3 Chapter III

By the time The King had sent out the letter to the human's talk had already spread through the castle. The maids that had spent their time bringing the King and his advisor's refreshments, had also been listening. Though the advisors didn't enjoy the company of humans they had still agreed, which was a big feat considering all the recent troubles caused by humans.

~

Zestarri sat across from her husband, they had much to discuss before they left. Each advisor made their way back to their own territories to advise the nobles. Of course, she knew the Kingdom of Galana would pitch a fit, but, her husband's words were absolute to them. They held the most power and had been governing the affairs of all the kingdoms for quite some time. The question that stood fresh in her mind was which child would sacrifice for peace to be given. They only had two daughters, normally the eldest daughter would be given. But, Zesta knew that her eldest daughter Naexi was in love with Uenora's crowned prince.

"While it would be natural for us to give them Naexi she would rather die than forsake her love for Lord Uluc's son, Strolvac." These words were from the King himself, pulling Zestarri from her similar thoughts.

"We are only blessed with one other daughter...But, she is young. And rather headstrong. She would not agree to such terms." Saying this Zestarri moved to stand behind her husband. He was overlooking the city that stood just before the port. This peace treaty would ease the minds of his people and heal wounds that had only grown as time passed.

"My darling Queen, she has no choice in this matter. She cares for the people of this Kingdom, but, I will leave her with no chance to deny this request. We will simply tell her once the matter has been dealt with. You know better than I how to soothe her anger." He gave his wife a small smile and turned to look outside once more. There his youngest child Elora was dancing in the fields with the maids, his younger son Aiduin teasing her off to the side.

~

"Tell my sister dearest, do you plan to dance like a wild animal on your wedding day too?" The light blue-haired prince looked at his younger sister with a pound laugh. The girl huffed and turned her head prancing still around the maids she had gathered to dance with her.

"On my wedding day, why brother you jest. There's no way I marrying some bumbling idiot. Especially not if he's like you." Elora stuck out her tongue placing her hands on her hips. "I'll be surprised if anyone would want to marry you! You're so rude you'd probably make her run on first sight." The maids snickered and Aiduin frowned at his sister, he felt bad for whoever married this wild beast of a sister.

~

"Kolvar must have lost his mind. Now that these plebs have agreed we will be thrown back into the dark ages because of these-these cavemen!" Grykail, lord of the dark elves, sighed rubbing his temples. There was no telling what the humans would try with this treaty, though it seemed for the best he couldn't help but feel frustrated. He laid the letter from his king and placed it in his drawer. He was sure the other Lord's felt the same discontent, but they all understood that there was something much more threatening than the humans.

Grykail had felt the disturbance of nature a while back. Something sinister and dark lurked through the lands, and he knew that it wouldn't be long until Elves and Humans alike were in danger.

~

Lord Uluc, of Uenora, read over the letter for the third time. "An agreement, with these sniveling children. This must be a joke Dholtos." Uluc looked up at his advisor, and the green-haired man only shook his head. Uluc scoffed and sat backcrossing his arms, "There are many other things we should worry about besides peace with these insects!"

Dholtos flinched at his King's accusing tone, "Sir, with the humans help we'd have more weapons and resources, not to mention the military personnel."

"I only hope for Strolvac's sake he chose another heir to marry off to the trolls." With that said he huffed, yes they could benefit but was this really the time to worry about such things.

Riding on horseback, the soldier raced down the road, the sounds of the horse's hooves, and his insistent yelling to the animal was all that could be heard. The soldier's armor clattered; the male was sweating under the sun. The seasons recently changed towards summer, the humidity was just the beginning of what lay in the coming days. He drew closer towards the grey castle—it was smaller in size compared to that of the Kingdom of Lennox—with an important message coming from the House of Delafontaine. It would've been easier to send a raven, but the sender was tasked with such an urgent message containing a letter straight from the Heir of Beaumont.

The dust left in the wake of the horse's galloping towards the Beaumont Castle, the soldier was without sleep for two nights and half a day. By the time he reached the gates, he was intercepted by another soldier, donning the armor and insignia belonging to the Beaumont's small army.

