I got ready and mounted my horse and started my journey towards The Raging Highlands. The crossing of the forest was a breeze which was odd but I chose to check it later on the way back.
I even found Rudi on the way during the short journey. So his company was nice since he is an honest soul who blurts out all the information I need about the wolves without Reed getting in the way.
In a way Rudi is just like young Reed. Reed has now grown to hide something and details from me, just like everyone in the brightfall.
'They grow up so fast.'
I dismounted my horse and let Rudi take it to their shed at the back. I climbed the hill of the main house and Reed greeted me with an open door.
I took off my robe and hung it at the entrance way. We walked down the halls towards the meeting room.
One of the pack members opened the door and we entered the room. Jasper was already in his seat but there was someone I was not expecting to be here.
"My lord..." the sweet voice of a girl called out to me.
"Zoey, what are you doing here? I thought you would be with Edward?"
"My lord with all due respect, do you think in the slightest that after finding out about the plan I would stay still and not come running to you." she said sarcastically like I asked a dumb question. Well I had but who cares right now.
'She is calm, way to calm from her normal self. She is about to burst. Even Reed and Jasper are on alert.'
She was calmly looking at me with her bright olive eyes like I had asked the most ridiculous question in the history of heavens. Her short black that are left open is also a bad news because of her habit to hide herself in case of rage with those hairs.
'If I say something wrong here she will drop her head and then after a few seconds of consideration she will combust for sure.'
"Sorry Zoey it was never my intention to do any of this but certain....circumstances lead to this."
"And I must presume you had nothing to do with this?"
"No." I gave a firm response.
She saw my eyes and felt my truthfulness and sighed. She is young -fifteen years old- but because of her grandmother and head of the coven, she has great manners drilled into her.
I nodded as I successfully diffused the situation. I sat on the couch opposite to Zoey and Reed, next to Jasper.
"So how much did Edward explain to you?"
"Most of it. So we are fighting an actual war."
"Yes." I nodded.
"And we don't have to be involved right?"
"Yes. Don't worry I will finish this war as soon as it starts." I say as I pick my tea cup and have a sip.
All three of them looked at me and got serious. I was pretty sure blood lust was leaking from them.
'I should be the one to get angry considering they wholeheartedly destroyed my plan.'
"Well Reed tell me how the troops are."
He explained it in quite the detail while Jasper added his opinion and Zoey just listened like me. We discussed the attack pattern and how to respond to things outside of the plan. And considering the variable and countering is more important than the main plan that we already have full knowledge of.
"Well realistically speaking we have enough manpower and experience to win this war with zero casualties."
"That is quite true Jasper but we are thinking of a bigger threat than the north. Am I right My lord?"
My expression darkened and I replied with a hint of warning "Yes Reed, but it's not your concern for now so stop at that and don't dig any further."
"As My lord wishes I will cease that trail of thought."
"Then we are done here, I will be leaving. Jasper, meet you at the palace later."
They all bowed and I walked towards the stables.
I see Rudi with my horse so I ask him about the abnormality of the Irrilan Forest.
"You are right My lord, there have been great problems. I don't know if they are good or bad because the frequency of monster invasion has decreased to less to zero a day and the fog has dulled the mana flow as well."
"Thank you Rudi for the information I will check to see if everything is ok."
"Sure. Thank you as always My lord."
I waved my hand and left.
The sounds of my horses' hooves were the only sound in this thick fog filled forest. After the meeting my plan was to check the Irrilan Forest which was looking a little suspicious for quite some time now. Even the wolves agreed to this.
The fog doesn't seem all that great as it swayed with every movement.
'I sensed something...no. Its lack of something.... strange.'
The lack of monsters in the usual paths, the years of constancy gone.
'Even on normal paths there are at least four to five monsters.'
I halted the horse and spread my mana around. The fog slowly got dyed in a light shade of blue starting from me. I shushed the scared horse and focused.
After a minute passed 'Nothing strange...is it caused by the hell spawns? hmm so troublesome.'
I sighed and withdrew my mana and headed back to the manor.
***
I walked to my study and saw Xane walk out the room.
He bowed and said "My lord we got some matter regarding the territory I was just about to look for you."
"Sure, let's go."
He looked almost surprised by my response. He pushed his glasses and opened the door to the study.
"Were you surprised that I willingly am going to do documents?" I teased him.
"NO!..ahem I mean no it's just you, My lord, will be going to war soon so I just thought you will spend some time with young master Haru."
I sit at my desk and check the paper littering my desk.
"I will greet him before going to war."
"..."
I looked up and saw a hard expression.
"I...am not going to die."
"...yes..."
'Well...not yet at least.'