Chapter85: The defense

KELLY THOMPSON'S POV  The moon hung heavy in the sky, a silent sentinel as we circled around the ancient oak table that had known many a battle plan. I could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on my shoulders as we pored over maps and reports, our faces bathed in the cold glow of flickering candles. "Let's consider their strengths," I began, my voice low and steady. "The Black Faes move like whispers on the wind, unseen until it is too late. They know our territories, our people. They will use that knowledge to strike from within." Elara Windrider leaned forward, her eyes sharp as flint. "Their weakness lies in their arrogance," she said, her voice carrying the wisdom of the forests. "They believe us to be fractured, easy prey. We must prove them wrong." Paul Biansky nodded, his hands spread across the parchment. "We have strength in numbers and brute force, but they wield manipulation like a weapon. How do we counter an enemy that can turn brother against brother?" "Unity