"And? Are you ready?" Brandon asked gently.
Stella felt everything but ready, yet she did not have a choice.
Immediately after they had returned from Alfea, she had sent a message to any lord and lady on Solaria to come to the castle for a war council.
Obviously, this had been Brandon's idea, as Stella had no clue about such things. At least she did not remember anything about what her teacher and father had taught in terms of war. Solaria had not been in a war for thousands of years – on one hand, because of the general peace within the Magic Dimension, on the other hand, because Solaria was huge and powerful and rich, and therefore no one would dare to attack this planet. Stella had grown up with this knowledge, and even though her father had taught her everything important, he had also always mentioned that she did not have to expect a war – it had simply been part of her education.
However, Brandon, as a warrior, knew a bit about this. He had grown up as Sky's squire with the aim to later serve him as either the commander of his personal guard or as armorer. For that, he had spent countless of lessons in warfare, and Stella was rather thankful for it. Without him she would probably not have known what to do.
Today was the day. The lords and ladies of Solaria's many different estates would get together to discuss the upcoming battle on Magix, and Stella was indeed afraid.
The last and only time she had spoken in front of all of them had been at her coronation, shortly after her father had died. Back then, she had not thought about presenting herself as a strong ruler who people would follow into battle. She just hoped that this would be no disadvantage now.
"I'm alright," Stella replied. "I just wish I wouldn't have to do this."
Brandon put one arm around her. "You have to," he said simply. "But I'll be at your side this whole time," he added with a small smile.
"Thank you," said Stella and lay her head against his wide chest.
"Hello, little star," called a familiar voice, and Stella immediately left Brandon's hug to run to her mother who embraced her with a wide smile.
"What are you doing here?" Stella asked surprised after they hugged.
"I've told her to come," Brandon explained. "I thought you could use some support from a former queen."
"Brandon has told me everything," said Luna. "All of this does indeed sound terrible. You need to get your people on your side."
"What do you mean?" Stella asked confused. Why did she have to get someone on her side?
"Let's sit down," Luna said and they went together to the couch.
"I'll leave you alone and ask whether someone has already arrived," said Brandon and left the room.
"Why do I need to get my people on my side?" Stella asked. "I thought they are on my side."
Luna sighed. "They serve you, yes," Luna replied. "But you know that there has not been a war on or with Solaria for a long time. Do you think anyone just wants to go to war for no real reason?"
"We don't go to war for 'no real reason'," Stella retorted.
"But that's how these lords and ladies are going to see it," Luna explained. "There's no immediate danger."
"But father once told me that people like to call for war more than they should," Stella remembered. King Radius had actually told her that quite a lot of times.
"And he was right," Luna agreed sadly. "Most living beings are full of vengeance and pride, which makes them scream for war more often than necessary. But only when they have a personal reason. Otherwise, war is associated with death, destruction and poverty."
"But there is a reason," Stella replied. She knew that she sounded like a little child, but she just did not understand her mother.
"You have a reason," Luna said softly. "But they do not. That's why you have to make them see the danger that lies ahead of all of us. This is the only way to make sure that they will support you."
Now Stella understood – at least partly. "But I'm the queen," she protested. "I could just order that we go to war."
Luna smiled sadly. "That would only cause a revolt."
Stella looked at her in shock.
"Don't look like that," said her mother. "You are the queen. That's your birth right and these people follow you. Still, you should not give them any reason to doubt you. You wouldn't be the first ruler to be overthrown, not even on Solaria. Be careful and choose your words wisely," Luna added and stroked Stella's arm gently.
Stella simply nodded. It would be even worse that she had thought.
"Do I have to go with you?" Angel asked her mother.
Stella knew that Angel did not want to stand in front all of these strange people with her and Brandon, but both, Stella and Brandon, had agreed that it was important to have their eight year old daughter with them.
Angel might still be young but she would be Solaria's queen one day.
Already several hundredth of years ago the right of inheritance had been changed, so that the current ruler could appoint which one of his or her children or sibling would become the next king or queen. The only still existing rule was the kinship.
Yet, boys were still preferred. Stella's great-grandfather had even chosen his brother instead of his four daughters, something Stella found disdainfully. Even though she had a son, she would give the throne to her daughter. Angel was the firstborn and a lot more powerful than Jack, so this was just rational.
