An Offer You Can't Refuse

There was large commotion in the dining room as servants slowly walked here and there, arranging the dishes and flowers on the table and the maids were bringing foods of different kinds and flavors on the table. Elena and Trisha were sitting adjacent to each other and were looking at the elves. A young boy with blonde hair came near them and asked, "May I know from which place are you here?" Elena replied, "We are here with Elgin. We are Tammy's guests." The young boy said politely, "Then, I kindly request you to rise and wait for the King's arrival." Elena and Trisha rose and went outside the room and saw Verona talking with some same age ladies who were dressed way in rich silk gowns.

Verona looked at Elena and Trisha and said, "Don't mind them. They are just obeying the royal code. Here, meet the Queen of the Western Province, Queen Victoria and her sister, Princess Alexandria, who have especially came so far from their home to bless Sophia on her baby shower." Elena and Trisha bowed before them and Queen Victoria smiled, "So, you two are the foreign beauties who has been the gossip of the ladies lately. I heard that you are Elgin's wives and are sisters. Which kingdom does your father represent?" Elena said, "We are not Elgin's wives. He is our good friend and we are not princesses, but humans from the outer world." Queen Victoria said, "Humans? I had studied about your kind in my childhood. The old scholars described you people to be selfish, malevolent and dirty. That you have no large ears and you were made from Xao Lin's urine." Trisha said, "We all have our assumptions and descriptions. But, the reality can be quite different." Princess Alexandria said, "I heard that you see Aliyah's ghost and that she has possessed your friend's body. Is it true?" Elena said, "Apparently it looks that only."

Princess Alexandria giggled, "Witty. I think we will make good friends someday." Elena asked, "Why not today?" Princess Alexandria smiled, "Today is not a day to be too friendly." Queen Victoria and Princess Alexandria smiled and went away. Elena looked at Verona and asked, "What did she mean?" Verona smiled, "Keep your distance from those two ladies. They don't have much kindness towards Tammy and Sophia." The sound of trumpets and drums drawed everyone's attention and they looked around and saw that Tammy and Sophia were walking towards the dining table. Tammy was helping his wife as she was having some difficulty walking with the big belly. Trisha whispered in Elena's ear, "She's surely carrying twins or maybe triplets in that belly." Elena said, "Hush. Concentrate on the celebration. Where's Alice? She should have arrived by now." All the people gathered near the table and all sat on the chair at the same time.

Tammy rose and said, "As you all know, my dear wife, Sophia is carrying the future of the kingdom in her belly and we are here to celebrate the baby shower. My father once said to me that a man isn't the one who makes a woman pregnant, but he is the one who always stays with the woman who he makes pregnant. I had many women in my life, but none of them had more loyal and kind to me than my beloved wife, Sophia. She left her father's luxurious palace and decided to fight alongside me when I was just a disowned prince and a pauper. She never complained about the difficulties nor ever remorsed her decision, but always stood beside me in my every conquest. I would like to raise a toast to my best friend and general, Sir Elys the Brave who fought every battle with me and sacrificed his life saving mine.

To my brother, Jammy who has been a consistent wise advisor and just caretaker of the nation and has helped our kingdom to be prestigious and blissful for our people. I will like to congratulate my dear brother in laws, Sir Alex Wither and Sir Lysander Wither who has earned the knighthood of the Royal Navy and Royal Cavalry respectively. Last but not the least, I would like to welcome our honored and special guest, Sir Elsinore Vesarlis who has been a long time friend of the crown and his own elder brother, Sir Elys has been a tale hero of our legends." He sat down and raised his glass, indicating the start of the feast.

Alice slowly appeared from purple smoke and sat on the chair allotted to her. She bowed before Tammy and said, "Congratulations, Tammy. I wish for you to have a healthy and strong baby." Tammy asked, "Alice? Aren't you the one who is born to destroy and kill Xao Chang?" Alice replied calmly, "Yes, she has been born to fight that demon, but still is quite untrained and raw." Tammy smiled, "Aliyah. So, it's true that you have returned from the dead to fulfill your promise. I must say that we all are big admirers of your bravery and strength. You have inspired many young girls to be warriors and break the stereotypical household chains." Aliyah smiled, "It been so pleasant to my ears to hear your sweet words, but unfortunately mere flattering won't suffice your duty here."

