“Of course we are…our intentions need to be made known to our former friends and allies in order to assure our safe passage to the south. Now, who wants to volunteer to take our good news back to those who remained behind at Mount Quang?” She was sending a feeling of comfort in the form of magic over the gathers soldiers like a warm blanket now. She wanted her troops to be at ease so that they did not do anything rash.
“I will” the reply came from within the ranks. He looked extremely happy to perform this particular service. He had several scars that still looked gruesome even after having his skin lightened.
“Take a detachment with you…it is important for you to actually arrive. Once you shared the news with them, instruct them to prepare both Mount Quang and Konane for wounded.” She had a brief moment where her face contorted slightly. “It is also probably a good idea to avoid Renshaw for the time being.” She was still unsure how the high elves would be received by the woodland elves. I wonder how my father will react. I have put him through so much. Her actions had cost him much…the loss of his youngest daughter, thousands of elves dead, and many thousands more displaced.
“What do you mean?” asked the volunteer quizzically.
“I intend to offer our homes as a sanctuary for casualties of war. I think this would be a good show of faith on our part. It should also help our effort to re-establish old ties.” She smiled warmly again and the volunteer returned more confident smile…understanding dawning on the soldier. He was surprised by the warmth and overall concern his queen was showing. Kira had been the one who had always cared about the people…maybe Kishi cared all along and was now able to actually express it.
“Right you are…I will be off shortly” the soldier replied with a bow. He motioned to several of his fellows and they went off to prepare for their emanate departure.
“Now, we need to prepare for an early morning departure…pray to the guardian to protect our march and that our arrival will be met without violence” the high elven queen said in heartened tones. Cheers met this declaration…there was a collective sigh of relief at this long awaited turn of events. There had been more than enough blood spilled in the last year to last an entire existence of an immortal elf.
***
General Yukio watched the lone horseman riding toward the gate with moonlight breaking through periodically through the over cast sky. He could tell, even from this great distance, that the rider was an elf. He was bewildered by the white flag flapping in the wind as the mysterious warrior made directly for North Gate. After several minutes it was clear that this was a messenger who was coming to surrender. How could this be? Kishi would never surrender…this must be a trap of some kind. He tried to extend his vision past the rider to see if there were any more troops.
“Do not be too quick to judge” intoned the all too familiar deep voice from close by. The surprise guest’s white hair seemed to glow in the partial moonlight. A fine mist obscured the view of the moon for a moment or two after the visitor’s appearance. He placed his hand lightly on the shoulder of the powerful druid Yukio. Lord Adair was beginning to show signs that he had not rested in several days by the quality of his usually crystal clear voice. Even an immortal elemental needed a day off to rebuild their strength.
“You really do get around. What are you on about today my lord?” asked Yukio calmly. He was never surprised by the guardian’s audacious behavior. How can he sneak up on me like that? I will learn his secret someday…if that I live long enough that is.
“So you are telling me that these betrayers are really giving up” the general said without looking at the tall figure of Adair. He did make sure his skepticism was apparent in his voice. He looked surreptitiously at the guardian’s hand and then straight forward again.
“Let me say this…I had a little chat with your sister-in-law about what really has taken place since the broken council in Tarisdell. She must have decided to stop this mad course the high elves were on. Do not shoot the messenger…welcome him yourself at the gate” suggested Adair smoothly. His gaze was fixed on the approaching rider. I hope that Kishi is ready for the back lash from her former allies. The elves and people of Landen may not be too pleased to see her. I will have to ensure that her elves are not treated too harshly.
“I will do as you suggest…if you will excuse me” Yukio said with wry smile. As he began to walk towards the gate he shouted over his shoulder, “This is a good sign…hopefully this war will finally turn fully in our favor.” He heard a loud crack as the guardian disappeared. Bluish mist hung in the air for a while and then dissipated. Good luck wise one…you have really made a difference in this conflict. I hope he knows that unlike the other druids I do not hold him responsible for Kana’s actions.
As the sun rose off to the east, the guards at North Gate stood silently at attention. They had a subtle look of anticipation on their faces as they looked to the northeast. The high elven camp was no longer visible…it was as though it had vanished during the night. The valley between where their enemies had been encamped and Landen was covered in a thick fog. This was not unusual with the cold mornings, but it was nearing midday and the mist seemed to thicken as the day wore on. The Nairian soldiers had learned over the course of the past few months to never show any emotion because that had given the high elves an edge in several of their battles.
General Yukio stood in the middle of the entry way waiting for the arrival of his former foes. He had taken an oath to not ride another horse until he had successfully put an end to the high elves. He was not sure what he would do now…he could not really try to carry out his hasty oath. He had been offered numerous steeds by King Ishrafle over the past few months for his heroics, however, none had felt quite right to him. While he continued to muse over this unexpected thought the mist that blanketed the valley moved onto the plains in front of them. The guards on either side of him shifted nervously at the strange phenomenon. Several lowered their weapons in preparation for a surprise attack.
“Men, do not worry about the fog…the high elves are being assisted in their retreat by the guardians. We need to be more concerned with the orcs…we must not forget about General Synan and his army.” He stood erect and looked resolutely into the fog. His demeanor had a positive effect on his men. As he looked into the swirling portents, it was clear that he could see who was in the fog while his men could not.
“I thought they had stopped at the western cliffs” uttered one of the guards before he could stop himself.
“As you know, General Tomo’s army met their demise in the Forest of Renshaw. My information tells me that General Synan has broken camp and is marching north as we speak. They have rounded the northeastern corner of the cliffs as of this morning. They have suffered losses because they chose to march on the western side of the Blaine River” explained the general while looking to the east. He had a slight grin as he said this.
No one said anything as the high elves emerged from the mist. General Yukio had expected Queen Kishi to be at the front, but she was nowhere in sight. That gave him pause as he continued to look for the vivacious leader. It was in that moment that he knew where she was. She had remained behind to dispatch the wolves that had been acting as their steeds. She was probably attending to that while her troops made their way to the safety above the cliffs of Landen. He smiled openly now as he moved forward to greet the high elven commanders. The approaching army cowered at the mad general’s appearance.