Theopolou nodded, “Then return to your comrades. They will be glad to see you.” They bowed and walked toward the elves. He turned to Selena. “I am pleased to see you again as well.”
Selena smiled warmly. “And I you.” She stepped aside to allow the man beside her to come forward. “May I present King Lousis Maldiva, King and Protector of Althetas.”
“I am honored to meet you, Lord Theopolou,” said the king. His voice was course and gruff, though steady and commanding. “Lady Selena speaks highly of you.” He held out his hand.
Theopolou paused a moment, then took it, shaking it firmly. “The honor is mine, your highness. I extend to you the friendship of my house, and the houses of all my kin.”
The king smiled and gave Theopolou's hand one more solid shake. “My city has welcomed elves for some time now. We are glad to extend our hospitality to as many as care to take it.”
“Sadly, we are in need of far more,” said Theopolou. His somber expression wiped the smile from the king's face. “And I fear many lives may be lost before we see peace again.”
“As do I,” the king agreed. “But perhaps spilling our blood together will remedy old fears and hatreds. If that is the price we must pay, then I am willing to pay it.”
Theopolou nodded. “Then let us begin here. Together, we shall rid Valshara of this plague that had besieged it.”
“If what the High Lady tells me is true, then this is only the beginning.” The king turned and ordered his men to break ranks. “Come, let our forces be as one. Tonight we dine and celebrate our union. Tomorrow is for war.”
“I would speak to your generals and captains as soon as it can be arranged,” said Theopolou.
“They already await you,” the king replied. “The High Lady has been mapping out the temple for us. Of course, we wanted to wait until your arrival before forming a plan of attack.”
“I thank you,” Theopolou bowed slightly. “We have assets that may save many lives, your highness.”
He raised an eyebrow “That's good news. We have been fearful of the approach to the gates. We hope that you have a way to lessen our enemy’s advantage. I have five hundred swords and fifty horses. More could not be spared without leaving my city and territories defenseless.” He held his arms wide. “But that can be discussed later. Your elves have traveled far. We don't have much in the way of comforts, but you are welcome to all we have.”
“It is gratefully accepted,” said Theopolou. He raised his hand high, and the elf army marched forward.
“It's good to see you again,” said Selena to Linis and Kaylia. She moved in and hugged them both. “I notice that Gewey is not with you.”
Kaylia paused, her eyes suddenly sad and distant at the mention of Gewey's name. “He will be joining us as soon as he is able.”
Selena nodded with understanding. “I'm sure he will.”
When the elf army was only a few yards away, they halted. The camp-ground where the humans had chosen was easily large enough to accommodate them, but they stood still, uncertain what to do.
King Lousis stepped forward and address the elves. “You must feel welcome. We have brought food, water, and wine enough for you all. My soldiers have been instructed to provide you with whatever you may need.”
After a nod from Theopolou, the army slowly made its way into the camp and spread out. Unlike the elves, the humans had brought dozens of wagons filled to the brim with provisions of all types. Three bellows had been erected at the north end, away from the main group, and a large tent, surrounded by several smaller ones, had been placed in the center, where Theopolou told the elders to gather as soon as they could.
“If your elders require tents, it can be arranged,” said Lousis. He led the group into the interior, toward the large tent.
“That will not be necessary,” said Theopolou.
The passing of Theopolou, Linis, Kaylia, Selena and King Lousis, brought more than a few stares as they made their way through. Theopolou was thankful that the first encounter was with humans that had had dealings with elves, not to mention that there were already elves among them. The situation could have been far worse.
The large tent was guarded by two stocky rough-looking soldiers, and was spacious enough for ten people to enter comfortably. They snapped to attention at the sight of the king. Inside, a small round table covered by a roughly-drawn map had been place dead center. In the corner, was a small wooden cot, and a chest. A brass lantern hung in each corner and two others above the table. In the far left corner, six chairs were arranged in a semi-circle around another small table.
King Lousis instructed the guard to bring his commanders, then offered Theopolou and the rest a seat. “I must say, this has happened at just the right time.” Lousis grabbed a bottle of wine from the chest and sat down with a grunt. “I fear that if we are left on our own, we shall come under the thumb of Angraal.”
The mention of Angraalcaused Theopolou to sit up. “Have they troubled you before?”
“I wouldn't say that,” Lousis replied, and took a long drink from the bottle. “But they have made offers of friendship. But I know an ultimatum when I hear one. They all but cut off our trade with Baltria, when I refused to sign a trade agreement stating that we would only ship to cities allied to the Reborn King.” He sighed. “But that is not what troubles me the most. They have made trade bargains with other cities along the coast. You must understand, though my title is king, I only rule my city and the lands that surround it for fifty miles.”
“And the other cities?” asked Theopolou.
“The same,” Lousis replied. “There are twelve kings and queens from the north port of Lamitia to the Tarvansia Peninsula. We govern our territories absolutely, with no interference from the others. This has been the way of things since the Great War.”
“And if something threatens you all?” ask Kaylia.
“Then a council of kings and queens is called,” said Lousis. “Before the war, Althetas ruled the whole coast of the Western Abyss. After the war ended, the cities were in turmoil; several leaders, mostly former governors of the territories, wanted to seize control. Instead of civil war, we eventually formed an alliance of city states.”
“A wise decision,” Theopolou remarked.
“It was,” Lousis agreed. “The war was over, and no one desired more blood, so the council was forged. It has kept the peace for five-hundred years. But now…” His jaw tightened. “Now a snake has slithered its way into our midst. Men and women I once trusted are under the influence of a foreign power. It is why, for now, Althetas stands alone. Even the kings and queens who I still name friend, and in the past would have called for aid, fear reprisal. None are as rich as Althetas, and can ill afford to lose trade with Baltria.”
“Why did you not sign the agreement?” asked Kaylia.
Lousis' back stiffened and his eyes narrowed. “Althetas trades with who it chooses. We do not bow to the will of some tyrant in the north that clearly seeks war and havoc. Our ports and markets have always been free. And while I live, they will remain so.”
“I commend your resolve,” said Theopolou. “I can only hope that your example will show others the right path.”
“Cities in the southern region are far more vulnerable than those north of Althetas,” said Lousis. “We use the roads west as much as we do our ports. And I’m embarrassed to say, your people hold the lands to the east of the southern cities, and they fear travel by land.”
Theopolou nodded. “Rightly so. But those times are in the past.”
Lousis grinned. “That is good to hear. It will go a long way toward uniting the twelve cities, when the time comes.”
The tent flap opened and three armor-clad men entered, each bearing the crest of Althetas on their chest plate. The first was tall and lean, and looked weathered and worn, much like the king, though clean shaven. The other two were considerably younger, and far broader in the shoulders, though not quite as tall.