Every Moment Counts

The Nightshade Pack slowly returned to its routine.

Although conversations about the strange dream still lingered throughout the compound, everyone eventually threw themselves back into preparation. There simply wasn’t enough time left to dwell on what had happened.

Sophia found herself making her way toward the beauticians’ workshop shortly after breakfast.

The workshop was already bustling with activity when she stepped inside.

Olga looked up immediately, her face brightening.

“I was wondering when you’d come.”

Sophia smiled.

“I had to eat first.”

Olga chuckled at that. “True. Come, sit. Let’s see how your hair is doing today.”

The other beauticians greeted Sophia warmly, and soon her hair was being washed as the others assisted. When they were done, they gave Sophia a mirror.

It was more than it was the previous day.

The black no longer overwhelmed her natural colour.

Instead, the white continued pushing through, reclaiming what had always belonged to her.

“I think another few sessions should do it,” Olga said with satisfaction. “Perhaps not completely, but enough that no one would ever mistake what your true colour is.”

Sophia reached up, gently touching one of the snowy strands.

“It feels strange.”

“In a good way?”

She nodded.

“In a good way.”

Olga smiled at that.

After thanking them once again, Sophia left the workshop and headed toward the medical facility.

Nothing had changed there.

Orion remained exactly where he was, still unconscious.

Sophia quietly walked over to his bedside before pulling a chair closer.

“You’ve picked a terrible time to sleep this much,” she murmured with a small smile.

There was, of course, no reply.

Lysander appeared a few moments later carrying several sheets of parchment.

“I had a feeling you would be here. I have something to give you,” he told her as he extended the parchments to her.

“What’s… oh,” she said as she looked at them.

“It’s the final list of those who passed the placement test. We picked only the best. Those who didn’t pass would be assistants during the war,” he told her.

Sophia nodded. Her eyes caught on Rita’s name.

“Rita passed,” she said with a smile.

“Honestly, no one doubted she wouldn’t pass,” Lysander said with a smile.

Sophia smiled as she read through the detailed report.

Several of the trainees had performed exceptionally well.

Others had barely passed.

A lot had unfortunately failed, though even they had shown remarkable improvement over the past few days.

Sophia nodded approvingly.

“I can’t say there would be a celebration like how it was for the warriors…”

“We don’t care about that right now. As long as we have enough support during the war,” Lysander told her.

Sophia folded the parchments neatly.

“I’ll let Ronan know then,” she said.

Just then, Mary entered carrying another bundle of documents.

“I was looking for you,” she said. Then she handed Sophia the parchments she carried.

Sophia accepted them.

“We’ve increased production of weapons considerably. Every report is there, and I must say we did a good job. Most weapons are made from Skylur fangs. Some arrows carry Trihydra poison too.”

Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise.

“That’s impressive,” she said.

“My people are,” Mary said with pride.

Lysander spoke up then.

“Marta, Kairen and I are still experimenting with the corpse plant.”

Sophia looked toward him immediately.

“Any progress?”

“A little, but I’ve not gotten the exact results I need. It’s a bit defective, but I’m certain before then we will be done with it.”

Oscar stopped by later that afternoon carrying a small wooden box filled with various pieces. The device had been adjusted so it would fit directly without anyone losing a tooth. It still wasn’t perfect, but he had made progress, so he reported it.

The day passed by with various reports. Ronan joined her too as they went through various documents. They were consumed with report after report. Garrett joined them too, and he did more of the petty errands, running around to deliver messages. Even Paula had made a report on the weather and was going to speak with Brynhild on how they could use it to their advantage.

And then, night eventually settled over the compound.

Most of the warriors had finally gone to rest while the craftsmen continued working.

Sophia remained inside the medical facility.

The room was quiet.

Only the occasional crackling of the fireplace interrupted the silence.

She looked toward Orion.

Then remembered Selene’s final gift.

The vision.

She closed her eyes.

Just as Selene had instructed and thought about something specific.

She thought about the future, but for the first few minutes nothing happened.

She tried again.

Nothing happened.

But she didn’t give up.

She continued trying until finally she saw something.

This time she saw the numerous army.

They were more than what Nightshade had.

There was no doubt about that.

But she got one piece of information which was crucial…

The army would begin marching into Nirvana the next day.

They consisted of all the territories except the North.

And they would reach the Nightshade Pack in about five days or so due to the size of the army.

She immediately stood before leaning over Orion.

Her fingers gently brushed his hair away from his forehead.

Then she placed a soft kiss there, straightened immediately afterward, and left the room.

—

The council gathered quickly. Brynhild had arrived with Raina held against her chest. It was an impromptu meeting, and Sophia had told them it might not take much time.

Raina had refused to sleep, so Brynhild had been holding her when they got the message.

Madam Tyler took Raina from Brynhild, holding the baby to her as Sophia explained everything she had seen.

By the time she finished speaking, silence settled over them.

No one was scared, neither were they anxious.

Caspian spoke first, his voice soft so as not to disturb Raina.

“We need to start setting up camp then, especially those for the healers.”

Madam Tyler nodded immediately.

“I agree,” she said. “They are as important as the warriors and also our most important line. If the enemies reach them, then we will lose this battle.”

The others nodded.

“That’s true,” Brynhild said with a nod.

Mary released a weary sigh before rubbing a hand down her face.

“The craftsmen are going to have even more sleepless nights.”

Nobody argued that fact.

They needed the weapons after all.

“But…” she continued, determination returning to her voice, “I’ll make sure we have enough weapons before the enemies arrive.”

Brynhild folded her arms.

“Every warrior will need to train continuously for the next several days.”

Mary immediately looked toward her.

“That’s fine,” she said. “But please… don’t destroy your weapons. We are already working overtime to make more. And don’t waste arrows too.”

Daniel cleared his throat. Ronan adjusted his cloak. Tobias touched his ear while Sophia looked down. Brynhild hid her hands, and Caspian muttered something about his back hurting.

Lysander chuckled at their reactions.

They were the warriors on the council after all.

Mary sighed dramatically.

“Did you guys hear me?”

Everyone except Lysander, Madam Tyler and Eldric visibly winced before nearly answering together.

“…We’ll try our best.”

Mary simply closed her eyes.

“I suppose that’s all I’m getting.”

The meeting ended soon afterward.

Everyone immediately dispersed to carry out their responsibilities.

There was far too much left to do.

Sophia quietly made her way back toward the medical facility.

The room welcomed her with the same comforting silence.

She sat next to his bedside, and there she remained throughout the night.