Chapter 14: The Inevitable War Begins

No one could deny that Gus and Levi were spies for Thunder Village. It wasn't too hard to figure out, though. After all, they seemed to despise everyone, especially Kai (This was understandable because Kai grew up with a pure hatred for people he found threatening to his village and his family.).

Now another meeting would take place on the topic (while Gus and Levi were out on "official business" as they called it). Kairhee and Sky would run the seminar to discuss the course of action to take… the safest and quietest way to take care these trespassers.

"Okay, let's get stared!" Sky called out, silencing the villagers. Today, the meeting would be held in an open field outside the village, just in case Gus and Levi came back before the assembly had been dismissed. "My son, do you have a plan?"

Kai shook his head gravely, "Not yet, but, I have figured out what they're doing here…"

The chief's son plopped down in the dirt and whipped out his pocketknife that he'd held on him at all times for protection. And as he spoke again, he began to scribble into the ground. "I overheard them chatting about Thunder Village's plans with us when Gus was getting a checkup at the clinic…"

Sky gasped and glared at Kai with concern in his face.

"Don't worry, Father," Kai reassured, looking up. "They didn't spot me. In fact, they have no idea I work there. So they would have no motivation to hurt me. And even if they tried, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. Gus seems like a bit of a wimp, anyway."

Sky snickered, then nodded.

"Okay, as I was saying, I found out that they're not just spying on us… they're planning a war!"

Every villager glanced at one another, startled.

Eventually, Sky looked down to his son and smiled. "What shall you have us do about that, Deputy?"

Kai stood back up. He thought about this for a moment, despite being under the pressure that his father was testing his plan flexibility and leadership skills in the midst of such a serious situation.

"For now, all I know is that they are looking for our weaknesses, so we won't show any. Don't tell them anything about us, nothing at all! Because if they have even just that, they'll have enough info to declare war against us and find a strategy to kick us to the dirt."

"What I wanna know is," Dasher asked, catching the crowd's attention. "Why? Why are they doing this to us? We never did anything to them! They're the ones spying on us!"

Kai shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but I think they see us the same way we see them: a threat. And they seem like the type of village that makes the first move. So we have to be prepared for it. Everyone, be on guard, and as we draw closer to this war – that hopefully won't happen – we can discuss battle tactics."

Sky nodded in dismissal, and as everyone made their way back to Ignacia, Sky playfully shouldered his son. "I'm proud of you, Kai. You really took charge of the situation. You'll be a great chief some day."

Kai chuckled. "Let's hope someday's not for a long time."

The rest of the walk was silent, other the occasional whisper of villagers to one another, and the occasional burst of laughter.

For the rest of the day (which was only a few hours, anyway), Kai stayed home and practiced Call Your Name on the piano, with random interruptions from his father and little sister Nya.

It was about seven o'clock when Ash decided to come visit.

"So, how's your new song coming along?" She'd ask.

Kai shrugged casually. "Pretty good. I didn't have to do any editing because my father said that it was perfect the way it was."

"That's awesome!" Ash cheered. "That means it's gotta be perfect!" She paused for a moment, then said, "I closed up shop for ya. By the way, nice plan today. Everyone at the grind's been chatting about it nonstop. They think you should be the general of our village-slash-army when this war gets here."

"I'm trying to prevent the war from even happening, not provoke it, Ash. If Levi and Gus get ahold of that information, they'll surely make their move!" Kai protested.

"Oh," Ash sighed, defeated.

Kai run his hand through his longish hair, and took Ashley's hand with the other. "Look, I'm sorry, Ash. I just… don't think we need this violence on the verge of winter."

Ash smiled weakly. "It's okay, Kai, I understand your motives. I just don't think that this war is avoidable. But good luck in your campaign for peace," And as she marched out the door, she grinned slyly at him. "You're gonna need it."

That was weird… Kai thought, but eventually dropped it as he made his way for bed.

Nya was already curled up on her side of the bed. "Was that Ash you were talking to?" she asked innocently.

"Yeah." Answered Kai wistfully, slipping off his blacksmith's apron, followed by his snow-colored tee.

"Nya, did you hide my pajamas again?" He questioned after a moment, embarrassed that he wasn't wearing anything over his sweat-streaked torso.

Nya nodded guilty, snickering beneath the covers.

Kai playfully snatched her up, cursing teasingly under his breath. "Why, you little…" Nya burst into laughter as her big brother flung her around.

After a few more minutes of horseplay, Nya and Kai were both wrapped in blankets, shivering as the cold winter-night air seeped through the window.

"Hey, Kai?"

"Yeah?"

"You know what tomorrow is?"

Kai shook his head. "No. What is it?"

"December twenty-second… our birthday."

Kai gasped. He was so busy with his three jobs; he'd forgotten his own birthday! Ugh, he was so stupid! He needed a few days off, immediately.

"How old are you gonna be tomorrow, Kai?" Nya queried.

"Fourteen."

"Wow, you're gonna be so old!" She shouted hysterically.

Eventually, the two of them fell asleep.

But not for long.

At about one in the morning, a breeze of cool air rushed through the window, and Kai was roused from his slumber, Nya too. He decided to see what if the window had flown open (because it did that on really windy nights sometimes). But he never had the chance.

With a scream of horror that was abruptly muffled, Kai was snatched by a large, powerful figure and dragged into the outside world.

Nya leapt out of bed and squealed for her brother until her throat gave out. But it was too late… Kai and his kidnapper had disappeared into the darkness.

Good morning, peps! (I'm being sarcastic… it's nighttime… well, at least in America it is.) And I'm very happy to say that this is the longest chapter I've ever written! YAY! AS most of you know, I stick with shorter chapters. This is either because I'm in a rush, or I just like to make it short and sweet. Whatever the case, I hope you guys enjoy my stories! It's an absolute honor reading all of yours! :D

So, I don't know about you guys, but i know for a fact that this chapter is gonna give me nightmares for the next week. Yay. :(

It's okay, though, because I have you all to look forward to in the morning! Thank you so much for supporting me! Especially (as perviously mentioned) ZaneTheNinjaOfIce, FireIce, and Machete Girl!

You guys all rule! See ya next time on the next chapter of… The Blacksmith's Son! And, not to spoil anything, but the next chapter will be epic for all you Priscilla fans out there who wanted to get to know her better! YAY! XD Yeah, I just spoiled it. Oh, well. You'll see what happens soon.

I'm gonna go by Kai tonight since he got kidnapped, so…yeah.

-Kai (Is Awesome! XD)