King Halvar stood beside Keira atop a low ridge overlooking the vast open field of tall grass. It was a good place to fight. The speed and maneuverability of the elves would be of tremendous advantage here. Not that they needed such an edge. Martok’s plan was about to unfold.
“Are you sure they can be trusted?” Keira asked.
Halvar shrugged. “Who knows? No sense in worrying about it now.”
“I would feel better if the message had been delivered by King Yularian himself.”
Halvar nodded. He too had hoped Kat’s father would have been able to join them. But instead the message had come from a young human girl and her even younger brother. They'd informed Halvar that King Yularian would try to be there before the battle began, but he was unsure if that would be possible.
“I trust Kat,” Halvar said. “So I am forced to extend that trust to the human king.”
The mention of Kat drew a tiny smile from Keira. “I saw the look in her father’s eyes.
He
at least can be trusted.”
“Yes. But what of the rest? They have lived under the yoke of Shinzan for so long, I wonder if they can ever fully overcome their fear.”
Keira cocked her head. “
Our
two peoples did. Why should they be any different?”
“Human fear drives them to unpredictability.”
“It also drives them to courage,” Keira retorted. “We must stop looking upon humans as being somehow lesser than ourselves. If we do not, then even after Shinzan is vanquished, Lumnia will be no better off.”
Halvar forced a smile. “You are right, of course. I’m afraid I lack the ability to accept change in quite the same way that King Ganix does. I often think that now his people live among mine, I should step aside and allow his wisdom to rule everyone.”
Keira placed a hand on his shoulder. “I think that would be a mistake. You have many qualities that King Ganix lacks.”
Halvar chuckled. “Is that so?”
“Indeed. King Ganix is wise. There is no doubt about that. But you have a quality which galvanizes all those who look up to you. You give them the heart to face what would shatter the will of most people. More than that, you understand what must be sacrificed in order for this campaign to succeed.”
“And what is that exactly?”
Keira lowered her eyes. “If necessary, everything.”
Halvar nodded. “Yes. You are absolutely right. I'm glad we agree on that.”
A young elf boy raced up behind them. He stopped and bowed, then held out a folded parchment.
After reading the message, Keira drew a deep breath. “The mayor wishes to speak with us.”
Halvar groaned. “Not again! How many more meetings must we endure with that man?”
“You were the one who offered to speak with him whenever he needed,” Keira pointed out, smirking.
“True. But at the time I wasn’t fully aware of what an irritant he can be.” Halvar blew an exasperated breath. “But if it keeps things from turning violent, I suppose it’s a small price to pay.”
“I don’t think we need to worry about that,” Keira assured him. “The people here are simple and of a kind disposition.”
“You say that now. But I wonder how kind they would be if there was not an army camped just outside their door.”
Together they started back to where the army was gathered less than a mile away. Upon reaching the first line of tents, Halvar immediately noticed several unfamiliar wagons parked in an untidy row, each one bearing all manner of supplies. He quietly hoped that this was what the mayor wanted to discuss. Haggling over prices would certainly be preferable to the asinine problems Mayor Yelin usually plagued him with.
As he entered the heart of the camp, he took note of several humans scattered about. This in itself was not an unusual sight. Many human merchants had built up the courage to come seeking trade of late. But these humans were not merchants. These were soldiers. Or at least, they were armed. Only a few of them wore full armor.
“It would seem as if the humans want to fight with us,” Keira remarked.
Halvar shook his head. “I can't allow that. They will be a liability.”
“How so?”
“Look at them. These are not trained warriors. Farmers and townsfolk is my guess.”
“A stout heart and a willing spirit are surely all that one needs,” Keira pointed out.
The king shot her a sideways glance. “And what if they are spies?”
She had no instant answer to that.
Halvar grunted. “I will not allow Shinzan to infiltrate our ranks.”
They walked on a few paces in silence before Keira responded to this. “I’m afraid that may be a chance we must take. Otherwise, we cannot risk having any human allies at all. The fact is, all of Shinzan’s soldiers are human. Our only hope is that there are many others who will be willing to fight with us against their own kind.”
“Could you?” asked Halvar. “Fight against your fellow elves?
Her mouth tightened. “If it meant saving Lumnia...yes.”
They found the mayor waiting for them in the tent erected specifically for his visits. Halvar had ensured that this was furnished with reasonably comfortable chairs and a small table. Also, that a good stock of dwarf whiskey was on hand.
Yelin was a thin man in his late forties with short, salt and pepper hair. His narrow eyes and thin lips, together with a mustache that was waxed and pointed at the ends, gave him an odd, almost comical appearance. Fond of elegant clothing and always dressed in the finest silks and linens, he was sipping a glass of whiskey as they entered. He looked up at the two monarchs with a smile uncharacteristic of their past meetings.
“Ah. There you are,” he said, rising to his feet. “I hope this isn’t a bad time.”
Forcing a smile in return, Halvar gave him a polite bow. “Not at all. We are always happy to see you visiting us.”
Yelin laughed and gestured for them to sit. He then poured them both a glass of whiskey, which they completely ignored.
“I know you have been irritated by my presence in the past,” he began. His hand shot up before there could be any denial. “And I understand that you are preparing for war. So the petty concerns of a small town mayor are not high on your list of priorities.”