Tammy laughed, "You haven't changed a little. Still that sharp and brutal tongue. My duty has been over ages ago when I fought the war with you and lost much of my people and loved ones." Aliyah said grimly, "But, the war is not over, Tammy. Xao Chang will return one day and we rely on Alice and the spear alone. We need strong people to fight his bloodthirsty souls and we cannot forgot Kenchi and Kayuba, who killed our fathers and uncles." Tammy said, "We cannot risk our present and future to avenge the past, Aliyah. I know that you are bound with the prophecy, but we cannot drag our people to an unwinnable war." Jammy said, "It took almost five hundred years to rebuild the empire back from the ruins and now you want to drag us back to the disastrous war that your father persuaded our father to fight." Elgin said angrily, "Mind your tongue, Jammy. Your father, King Gregor went in the war for political strengthening and Kayuba's ambush was his unfortunate end. But, don't forget that my entire family died in the battle, while you still have a place to call home."

Tammy said grimly, "We didn't forget your sacrifices, Elgin. But, time has changed, the world has changed and you know it more perfectly than me. The mortals are greedy and corrupt and will easily fall into those demon's tempting offers and the recent attacks of Gongamtei is a perfect example of their allegiance with the demons." Elgin said, "Gongamtei's attacks are being subjected into observation, but the politicians are refusing any claims of supernatural entity. They maybe corrupted but still not pure evil." Tammy asked, "Then, why did you elope from the mortal's city?" Elgin remained silent. Tammy said, "We are not refusing to help you at all but we are refusing to help you now because we can't. Years of abstinence from war and fighting has made the empire more peace loving and plain. Even, the people have become shorter and leaner than before and you are telling us to fight those powerful demons." Aliyah sighed, "These lame excuses won't make the situation any less dire than it is already. Bacca and his associates will turn the world upside down but won't stop searching for the spear and if they get the spear, then no one is safe. I repeat, no one."

Maester Taylor rose and said slowly, "I find sense in Aliyah's words. Xao Chang will return one day and we will have to fight him for the peaceful continuation of our lives. If a demon like Gongamtei can cause so much damage, then think how much damage can the other powerful demons make? I have seen many of my companions dying painfully in the past and I know the pain the families feel. I know that fighting everytime isn't wise, but not defending oneself is utter stupidity. It took many centuries to come to this stage of prosperity and peace, but it won't matter if we can't save the people and the kingdom. I'm with Aliyah on this matter."

Maester Cornwall smiled, "You have always been the man of rush decisions, Maester Taylor. You suggest that we should join hands with Aliyah and fight Xao Chang. But, have you ever considered how much wealth and men we will sacrifice for this cause? Years of wars has only snatched happiness from us and gave ruins and poverty to us. If you remember the cries of the families who lost soldiers than you may have also heard the cries of the people dying from starvation and thirst. I don't think going against an enemy who is stronger than us will be any wise decision." Aliyah said grimly, "We cannot sit idle thinking that we are weaker than our enemies. Remember what Mother Manaca taught us that we shouldn't be afraid to fight for justice even if we are in disadvantage. The enemy may be strong, but can't win against the good. Maester Taylor is right. If no one fights for his survival, what's the point of living in such prosperity?"

Tammy said grimly, "After hearing both the pros and cons of the war, I have decided that three days from now, there will be a large conference meeting where everyone is requested to be present and there we will decide the matter with a calm and just mind. Anyone who wants to join Aliyah is free to choose and I promise that your own decision will be the final decision." Tammy rose and said, "Today is a day of celebration and happiness. Sophia will have a baby shower at the peak of midnight and I heartly welcome you to bless her and our child." He went outside the room and slowly the guests and servants also started to move out of the room.

Alice and Aliyah were sitting near the balcony when Elgin came near them and said, "You have done good today. Though Tammy might not openly support you but he sure will want your victory." Aliyah said grimly, "It's not that easy, Elgin. Even if the elves joins my cause, they are surely no match in front of the demons who has spend all these years training for the war. Gongamtei was much powerful than before, though he still has some weaknesses but he would have almost killed half of us in that fight if the suprise attack had failed." Elgin said grimly, "We have fewer friends and lots of enemies right now. Tammy's clan is good to us because of my brother's debt on them, but the Shinigano and Shuken clans are still to an extent hostile towards us, especially to you." Alice asked, "Who are they?"

