The door to the study didn't open for a long time. Evening came and went, while Mordakai tended the two older women in the house. Luckily, other than malnutrition, Vivian appeared to be in decent health. She ate well and rested easily in the Shadow Castle. He expected she would, Lady Eve was more at home here too.
When were they going to get around to telling the kids? He was pretty sure Vella had worked it out for herself, but Clovis? He wasn't exactly around to see it.
Mordakai's mind was filled with this pondering as he approached the archway into his study. He was surprise attacked by a pair of doors he didn't expect to be shut. No one closed those doors, well except him. Kyera would have left them standing open when she left. Unless…
He slowly pushed the doors open to investigate further and nearly dropped the muffin he had been anticipating eating for the last several hours. It had been one of those mornings where he needed a pick me up for breakfast. Yet he nearly forgot that, seeing the beautiful mayhem before him.
There were maps and books strewn on every available surface. A quill and ink neatly prepared at the heart of it all with a large parchment that was blank yesterday nearly filled today. It looked like a very very organized burglary by someone whose mind was working much faster than their hands. No logic, just doing things. He wasn't entirely sure what it was doing but apparently it was getting done.
Holding a quill, with at least two others tucked behind her ear, wa Kyera an ink blotch on her cheek that had not dried yet; but she hadn't bothered to wipe away. He stared in marvel at her for several long moments.
"Kyera?" He hazarded, half expecting a possessed demon to respond. What he didn't expect was Kyera to look up and flash him an award winning smile. It was chillingly doll like. A complete 180 from last night's tearful Princess. Though, he noted the dark circles under her eyes and the hints of tear trails on her cheeks. It confirmed what he already knew. "You didn't sleep at all last night." He said with a sigh, tossing her the muffin with a begrudging sigh. She caught it and instantly took a bite.
"No, I didn't. Thank you for breakfast." She replied before looking at the book again and jotting down a few notes.
Mordakai decided to wade into the mess, and begin cleaning it up a bit along the way. Books on war mythology, and strategy were open to pages that he carefully marked the place and stacked neatly. Parchments on weaponry and formations were open and spread apart. He rolled them back up and stacked them. Slowly he got to her, pouring over his own field journal on the study of War.
"So, I have gathered you are planning a war but I have not quite gathered on who or for what." Mordakai admitted looking at her expectantly. She made a few more perfect loops with the quill and handed him the parchment. He began to read as she cleaned up the remainder of her mess.
"So… what do you think?" Kyera asked as she sat down in the newly cleaned chair, about a half hour later. Mordakai set down the parchment and steepled his fingers in front of him, appraising his young God Daughter.
"I think this is insanely brilliant and incredibly difficult to pull off. You will need time to train and good generals. This isn't a plan you can use to fight tomorrow." Mordakai pointed out, his voice practical and filled with authority.
"The shifters have fled, the villagers have taken refuge. The only ones left behind are persecuting the very people who wish to help them. We have time, winter will hit hard. As long as the Dark Ones do not penetrate the gates… I have till spring before they can launch a proper attack." Kyera pointed out and Mordakai pulled the map closer going over it in detail. A smile crept across his face.
"Your right… I forgot the way the snow fall would hit. The Dark Ones can't hold up there during the snow. It won't stay warm enough. If they hadn't burnt the town… maybe." Mordakai chuckled shaking his head at their stupidity. Never burn what could be of use in a siege. This is why blind hatred can't win a war.
"Exactly. Now… I just need to gather my troops and set up a practice field and train. In the spring we end this." Kyera replied and Mordakai frowned as he got deeper into the plan.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked seriously. All previous excitement and happiness gone. His face was complete concern.
"All can be reborn from the Ashes." Kyera replied and he turned to her.
"You would have made the perfect War Goddess." He replied thoughtfully, a sense of respect on his face. Kyera smiled softly, a sense of sadness in her eyes.
"There is still time."