SWNOVELS Chapter 33 ~ Let the games begin
Apparently, computers come in a small enough size for Micah! And now he is learning to type..which is ignorant..his tutor is Monty..who types chopsticks style..only index fingers! But, you know what!? It keeps them both occupied, and actually, sometimes, restricts the stupid that randomly falls out of Monty’s mouth, at inopportune times.
All us ladies are having a brunch today.. we are planning an end of war party! Shawn says we are jinxing ourselves, but I don’t think so! All of us need a reason to celebrate..and all the stress we have been living the last few months needs an outlet. Although, we haven’t decided on a theme yet! Sadie wants a Sadie Hawkins type dance..and Adele told her just because it shares her name..doesn’t mean we should design an entire dance around it. Which struck me funny! Honore’ thinks we should have a Hawaiian style Luau.. I want a winter festival theme..and Adele and Nancy want a costume ball. Apparently, we all have different tastes!!
Derek links that he wants to speak with the ospreys..and since I need to check on Owen anyway, I decided to join him. I love my ladies..but, unfortunately, living in a forest all my life, I struggle to find commonality in our conversation and that’s on me.
I’m pleased to see Owen.. he is fully recovered and that is a complete relief. Oscar and Otto have been staying out of arrow range of Leonard’s army.. but they are getting closer. Pietro has sent one of his cats out to spy on them once they set camp this evening. We know they will reach the oitskirts of our territory tomorrow.. we just want an estimated time.. Derek wants them to believe we aren’t a hundred percent sure of the time, so he feels confident setting his archers in the trees.
After lunch, we have a meeting with Wilhelm, Angus and Pietro..Derek and Edward have yet to decide the best placements for them, once the challenge has been issued..and terms set. We all are positive Leonard will cheat..more than the archers in the trees..but Derek thinks we will be ready for any eventuality. He decided it’s too dangerous for the birds to get close to Leonard’s pack, now. Owen’s injury was a harsh wake up call! I did suggest smaller birds wouldn’t raise suspicion..but Derek is wary of trying again.
Everyone joined us in the clearing by the lake.. it’s more comfortable for Wilhelm.. he isn’t as comfortable indoors as Pietro.. and I don’t think anyone minds being outdoors. We all got comfortable and Edward was the first to speak “We are thinking to have you, Wilhelm, on the backside of Leonard’s pack when they get into position..it will fall to your pack to stop the retreat. The archers that enter the trees will be allowed to do so. We know it is ignorant of Leonard to do that..but he doesn’t. The reason we want you red wolves out of sight.. is to maintain the element of surprise. The bear clan will be in human form until the fight breaks out. The one thing we can not plan for, is when the fight will break out. We are thinking it will be during the challenge but..insanity is unpredictable.. Does anyone have any suggestions or strategies we should put in place? Every species have their rules of engagement..and I am not ashamed to admit, different strategies are always welcome!”
Derek lets everyone know we are going to be training this afternoon..to run through our plan..at least, the way we think it will go down. Then he says “If they don’t react the way we believe they will, we need to be able to change what we have planned on a dime! Unfortunately, Leonard has flown under the radar for so long.. we don’t know his true fighting style.. and that makes him unpredictable. We already know he plays by no one’s rules but his own. And we know he has no qualms about sacrificing his fighters. We are banking on his single mindedness..to kill Edward and Rhiannon. He needs their blood..more importantly, he needs Rhiannon dead in order to free the Black Forest. That Has to be his primary goal… because as long as she lives..he cannot access the demon realm.”
Everyone nods and I take a moment to stop in the forest to speak to the trees. I wanted to let them know how much I appreciate them..and I promised I will take care of them. They factor strongly in this battle and are our greatest advantage!
Reaching the training grounds, Derek asks “I don’t suppose it’s going to do any good to ask you to sit this training session out? I worry about the pup!” I smile at him.. he’s going to be such a good dad “Edina won’t allow anything to happen to our pup. Her instincts are already through the roof. Our miniature Derek will be perfectly fine, Babe! You can trust me” he huffs “of course, I trust you! It’s Ambrose who gives me a hard time!” And I laugh “Ambrose! We will both be fine! You and Derek will see to that!!”
Derek and Angus were sparring..they were nearly evenly matched, strength wise..even though Angus was taller by several inches. Edward and I were observing. Edward asks “I am looking forward to this challenge with this prick..as twisted as that sounds. But, the possibility of ending this threat..and keeping your forest safe means so much!” I laughed.. “It isn’t My forest…it belongs to the earth! I just protect it! But, it’s important that it remains protected..especially knowing the gate to the demon realm is there! I am thinking of destroying my NaNa’s journal! I believe that information should never be allowed to be discovered…like it should die with us..you know!?” He nods.. “I get it.. I do.. it’s not a legacy you want to leave behind.. a potential way to destroy the world..Yeah.. I definitely get it!”
Owen swoops down.. telling me Leonard is twenty five miles away.. and I called Derek over “The challenge will be coming soon… He got here quicker than we thought. Our players need to find their places” and Derek let everyone know what is going on. Wilhelm took his pack west and north…to circle around and get behind Leonard’s pack. The cats all scattered, into trees.. and we went to the border..to wait… Our noncombatants were hunkered down in safe rooms and bunkers. Let the games begin!