The War Among Us (Chapter 1)

“I’ve heard the news, Your Majesty! Congratulations!”
“Thank you, Rontu,” the Prince said with a chuckle. “I am waiting to tell the Kingdom at the dinner.”
“Your secret is safe with me, Sire,” Rontu smiled and dipped his head in respect.
“Duke!” a loud voice boomed from across the palace.
“I do believe your daddy would like to see you,” Rontu smiled and looked over to where the King was sitting on his throne.
“Yep, that’s my cue,” Duke sighed before heading over.
The palace was set with a huge table and decorated with a feast fit for a King. Duke walked over to the King’s throne and stood before him. “Yes, father?” he asked with respect.
“Is everything ready?” the King questioned.
“Yes, it is,” Duke replied while looking out over at the Kingdom.
“And what about the wolves?” the King questioned with one brow raised.
“What about the wolves?” Duke repeated his father’s question back to him.
“Have the Kingdom of Eraland arrived or not?” the King was more specific.
“Well, umm, no, they haven’t, father,” Duke responded hesitantly.
“We can’t wait around for them all day, son!” the King stood up from his royal throne and walked beside his son.
“I know, father, but there’s nothing we can do about this but wait,” Duke followed his father who was making his way out of the curtained-in area where his throne was placed. He drew back the curtain and looked out at his Kingdom; no sign of the Kingdom of Eraland anywhere.
“Father, they promised they’d show!” Duke insisted on the King. “Now if their word was all they gave me, then that’s all I need.”
“You can’t keep your Kingdom waiting for this long, son. If you are going to lead one day, you need to know how to start without some people,” the King walked back into the palace.
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“Are you ready yet, Darling?” Rontu stood outside the palace in the field adjacent to it. “The party will start without us!” he chuckled.
“Oh don’t be such a rush!” a blonde Saluki smiled as she walked away from a small pond. “I have to look good for the party!”
“You look gorgeous, Fly,” Rontu licked her slightly on her cheek.
“Thanks, but now you’ve messed up my fur!” Fly laughed out loud.
Rontu laughed as well and gave her a playful shove. “C’mon, we don’t want them to start without us.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Fly and Rontu took their seats at the long table as Duke stood above everybody beside his father and addressed the Kingdom.
“Now I know most of you are wondering why we have arranged this party,” Duke began. “I have brought with me some very big news to annou—,”
“Sire! Sire!” a speckled Deputy burst through the tented area panting hard and almost collapsing on the ground.
“What is the matter, Deputy?” King Axel arose from his throne and hurried his way over to the panting dog.
“There has been an attack, Your Majesty,” he said while trying to catch his breath. “The far end of the territory. Near the Bridge.”
“What happened?” Duke stepped forward and questioned the young Deputy.
“It’s Nash, Your Majesty…”