Estimates of the death toll were challenging to calculate in Khasmir. Many who survived had left it with scars and injuries, and most had lost at least one friend. In the Duke's own, at least five thousand of the Artarqian militias had been killed. Though Raynald guessed it was higher at seven thousand. Up to three thousand Harlenorians were slain, but the number was distorted. Many new waves of adventurers had come in; some had been less disciplined than House Gabriel. The satyrs had lost many more.

King Relg's personal forces had been nearly cut in half. And that did not account for the many villages throughout Khasmir. Some had been wiped out, and others abandoned when the situations deteriorated.

This was not even accounting for the casualties suffered by Calishans. That which had been almost as bad. Most of the Calishan army were armed, much like the Artarqians, and the battle had been gruesome for them. With Khasmirian guides, Princes Ashinin had won a string of victories. Yet Melchious took a toll on each one. Raynald, at least ten thousand of their number slain over a few months.

About the only person to emerge unscathed were the Dust Elves. They had been assigned to guard supply routes. So much relied on them, after all.

And Kusher was dead.

William just wanted to get away from this place. William's wish was granted more quickly than he would have expected. Raynald gave him a message to deliver and sent him back to Arsheen with Kiyora. It had been so sudden, as though no one wanted him around anymore.

He and Kiyora emerged into the gardens of Arsheen. Father was sitting at a table reading many letters while sipping some tea with one hand. He did not look up. "William, you return."

"Yes," said William. "Rusara ordered me to report to you. She says the campaign is going well and expects a full victory within a few months. They are now cooperating with the Calishans to hunt down the remaining raishans."

"And why are you here?" asked Vanion.

How to say that William felt Raynald and Rusara did not want him around? "I requested to be the one to bear the message. Raynald granted my request."

"You seem somewhat unsteady," noted Father, setting down his parchment.

"There was no glory in this war," said William. "A lot of people died fighting what amounted to animals." He offered the report from Raynald.

"Still, without their sacrifices, things would have gone badly," mused Father, taking it. "A death in battle is only a waste when it has no meaning. In this circumstance, it did." He paused and looked up. "I was just about to meet with Queen Alchara within the hour.

"Perhaps you will sit in on it?"

"If you wish it of me.' said William as they took their seats across from him. "How is Mother doing?"

"Azgora is doing well," said Father. "Irritable. I am told she will likely give birth soon. The matter is of no present relevance, however."

"That's not something a husband should say," said Kiyora.

"Azgora would kill me herself if I fawned over her," said Vanion. "So, I shall not."

"Right, um, Duke Vanion?" said Kiyora.

"Yes?" asked Vanion.

"How exactly will you convince Alchara not to marry me off?" asked Kiyora.

"I'm not sure," admitted Vanion. "The point of this matter is to establish a dialogue. Once that is done, much may be accomplished."

At that moment, a beam of light shot down from above. It widened and glowed brighter and brighter before suddenly fading away. There stood Alchara, as radiant as the sun. She looked mildly annoyed. "You have a great deal of nerve requesting a meeting with a goddess, Duke Vanion."

"Alchara, you appear as radiant as ever," said Vanion. "However, you appear to have misunderstood. I am here on Kiyora's behalf rather than my own."

"Save your flattery," said Alchara. "You have always held the gods in contempt behind your respectful facade."

Vanion's eyes narrowed. "Very well, I shall dispense with idle pleasantries. What will it take for you to break off this arranged marriage?"

"First, I should know your interest in the matter," said Alchara. "What business is it of yours what matches I make of my creatures in my world?"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Queen Kiyora has been of great service to my house," said Vanion. "It has always been my view that one should repay good deeds in kind. She requested I intercede on her behalf. So here I am."

Alchara looked at Vanion long and hard. Even though she wasn't looking at him, William felt suddenly inferior. What were they to this creature? They were little compared to the innate beauty of elves and less to Alchara. It was presumptuous for his father even to consider this. Of course, Father held her gaze steady and unblinking. He didn't look at all concerned. After a moment, he sipped his tea.

"I see your thoughts Vanion, and I know your designs," said Alchara. "However, there is nothing you have that I'd want." Her gaze fell on William, and he shifted nervously. Then she turned her eyes away.

"Truly?" asked Vanion, "I am a very powerful man in the court of Antion. It is well within my power to see the favorable treatment of the elves. I have taken steps in that direction already."

"That much is true, I suppose." mused Alchara. "Though it hardly outweighs the atrocities of your ancestors. Yet it is of small value compared to what I may gain by what I am doing now."

"Name your price," said Vanion.

Alchara paused, considering it for a long time. "I will break off the marriage in exchange for the submission of the Nakmar."

"That is not within my power," said Vanion.

"Which is why I was not asking it of you, human," said Alchara. "Kiyora, what you are asking of me may set back my plans by many years and bring harm to elves on many worlds. If you were to help me claim new lands of the high elves, it might be a different matter."

"What do you mean?" said Kiyora.

"The high elves lived in Seathorius for tens of thousands of years. Then the Elranor drove them to the brink of oblivion," said Alchara. "Seathorius is theirs by right, as is all of Harlenor.