“On the contrary,” said Keira. “Your needs and concerns are
very
important to us. If we have made you think otherwise –”
“You and your people have done nothing but show us kindness,” he said, cutting her short. “In fact, with the additional trade you bring, we already have enough wealth to see us through the next winter. Had I known, I would have approached you long ago.”
“The wealth you speak of comes from the dwarves,” Keira said. “I’m afraid elves do not possess very much in the way of gold and jewels.”
“True. But your craft is amazing. The blankets and bows you make are far superior to anything we have. In truth, they have become quite prized items.”
She couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride swelling in her chest. “Thank you. It is good to know that our industry is appreciated.”
“Indeed it is,” Yelin said. “But I didn’t come here to talk of trade. I assume you noticed the newcomers in your camp.”
“We did,” replied Halvar. “They looked as if they have come to fight.”
“Yes. And they are not alone. Word has spread throughout Al’ Theona. People are pouring in from all parts to join the uprising.”
“You seem pleased about that,” observed Halvar.
Any trace of the mayor's earlier good humor fell away. “Pleased? Not in the slightest. I think you will be slaughtered. That is why I am here.” His voice became firm. “I want you to leave. Moreover, I want you to turn away any human seeking to fight with you.”
Keira knitted her brow. “And why would we do this?”
“Because I believe you to be good and honorable people. You must know you are about to march to your death. Take your own people with you if you must. But leave mine be.”
“I’m sorry, but –”
“Before you say no,” Yelin interrupted. “Please hear my proposal.”
Keira and Halvar looked at one another. Halvar then gestured for Yelin to continue.
“I have spoken to several of the other leaders. They have agreed that if you do as I ask, we in return will provide you with all the food and provisions you need…at no cost. Enough to feed and supply your entire army for as long as your campaign lasts.” He leaned back in his chair. “Surely this is worth losing a few hundred untrained swords.”
Halvar rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It would appear to be a good trade.”
“It is. And with your supplies in order, you will be free to concentrate your efforts on more important matters.”
Halvar turned to Keira. “He has a valid point. What loss is a few hundred unskilled fighters compared to the benefits we could gain?”
Keira was expressionless. “What loss indeed?” She stood and nodded curtly to Yelin. “I will need some time to consider your offer.”
Yelin’s eyes darted back and forth between the pair. “I…of course. Should I wait?”
“No,” Keira told him. “I may take too long for that, and I’m sure you have other matters requiring your attention.”
Without another word she strode from the tent. Halvar rose quickly to follow her, leaving Yelin sitting there with a confused look on his face.
Keira was already some distance away and heading in the direction of her tent by the time Halvar caught her up. “What was that about?” he demanded. “The human made us a fair offer.”
“Fair for whom?”
Halvar caught her arm, halting them both. “Fair to our people, and to his. We will not be compelled to take what we need by force, and the humans do not die in battle. How is that not fair for everyone?”
“So you would tell the humans who have found the courage to stand against the might of Shinzan that they are unwanted? You would dismiss them as if they were nothing more than annoying children?”
“They are untrained,” Halvar contended. “What use would they be in a battle? Most would likely turn and run at the first sight of the enemy. And those who do not will almost certainly die anyway.”
“We will all die in time. But if we are fortunate, we can choose the manner in which we go to meet our ancestors. And I should point out that your people are seeing battle for the first time in five-hundred years. Did
you
turn and run?”
“We are faced with annihilation,” Halvar retorted.
“So are they.”
“Agreed. But they are unaware of it. They do not realize that Shinzan intends to consume the world entirely.”
Keira leveled her gaze. “Then perhaps they should be told.”
After a few seconds of direct eye contact, the king threw up his hands in exasperation. “You are as thick as granite. And as stubborn as a dwarf child.”
Another short silence followed.
Keira spoke first. “If you insist upon it, I will agree to Yelin’s terms,” she responded. “We must appear to be of one mind, and I would not divide us over this. But I do ask that you at least take some time to consider the matter first.”
Halvar sighed. “Very well, I will think on it. And I promise to take what you have said to heart.”
Keira bowed. “Then I can ask no more.”
He watched as she walked away. So stubborn. Even so, he had to agree that turning away men desiring to fight did not sit all that comfortably with him either. Nevertheless, the fact remained that, with adequate supplies, lives would be saved – elf and dwarf, as well as human. Should they find themselves in a position where they were compelled to take what they needed by force, they were likely to meet with stiff resistance. And though they would spare as many as they could, some people would most certainly die.
A voice sounded at Halvar’s back. “Excuse me. Are you the dwarf king?”
He turned to see a human of no more than twenty years old clad in light leather armor. A badly rusted longsword was strapped to his side. The young man's blond locks were dingy and matted and he was dirty from head to toe. Nonetheless, his smile was bright and his eyes twinkled with excitement.
“I am,” Halvar affirmed. “What can I do for you?”
“Nothing, Your Highness. I just wanted to say thank you.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“For allowing us to fight with you. Some of our group were afraid that you would turn us away.”
Halvar regarded the lad for a moment. Though young, his face bore a maturity that came only from having lived a hard childhood. “And why is it that you wish to fight?” he asked.
“To be free, of course.”
“And doesn’t it bother you that you would be fighting against other humans?”
The boy shrugged. “Not really. They’re the ones serving Shinzan, aren’t they? They’re the ones who rob our farms and kill our people. They don’t have to do it, but they do anyway.”
“That doesn’t explain why you would risk everything,” Halvar pressed. “If we fail, Shinzan’s vengeance will come down hard on you.”