A Love That Defies Reason

By Lia Star

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Declaration of War

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Claimer: I own the boys, as well as this version of Atlantis. Please don't use them without my permission first. Thank you.

A/N: I apologize for not getting this out way sooner. I really do.

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"My Prince!"

Drake was startled when a servant burst into his chambers without announcement, uncaring of the guards that rushed after him to try and subdue him.Seeing the servant was frightened, Drake rose from his seat, Trey following. Motioning to the guards, Trey sent them out of the room, closing the doors behind them as the servant began to speak.

"My Prince! It's terrible!" the servant gasped, tears beginning to run down his cheeks.

"Calm down, man. What happened?" Drake commanded, his voice harsh.

The servant collapsed to his knees before Drake, exclaiming, "They're dead!"

Paling, Trey rushed to his lifemate's side, his thoughts immediately going to his friends and family.

"Who? Who's dead?" Drake demanded.

"Prince Crostil and his lifemate, my Prince! They were murdered!" the servant exclaimed.

Trey grasped behind him for a chair, dropping into it. "How do you know this?"

"My Lord! I was passing their chambers on my duties and I felt a powerful wave from inside. Concerned, I immediately knocked, inquiring as to what may be wrong. When there was no answer, I entered, and found both of them dead on the floor, with another dead not far from them," the servant frantically explained. "My Prince, this man…"

When the servant hesitated, Drake pulled himself to his full height, glaring down on the servant. "What about the man?"

"My Prince, he bore the mark of General for Dahok's army," the servant murmured, his voice suddenly calm, betraying his petrified appearance.

"No…" Trey gasped, his eyes tearing up.

Drake nodded. "You are dismissed. Bring this news immediately to Lord Dorian and Lady Sasha. Tell no one else."

"Yes, my Prince. At once."

After the servant had left, Drake turned to Trey to find his lifemate in tears. Gathering him into his arms, Drake had no answer when Trey murmured, "Why? He was his son."

"I don't know, my love." Drake tightened his hold, the thought of losing his own lifemate frightened him. Placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, Drake drew back, heading to a set of doors that Trey had never seen unlocked.

As he pulled a key from the pouch tied at his waist, Drake stated coldly, "What I do know, however, is that Dahok has just gained the attention of the entire army of Atlantis. A mistake which he will not live to regret."

With those words, Drake slammed open the doors to reveal a full set of military class armor. The entire thing looked to be constructed of pure silver, and had beautiful etchings within. The helmet was designed to cover the entire face, with an opening for the eyes. It looked as if it would be impossible to destroy. The breastplate looked like it weighed a ton, belying its actual lightness. Upon the armor were etchings of the ancient Atlantean language, promising quickness and surety of foot in battle. The rest of the armor was designed in chainlink, from the same metal as the breastplate and helmet. Hung on either door, was a sword and shield. The sword was far from decorative, only having a single large jewel embedded in it's hilt. The entire thing looked to be made of the same metal as the armor, only more refined. The shield was crafted the same as the sword, but with the same sorts of etchings as the breastplate.

"By killing my brother, Dahok has just declared war upon Atlantis. And if it is war he wishes, every Atlantean here will answer him. For no one has gone to war with an Atlantean and lived to tell the tale."

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Dorian looked up as Drake entered the room, Trey following.

"You heard, then?" Dorian questioned.

Drake nodded. "I was the first. What plans are in place?"

"We are currently recalling all our troops from the country. Everyone is being told that Atlantis is going to war, and to prepare for such. No one has been told why, as of yet. However, they know that they must expect the worst. It has been a long time since we have went to war," Dorian stated.

"Very good. I want all the maps of the area gathered to the war room. We must plan our strategy. As well, Trey plans on asking his mother if she will aid us in our time of need. As it is Dahok we are fighting, I believe that she will answer our plea, as will others of Olympus," Drake ordered, heading for a set of doors at the back of the room.

"As you will, my Prince," Dorian stated, motioning for a lesser priest to fulfill the Prince's orders.

"Where is Lady Sasha? She is required here," Drake questioned.

"She is on her way here, my Prince. She took it upon herself to inform her Majesty of the situation herself, rather than sending a servant," Dorian informed him.

"Very well," Drake murmured.

Drake picked up a sheaf of papers, glancing over it.

"How many men are in the city right now?" Drake questioned.

"About seven thousand, my Prince. Everyone else is at home with their families in the country," Dorian retorted immediately.

"How long will it take for them to be recalled, and for them to move their families to the emergency shelters within the city?" Drake inquired, flipping through the papers.

"It will take approximately three or four days, minimum, my Prince. We have over four thousand men in the country," Dorian replied.

"What is the maximum margin for delay?" Drake asked, looking up from the papers in his hands.

Dorian swallowed uneasily. "About two weeks, my Prince."

Scowling, Drake shook his head, snapping, "Too long, Dorian. Make it a week, no longer. Understand?"

Dorian nodded hesitantly. "Yes, my Prince. As you command."

The doors opened again, this time admitting the Queen, with Sasha following behind her.

"Mother?" Drake questioned.

"I have helped your father in every encounter that Atlantis has faced whilst he served his people. It is now my duty to aid you," Alarya declared.

Drake nodded, not questioning his mother's authority. Besides, he knew that she spoke the truth, and her knowledge would be helpful in the upcoming conflicts. It rested on his shoulders, as the crown Prince of Atlantis, to protect the home of his people in his father's stead. He could do no less. The future of Atlantis and her people lay in his hands.

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"And so it begins," Atropos murmured from the shadows.

"Indeed. Is he prepared for what is to come?" Clotho questioned, sounding resigned.

"You realize that you must not interfere, do you not?" Atropos inquired.

"I realize that. I know that he must lose everything to gain everything. But that doesn't mean that I have to like the fact. Poor Lachesis is off crying somewhere for the poor boy," Clotho replied.

"It has been especially hard for her. The boy was her first assignment, and she adores him," Atropos murmured.

"She was the one who declared him to be the future God of Peace and Innocence. Which, I must admit, was a good choice for her. It fits him well. But, she has grown too attached to him. She refuses to consider the naming of another godling until the boy has triumphed over everything he must face," Clotho explained.

Atropos smiled mysteriously. "Ah, but it wasn't too long ago that you acted the same. I believe you still favor young Mischief."

"He needs someone to look out for him! Everyone is always belittling him, and no one understands him other than Atreikus," Clotho protested adamantly.

Atropos nodded understandingly. "I understand perfectly. I am the same with Zeus and Hera."

Clotho smiled softly, nodding before turning back to the pool that reflected the events happening in the mortal realm. "It really is too bad though. He can't be meant to take the following events well."

"Indeed not, my sister. Indeed not," Atropos murmured sadly. "Not well, at all."

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To Be Continued…

A/N: Hey!!! I'm not dead!!! Lol. Sorry about not getting this out sooner, but I've had a bit of an epiphany, and I should now be able to finish this without being blocked into a corner again. I hope so anyway.

Anyway, I'll try getting the next chapter up when I can. Hopefully within two weeks. Hope that you all liked this chapter, and that you still want to read this story, despite my not updating in forever. Talk to you all later!

Lia