And even though Angel was still pretty young, it was nonetheless important to prepare her for her tasks. When Stella had been a child she had only learned about how to held a war council and had never actually been at one, at this might end fateful today. She did hope that Angel would never know anything else but peace, however, she could not rely on that.
To be honest, Brandon had to convince Stella first, but she had realized that he was right.
"Yes, you have to," Stella replied softly. "But don't worry, you don't have to say anything. You just sit next to me and your father and watch us. That's it."
"Okay," Angel replied quietly. She was so gentle and lovely. Stella remembered how she had tried to tell her children about the immediate danger ahead of them, as mild as possible, and she could still see Angel's large, scared eyes. Jack, however, had found all of this rather interesting – maybe he would not be such a bad king after all? Stella threw this thought away. Angel might not be the biggest warrior of all time but she was polite and had a great heart. The people would love her, Stella was sure of this.
They had gathered all together in the great hall. Actually, the throne room would have been better, but there were neither tables nor chairs, and Stella had thought it would be better to offer these lords and ladies a place to sit down, as well as food and something to drink, while they were going through this negotiation.
Now, everyone had found a place at several long tables, while Stella, Brandon and Angel sat in their more highly placed chairs.
When Stella gave Brandon a signal, he asked for silence.
Stella stood up and said loudly, "Thank you for following my invitation. In front of you is food as well as some wine. Chambers were also prepared for you, but I ask you to first talk about our matter."
Before she could continue, a man with black hair stood up. He could not be much older than Stella, and as she looked at him more carefully she realized that this was Rasalas – they had once gone to the same school as children for a short amount of time.
"Matter? You mean war," said Rasalas.
"Yes … indeed," Stella replied carefully. She had to choose her words wisely.
Another man stood up. He had a massive body and was at least twenty years older than Stella. She knew that this had to be Lord Hadir, because he used to visit her father from time to time.
"Who's our enemy?" he asked loudly. "I'm gonna give him -"
Stella interrupted him, knowing that his next words should better not get heard by Angel.
"My dear Lord Hadir," she said. "I'm aware that you are a man of many … interesting words. However, my daughter is present. I ask you to hold back any expressions that are not made for the ears of a little girl."
"Of course, Your Grace," said Hadir, more quietly and obviously surprised.
"Anyway, who is our enemy?" asked a third person, this time a women. There were not many women ruling over solarian estates and none of them had dark hair, so Stella was certain that this had to be Lady Mira.
Before Stella could reply, Brandon said simply, "Valtor."
For a short moment there was nothing except shocked silence, then everyone was talking. Valtor had left horrible marks on Solaria and his name almost seemed like a curse.
Again, Brandon asked for silence. Then, the oldest man in this hall stood up. His hair was as white as snow and his skin was folded like the pages of a book, but he did not seem fragile or weak. Naos was his name, and he spoke with a gentle but strong voice. "Valtor was destroyed. Many years ago."
Stella sighed. "I'm aware of this," she said. "Both, me and my husband, had been present at the last fight." She made a short pause. "However, I can assure you that he had found a way to come back. And now he is planning an attack on Magix."
"And why should we care?" Rasalas asked again.
It looked like they were now at the part her mother had warned Stella about. Calmly, Stella replied, "If Valtor conquers Magix, he'll openly proclaim war upon the whole dimension. It's our task to prevent him from doing so."
"And with what kind of army does he want to accomplish this?" Naos asked.
"He has recruited the outer planets of our dimension," Stella explained. "We don't know the exact number, but it must be enough to start an attack."
"Therefore it's all just speculation?" Naos asked in an innocent tone, but Stella felt anger rising up inside of her.
"No," she said sharply. "It's a serious danger."
"I see no danger," said Rasalas.
Stella was afraid she would lose her self-control. How could people be so blind? Luckily, Brandon seemed to realize that Stella was about to lose her temper.
"The danger isn't here yet," he said calmly. "That's why we have to act now to prevent it. If we do nothing, it will be too late."
Stella smiled at him shortly to show her gratitude, but Rasalas' next words let her smile vanish again.
"You talk like a woman!" he shouted.
