"Of course, " Adam responded, he and the General parted from the table and moved away to discuss in private.

"Now, let's get to business. Our general strategy has been decided, but we also must figure out how we will reach the King and gain his surrender." Mitch turned to Jordan, "I'd like to offer up the responsibility to you Jordan and Adam. I know it must be hard, for the both of you, however, the two of you will have the most knowledge of the castle, Adam more so. Plus the both of you are both adept in combat so should it come down to it, taking on a man as skilled as the king of Emedo will be something only the two of you can accomplish."

"I agree, but should we really have Adam take part in this? I don't doubt his loyalty to this war, but the King is still his father, as his brother I know that Adam holds strongly to family bonds. This isn't something I think would be wise," Jordan proposed.

"Awe, Adam can handle it, besides Jordy, Adam is an even better fighter than you, you'd be stupid not to have him along."

Mitch mentally face-palmed and sighed, "language Jerome..." he whispered. Jerome's eyes widened.

"Oh shit, my bad...politics," he muttered, "What I mean to say is that the best course of action would definitely be to include Adam. Family ties or not, myself and Mitch will not be available to offer our assistance as we'll be handling the fights outside of the castle."

"Bu--"

"Be that as it may, how do we get the two of them and anyone else within the castle walls? No doubt the King will focus his military forces nearest the castle." One of Mitch's Lieutenants spoke up.

Mitch glanced at Jerome who nodded.

"Simple, we'll require the expertise of the former sorcerer Waglington, a member of the rebel forces under Jordan's command. He can craft a variety of potions, and for our purposes, a potion of invisibility. These will be used to sneak past unseen. To address the matter of getting close enough before the potion limit is exceeded..."

"That's where the ambush squad will deal with," Mitch stepped in, "Let's say this yellow pawn represents Adam and Jordan." Mitch picked up a yellow pawn from off the table, "If Adam and Jordan travel with the ambush squad they'll remain hidden until the moment of attack."

Mitch placed the yellow piece in Keuta, then picked up a few red, grey, and brown pieces (Duhitian, rebel, morvic) and also placed them in Keuta, "These pieces represent the ambush squad. Next, as planned earlier on, the main troops will march straight for Emedo." Mitch moved the majority of the red, grey, and brown pieced toward Emedo, where they were met with bright green pieces.

"While the main troops tackle Emedo head on and work towards reaching the city's center, the ambush squad will march by surprise. Not only is the ambush squad tasked with delivering a surprise attack, but they'll also be needed to send Adam and Jordan close to the castle. Where they will be able to don their potions. From there, only one or two ambush members should accompany them for safe measures," Mitch moved the ambush squad, plus the yellow piece towards Emedo. From there he moved the yellow piece and one ambush squad piece into the castle."

"Excellent, but another thing your highness. This is assuming everything goes as planned. This plan only works if the main troops can draw Emedo's attention on them and assuming that the ambush squad is able to successfully deliver a surprise attack. Should any of these fail, how will we execute this right?" His Lieutenant asked.

The meeting continued on like this for several hours. Constantly throwing ideas in only to get them spat back in their faces. However when all was said and done and everyone had taken their leave, it was only Mitch left in the room. And he stayed there for several minutes.

The constant stress that came with war and being king were dragging him down and made it hard for him to feel hopeful. He wasn't doubting their victory, but he's know from a young age that victory isn't everything. Sometimes victory has just as big as a price as loss, and then who is the real winner?

"Mitch, you still here?" Jerome poked his head into the room, Mitch saw Jerome and chuckled.

"Yeah, sorry. Did you need something?" Mitch asked.

"Oh, don't worry, we can talk later. I just forget to ask you about something."

"Jerome, wait," Mitch called out to him. Jerome stopped leaving and let Mitch catch up to him "What is it you needed to talk about?"

"Ah, I was just coming to ask you what you planned to do for next month's festivities. You've been trying very hard to keep the festivals a part of your kingdom despite the ongoing war."

Mitch sighed, "I know, and not only that but if you..."

"don't win, then morvics lose their freedom. That was the deal, I know. I have to stand in for you until the moment you have an heir old enough and only then may I stop fighting. But until then I must win every year, two times a year."

"I feel like it was a mistake, I shouldn't have pushed such a task onto you--"

"Mitch don't go there, we both know as a King you can't participate, this is something only I can do."