"Halt!" He said from atop the large, wooden gate.

The soldier's horse stopped at the reigns being pulled back, his blood-shot eyes looked to the other soldier, "I come…" He takes a huge intake of air, "…bringing a message from—" He's unable to finish just as an arrow comes flying out of nowhere. The arrow hits the soldier in the back of the head, killing him on the spot.

"Rebels!" The soldier atop the gate yells a blow horn is sounded.

Wild-looking men and women come running from the thicket of bushes nearby, yelling out in a cacophony of sounds as they brandish their axes, clubs, and more blunt-wielding weapons. Their armor is made of leather with lightweight chain links hiding beneath the exterior. The rebels are from the East-South direction, these rebels are familiar with attacking smaller villages that laid within the region. Some of the stronger rebels were deserters from the Delafontaine Army after experiencing wars with the elves on the border, they decided living was better than dying for a cause that was lost in the fray.

Archers are ready on the large walls, notching their arrows, and pulling them back. On the mark of their Captain, they release the arrows, joining into a group as they zip through the air. One of the rebels notices and yells to build a wall with their bronze shields. Like out of training in the army, the rebels build up a wall and shield each other from the arrows. Some of the rebels in the front are taken out, the holes in the wall are quickly refilled with another. They continue like this until the arrows are past them, then they break apart towards the main gate.

"Load the trebuchets!" The Captain orders, the small-built trebuchets are standing on the corners of the walls, with soldiers coming to load the rock-wielding slings. Ready to quell the thoughtless rebels to attack a well-built fortress.

Back at the Castle of Lennox, Alistair is back in his study. His calloused hand is wrapped around an intricately made quill, the feather of an eagle hangs on its end. He writes a letter back to the King of Lynlore, as follows;

Writing to King Blaric of Lynlore & The Elven Empire,

Your proposal is most appealing in such times as now. But you must know that this deal will not be taken lightly to my peoples. The wars on the borders have quelled recently, partially because of the rebuilding of said wall – which was broken by the Elves that live on the other side. It may have ceased at the moment, but many of my soldiers in the South wish to continue to avenge their brothers. I promise to keep their swords sheathed, but I cannot say the same of their words. As they are entitled to their own opinions and free will is a human right I wish to keep protected and safeguarded.

Among those, I should confide in you a secret that's been most troublesome. On my end of the realm, there have been reports of the "darkness" coming back. Recently, an entourage of my soldiers have entered the forest – we call it the "Haunted Forest" – and have not returned from it. In order for I, to earn your trust, I also admit of spies in your midst. The Elves that border our own, Wood Elves? We have findings of this "shadow" lurking in their lands as well. It might cause you paranoia, trying to learn of whom our spies are, but rest assured, we only did so in the recent events of protecting our own kind. Wouldn't you do the same?

Besides supposed darkness, I have another proposal of where we can hold a meeting. I may have accepted, but other rulers in my realm wish to have a seat at the table. On the borders, I propose we build an infrastructure to hold the meetings there, what of your opinion on this? It is the neutral territory of where I suggest – and would play an unbiased approach to the deal you made. Let me know as soon as you are able.

I grow tired of the thought of wars and protecting my people from unknown entities. I can only assume you are of the same state. Here's to our future peace and prosperity.

The King of Lennox & The Human Nations,

Alistair Lennox.

P.S I've chosen the heir in which I wish to arrange this marriage. It will be the first of many, I just hope they do not risk a grand event of a chance at peace and prosperity. My chosen heir is my eldest son, Archie Lennox. If it helps with your chosen heir, he's a good man and has experienced first-hand of war. As for the rest of my son, I'll leave that up to when you officially meet him.

He finishes the letter by rolling the scroll up and placing the waxed seal of his house's insignia on it. He calls for a messenger and has it sent out with the falcon that would be the sole middle-bird between the two empires. As of now, the proposed building of infrastructure would be best, but he would have to wait and see on the Elves' part.

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