38 Aureus Astrea (7)

"I am Boulder Grey, the leader for the Grey Rock Tribe." A sturdy man with chiseled features and the headdress of a chief spoke up.

Boulder thanked Prince Aureus for his help and asked what was he and his army doing in the vicinity as they did not expect Empire forces to be nearby. Aureus replied that he was heading to the contested lands.

Boulder immediately invited Aureus and his entire retinue into the Grey Rock Forts saying that he will have a feast provided for the army and that he would be able to provide intelligence on the contested lands. While Aureus showed no visible reactions to Boulder's offer, his mind raced when Boulder offered the part on intelligence. Aureus gave an imperious nod and signaled for his retinue to follow him.

Even though the chance of treachery was pretty low due to the barbarian tribes survival hinges on the fact of the Aureus army and the potential assistance hence, Johan still decided to gather the elite troops to form Aureus's guard into the barbarian forts. Tarin simply chuckled as he nodded in approval.

Calvus and Denter as well as the mages were delegated to remain with the army and to take overall command should a beast horde appear and attack.

—

As Aureus entered the barbarian forts, his eyes roved over the defensive emplacements as well as the layout of the streets connecting to the walls. As he entered the main thoroughfare, he gave a grudging nod of respect at the defenses he saw.

Meanwhile, Boulder was keeping up a running commentary of the barbarian tribes about what they have been doing for the recent years and how they have been dealing with the demon beast attacks. Aureus noted with a wry smile that any mentions of raids into empire territory were tactfully avoided.

(Just as well, now is not the time to go through old debts) Aureus thought as they entered what appeared to be a hall filled with dining tables.

While the fare was simply, the feast was sumptuous. Throughout the feast, Aureus was getting a distinct impression that Boulder was not just angling for military aid at this point in time. Aureus wondered what exactly could this barbarian chief want. Yet, Aureus had to admit he could clearly see why Boulder was the head of an alliance of two barbarian tribes. Compared to the stoic leader of Blue Water tribe, Boulder appeared far more flexible and possessing of a vision to go after what his tribe needs in the long run. (Well, uprooting from one's home to seek refuge for one's people on another's land takes guts too…)

As the feast winded down, Boulder started got to the main point of his entreaty.

"Highness, would you accept the two barbarian tribes into your domain? We are willing to swear fealty!" Boulder said.

Aureus's retainers, inclusive of Tarin and Johan all had various degrees of surprise written over their body as they heard Boulder's declaration.

Aureus who was holding a mug of mulled mead simply twitched his hand a little before turning to face Boulder.

"Even your ancestors, after their defeat in the core realm refused to swear fealty to the superpowers. What changed?" Aureus expression was neutral but his voice was charged.

"Things change, circumstances change. We have nowhere left to go and the demon beasts are bearing down on our necks. What choice have we?" Boulder sat with a ramrod posture but his voice was tinged with despair.

"Is your people willing to take up arms for the empire even against other barbarian tribes?"

"Let us parley with them first but we would have no issues in bearing arms for the Empire were our tribes able to keep certain rights."

Ranar Blue, the tribe leader of Blue Water Tribe voiced his assent at Boulder's terms.

"I will consider this matter with my inner council tonight. You will have my answer on the morrow." Aureus said as he stood up and signaled for his retinue to follow him.

—

The mood in the command tent was rather subdued as hushed discussions and speculations took place regarding whether Aureus will accept the barbarians into the fold.

It would appear that it was an even split. No one was denying the fact that the barbarians would prove to be a significant military asset in the times to come. It was their loyalty and the bloody history shared between two camps that influenced the thinking of the various members in the tent.

At this point, Tarin and Johan stood by Aureus in silent vigil as the discussions raged throughout the tent. Uncharacteristic of Aureus, he was keeping silent and not even soliciting opinions from either Tarin or Johan. Tarin seemed to pick up something from Aureus's behavior and while he himself had strong opinions, he decided to hold himself back. Johan on the other hand had nervous energy coursing through him as evidenced by his foot tapping and finger drumming on his thighs. However, he kept discipline and did not voice any opinion either.

Aureus stood up after a half hour of consideration. Silence fell in the tent as if it were the most natural of thing. Edward was grinning as usual as he took his post beside Tarin and Johan.

"Gentlemen, I beseech you all to voice any opinions and objections you have with regards to allowing the barbarians to swear fealty."

A storm of voices racked the tent as calls such as blood for blood and allowing the demon beast horde to devour the barbarian tribes whole were sounded. Due to the vigorous sounding out of such opinions, it would appear that those positive to allowing the barbarians to swear fealty appear to be amidst the minority despite the earlier apparent even split.

Aureus let the objections rage throughout the tent as he listened patiently. At the end of it, he simply asked a question "If the demon beast hordes were bearing down on your families in the core realm and the barbarian tribes could stand in between… what would your choices be?"

The objections were all abruptly silenced as Aureus laid out his question.

As Edward looked about in the silence, he thought to himself that while Aureus was known as an inclusive decision maker that valued the opinions of the people serving him , he was also known for not tolerating fools who refused to see reason. When such a clear rationale has been laid clear, even the slowest officers amongst in the tent could catch on quickly to what Aureus drove for and what he meant.

"In the event that the barbarian tribes is integrated with the Everdawn forces, should I even get a whiff of a report that there was military negligence that resulted in unnecessary deaths amongst standing military forces. Believe me, losing your rank and privileges should be the least of your concerns." Aureus said as he flared his aura.

Around half the tent knelt on one knee at Aureus's proclamation while the rest in the tent slowly followed one by one.

—

As the tent cleared out of everyone except Aureus's inner council, Edward remarked that wasn't the proclamation a little heavy handed.

That brought some chuckles around the other various members left only Reine shook her head disagreeing with Edward's joke.

"Hatred cannot be resolved with a few mere words, I merely created incentives to not act on it" Aureus replied.

Tarin had a faintly disturbed expression nevertheless he cupped his hands in Aureus's direction. Aureus noted Tarin's expression but he did not comment on it. He merely nodded in Tarin's direction.

"Johan, I will proclaim that the tribes will be able to swear fealty to the Empire assuming the morning negotiations go well. The integration of the military strength of the barbarians will fall mainly on your shoulders. Have Edward help out if necessary." Aureus said while giving a wry smile.

Johan bowed and replied in firm tones that he would be honored to undertake this duty.

Just as Aureus was ready to dismiss his council, a clarion call sounded out throughout the camp. It was the alarm for enemy raid. Everyone in the tent summoned their weapons and rushed out of the tent while keeping an even spacing between each other.

Flying creatures could be seen heading in the direction of Aureus as they shrieked and cawed. Lances of ice and blades of wind shot towards Aureus's group as soon as the demon beasts were in range.

Panes of blue energy went up that stopped the magic attacks cold. Aureus's group and his guards countered with their long range spells at the flying creatures.

It was a few moments after that troops converged onto the command tent with Calvus and Denter leading.

None of the demon beasts raided that night escaped with their lives.