general commander

Crown looked around the table as her eyes pleaded for understanding.

Tiran was the one that broke the silence. "I'm sure they aren't here for you sister, or because of you."

"Why do you think they've come?" Yara whispered.

"Mother it could be anything." Tiran replied.

"I'm sure it is but I fear what the rest of the village might think." She looked sad for a second.

"Let's not kick up dust for no reason. Let's focus on dinner then I'll go see to it myself." Kish assured them. "I'm sure it's nothing." He added looking at Crown.

"I'm not worried father, I know I haven't stirred up any trouble. Honey, bare me witness."

"She's right father."

Kish nodded. "I believe you."

Tiran sat down and joined them. He wasn't hungry but he wasn't ready to go back where he came from.

— the house of the High chief —

The team of five stood at the entrance of the home of the High chief. An old man well in his early seventies came out. He had contemplated hiding inside but thought better of it.

He did his best to hide his fear and stood with all the courage he could muster.

"Who are you people and what business do you have with us?" He asked urgently.

Hawthorne was the one that spoke after Elara poked his side letting him know they weren't going to do it. They all knew what the scroll said but were very okay with Hawthorne taking the lead.

"Surely you do not expect us to stand out here to talk," Hawthorne replied.

"I have to know what your business is, I cannot invite you into my home for foolish talks and empty words. . .or worse."

"I promise we have neither of those to offer. It's a matter of life and death. Do you find that worthy of an invite now?" Lucia said almost sounding impatient.

The Chief for lack of words stepped aside for them to enter his home. He had hurriedly told his family to leave so he was alone with them.

Once they were had entered, he turned to the people who had gathered in front of his home and gave a gentle nod.

Whispers got louder as a everyone was now thrown into further confusion as to what truly was their business with them.

Once he had joined them and offered a seat to everyone he asked what was on the minds of everyone in Ashford.

"What have you all come for, what business do you have with us?"

"What is your name?" Hawthorne asked.

"Call me Mattan." He said hesitantly.

Hawthorne introduced the group. "I promise you that we do not come with the intention to hurt you or any of your people. We only seek an alliance of some sort." He explained.

"Alliance? That's a death trap with your kind."

Lucia smiled with a corner of his mouth but said nothing.

"Something evil is coming... for everyone of us. It has no name, has never really been seen before and has evaded us for a long time now, all we know of it, is the destruction it leaves in its wake. It's spreading and doing so quite fast."

"We have had no trouble or evil befall us in over five hundred years. I fail to see how this concerns us." The Chief argued.

"It doesn't right now, but it will." Hawthorne said cooly. "Our world is simply divided into two. Us, and your people. When one is attacked, who do you think the other is going to believe did it?" He ended slowly.

"We would never go looking for trouble." Mattan sat up now.

"There has been a group forming and growing steadily as more damages are being inflicted. This group strongly believe your people are the enemy, trying to have a go at our kind for our past—"

"That's impossible!" Mattan exclaimed as be shot up from his seat.

"Sit down. Let him finish." Phina said in a very gentle tone, it actually worked like magic.

"We represent the ruling royal house of Tahu—"

"We don't, you do," Elara whispered, interrupting Hawthorne.

He gave her a look that was almost funny. "We, represent the Royal House of Zeror! And they know for a fact that you are all innocent and have nothing to do with it. And as an act of this blind trust in your kind they are choosing to extend a hand of partnership."

"I'm sorry, the King and Queen of your land believes we have nothing to do with this, if such is true, why are you here?"

"Just believing isn't enough Sir Mattan. They have to show the people, our kind that all is truly well and good between us and you are infact not the enemy."

"Why should I even believe you, what enemy do you really speak off?" Mattan asked as he started to pace.

"Allow me to show you," Vax said in a tone that scared the Chief. He was in front of the man in a flash and by simply holding his hand transported them both to a different plane.

"He's a definitely the show off of the group," Lucia said sarcastically as he stood up to look around the living room, picking and touching things.

"Where did they go?" Phina asked in his very gentle voice.

Esra simply shrugged. "Maybe to show him in vivid pictures what we mean."

"Maybe." Elara added. "Either way I know what I want him to show me tonight."

"I'm pretty sure there's a child among us Elara." Lucia said.

Hawthorne looked confused at first. "Are you talking about me?"

They all laughed at his response and the look on his face.

"I'm not a child! And you are a lady, you shouldn't speak that way."

Elara couldn't hide the amusement in her eyes.

"She's no lady." Esra retorted.

"Oh, don't tell me," Lucia looked from one to the other. "Someone's being to paradise."

Phina remained emotionless while Hawthorne wasn't entirely sure how to react.

"Shut up Lucia!" Elara warned but with laughter in her voice.

"Not bad, general commander." Lucia bowed as he said.

"General Commander? You are Elara Elvira?" Hawthorne turned to her surprised.

"Who did you think I was?" Elara asked.

"A simple elven lady."

"Cute, for a cleaning servant."

"Hey! I leave every place I enter better than I find it. That is an honourable job," he defended.

"You should place yourself between a woman's legs for a change." Esra mocked him further.

"You all stop teasing him, he's in charge." Phina winked as he said.

Hawthorne had to smile at last. The banter had eased whatever tension they had left.