Aliyah replied, "Shinigano people are basically bandits and loot people for money. They only loot the rich and are remarked for their charitable nature. The Shuken tribe is the mercenary group who does anything for a fair price and often are trained in many arts. Both of them were outcasted during my grandfather, King Jalacapa's reign. Even then, they were prevalent in his reign and finally lost their power towards the end of my father's reign when my cousin, Prince Jensen raided and killed their allies in the kingdom. They then went into exile and again resurfaced in the war against Xao Chang, but surprisingly they choosed to fight with us than against us. They also sacrificed hundreds of men in the battle, but after the crushing defeat and death of my father and me, they separated from us and went back to their old ways of earning bread. Tammy's clan never acknowledged them as own and didn't even cared for their survival. This prejudice created hatred in their hearts and that hatred eventually made them hostile towards us."

Elgin said, "And they particularly hate Aliyah more because according to them, she was the hope that united everyone as one and her failure was the real defeat that destroyed them. Aliyah never had an own choice, but that day she had a choice and she choosed the contradictory." Alice asked, "What was the choice?" Aliyah replied grimly, "A choice between blood and duty. I choosed blood and burned everyone's hope." Alice said grimly, "Sometimes the good decisions are the worst." Elgin smiled, "Alice is slowly learning the way of a warrior. It's time for her to make a decision." Alice asked, "What decision?" Elgin said grimly, "As you know that you are special and that's why you are the protector and bearer of the Blood Spear and when the right time comes, you will have to choose too like Aliyah and your decision will predict the future of the world. I won't force you but you will have to marry into one of the three clans and that decision will tell whether we will win the battle or not." Alice asked puzzled, "But won't the other two clans become our enemies?"

Aliyah said grimly, "Tammy's clan are the best ally, but they have lost their previous glory and we don't have enough time to wait for them to regain it back. Shinigano and Shuken clans are way much better in warfare tactics than the elves, but they are poor and less in population. Mother Manaca, please give some solution." Maester Taylor walked inside and said, "I have been listening to your conversation from the beginning and can understand your problem. There is one solution though but it will be dangerous." Elgin asked, "What is the solution?" Maester Taylor replied, "The Shinigano and Shuken clans have become quite friendly in the recent years and the inter clan marriages have binded them even more than before. Tammy has always followed his ancestor's rules and kept no connections with those two clans but Jammy has always exploited the clans and even raided their villages and killed them in the name of justice. If you can get rid of Jammy, then the two clans will be grateful towards you and will join your cause."

Elgin asked afraid, "Kill him? Are you suggesting for regicide?" Maester Taylor said slowly, "Jammy isn't the king and also you won't get any better way to unite with them." Alice asked, "If we kill Jammy, won't Tammy come for us seeking revenge?" Maester Taylor replied, "They aren't as powerful as before and they won't dare to go against the person who has the spear." Aliyah smiled, "I like this man. He is the only one here who knows the concept of sacrificing for the greater good." Verona's voice came from behind, "Killing Jammy won't be easy. He is the war general and minister of the kingdom and is heavily guarded all the time by the elite agents. He seldomly leaves the kingdom and even if he goes outside, he won't be too open to attack. But if you people promise to keep my identity secret, then I have a way to get you close to him." Elgin asked, "Why do you want to help us kill Jammy? Isn't he your family?"

Verona smiled grimly, "Beasts like him don't deserve to live." Verona removed her robe and stood naked before them. There were several scratches and bruises on her body and a swollen belly. Aliyah looked at her and said, "I can understand your pain, but what will happen when..." Verona said grimly, "That's why I want to remain anonymous." Aliyah said, "We will meet with you next time. Let's disperse for now." Aliyah and Alice disappeared in purple smoke and Elgin looked at Verona and Maester Taylor and sighed, "Why does every matter needs death to settle?" Maester Taylor patted his shoulder and said, "I believe you will find the answer one day yourself." He slowly walked outside and disappeared. Verona wore her robe and said, "Please don't hate my daughter, Elgin. She has no fault in your brother's death. She just wanted to survive." She smiled and kissed his cheek and went away. Elgin angrily sighed, "Why doesn't anyone complete the whole conversation?" He stormed away as the moon slowly moved through the clouds....