“Ah, ?rdelon! Are we ?rdelon now?” she inquired, noting his lack of disguise.
“Yes, Your Majesty. It just seemed more appropriate today.”
“I respect that, My Mage. I've heard about your activities this morning. Not even brunch yet and you've both earned medals!”
“Oh, no, Your Majesty, that's hardly necessary.” I begged. I didn't want that sort of fuss when real soldiers were dead trying to defend me. I explained my position and she agreed.
“You're a good man, Mister Bascombe. Most would just allow the glory to be draped across their shoulders without complaint. You haven't had the opportunity to truly speak with King Mestil here,” as she said this I bowed deeply.
“No, Your Majesty. We merely exchanged pleasantries at the dinner last night.” Turning to him again, I said “Again, Your Majesty, the honor is mine.”
“I'm sorry you've been through so much this morning, Sir. I'm afraid you're getting much more than you bargained for.”
“Well, yes, Your Majesty, that's something of an understatement,” I allowed. Addressing the Queen, I said “Ma'am, Your Majesty, I know the good King Mestil will be part of this process, and I need to discuss a matter with you relevant to how I proceed. Might we speak in private?”
Queen May and King Mestil exchanged a glance and smiled. She said “No, that won't be necessary, Mister Bascombe. He's on our side. Unfortunately, he'll be set to gain handsomely however this goes.”
I was confused. “I don't understand, Your Majesty. You seemed so sincere about the impact of the outside elements coming into the Taliswood, er um, Imskíli, apologies.”
“Well, Mister Bascombe, that's partly what we're discussing right now. Having merchants come in on a lottery system in order to control that. It won't be popular with them, but it's a necessary measure.”
“We need to bring you in on another matter of importance. Both of you. I don't know how well you know your geography, Mister Bascombe, but the fens to the south of us are neutral country. No one has dominion there except the Hobgoblins, and they aren't even that invested. To the south of the fens is the mountain kingdom of Dh?rkil, Dwarves and their several kings. It's a very loose confederation. South of the mountains is Swalesia.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I am aware of the political boundaries in this part of the world.”
“Very well, Mister Bascombe. Well, the Dwarves are neutral, as I'm sure you know. They're too concerned with their gold and stone to worry about external affairs. But one of their kings, Altar the Vain, has informed us that troops are amassing to their south. Swalesians. I don't believe Prince Anoresti is here to bargain in good faith. I believe, as does Mestil, that they plan to invade if they don't get their way. Maybe even if they do.”
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King Mestil joined in, “And no, it isn't about your run in with him this morning, Mister Bascombe. They've been staging for at least two weeks. It's not clear though if they mean to take us, or the Dwarves, or both.”
“How many troops, Your Majesty?”
“King Altar has told us that it looks like more than 200,000 at this point, with more coming daily. From there, and they'd have to skirt the fens, they're a one week march at least. More likely ten days.”
“This is troubling news, Your Majesties. How many troops have you?”
Mestil answered, “50,000 Wood Elves, 50,000 Gray Elves, and 50,000 High Elves. It would be suicide to try to attack us here, in the forest, with those numbers.”
“And the Dwarves, Your Majesty?”
“They have something like 20,000 fighting ready. But we would throw in with them if they needed us.”
I was busy doing mental math when I asked, “What about the Gnolls, Your Majesty? Would they throw in with the Swalesians?”
The Queen spoke, “We've no way of knowing, Mister Bascombe. Historically, they've ‘thrown in’ with nobody. Not even other gnolls. But there's always a first time, isn't there?”
“Well, Ma'am, perhaps it's a good time to bring my concerns to light regarding the Hard Coast Company. I'm not sure I'm here in good faith either. I think I may be a distraction from their real plan. But, that's merely an intuition. I don't have anything to go on yet. That's what Mister ?rdelon and I have been discussing this morning, trying to better determine their motives if we can.”
She nodded, “That would be most welcome information, Sir. If there is duplicitousness in their presence here, then the whole thing should just be taken off the table. We'll hold what's ours. Let them attack.”
Mestil spoke, “Now, we don't believe Feersland has an actual role in any of this, do we? It's all the Hard Coast Company?”
I answered, “To the best of my knowledge, I believe this to be true Your Majesty. But the Hard Coast Company does have its own army, mercenaries 100,000 strong. And they have the ear of the king in Feersland, Cromar. He's but a child and likely easily duped.”
Queen May laughed and said, “Oh, he's much worse than that! He's a teenaged Human boy! Throw a woman his way and you'll have whatever you want!”
Mestil brought gravity back to the discussion. “We need to find out what the true lay of the land is. Who we can trust. What will the Gnolls do? There are too many questions at this point. For élois’ sake, we're Elves, we shouldn't be in this situation! No offense, Mister Bascombe, but we've had long enough that we should be better prepared for these eventualities.”
“If I may, Your Majesty,” I said, “I feel you give your trust too freely.”
“Yes, Mister Bascombe, there is that, and ancient races should not be so naive. It just feels so empty to have to suspect everyone you deal with of having ulterior motives. It's a sad state of affairs.”
“It's a very Human state of affairs, Your Majesty, I'm afraid. It is definitely that. In my society, you're a fool to trust anyone. Here I am today wondering if my own father isn't a villain in this tale. You should be able to trust family, but with Humans you do so at your own risk.”
“Damned pit vipers.” he mused.
“There may be more honor among pit vipers, Your Majesty.” I put in. “And if we may be excused, ?rdelon and I have much work to do this day.”
“Ah, very well,” said Queen May, “but you'll join us for supper this evening? Seven bells?”
“We'd be most honored, Your Majesty. Seven bells it is.”
With that, we returned to my rooms to begin planning out a strategy. One that wouldn't attract attention. When we arrived, Count Pelisir was there waiting.