661 Live or Die by Our Sword

"It will be an honor to fight beside you, Sister, Warrior Maid." He replied accepting her words and she met his eyes. The magic flowed between them for several moments and he felt the power of the warrior he just allowed into his ranks. Surprise was hidden by a smile.

"Live or die, by our blades be one." She replied raising to her feet. He nodded following suit both letting go of eachother. The humm of her magic still moving through his body.

"As it should be, General Kyera." He agreed and there was a laugh. It was soft and feminine. They turned to see Myra standing there.

"Cousin of my blood, how many titles will you have by the time you enter the land of shadows?" She teased breaking the tension of seriousness in the air. The rest couldn't help but laugh in agreement.

"I guess, eventually I will be titled enough to protect the ones I love." Kyera replied taking her baby back from Mordakai. The older man was chuckling and tickling the baby making him squirm and giggle. "My little one." She kissed his forehead. Glen smiled and snuggled into his Mother's breast lovingly.

"True enough. Mordakai, can I assume you have seen Kyera's plan?" Crystalsa asked raising a bit of a brow. He smiled at her, unsurprised by her keen mind.

"Yes, I have and I have every faith in her and the plan she wove. If you stand beside her Crystalsa, you shall be joining me and my men at her back." Mordakai assured her with a grin. The boys stared at them, at Kyera who looked like a fragile mother cradling her child with a King at her back and a Matriarch at  her side.

"The Frost Born Warriors will be at the disposal of my Granddaughter." Bryson agreed and Crystalsa smiles.

"Then shall we sound the drums of war?" Asked Crystalsa turning her eyes to Kyera who raised her eyes from the child.

"No. We need to prepare. We will sound the drums come the first breath of spring." Kyera replied and there was a bit of curiosity in their expressions. "Trust me, the Dark Ones will retreat by Winter, and we must defeat them before we touch the  Forest Gate or we chance the pair bonding to destroy us." Kyera explained and Glen stared up at his mother.

He felt a pang of admiration for her, so young and more intelligent than he had been at nearly twice her age. This war wasn't his to fight but he felt a stifling feeling in his chest. Fear. The child felt true fear to lose her. The blood of the battlefield permeated his memories and screams of pain filled his ears. Kyera heard the baby began to cry and her attention shifted to him. Her eyes searching for whatever caused him to cry so helplessly. She rocked and held him close comforting away the memories of bitter cold and loss, all the things he had  fought for.

"Perhaps it's time to rest. Everyone can stay here tonight. We can find long term lodging tomorrow." Crystalsa suggested, concerned for her Great Great Grandson. Kyera nodded.

"We should rest. Tomorrow the real work begins." Kyera agreed. Clovis guided his wife and child up stairs while Bryson handed putting the other Royals up in rooms.

Their bedroom was the same sanctuary it had been since they left home. She sat on the bed and took a deep breath looking down at the baby's sweet face.

"One day when your older, I will tell you a story about a leopard with a soft heart that loved us very much. I will tell you about the Brave Wolf your Mommy saved and who in return saved us. Lastly, I will tell you of the serpent healer without whom, you wouldn't be here dear one." Kyera whispered and Clovis kissed her forehead.