Preparations for War
Ever since Red had mentioned the idea of a surprise attack, all of Auradon had been in motion. The news of the impending war against the Queen of Hearts had shaken the entire kingdom, but had also galvanized spirits.
Jay, once a simple trainer of the fencing club, had seen his role evolve significantly. Now, he helped with the military training of all those who were at least 16 years old and who volunteered. The training ground was animated by the clanking of swords and the shouts of exercises. Chloe was among the recruits, determined to prepare for the upcoming fight.
"Come on, faster!" Jay shouted, his gaze stern but encouraging. "We must be ready for what awaits us."
Chloe, her forehead beads with sweat, applied herself to each movement, perfecting her defense and attack techniques. She knew that every moment counted, and that the slightest mistake could be fatal. She drew strength from her love for Red and her determination to protect her world.
The students of Auradon had been informed of the situation. After all, they would find out eventually, and it was best that they be prepared when war came. The discussions in the hallways were marked by an unusual gravity, each one realizing the magnitude of the threat.
King Ben, meanwhile, had sent letters to all the royal families, updating them on the situation and asking for any help they could provide, whether it was food, weapons, or men. Each missive was marked by a palpable urgency, imploring the solidarity of the neighboring kingdoms.
"We must unite against this common threat," Ben had written. "Any help, no matter how great, will be invaluable in this fight for our freedom."
In parallel, various messengers were sent throughout the kingdom to ask for the same thing in the public squares of the various villages. They stood on makeshift platforms, their voices carrying far above the gathered crowds.
“Citizens of Auradon,” they cried, “our kingdom is threatened. We need your help to defend our freedom. Any donations, whether food, weapons, or volunteers, will be greatly appreciated.”
The responses were quick to pour in. Supplies, weapons, and men arrived from all corners of the kingdom, showing the solidarity and determination of the inhabitants to defend their land.
A letter was also sent to the Wonderland resistance, explaining what they intended to do so that they could start preparing on their own. Thus, everyone was now aware and was preparing accordingly. The lines of communication between Auradon and Wonderland were open, and both sides were coordinating their efforts for the imminent assault.
Red, for her part, was now spending a lot of time with King Ben and various commanders. She told them about Wonderland, the paths they could take, and those that were best avoided. With her perfect knowledge of the terrain, including the palace where she had grown up, she was a valuable asset.
The war was on, and there was no stopping it. Red knew that if they didn’t strike first, her mother would eventually do so anyway. Auradon wasn’t just fighting for Red, and preventing her mother from finding her. Because everyone knew that if the queen managed to cross the border, she wouldn’t magically stop once she got her daughter back. Red was just a pretext, a good excuse for the queen to finally destroy everything in Auradon and reclaim power.
Each strategy meeting threw the young girl into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She loved her country, and she wanted to save it from her mother’s tyrannical rule, but planning a war against her own country and her own mother was a crushing burden.
Red often stood aside after meetings, staring up at the night sky. The stars shone brightly above her head, but she felt so far from that clarity. Her heart was heavy with grief and determination. She knew she had to be strong, not just for herself, but for Chloe and everyone who relied on her.
Every time she closed her eyes, memories of her childhood came flooding back. The laughter she shared with her mother before she became the cruel queen she was today. Red often wondered where things had gone wrong, and if somewhere deep in her heart, her mother was still the loving woman she had known.
But she couldn’t afford to let nostalgia get in the way. There was too much at stake. The freedom of her people, the safety of her friends, the very future of her world. Red had to silence her doubts and fears, and move forward with determination.
At the end of yet another strategy meeting, Ben stood, his face serious but resolute. “We’re ready,” he announced, his voice echoing through the room. “It’s time to send a letter to the resistance with a date.”
Ben’s words made it all the more real. The atmosphere in the room grew even more tense. Everyone present felt the weight of the moment.
Ben turned to a messenger, handing him a sealed letter. “We will launch the assault in five days. Inform the resistance so they are ready on their end.”
The messenger took the letter respectfully and left the room, leaving a silence heavy with meaning behind him.
Red felt a shiver run down her spine. Five days. The battle was imminent. She glanced at Chloe, who stood beside her, her eyes shining with determination. Their eyes met, and they understood each other without a word. They were ready to face what was to come, together.
Chloe stepped forward and took Red's hand, offering silent support. Red squeezed her hand back, finding comfort in the touch. War was inevitable, but they would face it with courage and determination. Together.