Gavril's hands tightened into fists where they rested on the table and his eyes narrowed in his anger. Finally the king had decided on a full on attack on the humans. It made his heart race in eagerness that he would get the chance to put the bastards in their place. It was very likely that the human that had killed his father and nearly killed him would be there. He'd finally be able to exact his revenge on her as well. He would show her the might of the Laurențiu line. He could already imagine his sword sliding into that wicked heart. Or maybe he would just damage her enough that she could not fight him as he plunged his fangs into her neck and drank her dry. He wanted her to suffer for what she did. He couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lip before he turned his attention back to the meeting at hand. He could fantasize about what he'd do to the human later.
The duke sat back in his chair when the king departed after his announcement and reached up to rub his chin. There was a small part of him that wondered if this was a good thing. He remembered how he and his sister and gone into a blood rage and tried to take on a human settlement themselves. It very nearly cost them their lives. Was this a similar situation? Perhaps the king was close to the pureblood that had been slaughtered. Was he thinking clearly? What if this was some sort of attack? Physically attacking Shibuya would mean that they were going into the heart of human civilization and attacking its main stronghold. The humans would have the advantage in that terrain. Hopefully, this wasn't a set up and they could catch the humans by surprise. He would have to keep an close eye on the young prince and his sister... and his brother. He may have mixed feelings about his father's bastard but he didn't want him dead either. It wasn't Saxon's fault his father had strayed after all and he had grown up with the boy.
Gavril turned to his siblings then as he stood from his seat. He would have to make sure they were all well prepared. "All right, you heard the king," he announced. "We need to get ourselves prepared physically and mentally." He knew Saxon had a fascination with the humans and he didn't share the ire that he and his sister held in their hearts so that final point was more directed towards him. "We are going to war and you both need to be ready for what is to come. Stay on your toes. Stay close to the prince. That way we can protect each other if it comes down to it," he instructed. Oh and mother... she would be sad to see the three of them leaving. They needed to say proper good-byes to her.
"Once you are done getting ready, I expect each of you to give proper good-byes to Mother. We will meet at the stables and ride together. Hop to." Gavril might as well take this quick moment to clean himself up as well. He hurried out of the room and rushed through a shower before he dressed and pulled on his black brigandine beneath his attire. He proudly bore his family's emblem upon his breast and secured his sword belt on his hips. When he had everything that he needed for the fight, he hurried to his mother's side.
She was in her personal little garden reading in her favorite chair. His heart ached when he saw her. She was such a strong woman and did so much for all of them. He didn't want to bring her any sad news. He truly loved her so much. He knocked lightly on the door before he entered the room. His mother looked up and gave her eldest a smile.
"Gavril! What a pleasant surprise." She set her book down and sat up with grace to rival the elegant swans. Her smile faded when she realized he was dressed for war and held his helmet in the crook of his arm. Gavril knelt beside his mother and kissed her knuckles in fealty before he gave her a hug. "The king has decided to attack the humans then?"
[color-#8d002b]"Yes. We will be leaving shortly. We are attacking Shibuya."[/color]
"I see." The woman sighed and put a brave face on. She caressed her boy's face before she squeezed his shoulder. "Take care of your brother and sister, Gavril. You have far more experience in battle than they and will look to you for guidance."
"I will, Mother. I'll make sure they come home safely.
"There's a good lad," she smiled. "Don't forget to take care of yourself to. I want to see you walking through those gates when the party returns as well."
Gavril nodded to his mother and gave her another hug before he left the room and headed for the stables to saddle his horse and wait for his siblings.