The air in the throne room hung thick with the scent of jasmine and the musk of a woman's perfume. King Adur Hin Salaba, draped in purple robes that shimmered like a serpent's scales, chuckled, his eyes glittering with amusement as he idly traced the curve of a woman's neck.

'My King,' a voice rasped, breaking the silence, 'the news... the news is grave.'

Adur's laughter abruptly died. He turned, his face a mask of annoyance, and met the worried gaze of Lord Aric, the head of the Salaba guard.

'Spit it out, Aric,' he growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. 'Don't stand there like a fool with your face wrinkled in worry.'

'Our scouts, Your Majesty, report... a man... an unknown man... has taken Felis and Pravah.'

Adur scoffed, his amusement returning. 'Taken them? What, with a feather tickler and a smile? This is a ridiculous tale, Aric.'

'But the reports, Your Majesty... both towns, they...'

'Silence!' Adur snapped, spitting on the floor in disgust. 'My bedchamber is not for idle chatter about some insignificant bandit. Now, go find some useful work, old man. Perhaps, fetch me another bottle of that wine, the one with the honeyed nectar.' 'and send ten thousand strong soldiers to recapture it.'

Aric, his face pale, bowed low and retreated, his heart sinking with dread. He knew the king's arrogance, his unyielding pride, his disdain for anything that threatened his power. This man, this 'unknown', was a shadow hanging over the kingdom, a threat that could become a storm.

***
The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the stone table where Ethan, Alex, and Arthur sat. The air was thick with unspoken tension, the weight of the impending assault heavy upon them.

'Ten thousand,' Arthur muttered, his voice low and gravelly. 'It's a formidable force, even for our combined strength.'

Ethan, his gaze fixed on the flames dancing in the hearth, spoke in a quiet, measured tone. 'They underestimated us once. They will not make that mistake again.'

Alex, his face a mask of stoic resolve, nodded in agreement. 'They will learn that our defenses are as strong as the mountains themselves.'

Arthur, however, looked troubled. 'We cannot rely solely on our defenses. We need a plan, a strategy to meet this threat head on.' He glanced at Ethan, who remained silent, his expression unreadable. 'What is your plan, Lord Ethan?'

Ethan's lips curved into a slight smile, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. 'My plan, Arthur, is simple. We use the tools at our disposal to ensure our victory.'

He paused, his gaze shifting to Alex. 'Alex, you will lead the defense of Felis. Your strength and experience in battle are unparalleled. Ensure the fortifications are prepared, the traps set, and the soldiers are ready to fight.'

Alex nodded, his features tightening with determination.

Ethan turned his attention to Arthur. 'Arthur, I need you to secure Pravah. The Salabans will undoubtedly target the weakest point, and that is where the magic flows. I need you to hold Pravah. Your skill with weaponry and the respect you hold among the people will be crucial.'

Arthur's eyes narrowed, a flicker of pride touching his face. 'I will not fail you, Lord Ethan.'

Ethan finally met Arthur's eyes, a rare hint of vulnerability momentarily softening his expression. 'I know you won't.'

He then leaned back in his chair, his gaze returning to the flames. 'As for me,' he said, his voice a low rumble, 'I will deal with their leader. This battle is my burden to bear.'

A silence fell between the three men, the weight of the coming storm hanging heavy in the air. The fight was inevitable, the fate of their land hanging in the balance. But they were prepared. They were ready.
.
.

later that night

The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the room, dancing on the tapestry depicting a fierce lion battling a serpent. Elara shifted in her chair, worry creasing her brow. 'Ethan, are you sure about this? Salaba is a formidable foe. Their soldiers are trained from birth.'

Ethan, sitting at his desk, his strong jawline taut, glanced at her, his amber eyes filled with an emotion Elara couldn’t decipher. 'They are formidable, Elara, but they are not invincible. We have our own strengths.'

'But their numbers are far greater. What if we lose?' Her voice trembled slightly.

Ethan rose from his chair, his shadow lengthening behind him. He walked over to her, his hand gently caressing her cheek. 'We won't lose, Elara. Not as long as we stand together.'

His voice, deep and reassuring, calmed her anxieties. Yet, a seed of doubt remained. 'What about Joshua? He's only a child...'

Ethan's gaze turned cold. 'He is the strongest of us all, Elara. He is no child.'

The mention of their adopted son sent a chill down Elara's spine. She knew about Joshua's terrifying talent for silencing enemies, a talent he kept hidden from her, a secret she feared knowing.

'Ethan,' she whispered, her voice tight, 'I...I'm afraid for him.'

Ethan's eyes softened slightly. 'I will shield him, Elara. Just like I shield you.' He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. 'We will face this together, as we always do.'

Elara clung to him, her heart pounding in her chest, a mixture of fear and trust battling within her. She knew that their enemies were many, but so was her faith in her husband's strength and her adopted son's hidden power. And when dawn broke, they would face their fears together.