The White Flag

Mairwen looked out at the drained valley glistening in the moonlight. It had taken slightly longer to drain than the duchess had guessed, and now the sun threatened to peek above the horizon within an hour.

Her bow was at the ready as she stared through on of the many arrow slits above the gate. Her face was hidden below Zan's Guardian cloak, but her eyes watched the valley sharply for any sign of life.

The move they were about to make was inherently risky, even foolish on the face of things. Yet all had to admit that their choices were very limited.

The siege was coming one way or another. Having innocent people inside of Oblivion when it happened would only complicate things.

More than that, if the battle lasted longer than anticipated, they could easily starve from being unable to feed everyone. More people meant more leverage for the enemy.

But sending out the elderly, the women and the children was also a gamble. Without protection, they would be easy prey for the werewolves if caught.

Although Livie had said she had no plans of killing the citizens of Valiant, the lady could always change her mind and slaughter them just for sport.

But Renat believed Taran was calling the shots, and he had told her not to harm those who did not wish to fight. It was the last part that finally cinched the decision.

"I only hope you are right," Ashleigh had said resignedly after the closing of the meeting earlier that day.

The lanky wolf hoped so as well, but he was sure enough in what he knew to recommend the course of action.

Before knowing just how close the enemy was, the plan had been for the citizens to flee as soon as the water was down and get to safety. Then the soldiers would have the freedom to spring a trap on the wolves and lizards when they tried to attack.

But it had been a vain hope. Even as the four royals, Gandr, Ashleigh and Junayd stood on the battlement, they could feel a shift in the air.

"They are close," Gandr said as he shut his eyes. "I can smell them. We never would have outrun them."

Like a wraith from the shadows, a figure carrying a flag slipped into the glistening plain. Beside the wolf was a slender armored woman with a thin rapier at her side.

She approached the gate with a slow measured walk of someone sure of her standing. When she was within shouting distance, Junayd slipped out of the top of the gate house, leaned over the crenellations, and called down to her.

"State your business!"

"I am here to discuss the terms of surrender," the woman announced.

"You wish to surrender? I mean I accept, but I was unaware we were even at war." Junayd flashed a smile down at the woman, the torchlight reflecting off his pearly teeth.

"You are very clever, but unless that flag above your head is actually your mother's undergarments, you knew we were coming." The woman scanned the battlement. She could see at least three archers with their arrows trained squarely at her.

The flag at the top of the gate was indeed present, flapping gently in the wind. Junayd looked up and regarded it silently for a moment.

"No need to bring my dear mama into this. A little bird from Valiant brought news that we might encounter some trouble. They didn't mention the trouble would be so…feminine." The advisor grinned lopsidedly and leaned on the wall, taking any sting out of the comment.

The noblewoman took no offense. On the contrary, she nodded. "Well the source of my trouble is also feminine. I need to speak with Empress Aurora about surrendering herself."

"So that is what you are after? I am so glad we were able to have this chat, but I am afraid I cannot oblige. Though why Her Majesty would give herself to you and some strange little wolf is beyond me." Junayd seemed calm, but his eyes covertly flicked about, in search of what he knew lay in the darkness.

"How kind of you to speak on her behalf. Does a gatekeeper have that authority?" The lady mocked him.

"A gatekeeper would not. Though I am a gatekeeper of sorts. Forgive me, I will introduce myself. I am Junayd, advisor to His Majesty. And you are…?"

"Humanity's only hope. But you may call me Livie. Her Majesty must answer for her crimes! Now, where is Empress Aurora?!" The woman raised her voice, causing it to echo off the wall and down through the valley.

Devrim stepped from the shelter of the gatehouse at the top of the wall and moved into the moonlight. His head was uncovered, but his chest was armored beneath his cloak containing the royal seal.

"Good eve, Livie. The Empress is unable to join us, but as her husband, I shall speak on her behalf."

The powerful man tapped lightly on Junayd's shoulder, but it carried all the weight of his position. The advisor stepped back and stood at attention, allowing Devrim to take his place between the crenellations.

Livie seemed satisfied by this turn of events. Her smile widened. "Very well. If you shall surrender yourself and sign documents of abdication on her behalf, this can all be over quite cleanly. No one needs to get hurt."

It was clear Livie knew that the Emperor would never agree; the offer was meant for those who were listening. She hoped to sow discord by offering a peaceful option.

"You know I must refuse."

"Then for the protection of humanity, you leave me no choice." Livie raised her hand and out into the valley like cockroaches, a horde of monstrous creatures blocked the gate and surrounded the walls of oblivion.

There were far more than even Renat had thought possible and the fear of having bit off more than he could handle took root in Devrim's chest. But his face remained placid.

"I will give you until the sun rises and sets for you to convince your wife to give herself up. She would do well to consider the well-being of her family during that time." Livie bowed. "If not, we will not be responsible for the results."

"I appreciate your concern for our well-being. Though you will forgive me for doubting you have humanity's best interest at heart. You are not only threatening Her Majesty, but innocent citizens within these walls…" Devrim let the words hang in the air.

"It is Her Majesty's agreements with magical creatures who seek to destroy us that has caused us to need to defend ourselves. Her alliances are leading us to the slaughterhouse and we must stop her for all of humanity's sake!" Livie's voice was bolstered by a resounding cry from the creatures which surrounded her.

It was strange for the abominations to cheer on humanity when they had clearly left most of theirs behind, but their passion could not be denied. Livie lifted her arm to silence them.

"To prove my sincerity, I shall let those unwilling and unable to fight leave without consequence." Livie lifted a finger, "But if you try to sneak out the Empress or the heir among those leaving. I will kill them all."

"My wife and infant child will not be among those who leave. We promise. Don't we?" Devrim looked back into the gatehouse, and from it a woman came holding a bundle in her arms. Her blue-flecked eyes were unmistakable as she looked down coldly at Livie and nodded.

No sooner had the Empress made her debut, than an arrow shot from an undisclosed location and ricocheted off the wall just short of the lady's position. The fiery-haired woman ducked back into the safety of the sheltered gatehouse.

Devrim furrowed his brow. "Is that how it is to be? Why should I believe you will allow safe passage for my citizens?"

"My men were…overeager," Livie looked around to find the source of the shot. "I give my word that I will let them through."

Devrim paused. "Give me a moment."

Walking back into the gatehouse's upper chamber, the Emperor and Junayd met with a waiting Mairwen, Alaron, and Gandr. The halfling had already transformed back into his more masculine human form as he cradled the fake child.

"That arrow was a brilliant move. Even I couldn't tell where it came from," Devrim congratulated his daughter. "It put Livie on the defensive. You will have to teach me that trick sometime."

"It's all about the angles," Mairwen shrugged. "I am just glad it worked.

"Better get on your way toward the gate. Get mingling among the crowd so they will begin to ignore you. I will have the archers cover you in case anything goes wrong." Devrim had put every safeguard in place that he could.

Still he knew in the end, it would not be enough if things went sideways.

The twins each hugged their father and said a brief goodbye.

"We will defeat these rebels and then come and join you at the lake as soon as we can," he promised.

With nothing more to be said, they parted.

Devrim went back out on the battlement, a stern expression on his face.

"Very well," he said to Livie. "We have decided that we will take you at your word. We shall let the innocents leave."