A/N: Thanks to my lovely beta Azzie for looking over it! I'm doing the best I can with an hour and a half of internet a day...sorry! I have a couple chapters ready...and a plan through the end of the story! :) Stick with me please! I'm sooo sorry for the wait! :(
Chapter Nine: Battle Plans:
The meeting room became a buzz of activity over the next few days. Kida stayed up the whole time, but insisted that Tarrant slept in shifts with the others. As he reentered the room, he scanned the sea of people for his light-haired friend, only to spot her beside Mirana, as had become the usual.
"-and send word out to Irascibeth's old realm, perhaps they can be convinced. Send only the strongest." Mirana ordered calmly. Kida leaned down to whisper in her ear, and Mirana nodded.
"Kida has offered to go along if you run into any trouble. Send word to me, and I will ensure that she gets it." Mirana finished, and the man bowed before retreating towards the door. Tarrant slipped past the line to stand beside Kida, who flashed him a quick smile and gave him a once-over with her clear blue gaze before leaning over close to his ear so he could hear her next order. "Go eat."
Tarrant shook his head. "Not until you do."
Kida sighed. "I can't. You can. Go."
"You first."
"When I get the chance, I promise. Now go, before I carry you!" Tarrant smirked.
"That might be fun." he teased quietly. Kida reached out to shove him gently in the direction of the kitchens, but he ducked out of her way and gave her a quick hug before disappearing back into the throng. Kida watched him go with sadness filling her blue eyes before she sighed and turned back to Mirana.
"...Yes, and take as many as you need." Mirana finished, before glancing at Kida. "You should rest. It's almost nightfall now, why don't you take tonight off?"
Kida shook her head. "No, I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway." She glanced up and out the large windows behind them, the rays of light from the sunset touching her hair and turning it brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold.
"I insist." Mirana told her gently. "You are of no help to us exhausted."
Kida had to admit the White Queen had a point, so she acquiesced quietly and waited until the sun had fully disappeared below the horizon several hours later to leave.