Before Stella or Brandon could reply, Hadir stood up again. "He's your king, you fucking son of a bitch!" he shouted at Rasalas. "Show some respect!"
For a moment Rasalas was speechless. Then he said to Brandon, "Pardon me, Your Grace. However, I can't help thinking this to me women chatter. Over-caution has never been helpful," he added.
"But it had neither harmed anyone," Stella countered.
"See. Women chatter," said Rasalas.
This time, Mira raised her voice. "She's your queen!" she shouted. "Don't forget yourself, Rasalas! And should you ever again doubt the strength of a woman, I'd love to challenge you for a duel. We'll see how think about this then," she added provocatively.
Again, Rasalas gave in. "Pardon me, Queen Stella," he said, but he did not leave it with just an apology. "i just can't spot the sense in going to war right now. My land has to deal with economic difficulties at the moment and I don't want to leave it. Furthermore, I have two sons, and I'd rather not see them going to war. You understand that, don't you?"
He will never be convinced, Stella thought, and while she was looking around the hall she realized that many others shared his opinion.
"Indeed," Stella replied, her voice as calm as possible. "But if we don't act now, the war will come one way or another. It's better to fight now and avoid the worst."
After Stella had said these words, she was slightly proud at herself. They sounded well and logical. Maybe this was enough.
"Our queen is wise. You should listen to her," Hadir said, and Stella could have kissed him for this.
But Stella's mood changed again, and of course this was Naos' fault.
"It rather seems to me like she wants some … glory, perhaps?" he said with a slight smile. "I definitely don't mean to insult with this, Your Grace. But we all know how much you love to present yourself on TV. May it be possible that you … want a war?"
Stella did not know how to reply to this. Again, she felt the anger inside of her, but there was something else … embarrassment, probably?
Again, she was save by Brandon. "No one wants a war," he said and Stella could hear the rage in his calm voice.
"Naos isn't completely wrong," Mira stated, and now the muttering began.
Stella looked helplessly at Brandon, but he did not seem to now what they could do.
Then, Rasalas raised his voice again. "One way or another, I don't want a war. If war arrives, it arrives. But it isn't here yet, and I definitely won't seek it."
"Rasalas speaks wisely," said Naos.
"Indeed," agreed Mira.
Everywhere people agreed with Rasalas' words.
"I beg you," shouted Stella, and started a last attempt to convince them of this fight. "Magix won't win on its own. They need us."
Stella looked at Hadir who had sympathy in his eyes, but before he could say anything the old Naos took the word again.
"Do they?" he asked. "If I understood everything correctly, then we don't know the numbers our enemy is going to attack with. We don't know much about his methods nor his aims. We know nothing that makes such a battle rational or secure."
The approval got louder. Again, Stella looked at Hadir, but he just shook his shoulders and said, "The old codger is right."
"When did this went wrong?" Stella asked her mother, while trying to hold back her tears. Luna held her daughter in her arms, and Brandon silently sat next to them.
"It's not your fault," Luna tried to calm her down.
"They would have listened to father," Stella said. Then, she looked directly at her mother. "Or to you," she added. "Why didn't you speak to them?"
"Because I'm not the Queen of Solaria anymore, Stella," her mother explained. "You are the queen. Brandon is your king. If you want the people to respect you, to love you and to follow you, then you have to work for it."
"Now it's too late," Stella muttered.
It was silent for a moment, then Luna said, "You still have many years ahead of you. They didn't immediately follow your father either. It takes some time, even more for a woman, but the people love you. There only one small step left to complete loyalty. But even then they won't always follow you blindly," Luna added.
Stella nodded and after a while she asked, "How did father do it?"
Luna seemed to think about it for a moment. Then she replied, "He was patient. He has never given up and he has always been nice and polite, but also stern if he had to. Besides, he had me," she added. "At least for the first years. It's important to have a person at your side who you can trust completely and who will always cover your back. Think about this, both of you. You need each other if you want to rule this kingdom."
At her last words she looked at both of them. They nodded, and after another pause Stella said, "We'll go to Magix alone. Will you take care of the children and Solaria while we are gone?"
For a short moment it looked as if Luna wanted to disagree, but then she nodded.