However, I am not Elranor. I will not exterminate a species capable of good or drive them away just to press my claim. Your Nakmar makes many beautiful things and has many virtues.

"The same cannot be said of the satyrs."

"What do you mean?" asked Kiyora.

"Let us make an alliance," said Alchara. "If we cooperate, that cursed demoness cannot stand against us. Let our two peoples unite and descend on the satyrs. We will put every one of their wretched race to the sword and cast down their fortresses.

"Then, with the land freed for use, we may divide it between our two peoples. If you help me with this, I will gladly accept Duke Vanion's offer. And both our peoples will benefit."

"You're talking about exterminating an entire race!" said William.

"You have seen them for what they are," said Alchara. "Cannibals. Blood drinkers. Murderers. Surely you cannot defend such a race?"

"I can't defend a person like that!" said William. "But I've met many satyrs. Few were pleasant company, but they have virtues like any other species. In time they could be turned away from what they are."

"Perhaps," said Alchara, "many things may happen in time. That does not mean they will. The population of high elves is growing. So is that of the Nakmar and the Satyrs as well. Another war is inevitable.

"So if we must choose someone to be destroyed, let us choose the evil one presently. And not sacrifice the good for what might one day come to pass."

Kiyora paused for only a moment. She couldn't be considering this, could she? Yes, Alchara was radiantly beautiful and far wiser, but that didn't change this way. "Kiyora, what she is suggesting... it is wrong," said William. "Don't do this."

"Was it wrong when Anoa the Butcher put my cities to the torch?!" cried Alchara, glowing so brightly that William was forced to avert his eyes. "Was it wrong when civilizations which had stood for millennia were burned to the ground! Its people made vagabonds!"

"Of course it was," said Father, hands clasped together. "And were I in the mood for an argument, I should point out that you were far from blameless? But that was long ago. We have only control over this moment.

"Calm yourself, milady. And allow Kiyora to make her choice."

Alchara looked to Vanion, and he met her gaze. The two looked at each other long and hard. Kiyora remained silent. "No," she said at last. "I'm not going to commit genocide. Not even on something as horrible as the satyrs."

"Well then, there is very little to discuss," said Alchara. "I suppose it will be a nice wedding."

William realized he had to act soon. Oddly enough, he found his hand running over the Goldenwood Harp. What was it Kusher had said? It was holding him back?

The harp was important to him. It was a mark of pride. But he could see Kiyora looked like she was about to cry. Maybe it didn't make sense to him, but her world was different. And he wasn't going to let this happen.

"So if no one else has an offer-" began Alchara.

"What about this?" asked William, showing the harp.

Alchara looked up without surprise. "My old harp? That is mine, by right, to begin with.

"Give it to me.'"

The command rang through his head, and he took a step forward. He found his hands reaching forward to offer it and his knees almost falling into a kneel. Mustering his will, he drew it back. He'd had a lot of practice resisting the compulsions of gods and demons. "It has not been held by one of your subjects for thousands of years. If you leave Kiyora alone and let her choose her destiny without your interference, I will give it to you."

Alchara paused as if considering. Yet William suspected she had known of this and wanted him to make the offer. "Now, that is something worth delaying my plans for. Very well, give it to me, and I will ensure that Kiyora can marry whomever she so desires. I'm certain she'll make a poor choice, but then that is my fault for not giving her any ability to judge character.

"Give me the harp."

William handed it to her. As Alchara took the harp, he felt his entire being was being judged and gazed over. Alchara's contemptuous gaze became less so after a minute. "Well, your motivations in this regard are almost pure. It nearly makes me rethink my views on the inferior races. No matter. As promised, Kiyora will be free to choose. Farewell."

A cloud blocked out the sun, and she was gone.

"Well, that went better than expected," said Vanion.

"What?" said Kiyora. "But he had to give up the harp?"

"In truth, I expected to fail," admitted Vanion. "I only made the offer out of general goodwill and later regretted it. Even I overextend myself sometimes."

"Well, at least you're honest about it," said Kiyora. "William, why give up the harp? That thing was powerful."

"It... a friend of mine convinced me I'd better stop using it," said William, drawing off his helmet. "The music it makes is beautiful, but it isn't mine. And until I can learn to make music like that on my own, I'm just a pretender."

"Right," said Kiyora, shifting uneasily. "Um, William, I should wake up now. My parents will be worried about me."

"Goodbye," said William.

There was a long silence between them. Then suddenly, Kiyora stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you."

Before he could respond, Kiyora was gone. William felt the slight tingle on his cheek where her lips had met it. The feel of his armored hand against his face reminded him he was still wearing his full armor. He looked at the skull helmet in his hands.

"You know," said William, "I'm beginning to think that Rusara may have gone overboard with this armor."

"Yes," said Vanion, "I didn't want to seem ungracious but-"

"Lord Vanion," called a servant as he rushed into the room, "you must come quickly! Lady Azgora is giving birth!"

"Damn," said Vanion. "William, change into something less terrifying and meet me in her room."

"Right, yes, Father," said William.

As Father ran off, William realized he was about to have a brother and sister. Despite the horrors of these past few months, he felt happy. There was a faint smile on his face. It was a beginning of sorts. And he couldn't wait to see where it went.