Chapter Eleven
Defeat
"You're kidding" Timmy sighed.
"No…" Tecna admitted.
The two were in their living room, seated across from each other.
"Well this whole situation is getting worse day by day. Sky is our friend, what did you say to him?" Timmy asked.
"Are you implying that this is all my fault?" Tecna said defensively.
"No, no, not at all. I'm just saying, it's not like Sky to fly off the handle like that. He wouldn't attack a friend's realm for no reason."
"It was just a few harsh words. He should not have taken it so seriously"
"But he did"
"You're not helping" Tecna said softly.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Consult with my advisors." Tecna's voice got more quiet with each time she spoke.
Timmy rubbed his head as if he had a headache.
"I'm sure we can come up with something" Tecna tried to comfort him.
"This is just… not good. Maybe I should talk to him" Timmy stood up.
"I doubt he'll listen." Timmy could barely hear what she had said.
"It's worth a try"
"Just don't. I wouldn't give him any more reasons to attack"
"Are you saying I'd make him even more upset?"
Tecna sighed while falling back onto the couch to lie down.
"Just…" she closed her eyes, "I can handle this."
Timmy shook his head and left the room.
In truth, Tecna didn't know if she could handle it. The whole ruling thing was getting the best of her. She was usually so confident, but now she felt as if she was collapsing and she couldn't do anything about it. Plus, the one person she could confide in seemed to be doubting her. She stood up slowly, she had to talk to the advisors. They were there to give her advice, she just needed to heed it.
She pulled on a coat and left her home. She made her way down the busy streets on Zenith, head down, not looking up at anyone. Though it would have been faster, Tecna decided against using a vehicle, she would rather take up time and walk. It almost hurt to see the castle; she had hoped that her walk would last longer. She was almost afraid to confront her advisors, who were probably quick to judge. Tecna was sure that they would pin the whole ordeal on her, without a doubt. She feared facing their questions. How was she expected to answer their questions and defend herself when, in fact, she was questioning herself on the matter?
She walked through the long hallway in the castle, leading to the dreaded conference room. Once there, she slowly opened the door to reveal the panel of ten highly-intelligent advisors seated around a table.
She held her head up, trying to show confidence, though inside she was scared to death. She took her seat and faced them.
"I thank you all for coming" she started, straining to keep her voice from quivering.
They nodded.
"I wish to discuss our plan of action for Eraklyon." Thank goodness her voice didn't shake.
"I still don't quite understand the circumstances surrounding the reason as to why the king of Eraklyon decided to attack us, the realm of Zenith, who has helped his kingdom grow economically with our technology." One advisor commented.
And there it was, "I'm afraid the reasons for his decision are beyond me as well". Was that the best she had? Would they take it?
They nodded, seemingly content.
Halfway through the discussion, plans were starting to form, though Tecna wasn't quite content with what they had come up with.
"We can not just sit back and wait for attack, why should we not take action against them first, so fear of an attack does not have to carry on through our citizens?" Tecna said impatiently.
"We would make something greater out of this then it has to be if we attack them first"
"Plus, we're not even sure ourselves if Eraklyon is going to attack us at all"
"You wouldn't be sparing our citizens of fear, you'd just be spreading fear of an all-out war amongst them"
"It would be an ignorant decision"
"A poorly made one at that. We should just prepare ourselves for an attack."
"And have our people wondering day to day if they will be in danger?" Tecna struck back.
"Would you rather have them wondering if they will be going off to a pointless war? Getting killed over something they had no power over? Is that what you want?"
Tecna leaned back, "I think I have made my decision. You are dismissed." She waved them away.
Some of them left fuming, others wondering what decision she had come to.
"She is incompetent." Tecna heard one say as they left. "Totally ignorant if she goes through with her plans" another said.
She held her head. What a headache. The meeting had maxed out her stress level; now that it was over, she should feel relieved, but she didn't…. not at all. She felt as if she had the world on her shoulders, and in a way, she did.
She left the castle and slowly made her way down the streets of Zenith once again, her destination being home. She could use a hug right now, that or some comforting words to soothe her. Maybe just a nap would do…
Xxxxxxx
The familiar walls were like a safe haven to her. Who knew the living room could be so comforting? Some relief had hit her once she had entered her home, but not enough to ease the large amount tension she still had. She moved from a resting state to a sitting one when she heard Timmy enter the room. He had no idea as to how glad she was to see him.
He sat across from her, setting down a glass of water in front of her.
"How did it go?" He asked. The sadness in her eyes answered the question for him, but she responded anyway.
"Not well"
He came over and sat next to her.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
She looked directly at him, "I think I've come to a decision"
He nodded.
"I think I want to launch an attack on Eraklyon before they do so to us."
Timmy held his head in his hands, "Do you know how catastrophic that could be? Why put us in danger if you are not even sure if we are going to be attacked at all?"
"I just think it would be better if we went through with it. I wouldn't want us to be taken by surprise when we do get attacked, or have fear run rampant throughout the Zenithians."
Timmy stood up and shook his head, "Do you honestly think that they wouldn't be afraid of the outcome of us attacking Eraklyon? I sure would be."
"You don't agree?"
"I'm sorry, but I highly disagree with your plan"
She shook her head. "What a mess"
"No kidding, and it's your job to fix it."
"Thanks, I really needed a reality check" Tecna replied sarcastically.
"I'm sorry but… just…can't you see what you're going to get us into?"
"I just think it would be better…"
"I don't think it would be, to be honest"
"Is that all you do? Argue with me?"
"Tecna, I have to! It is a silly idea, one that would cause a lot of unneeded damage"
"All you've been doing lately is arguing with me"
"Because you're not right all of the time"
She lied back down on the couch.
"Make the right decision, ok? Listen to the advice given to you. Good luck." He sounded disappointed in her. Soon after, he left the room.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. This was too much for her to handle. Not only was her world crumbling beneath her feet, but she felt as if she was losing a dear friend… Or is he more?, she thought, I feel so strongly for him… I love him, but why can't I admit it? Why do I feel like I'm giving in?
She buried her face in her hands again, the familiar feeling of defeat blanketed her. Now what am I going to do?
xxxx
Author's Note: Thanks for reading. A big thanks, as well, to reviewers. :) More chapters to come!