See 4 years ago around the time Seto disappeared, Mitch was making preparation for the Guunta Festival. The biggest celebration in Duhita culture, a time for the two biggest activities in Duhita to shine, dancing and fighting.

There were competitions for both and the festival would span several days, and normally Mitch would stand in as the King's representative in both competitions. But now he was a king and he could no longer participate.

And because he has no heir, he must choose 1-2 worthy to represent him.

Originally he was looking at the General's four children for who would best fit, but a conversation with his mother compelled him to be daring and follow his heart.

Yes, he chose the General's youngest daughter for the Guunta dance....and Jerome for the Guunta fight.

~~~~~

"Your highness," came a voice outside the door followed by a soft knock.

"Come in," Mitch answered. He placed a book back on his book shelf and moved to look through the rest of the shelf. He heard the door open and someone walk in.

"Sir I have more...uh, papers for you."

"Thank you, just leave them on my desk. I'll go through them later." Mitch pulled out a book and flipped through the pages. Since this was his father's study and his father's father's study and so on, this study contained books from beyond his lifetime. Mitch read the cover as 'The Calling of the Moon'.

He heard the man behind him place the stack of papers down and turn to leave, "Hold on." Mitch turned around.

The man was thin and had a nervous look in his eyes. He was young too, "Yes sir?"

"I wanted to ask you a few things, and hear your opinion."

"Of course sir."

Mitch pulled out his chair and sat down, he placed the book on the corner of his desk, "What do you think of morvics?"

"I'm sorry sir? Morvics?"

"Yes."

"I..." the man fidgeted and glanced away, "I'm not sure sir."

"Ok, let me rephrase it. What would you do if a morvic was in front of you? Unarmed and completely peaceful."

"I...I'm not sure sir."

"If a morvic wanted to be your friend, would you be theirs? If a morvic wanted peace with you, would you give it? If a morvic wanted to stand on equal ground with you, would you let them?"

"I-I'm not sure sir. I...I'm sorry. I don't know--may I...may I leave sir?" The man fidgeted and looked nervously at the ground.

"Yes, yes you may. Ignore everything I said, I was simply curious about your answers."

The man bowed and hurried out of the room leaving Mitch alone with even more papers.

Mitch had spent nearly a whole week finalizing the plans for next month's celebrations. He would sign off on a lot of paperwork today so that preparations could begin in a few days or next week. He also was set on who he planned to be his representatives in the oncoming celebrations.

Another knock came from the door and Mitch answered allowing the person on the other side in.

"Sir."

"Yes?"

"Have you determined who will stand in for you during the festival? It is important that they have enough time to prepare."

"Yes, I have actually. I just finished thinking it over.""

The man pulled out a notepad and quill, ready to write the names down.

"For the Guunta Dance I'll have the General's youngest daughter participate."

"Excellent choice your highness, which one of the General's children will stand in for the Guunta Fight?"

"Actually I had a someone else in mind, his name is Jerome."

"Jerome? I'm afraid sir I don't know of any fighter by that name, do you know their address so that--"

"You needn't worry about that. I'll speak to both of them personally, I only need you to record and announce the contenders. Thank you."

"Of course your highness."

~~~~~

"Mitch? Mitch, you listening?"

Mitch looked up, "Sorry Jerome, I was just thinking. This war will end before the festival, that much I'm sure of. We'll continue with the festival plans...just promise me not to die."

"Don't worry about me, I don't plan on dying anytime soon! I still have many more festivals to fight in until you get a little kiddy of your own!" Jerome laughed and placed a reassuring paw on Mitch's shoulder. Mitch smiled.

"Har har, well. Good night Jerome. We'll continue the final strategies tomorrow."

Jerome waved and traveled down the hallway at a quicker pace leaving Mitch behind as he walked slowly.

One question still dangled in his mind.

Who would be the real winner?

~~~~~

End of PROLGUE

Start of PART ONE

Yep, guys, this is the start of the final story. The moment you all have been waiting for! Please do not expect frequent update, merely because 1) I'm grounded, 2) it is near the end of the school year and I'm being bombed with projects and finals next week, 3) I'm grounded, 4)I preparing to leave in the summer for a summer college program, 5) I also need to study for my lisence exam, 6) I need to find a job.

Remember cover submissions must be uploaded on DA. Thank you.

Anyways, you all know what's coming, thought it might be hard to come up with anything at this moment. 

Theories? ;)

~CATtheDrawer