"Later that day, around midafternoon, Adria made her way through the castle and to her father’s throne room. When she stepped up to the doors, the guards stationed there opened them for her and bowed. She crossed the threshold into the throne room and at once saw that he sat on his throne. Gathered around the dais was lieutenant Zorester and five other commanders of their army.

     Adria walked up to the dais and stood next to Zorester.

“Adria,” her father said.

“What are the plans, father?” she asked.

“The plans are to fortify Yanarra as best as we can. Lieutenant Zorester will lead one hundred of our soldiers and defend the villages of humans. Commanders Talon, Tilii, Allandrial, Zerek, and Elvar will lead one hundred soldiers each throughout the outer regions.”

     Adria assessed the commanders that stood past Zorester. Each of them stood straight and were dressed in their full armor. But they held their helmets under their arms instead of on their heads as they stood before her father.

    Talon was a head shorter than Zorester. But he was still well built. He also had long blond hair, like Zorester. But his sharp blue eyes were as cold as ice.

      Tilii was as tall as she was and lean. His dark brown eyes matched his short hair, and his square jaw, along with his wide shoulders, made him give off a sense of sturdiness.

     Zerek was also as tall as she was. He was in good shape, also had dark brown hair and eyes, but he grinned confidently, unlike Tilii.

     Lastly, there was Elvar. He was taller than Talon, Tilii, and Zerek. But he was barely an inch shorter than Zorester. His light brown hair was in curls, and his pointed ears stuck out slightly from his head. His eyes were also blue, but not “cold.” Instead, there was a warmth to them, which was slightly disarming.

“Six hundred soldiers all together, led by the finest young men I’ve seen in over a century,” her father said.

“I assume that I’ll be leading one hundred men as well?” Adria inquired.

     Her father took in a breath.

“Yes. But for how long…” he began to say.

“Long enough,” Adria said.

     Her father frowned.

“Father, what must be done can only be done on the new moon. And the new moon is a couple of weeks away,” Adria said.

     Her father narrowed his eyes. But after a few moments, he nodded.

“True. And that should be enough time for you to prepare for what will happen,” he said.

“Yes, father.”

“I think that you should handle your personal affairs before then,” he went on.

     Adria sniffed and closed her eyes.

“Adria...”

“Yes, father. I understand.”

     He continued to gaze at her for another several seconds. He then nodded and turned his gaze to the soldiers.

“You have your allotted positions. Prepare your men and stand guard. The full moon is close,” he said.

     The commanders all saluted the king and took their leave. After they left the throne room, lieutenant Zorester turned to face Adria.

“Captain, may I inquire as to what you’re going to go through on the new moon?” he asked.

     Adria didn’t respond at first.

“Captain…”

“Lieutenant Zorester, all that you need to know is that Adria bears the Light’s mark. As such, she is the greatest change that we have in defeating the Darkness. What will happen will happen, following His will,” the king said.

     Zorester bowed to the king and then left the throne room as well. Afterward, the king stood from his throne and stepped down from the dais. He faced Adria and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“You can do this. You’re strong. And your faith in the Light has never wavered,” he said.

     Adria’s eyes stung as tears came to them. She wiped them away with the back of her hand and nodded once more.".