The preparations were nearly complete.
I stood by the docks, taking in everything happening around me. The people and soldiers are running to finish their tasks at hand.
I watched as the final shipments of supplies were loaded onto the warships.
The salty breeze carried the smell of the sea and mixed with the scent of magic.
Everyone here was doing their best, shouting orders and double-checking equipment.
This was definitely the calm before the storm.
Clark came up beside me, he crossed his arms and surveyed the scene. "Everything's coming together, mate. we've got enough supplies to last a siege if needed. And I have got my best men ready to take command of the fleet."
I nodded at his words.
The Silver Crow stands at the forefront of the ships lined at the dock. They just arrived a few hours ago but they are already filed and prepared for the worst of the worst.
It was the smoothest and the most cleansed working system I have seen for a while.
"Good. The North won't make this easy."
Jasper approached us, he has been making so sure not to leave my side or let me be alone with anyone other than him that it has reached a new level of shadowing.
He cleared his throat and spoke, "Scouts report no movement from the Northern forces yet. Either they're waiting for us to strike first or they are preparing something of their own."
I realized a breath was stuck in my throat so I exhaled, knowing full well that Sky was supplying information on both ends.
"Either way, we need to be ready."
A loud horn blew from the watchtower, signaling the arrival of another ship. I turned to see the Storm Serpent cutting through the waves, its dark sails marked with a silver snake emblem.
My lips lifted into a smirk.
'Right on time.'
The Storm Serpent's crew disembarked in an organized chaos while their captain stepped forward. He had broad shoulders and a thick beard, a scar lined over his right brow.
He carried himself with confidence and his sharp eyes filled with amusement as he clapped Clark on the back. "Clark, you bastard. Still causing trouble, I see."
Clark laughed and said, "You know me, Eli. Always in the middle of shit."
Captain Eli turned towards me after laughing and nodding at Clark's statement.
"Captain Eli of the Storm Serpent, reporting in. If Clark vouches for you, I suppose I will trust you. Hope the pay's as good as he says."
Clark chuckled. "You mercs never change."
He just shrugged. "We just like to keep things simple. Point us at the enemy, and we'll handle the rest."
I nodded. "You'll be under Clark's command for the naval battle. He'll fill you in on the details. Just know this—we're not here for glory. We're here to win."
Eli's expression turned serious. "Understood."
As the sun dipped lower, we went over last-minute adjustments. Maps were spread across tables, strategies refined, weaknesses covered. We couldn't afford mistakes.
'It will be difficult as it is to fight the North with half a heart but it will be more difficult to make sure no one gets hurt badly on both sides.'
'At the end of the day, both sides are fighting for me and I would hate to reduce manpower before hell breaks loose.'
I had already mentioned this to all the Bright Fall members and Clark regarding the casualties but it still feels wrong to go on a war now when I can clearly just hit the hornet's nest while I still have time and not in a disadvantageous situation.
I found myself sitting by a fire with Remus, Clark, Jasper, and Eli. The five of us had barely spoken since night fell, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind that came before war—the weight of what was coming pressing down on all of us.
Clark broke the silence first. "Anyone else feel like we should be drinking right now?"
Remus chuckled. "You just want an excuse to be drunk when the battle starts."
Clark smirked. "Can't be nervous if I don't remember it."
Eli let out a low laugh. "I like how you think. Shame we need to be sober for this."
Jasper rolled his eyes but said nothing. His gaze was fixed on the fire, his thoughts somewhere far away.
I poked at the flames with a stick. "No room for doubt now. Tomorrow, everything changes."
Remus nodded. "We've come too far to turn back."
'Still a little wet behind the ears, I see.' I looked at Remus and then back at the fire.
Clark leaned back, staring at the sky. "Ever wonder what comes after all this? After the war?"
Jasper's jaw tightened. "One battle at a time."
We have been getting constant updates from Skyler regarding the north and I had informed Ed about that island and told him to monitor it.
And Leia has been the best, helping the most out of my Bright Fall crew.
But my heart is restless and clawing at me.
I had tried something with the chains and my soul but it was as hard as I imagined it to be so I left that for after this act was done.
Eli exhaled. "He's right. Think too far ahead, and you start making mistakes."
I did a dry laugh in my head and I thought of how this war would be least of their concern when the actual army is probably being built somewhere in the masses.
I didn't answer. Because the truth was, I wasn't sure there was an 'after' for me.
'Arwan had everything; he is not sealed or in a prison of any sorts, so I am clearly highly disadvantaged in this. Only if I could have a bit more time to unshackle myself.'
The fire crackled, and I watched as the flames danced, twisting and turning. The fire reminded me of a lot of things.
Hell and then that day, years ago.
Then, suddenly, everything else faded. The voices, the wind, the cold air.
All I could see was fire.