The Spade Chronicles Book 0: Eagles Rising

It was the final day before the Festival of Colors and we were gathered in the den. I stood on the stage looking out over the crowd of student Spades, the rest of the Eagles stood behind me with various charts and maps, detailing the various position different troops were meant to be.

“Alright Spades.” I called, bringing the meeting to order. “Tomorrow morning there’s a good chance we might be thrown into a battle for the first time. Should that happen I want you to understand that each and everyone of us has done more than could ever be expected. Hold your head high and know that I am more than honored to have you as my peers and I cherish the faith you have placed in me.”

I waited for the applause to die down before handing Atalanta the floor.

“We will be divided into six separate forces each placed at different hubs of the Festival, each lead by an Eagle. The squadron you’re in will depend on your position during the Festival. We will have the Wolf and Owl Squadrons placed on either side of the Celestial Plaza, as that’s the largest. Raven Squadron will be in the Dawn Plaza with the Dragon Squadron. Tiger and Serpent will be at Dusk.” She pointed out each of their positions of a map of Lailoria we found in a room below the Observatory, where physical maps were stored.

“Your weapons will be smuggled in with your wares, prizes, costumes or instruments.” Kennedia continued. “If you can, try to hide it on your person, but only if you’re certain you won’t be found out. We won’t do anyone any good if we get caught before the attack happens.” Kennedia stepped aside so Robin could speak next.

“Although we want these Vipers dealt with, we want minimum casualties, so if you’re injured, remove yourself from the battlefield and find a first aid station. If you have to call for help, do so.”

“And lastly,” called Daedalus from stage right. “Each Eagle will have a communications device, and therefore will be more up to date as to what’s happening. For this reason, don’t drop your guard until told to do so by your squad’s leader. Even if your plaza is secure it won’t guarantee that all of the Vipers are detained.”

As soon as he finished I took the stage once more.

“We have a big day tomorrow, so I only want three sparring rounds before it’s off to bed for all of us. I don’t want any sore warriors.”

I watched everyone’s matches, calling out instructions for others to improve. I was slightly surprised to find that my tutoring was accepted without hesitation by those in years above me. Word had spread about my talent quickly and now that I had beaten a few Dragon class students in sparring matches people came to me for instruction. I turned in the center in the Den, trying to spot anyone whose form was off or for signs of exertion. As I called for a rest and partner switch, I was approached by a few Hatchlings. They fidgeted nervously, and I recognized them as the ones who called me out the night we revealed the purpose of the Sparring Nights.

“Is there something you need?” I asked warily. The one in the center, Ava, spoke first.

“We just wanted to apologize!” Her words came out in a rush and she was quickly joined by the other two.

“We were out of line to think you were mean just because you make weapons!” the boy, Jiminy continued.

“We think it’s really cool that you did all this when no one asked you to,” finished the girls on the right, I think her name was Diana.

“Well I couldn’t just stand idly by,” I said gently, slightly embarrassed.

“But you did more than you had to, and we shouldn’t have attacked you like that.” Ava finished, looking at me nervously. After a moment, I smiled.

“All is forgiven, I wouldn’t be much of a leader if I held a grudge over skepticism,” I reassured, and they scurried off. I glimpsed Daedalus hunched over in a corner, hands worrying together anxiously. I strode over to him.

“Hey Daedalus, what’s on your mind? You look worried.”

“Shouldn’t I be?” he scoffed, then turned to me. “So much of this plan hinges on my designs, if they fail, then my incompetence could be the cause of casualties,” he sighed as he finished, suddenly exhausted. I thought for a moment gazing at his back before the right words came to mind.

“There are countless ways this could go wrong, time is better spent trying to make it go right.”

“You’re just saying that to cheer me up,” he accused but I sensed a lift in his mood and decided to push a little further. I caught Atalanta’s attention and waved her over.

“You’re an analytical and logical person, right?”

“If you say so,” she responded with a shrug.

“Do you think Daedalus should be worried about his inventions malfunctioning?”

She crossed her arms, bringing a fist to her chin as she considered the inquiry.

“I think out of all the factors present in this plan, your innovations are the most stable component. If you want to worry so much, think about the actions of the people around us, that’s the hard part.”

I left them to talk alone as I mulled over her answer. She was right, if anything would go wrong in this plan, it would be a human mistake.